Bills Fire Coach Rex Ryan, Assistant Coach

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Published on December 28 2016 6:08 am
Last Updated on December 28 2016 6:08 am

By ESPN

The Buffalo Bills fired coach Rex Ryan on Tuesday after almost two seasons with the team.

The Bills also relieved assistant head coach Rob Ryan of his duties. Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn will serve as interim coach for the Bills' finale on Sunday against the New York Jets, and EJ Manuel will start in place of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Bills announced that general manager Doug Whaley would be leading their search for a new head coach, indicating his job with the team was safe.

Sources told ESPN's Jeff Darlington that Ryan did not have the full support of his locker room in recent weeks, especially from the defensive players, and the team found out about Tuesday's move via Twitter, as there was no formal announcement made internally.

"There were too many cooks in the kitchen. Guys were pissed," one player told Darlington. "He lost the defense."

In an interview with ESPN's Josina Anderson, Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus said that "everybody's job is on the line" on the team.

"I like Rex, personally," Dareus said. "I don't like to see anyone get fired.

"Everyone is fighting for their position, so we're at a point where we have to make a change."


Raiders' QB Has Surgery On Broken Leg

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr underwent surgery to repair his broken right leg on Tuesday, writing in a Twitter post that the operation "couldn't have gone better."

Carr's mother, Sheryl Joyner-Carr, also wrote on her Facebook page that her son was out of surgery in Los Angeles and is doing "EXCELLENT!" She thanked fans for their support and prayers.

The Raiders have given no timetable for how long Carr will be sidelined, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the third-year quarterback is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks.

A source told ESPN's Adam Caplan that if the Raiders were to advance to the Super Bowl, the possibility Carr could be ready in some capacity couldn't be ruled out.

But for now, Oakland (12-3) will head into the postseason relying on backup quarterback Matt McGloin.

The Raiders can clinch the AFC West title and a first-round bye with either a win at Denver on Sunday or a Kansas City loss in San Diego. If the Raiders lose and the Chiefs win, Oakland will open the playoffs at AFC South champion Houston on wild-card weekend.

"We're up for the challenge," Raiders running back Latavius Murray said. "I know Matt is. We're not going to change anything. We're going to go out and execute and do what we do."

They will just have to do it with McGloin under center, instead of Carr.


Sunday, January 1 Schedule (All Times Central)

Baltimore at Cincinnati, noon

Houston at Tennessee, noon

Carolina at Tampa Bay, noon

Jacksonville at Indianapolis, noon

New England at Miami, noon

Chicago at Minnesota, noon

Buffalo at New York Jets, noon

Dallas at Philadelphia, noon

Cleveland at Pittsburgh, noon

New Orleans at Atlanta, 3:25 p.m.

New York Giants at Washington, 3:25 p.m.

Arizona at Los Angeles, 3:25 p.m.

Oakland at Denver, 3:25 p.m.

Kansas City at San Diego, 3:25 p.m.

Seattle at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.