NFL Notes: Nick Fairley, Bills, Buccaneers, Jets

Nick Fairley

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media explained that if Nick Fairley’s heart condition wasn’t previously disclosed to the Saints, they could classify this as a “non-football injury” and recoup their signing bonus.

“If it’s an illness that wasn’t previously disclosed, the team can then say ‘this is a non-football injury — we don’t owe you anything’ and can take back all of the money,” Garafolo said. “But in this case, he had this before. Teams have known about this going all the way back to the [scouting] combine in 2011. So any kind of attempt to take all of the money, that might get a little bit hairy there. The third opinion that they are waiting for, I am told that this is coming in the very near future. So look for a little more clarity to come here in the coming days.”

Bills

• Bills RB Jonathan Williams was found not guilty regarding his 2016 drunk driving arrest, according to TMZ Sports.
• Williams admitted to police that he drank a 40 oz. before driving. However, he refused to take a breathalyzer, which led to his arrest.
• According to TMZ, Williams was found not guilt because there was a lack of a positive blood alcohol test.
• Williams’ lawyer, Shane Wilkinson, said of his client: “The prosecution simply didn’t have enough evidence to prove he was intoxicated. Jonathan is a good person and he is glad this is behind him so he can concentrate on his family and football.”

Buccaneers

Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter said Thursday that veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t necessarily have the inside track for the team’s backup job and expects a “good battle” between him and Ryan Griffin this summer.

“No, not necessarily,” Koetter said, via Pro Football Talk. “He’s got the experience factor, that’s for sure, but Ryan Griffin’s had a really good offseason. He’s throwing the ball tremendous. We’ll see how it plays out. We love Fitzpatrick’s experience. He’s been here three weeks where Griffin’s been here two-and-a-half years. That’s another good battle.”

Jets

According to Connor Hughes of NJ.com, Jets second-year QB Christian Hackenberg has struggled with his accuracy in OTA sessions open to the media, which included two passes actually hitting reporters.

“When Hackenberg misses he really misses,” Hughes writes. “He threw just two interceptions in team drills, but nearly tossed six others. And I’m not talking about a receiver falling down. I’m saying the defender just dropped the ball. Other times, the wideout/running back/tight end was wide open, and Hackenberg sailed it over his head or bounced it to him. That can’t happen. In the three media-open OTAs, Hackenberg hit reporters with passes twice.”