The NFL is considering the possibility of fining and suspending Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch after he made contact with an official in the second quarter of their 31-30 win over the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday. Lynch ran to the field after a skirmish broke out following a late hit by Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. While trying to get to Peters, Lynch pushed and grabbed an official, earning him an automatic ejection. Peters was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Via a conference call, NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said that the league is considering the possibility of fining and suspending Lynch for his actions, per NFL.com.
Before he was ejected, Lynch ran the ball twice for nine yards. In seven games with the Raiders, Lynch has only 266 yards rushing. According to Raiders offensive tackle Donald Penn, Lynch felt bad about the incident and he expects the veteran running back to learn from it. Penn also had a sideline argument with wide receiver Michael Crabtree in the second quarter but they eventually worked things out after the game. Crabtee caught the game-tying touchdown pass from Carr and Giorgio Tavecchio made the extra point to give the Raiders the victory.
Titans’ Henry expecting bigger role with Murray out
With DeMarco Murray nursing a hamstring injury, Tennessee Titans’ second-year running back Derrick Henry is expected to carry the load when they go up against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
In their 36-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Henry carried the ball 19 times for 131 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown run. Bothered by the injury, Murray tallied just 40 yards on 12 carries. Per NFL.com, Henry said he will take full advantage of the opportunity. Murray was a limited participant in Thursday and Friday’s practice and is questionable heading into their Sunday clash with the Browns.
In six games this season, Henry carried the ball 62 times for 318 yards and two touchdowns. Murray, for his part, has 68 carries for 313 yards and two scores.
Jaguars rookie rusher questionable vs. Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette is questionable against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday after missing this week’s practice.
Fournette suffered an ankle injury in their Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Fournette is second in the league in rushing yards with 596, behind Kareem Hunt, who has 630. However, Fournette leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns this season with six.
