The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced minutes after Thursday’s trade deadline that they completed a deal to send cornerback Aqib Talib to the New England Patriots.
Pending a physical with his new team, Talib, a former first-round pick, can join the Patriots to begin learning the defense on Monday, Nov. 4.
He is serving a suspension for taking a prescription drug without a prescription. Talib is talented, but has found regular trouble off the field.
The Patriots are in the midst of their bye week following a win last week over the Rams in London.
New England is 29th in pass defense and Talib would immediately upgrade a secondary considered a team weakness.
Further details were not immediately released.
—Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings had surgery for an abdominal tear on Thursday, and tweeted that the procedure went well.
He was originally scheduled to have the surgery in Philadelphia on Tuesday, but Superstorm Sandy changed that schedule.
Jennings will likely be out at least another three weeks.
—The National Football League and the its Players Association donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, the league and the NFLPA announced Thursday.
The NFL and its broadcast partners will also run messages before and during games.
“We are pleased that NFL owners and players have joined together once again to support communities and families impacted by Hurricane Sandy,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith in a joint statement. “This contribution on behalf of all 32 clubs and players throughout the league will help the American Red Cross assist people in need in the affected areas. We salute the dedication of those who have been working so hard on the rescue, relief and recovery effort.”
—Cornerback Bill Bentley’s rookie season with the Detroit Lions is over.
General manager Martin Mayhew said Bentley will require season-ending surgery. The third-round pick was placed on injured reserve.
Bentley started three games at right cornerback and was used in the Lions’ nickel package.
The Lions signed veteran cornerback Don Carey to replace Bentley on the roster.
“He was sort of fighting through that injury with his shoulder,” Mayhew said. “He felt like he could still play. He really wanted to play. But there was just concern on our part and his part about making it worse, about his ability to stay on the field if he did get into a game and about how he would perform with a harness on and some of the limitations he had, as far as his range of motion.”
Another veteran cornerback, Drayton Florence, is eligible to return for the Nov. 18 game against the Packers from short-term injured reserve. Florence has been sidelined with a broken arm.
—Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.
The prolific thrower led the AFC with 951 passing yards and had a league-best 74 percent completion rate for the month. His nine touchdown passes tied for the AFC lead.
—Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyron Smith is dealing with family members who have been harassing the player for money, according to a Dallas Morning News report.
A 911 call was placed after family members arrived at Smith’s home to “harass and torment” him for money, according to a police report obtained by the paper. This wasn’t the first instance of harassment, according to an ESPNDallas.com report.
Smith has filed a protective order this summer against his mother, Frankie Pinkney, and stepfather, Roy Pinkney, sources told the Morning News. Smith’s three sisters and two brothers are also not allowed to make contact on behalf of Smith’s parents.
—The Jacksonville Jaguars signed running back Keith Toston on Thursday, and waived rookie linebacker Brandon Marshall.
Toston played last Sunday at running back and on special teams against the Green Bay Packers. He spent the 2012 preseason with the Jaguars, was waived during final cuts and re-signing Oct. 23. He spent the 2010 season with the St. Louis Rams.