NFL notebook: Lions’ Caldwell to return as coach next season
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 4, 2017
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Jim Caldwell has been retained to coach the Detroit Lions for the 2017 season.
The NFL team announced the move Wednesday morning, a day after Caldwell fielded questions about his job security.
Caldwell helped the Lions earn a spot in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, but Detroit lost its last three games of the regular season, dropping Caldwell’s record with the franchise to 27-21. He led the Colts to the Super Bowl in the first of his three seasons in Indianapolis. He compiled a 26-22 record with the Colts and was fired after the 2011 season.
Sixth-seeded Detroit plays at third-seeded Seattle in the NFC playoffs Saturday night.
Raiders to start Cook
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders are going with rookie Connor Cook at quarterback in their wild-card game against the Texans.
Oakland coach Jack Del Rio announced the decision in a conference call with reporters in Houston on Wednesday.
Cook gets the nod with Pro Bowler Derek Carr out with a broken leg and backup Matt McGloin nursing a shoulder injury that could make it tough for him to practice enough before Saturday’s game at Houston. Cook will be the first quarterback ever to make his first career start in the postseason.
Tannehill unlikely for Miami
DAVIE, Fla. — Quarterback Ryan Tannehill sat out the Miami Dolphins’ practice Wednesday, making it unlikely he’ll return from a left knee injury for the team’s playoff game Sunday at Pittsburgh .
Tannehill has missed the past three games. Ten-year veteran Matt Moore, who is 2-1 as Tannehill’s replacement, is expected to make his first career postseason start.
