EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants are going to be changing their starter at left guard for the fourth consecutive week.
Coach Ben McAdoo announced Friday that guards Justin Pugh, Brett Jones and Marshall New-house all will miss Sunday’s game in Cleveland. The rookie head man also said backup guard Adam Gettis is dealing with a calf injury.
Gettis has practiced this week, but it is uncertain whether the Giants (7-3) can count on him for the contest against the Browns (0-11).
Veteran Will Beatty, who started at tackle for most of his career with the Giants, and Shane McDermott, who was cut before the season and recently added to the active roster, are the only other offensive linemen on the roster.
“It’s been a culmination of everything I’ve been through,” Gettis said Friday.
Gettis has not started a game since Dec. 30, 2011, when he played for Iowa in the Insight Bowl. He has played in 16 NFL games in four seasons, including two this year. He has been cut five times in his career, including four times by the Giants.
BEARS: Quarterback Jay Cutler is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans due to a shoulder injury.
Backup Matt Barkley is set to make his first NFL start.
Cutler suffered a right shoulder injury last Sunday against the New York Giants and has not practiced all week.
SEAHAWKS: Free safety Earl Thomas will miss the first start of his professional career Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Thomas was ruled out Friday due to a hamstring strain suffered during last week’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Thomas has started 106 straight regular-season games and 12 playoff games without missing a game due to injury.
PACKERS: Starting inside linebacker Jake Ryan, the team’s leading tackler, appears likely to play in Monday night game at Philadelphia.
Ryan suffered an ankle injury early in the team’s Nov. 13 game at Tennessee, missing nearly all of that game and sitting out last week’s loss at Washington. Then, with five minutes left in that loss, the Packers lost their other starting inside linebacker, Blake Martinez, to a knee injury. That will keep him out Monday night and likely longer.
TEXANS: Cornerback Johnathan Joseph has been fined $24,309 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness in the Texans’ 27-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Mexico City last Monday.
Joseph was called for a penalty late in the third quarter after he tackled tight end Clive Walford, who made an 11-yard catch. The penalty helped lead the Raiders to a field goal.
BILLS: Wide receiver Sammy Watkins will make his long-awaited return Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Bills’ top wideout has missed the last two months after aggravating a left foot injury, and was placed on injured reserve in Week 3. He returned to practice on Wednesday and made it through the week without any setbacks.
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