RAIDERS QB Flynn released
ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders released quarterback Matt Flynn on Monday, just six months after bringing him in to be the starter.
Oakland acquired Flynn in April from Seattle for a 2014 fifth-round draft pick and a conditional pick in 2015. The Raiders also reworked Flynn’s contract to give him $6.5 million in guaranteed money this season.
But Flynn was beaten out for the starting job in the preseason by Terrelle Pryor and then fell to third string behind undrafted free agent Matt McGloin last week, leading to his eventual release.
“It just didn’t work,” Coach Dennis Allen said. “Terrelle came in and he took over the job. He’s earned the position that he’s in. So, we just felt like it’s probably best to move on from that.”
Sports Illustrated first reported the move.
Flynn made two appearances for Oakland (2-3). He came in late in a loss at Denver on Sept. 23, after Pryor was knocked out with a concussion, and then started against Washington the following week. Flynn threw an interception, lost a fumble and was sacked seven times in a 24-14 loss.
Pryor came back to regain the starting job and led the Raiders to a 27-17 victory Sunday night over the Chargers as Flynn sat watching.
After spending four years as Aaron Rodgers’ backup in Green Bay, Flynn was one of the most sought after quarterbacks on the free agent market in 2012 based largely on one dynamic start. Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in the 2011 season finale for the Packers against Detroit.
Seattle signed Flynn and paid him $8 million last season even though he was beaten out for the starting job by rookie Russell Wilson. That made him expendable and the Raiders acquired him April 1 to be the heir apparent to Carson Palmer.
SEAHAWKS Harvin works out
RENTON, Wash. - Coach Pete Carroll said wide receiver Percy Harvin has rejoined the Seattle Seahawks and is prepared to take the next step in his recovery from hip surgery.
Harvin tweeted Monday that he was back with the team and Carroll said Harvin is ready to take the “next level” in his training. Carroll said Harvin is running and went through a workout with trainers Monday.
Harvin had surgery in New Yorkin early August and had been away from the team during rehab efforts. He is on the physically unable to perform list and is not eligible to come off until after Sunday’s home game against Tennessee. Carroll said there is still no definite timeline on when Harvin may be able to start practicing again.
JAGUARS Gabbert out
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jaguars Coach Gus Bradley said Monday he expects quarterback Blaine Gabbert to miss Sunday’s game at Denver because of a strained hamstring. The injury knocked Gabbert out of Sunday’s game at St. Louis.
Bradley also reiterated that he’s planning to stick with Gabbert, the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, as the starter when he’s healthy again.
Chad Henne will make his third start of the season. Henne has completed 56 percent of his passes for 601 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He has been sacked eight times.
Gabbert has been considerably worse. He has completed 49 percent of his passes for 481 yards, with 1 touchdown and 7 interceptions. Three of his interceptions have been returned for touchdowns - one in every start. Gabbert also has been sacked 12 times.
BILLS Lewis to start
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - From practice squad to NFL starter: Quarterback Thad Lewis received the surprising news of his sudden promotion upon arriving at the Buffalo Bills facility for team meetings Monday.
Coach Doug Marrone pulled Lewis aside to inform him to get ready to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
“He just told me, ‘You’re starting,’” Lewis told The Associated Press. “He gave me the nod, so I have to go out and do my best with it.”
A day after working out free agents Pat White and Dennis Dixon, and losing out to Minnesota in a bid to sign recently cut Tampa Bay starter Josh Freeman, the Bills (2-3) stayed in-house in finding an interim replacement for injured rookie starter EJ Manuel.
The scramble to find a starter began after Manuel sprained his right knee in a 37-24 loss to Cleveland on Thursday. The injury will not require surgery, but Manuel is expected to miss a few weeks, and potentially longer.
The Bills had only one other quarterback on their roster, undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel, who struggled in replacing Manuel on Thursday. Tuel completed 8 of 20 passes for 80 yards and an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
THURSDAY’S GAME Cleveland 37, Buffalo 24 SUNDAY’S GAMES Green Bay 22, Detroit 9 New Orleans 26, Chicago 18 Kansas City 26, Tennessee 17 St. Louis 34, Jacksonville 20 Cincinnati 13, New England 6 Indianapolis 34, Seattle 28 Baltimore 26, Miami 23 Philadelphia 36, N.Y. Giants 21 Arizona 22, Carolina 6 Denver 51, Dallas 48 San Francisco 34, Houston 3 Oakland 27, San Diego 17 OPEN Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington MONDAY’S GAME NY Jets 30, Atlanta 28THURSDAY, OCT. 10 All times Central NY Giants at Chicago, 7:25 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 13 Carolina at Minnesota, noon Oakland at Kansas City, noon St. Louis at Houston, noon Green Bay at Baltimore, noon Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, noon Pittsburgh at NY Jets, noon Cincinnati at Buffalo, noon Detroit at Cleveland, noon Tennessee at Seattle, 3:05 p.m.
Jacksonville at Denver, 3:05 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m.
New Orleans at New England, 3:25 p.m.
Washington at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
OPEN Atlanta, Miami MONDAY, OCT. 14 Indianapolis at San Diego, 7:40 p.m.
Sports, Pages 21 on 10/08/2013