NFL notebook: Browns fire head coach Jackson

Jackson compiled a record of 3-36-1 in Cleveland, and the team is 2-5-1 this
season following a 33-18 loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

At an afternoon meeting Monday, players were informed defensive coordinator
Gregg Williams would serve as interim head coach, according to multiple
reports. Freddie Kitchens was promoted from running backs coach to offensive
coordinator. Williams has 27 years of experience in the NFL, including as a
head coach with the Buffalo Bills from 2001-03.

Williams will remain defensive coordinator. He was the only interim coaching
candidate to speak with team owner Jimmy Haslam on Monday.

--New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur told reporters 37-year-old Eli Manning
remains the team's starting quarterback "at this point," but he did leave
himself a bit of wiggle room to change his mind following the bye week for the
1-7 team.

"We'll see," Shurmur said. "But yeah, I think Eli's our QB. I know what you're
all trying to tease a headline out of. At this point, Eli's our QB and we're
looking at all ways to improve."

Manning has completed 68.3 percent of his passes this season for 2,377 yards
with eight touchdown passes and six interceptions.

--The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will start Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback against
the Carolina Panthers in Week 9, coach Dirk Koetter announced.

The news comes one day after Jameis Winston threw four interceptions against
the Cincinnati Bengals and was pulled in the third quarter for the 35-year-old
Fitzpatrick, who nearly rallied the Bucs to overtime. Koetter lamented the
team's turnover ratio (minus-13, tied for last in the NFL) when asked about
the decision.

In other Tampa Bay news, the team appears unlikely to trade wide receiver
DeSean Jackson before Tuesday's deadline, despite the veteran's reported
request to be dealt. Also, defensive tackle Vita Vea avoided a tear of his
anterior cruciate ligament, according to multiple reports.

--Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has resumed throwing a football,
but his status for Sunday's game against the New York Jets remains unclear due
to his injured passing shoulder.

Dolphins coach Adam Gase hopes to know the answer by Wednesday in terms of
whether Tannehill will be the starter. Tannehill has missed the past three
games since sustaining the injury.

Tannehill has thrown for 972 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
If he remains sidelined versus New York, Brock Osweiler will make his fourth
consecutive start. Osweiler has passed for 895 yards, six touchdowns and three
interceptions.

--Kansas City Chiefs middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens could miss time with
bruised ribs sustained Sunday in a win over the Denver Broncos. Hitchens left
the game with the injury and is considered week-to-week.

The Chiefs also lost lead receiver Tyreek Hill (groin) in the game. There was
no word on the severity of Hill's injury. Kansas City coach Andy Reid rarely
updates players' injury status until the league-required injury report is
first due on Wednesday.

--San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team has informed
veteran wideout Pierre Garcon that he could be traded before Tuesday's 4 p.m.
ET deadline.

Shanahan told reporters on a conference call Monday that Garcon is the only
player he's spoken with about a possible trade, but the Niners will look "to
improve our team whatever way possible."

--Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph acknowledged that he and wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas have "talked openly" about trade rumors amid reports that the
veteran could be dealt before Tuesday's deadline.

"I'm not surprised teams are calling, but it's no guarantee he's going to get
moved," Joseph said of the chances of Thomas getting traded. Joseph added that
general manager John Elway has not spoken with him about the possibility of
dealing Thomas.

--Field Level Media