Eagles release Josh Huff after arrest for possessing a gun and drugs

Two days after he was arrested on gun and drug charges, Josh Huff lost his job. The Philadelphia Eagles released the wide receiver and special teams standout on Thursday, reversing course after Coach Doug Pederson said he planned to play Huff against the New York Giants this week.

Huff, 25, was charged Tuesday with possession of a 9 mm handgun without a permit and having a small amount of marijuana after he was pulled over for speeding on the New Jersey side of the Walt Whitman bridge.

Huff was also cited for driving while intoxicated by the officer. His attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., said Huff is licensed to carry in Texas and the gun was not loaded when he was stopped.

Seahawks’ Sherman criticizes league

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman ripped into the NFL, questioning the league’s officiating and saying the decline in television ratings is due in part to the league simply not being fun anymore.

Sherman touched on a number of topics, including Commissioner Roger Goodell, but most of his ire was directed at officiating.

Sherman was critical of the calls after Seattle’s 25-20 loss to New Orleans last Sunday. The Seahawks were flagged for 11 penalties versus just two for the Saints.

He said at one point, “We probably lead the league in NFL apologies the next day.”

As for the ratings decline, Sherman said players were allowed to show they were having fun in other leagues, but the NFL has regulated that element out of the game.

Etc.

Buffalo running back LeSean McCoy returned to practice to test his left hamstring injury, though his status remains uncertain for the Bills’ game at Seattle on Monday. ... Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews appears ready to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts after missing last week’s game at Atlanta because of a hamstring injury. ... San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde said he suffered an AC joint injury in his shoulder that may prevent him from playing Sunday against the Saints. ...

The Denver Broncos sent cornerback Aqib Talib to California to seek a second opinion about his ailing lower back. Talib missed the Broncos’ 27-19 win over San Diego last week after his back stiffened up during the team’s Saturday walkthrough. ... Researchers said they found a traumatic brain disease in former Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots fullback Kevin Turner, who was the lead plaintiff in a concussion lawsuit against the NFL. Turner died in March at the age of 46.