New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson faces a slew of charges in Sunrise, Fla., including threatening a police officer’s family and saying he would rape the officer’s wife.
A Sunrise police report shows the 24-year-old Anderson was stopped early Friday in a sport utility vehicle after it ran two red lights and was swerving while traveling about 105 miles per hour. After he was stopped, police say he made the threats and boasted about how much money he has. Jail records show Anderson faces nine charges, including threatening harm to a public servant, resisting arrest and traffic violations. The records don’t list an attorney for Anderson.
Anderson caught 63 passes for 941 yards and seven touchdowns this season with the Jets.
Thielen, Sendejo questionable
Minnesota Vikings starting wide receiver Adam Thielen (lower back) and safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) are both listed as questionable for Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Thielen, the Vikings’ top receiver, was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday after not practicing Wednesday. Sendejo is still in concussion protocol after being hurt in last Sunday’s playoff victory over New Orleans, but he was a full participant in Friday’s practice.
Coach Mike Zimmer said Friday he is optimistic Sendejo will play. If Sendejo can’t play, Anthony Harris will likely take his place.
Backup cornerback Mackensie Alexander (rib) is also questionable, while backup defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (knee/ankle) has been ruled out.
Panthers continue shakeup
The Carolina Panthers have parted ways with special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, said a person familiar with the situation. The team has promoted Chase Blackburn to take McGaughey’s place after his contract was not renewed. McGaughey is the second coordinator to leave since the end of the season.
Carolina abruptly fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula two days after the season and replaced him with Norv Turner despite a season in which they finished 11-5 and made the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. Quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey was also fired.
Dolphins add to coaching staff
The Miami Dolphins made several changes in Adam Gase’s coaching staff, including the hiring of Dowell Loggains as offensive coordinator. Jeremiah Washburn was hired as offensive line coach.
Defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo, running backs coach Danny Barrett and defensive line coach Terrell Williams were not retained. Three assistants changed titles. Shawn Jefferson will become assistant head coach/offense, Ben Johnson wide receivers coach, and Clyde Christensen director of football and player development.
Gase will continue to call plays. He and Loggains were on the Chicago Bears’ staff together in 2015, and Loggains was the Bears’ offensive coordinator the past two years.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the news. The Charlotte Observer was first to report the news.
Blackburn has served as the team’s assistant special teams coordinator under McGaughey for the past two seasons. The 34-year-old Blackburn played nine seasons in the NFL, finishing his career with the Panthers in 2014.
McGaughey could draw interest from the New York Giants, where former Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman is now in charge.
NFL: Raiders complied with rule
The NFL said that the Oakland Raiders complied with the ‘‘Rooney Rule’’ when they hired Jon Gruden as head coach. The league said a review found the Raiders conducted ‘‘bona fide’’ interviews with minority candidates during their search for a replacement for the fired Jack Del Rio. The ‘‘Rooney Rule’’ requires NFL teams to consider at least one minority candidate before making an offer to a head coaching candidate . . . The Tennessee Titans have interviewed three candidates in their search for a coach and none have had any NFL head coaching experience. Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur was the third to interview for the job. The Titans interviewed a pair of defensive coordinators Thursday in former Patriot Mike Vrabel of Houston and Carolina’s Steve Wilks to start their search to replace Mike Mularkey, fired Monday . . . On Tuesday the NFL posted on Facebook a contest offering the chance for participants to win tickets to Super Bowl LII. But what caught the eyes of every Eagles and Jaguars fan was not only the graphic, featuring Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Vikings quarterback Case Keenum, but the fact that the copy clearly said: “When you donate to United Way, you could score 2 club-level seats to watch the PATRIOTS vs. the VIKINGS battle it out for the coveted Super Bowl title!’’
