National Football League roundup
Nov 17 (The Sports Xchange) - The NFL is investigating an allegation that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston groped a female Uber driver during a ride in Arizona in March 2016.
The league's investigation was first reported Friday by BuzzFeed News, which viewed a letter it said was sent from NFL special counsel for investigations Lisa Friel to the Uber driver.
The Uber driver told BuzzFeed News that she picked up Winston in Scottsdale, Ariz., around 2 a.m. local time on March 13, 2016. The driver alleged Winston "behaved poorly" as soon as he got in the car, and then asked her to stop at a drive-thru restaurant during the ride.
While in line, the driver said Winston, who was the only passenger in the car, reached over and "grabbed" her crotch for three to five seconds.
Winston denied the accusation in a statement posted to social media on Friday afternoon.
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Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said quarterback Blaine Gabbert will start over injured Drew Stanton for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.
Arians told reporters that Stanton, who has a sprained knee, will be Gabbert's backup if he can physically play.
Stanton has been the starter since Carson Palmer went down with a broken arm in Week 7. If Stanton can't go, Matt Barkley, who signed with the Cardinals earlier this week, will back up Gabbert.
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The Roger Goodell contract extension negotiations will be discussed Dec. 13 during an owners-only session at the league's meetings in Irving, Texas.
The decision to conduct a discussion at the meetings comes on the heels of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' recent request for a special meeting on Nov. 28. That request was denied but Jones and the other owners will get to chat about the demands of Goodell as reports suggest the NFL commissioner is looking for an annual package of nearly $50 million in his next contract.
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The Cardinals signed wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to a one-year contract extension that keeps the 10-time Pro Bowl wide receiver under contract through the 2018 season.
In his 14th season, the 34-year old Fitzgerald has 60 catches for 677 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cardinals in all three categories.
