Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd released by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd has been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After failing to play in the Steelers two preseason games, Boyd was released Tuesday to make room for undrafted rookie wide receiver Jarrod West.
Boyd, a native of Hampton, Va., signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on March 6, 2015 after being released by the N.Y. Jets on Aug. 30, 2014. Boyd was originally drafted by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft where he spent time in training camp before being released during final cuts.
Prior to joining the NFL, Boyd started 40 of the 47 games that he played in at Clemson and set numerous school records including career passing touchdowns (107), career passing yards (11,904) and consecutive starts (40) among others.
49ERS
The NFL suspended San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerome Simpson on Tuesday without pay for the first six games of the season for violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy.
The 49ers were aware of a likely suspension for the Coastal Carolina alum for previous issues, but nothing that is known to have occurred since he joined the 49ers on a two-year deal as a free agent in March. San Francisco has made it clear he must continue to demonstrate positive behavior to remain in good standing with the team.
Simpson can return to the active roster on Oct. 19, a day after the team’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens. He can still participate in all preseason practices and games.
The 29-year-old wideout, who had been a candidate to be San Francisco’s No. 3 receiver behind Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, served a three-game suspension to start last season with Minnesota before the Vikings cut him as he faced more trouble involving drugs and alcohol.
The suspension announced Tuesday stems from a legal case from summer 2014.
PATRIOTS
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met Tuesday to discuss settling the “Deflategate” legal case but were unsuccessful, two people familiar with the case told The Associated Press.
The failure to strike a deal after about four hours of talks means a Wednesday hearing will proceed as scheduled.
The people, who spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said the talks occurred away from the Manhattan federal court handling the case. The location was not disclosed.
Lawyers are scheduled to argue Wednesday whether it was fair for the NFL to suspend Brady for four games this season after Goodell concluded he conspired to deflate footballs before a playoff game. No ruling from U.S. District Judge Richard Berman is expected.
Brady plans to be at Patriots practice in West Virginia instead, where New England is preparing with New Orleans Saints players for a preseason game Saturday night. Brady missed practice on Tuesday.
JETS
New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said while it’s possible, he doesn’t expect quarterback Geno Smith to be placed on the short-term injured reserve list.
Smith is sidelined for six to 10 weeks with a broken jaw after being punched by then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali last Tuesday. Smith had surgery last Thursday to have screws and metal plates inserted into his jaw.
Maccagnan says Tuesday that Smith is likely to miss the first four games of the regular season. By putting Smith on short-term IR, he wouldn’t be able to play until he was on the list for eight weeks.
With Ryan Fitzpatrick the starter and rookies Bryce Petty and Jake Heaps behind him, the Jets are exploring veteran options but nothing is imminent.
EAGLES
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso, acquired from the Buffalo Bills in a trade for two-time All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy, returned to practice Tuesday after missing two weeks because of a concussion.
Alonso sat out last year after tearing his ACL. The Eagles are counting on him to play like he did his rookie season. Alonso, a second-round pick from Oregon where he played under current Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, had 87 tackles, four interceptions, two sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2013.
PANTHERS
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the goal of this week’s scrimmages against the Miami Dolphins is for both teams to get better, not start fights.
The Dolphins and Panthers will scrimmage Wednesday and Thursday at Wofford College in advance of their Saturday night preseason game in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Rivera wants to avoid the scenario that happened last week between the Redskins and Texans where coaches had to call off the final scrimmage because of a sideline-clearing brawl.
This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 7:39 PM with the headline "Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd released by the Pittsburgh Steelers."