Thursday buzz: Giants receiver Odell Beckham said he was fined for Sager cleats
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Beckham fined
Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. took to social media on Thursday to say he was fined $18,000 for the cleats he wore on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Beckham said they were a tribute to TNT announcer Craig Sager, who died last week.
Beckham complained earlier this week about the "double standard" in fines, after Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott was not fined for jumping into a Salvation Army kettle after scoring a touchdown on Sunday night.
Jones to play
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that wideout Julio Jones will play Saturday after missing the past two games with a toe injury.
The Falcons could clinch the NFC South with a win over the Carolina Panthers and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss.
Jones' 1,253 receiving yards still lead the league despite his recent absence.
Green ready to go
The Cincinnati Bengals won't be going to the playoffs this year, but that doesn't mean wideout A.J. Green is packing it in.
The Pro Bowler, who's been been out the past four weeks with a hamstring injury, plans to return Saturday night against the Houston Texans.
Goff ready
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff will start Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers. The rookie has cleared concussion protocol after being injured last week on a sideline hit from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Richard Sherman.
Haden needs groin surgery
Cleveland Browns two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden revealed he has been playing despite two groin injuries and will have offseason surgery.
Haden said he will have the operations soon after the Jan. 1 finale at Pittsburgh. Despite the injuries, Haden has stayed on the field and this week he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate.
The seven-year veteran said he should be fully recovered in two months.
— The Associated Press
No practice for Peterson
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson continues to be absent from practice as he deals with knee and groin issues.
Peterson played Sunday for the first time since Week 2 but only rushed for 22 yards in a blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Matthews improving
Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews says that his left shoulder injury is improving, and that he hopes to get more snaps in Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Matthews has been playing through the injury when he was hurt following a crunching, blind-slide block by Eagles lineman Allen Barbre on Nov. 28. Matthews’ production has tailed off as he plays through the pain, with no sacks and just two tackles in a limited role the past three weeks.
— The Associated Press
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