|
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The NFL ruled Tuesday that the block by
a Tennessee receiver that injured New England safety Rodney
Harrison over the weekend was legal. Mike Pereira, the league's director of officiating, said Titans
receiver Bobby Wade didn't commit an illegal crackback block
because he was blocking upfield and not back toward the ball, NFL
spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday. Harrison injured the medial collateral ligament in his right
knee, according to The Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. It
wasn't clear how long he'll be sidelined. New England hosts the New
York Jets in an opening-round playoff game Sunday. Harrison's agent, Steve Feldman, did not return a call seeking
comment. Patriots spokesman Stacey James declined comment in
advance of Wednesday's official injury report. Harrison, 34, was injured in the second quarter of Sunday's
40-23 victory over the Titans. Wade lined up to the right of the
line of scrimmage, when Travis Henry carried for a 9-yard run.
Harrison was chasing the play when Wade hit him with a low block. Patriots players were angry over the hit, but no penalty was
called and Harrison was able to walk off the field. Harrison tore three ligaments in his left knee at Pittsburgh in
the third game last year and missed the rest of the season. He
started the first eight games this season, then broke his right
shoulder blade in a 27-20 loss to Indianapolis when wide receiver
Marvin Harrison fell on his arm.
|
