Sports

Raiders fire special teams coordinator Tom McMahon after nasty loss to Broncos on TNF

The Las Vegas Raiders are shaking up the coaching staff mid-season: The team announced Friday that they have fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, one day after an ugly loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.

"Earlier today, we made the tough decision to relieve Tom McMahon of his duties as special teams coordinator. I have a great amount of respect for Tom and the work that he has done in this league, but we have decided to move in a different direction," Raiders head coach Pete Carroll wrote in a statement released by the team. "We are grateful for Tom and his work here with the Raiders and wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

In the statement, Carroll confirmed that Derius Swinton II, the team's assistant special teams coach, will take over as interim special teams coordinator.

"We are excited to attack the second half of this season with outstanding intent and purpose," Carroll wrote.

It's unclear why McMahon specifically was let go, though NFL Network reports that McMahon and Carroll were seen having an exchange on the sideline during the loss.

The three-point loss was one of the worst losses yet for the Raiders, who fall to 2-7. Denver's defense completely smothered Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith, with Smith taking six sacks throughout the game (five in the first half alone). The Raiders' offense was so futile that the team at one point went seven consecutive possessions without a first down — the most this season, per the broadcast.

All things considered, special teams wasn't the biggest problem for Las Vegas on Thursday, but the special teams play wasn't particularly impressive. Punter AJ Cole had a stellar night, getting plenty of practice, but also downing two punts within the two-yard line. But the returns didn't lead anywhere: Receiver Alex Bachman had three punt returns for the Raiders, but gained less than a yard in total. And Daniel Carlson missed the Raiders' only field goal attempt — a 48-yard, potentially game-tying attempt late in the fourth quarter — in a game battered by high winds.

After the Thursday night matchup, Carroll will have a little bit of extra time to regroup, with the Raiders' next game coming on Monday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Chargers list Tarheeb Still as doubtful to face Steelers

The Chargers don't expect to have cornerback Tarheeb Still in the lineup against the Steelers this weekend.

Still has been listed as doubtful to play because of a knee injury that kept him out of practice all week. Still has 31 tackles and six passes defensed in his eight starts this season.

The Chargers ruled tackle Bobby Hart (knee, ankle) out and they listed five players as questionable. Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (groin), long snapper Josh Harris (chest), wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring), defensive back Deane Leonard (knee), and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (groin) make up that group.

Hand, Harris and Leonard are all on injured reserve, so the team would have to make several roster moves to activate them in time to play against Pittsburgh.

Tyrod Taylor has no injury designation, Jets won't name QB for Sunday

The Jets will have both of their quarterbacks available for Sunday's game against the Browns, but they aren't saying which one of them will be getting the start.

Tyrod Taylor (knee) has no injury designation for the game after a week of full practices. Taylor appeared to be on track to start in Week 8, but wound up inactive because of his knee and Justin Fields had a strong outing in a 39-38 comeback win over the Bengals.

Head coach Aaron Glenn declined to discuss his quarterback plans after the win or at any other point in the last two weeks, and he maintained his line during a Friday press conference.

"Our guys know who's going to be the quarterback," Glenn said, via a transcript from the team. "I know who's going to be the quarterback. It's just not my responsibility to have to tell you that."

The Jets listed running back Khalil Herbert (groin), linebacker Kiko Mauigoa (concussion), offensive lineman Xavier Newman (ankle), and wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) are listed as questionable. Wilson missed the last two games, but has been practicing since the team returned from its bye week and sounded confident that he'll be playing when he spoke to reporters this week.

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