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Around the NFL: Jaguars GM says team is interested in Coughlin

Former New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin waves to fans as he walks on the field before an NFL game between the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 14.
(Bill Kostroun / Associated Press)
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Jacksonville General Manager Dave Caldwell said Monday that former Jaguars and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin “would be somebody we’d be interested in talking to” about the team’s coaching vacancy.

The Jaguars (2-12) fired Gus Bradley on Sunday after the team’s ninth consecutive loss, and Caldwell announced Monday that assistant head coach Doug Marrone would be interim coach for the final two games. Bradley went 14-48 in four seasons in Jacksonville, the worst winning percentage (.225) of any NFL coach with at least 60 games.

Coughlin, 70, was Jacksonville’s first head coach, leading the expansion team to a 68-60 record in eight seasons (1995-2002). He resigned last January after 12 seasons with the Giants that included two Super Bowl victories, but has made it clear he wants to return to NFL coaching. He currently is a senior advisor to the league’s football operations department.

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Marrone was Buffalo’s head coach for two seasons, going 15-17 in 2013 and ’14.

Savage to start

Tom Savage will start at quarterback for Houston on Saturday against Cincinnati. Coach Bill O’Brien made the announcement a day after Savage took over in the second quarter when Brock Osweiler was benched against Jacksonville.

Savage threw for 260 yards to help the Texans rally from a 13-point deficit for a 21-20 win in his first regular-season action since 2014. Osweiler has struggled this season after Houston signed him for $72 million.

“I feel like Tom Savage gives us the best chance to win,” O’Brien said.

No fine for Elliott

The NFL said it will not fine Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott for a touchdown celebration in which he jumped into an oversized Salvation Army kettle behind the end zone Sunday night against Tampa Bay.

Elliott had vowed to match any league-imposed fine with a donation to the Salvation Army. He said on Twitter that he would honor his donation promise “even though I will not be fined.”

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Elliott’s celebratory act, which drew a 15-yard penalty, seems to be paying dividends for the charity. ESPN reported that in the roughly 121/2 hours after his leap, until 10:30 a.m. EST Monday, the Salvation Army said it took in $182,000 in online donations, a 61% increase over a similar time period from Sunday night into Monday last week.

Etc.

Cleveland Coach Hue Jackson said he is sticking with Robert Griffin III at quarterback as the 0-14 Browns try to avoid becoming the second team to go 0-16. However, Jackson said he won’t hesitate to make a switch in Saturday’s home game against San Diego and that he wants another look at rookie Cody Kessler, who made eight starts while Griffin recovered from a broken bone in his shoulder. . . . New York Jets Coach Todd Bowles said a CT scan on Bryce Petty’s chest was negative and the quarterback could play Saturday at New England. ... Indianapolis put defensive tackle Art Jones on season-ending injured reserve because of a groin issue. ... Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor tore a finger ligament and will need surgery after the season, but will try to play in the final two games. . . . Receiver Eddie Royal will miss Chicago’s final two games because of a toe injury. He is the 18th Bears player to go on injured reserve this season.

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