FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots claimed wide receiver Michael Floyd off waivers Thursday, one day after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals.
Floyd’s agent Brian Murphy confirmed the move in an email.
Floyd, Arizona’s first-round draft pick in 2012, was released by the team two days after he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and failure to obey a police officer.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver gives Tom Brady a big, experienced target. Floyd was having a down season, but had five 100-yard receiving games last season.
Floyd had 33 catches for 446 yards and four touchdowns with the Cardinals this season, but had several critical drops.
The Patriots have been hit by injuries to their receiving group, including star tight end Rob Gronkowski.
A couple of hours before New England made the move, Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald made his first public comments about the Cardinals’ decision to release his good friend.
“I can’t give you my true feeling because people might get upset with what I really feel, but Mike is like my brother,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve known Mike since he was 13 years old; we come from the same place. I love him dearly.”
Both players are from Minneapolis.
“Like any other family member, I never turn my back on him no matter what,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m going to support him.”
He said he’d met with Floyd on Wednesday and planned to do so again on Thursday.
Fitzgerald said Floyd was “going to be a great pickup for whoever lands him.
“You’ve got a young guy who’s hungry, he’s eager to make plays on a contract year,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s got a chip on his shoulder now, not that he didn’t already have one, but he’s got a bigger one – and I hope he goes and makes a deep playoff run.”
A short time later, the Patriots made their move.
BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston and the woman who accused him of rape while both attended Florida State University have settled the civil lawsuit she brought against him.
Federal court records show that the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner and his accuser, Erica Kinsman, “reached a compromise with contingencies” Wednesday with joint motions for dismissal anticipated within 20 days.
Terms of the settlement are confidential. Blaine Kerr, one of the attorneys representing Kinsman, said “the case has been resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.”
The trial had been scheduled to begin April 3 in U.S. District Court in Orlando.
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, but Kinsman has spoken publicly about her case, including in a documentary.
Winston had filed a countersuit against Kinsman. Donald King, who is one of the attorneys representing Winston, said that also has been settled.
PANTHERS: Coach Ron Rivera said an MRI on quarterback Cam Newton’s right shoulder revealed no serious damage and he anticipates the 2015 NFL MVP will play Monday night against Washington.
Newton was listed as limited Thursday.
Rivera said that Newton’s shoulder is sore and the Panthers “don’t want to aggravate it, so we’re bringing him along slowly.”
Newton sustained the injury in Carolina’s 28-16 win over San Diego on Sunday, but Rivera didn’t specify on which play.
RAMS: Defensive end Robert Quinn and running back Benny Cunningham are done for the season after the team placed the veterans on injured reserve before Thursday night’s game against the Seahawks.
Quinn was in concussion protocol the last few weeks but had been practicing. Cunningham sat out the last game against Atlanta because of a neck issue.
JETS: Running back Matt Forte practiced on a limited basis and will likely be a game-time decision against Miami on Saturday night.
Forte sat out practice Wednesday with an injured right knee, but was able to participate in some of Thursday’s session, an encouraging sign for the 31-year-old running back who leads the Jets with 792 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.
LIONS: Detroit claimed defensive end Corey Lemonier off waivers a day after he was released by the winless Browns. The move gives the Lions depth at a position that would take a hit if Ezekiel Ansah can’t play Sunday against the Giants.
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