NFL notebook: Redskins release S Swearinger

The Washington Redskins released D.J. Swearinger following the safety's critical comments toward defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, on Monday. Per The Athletic, Swearinger was called into coach Jay Gruden's office on Monday and informed of his release and the team officially announced the move Monday afternoon. Swearinger confirmed the news on 106.7 The Fan later in the morning. "He just said it was the third time I've been in his office and we're going to release you," Swearinger told co-host Grant Paulsen. "And that was that. "I don't have words for this. I had a Pro Bowl year. I was a captain in year one, and this year I thought I improved on everything and I did a slap in the face and get released. I gave it my all and put my heart into it every single week to the best I could. I guess it says a lot about the organization." Swearinger actually is a Pro Bowl alternate, but he could find himself playing in that game. Should that be the case, he said he would wear the uniform and helmet of his college, South Carolina. As for Gruden, he said in a conference call with reporters that he was "quite disappointed" with Swearinger's post-game comments following the Redskins' 25-16 setback to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. "We made it pretty clear that we try to keep our business within these walls," Gruden said, "and we've had many talks before about that and unfortunately he chose to go to the media again and talk about his displeasure with some of the calls. I know Coach Manusky works extremely hard as does the rest of the staff to put together a game plan and unfortunately we didn't get it done." Swearinger took issue with the team playing man-to-man on a third down play that resulted in a holding penalty on cornerback Fabian Moreau. He was also angered about the decision to put Moreau in that position against Titans backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert. "I felt like we should have been more aggressive," the 27-year-old Swearinger said Saturday. "I feel like on the third down and 6, third down and 7, we're playing a backup quarterback, why would you put us in man-to-man? We are our best on defense when we look at the quarterback. When you go one high on a backup quarterback, that's easy, man. It'll go backside every time. --Less than 24 hours after leading the Seattle Seahawks to their seventh playoff appearance of his tenure, coach Pete Carroll reached agreement on a multi-year contract extension on Monday. Carroll, who also serves as the teams Executive Vice President of Football Operations, presided over the Seahawks securing their latest playoff berth in Sunday night's 38-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. "I am excited to announce that we have extended Head Coach Pete Carroll through the 2021 season," Seahawks chairwoman Jody Allen said in a statement released by the team. The Seahawks were coming off two straight double-digit loss seasons when Carroll was hired as their eighth head coach on Jan. 11, 2010. Carroll has become the most successful coach in team history. After going 7-9 in each of his first two seasons, Carroll led the Seahawks to six straight postseason appearances, including the team's first Super Bowl Title in 2014 against Denver. Overall, he is 97-59-1 and if the Seahawks beat the Cardinals next week it will be their sixth season with at least 10 wins under Carroll. Before Carroll arrived, Seattle finished with double-digit wins five times in its first 34 seasons. --Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster wrote an apologetic message on social media Monday, one day after his fumble ended the Pittsburgh Steelers' final offensive possession in a 31-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints. "When I'm at my lowest, I'm not going to hide," Smith-Schuster wrote on Twitter. "I'm sorry. That loss was on me. I let everyone down, it won't happen again." Smith-Schuster recorded a strong performance prior to putting the ball on the turf, collecting 11 receptions for 115 yards. With the Steelers (8-5-1) trailing by three points, the 22-year-old Smith-Schuster fumbled the ball as he was being brought down by Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins at New Orleans' 42-yard line with 41 seconds remaining. Saints linebacker Demario Davis recovered the loose ball to seal the win. --Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley could be a bystander for the second straight game, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday. Gurley missed his first game since his rookie season on Sunday in the Rams' 31-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Pro Bowl running back, who is dealing with inflammation in his left knee, participated in pregame drills before the team elected to err on the side of caution. Rapoport said on "Good Morning Football" that the Rams may employ the same strategy for Sunday's home game against the San Francisco 49ers (4-11) because "nothing is more important than the playoffs." Los Angeles would secure a first-round bye in the playoffs with a victory, while a loss coupled with a Chicago Bears' win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday would send the Rams into the wild-card round. --Former NFL linebacker, broadcaster and Detroit Lions general manager Matt Millen underwent a successful heart transplant in a New Jersey hospital. "Doctors said the heart was a perfect match and he is doing well," Millen's wife, Pat, informed NBC Sports via text. "The surgery went smoothly." Millen has been suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease that necessitated the surgery. Amyloidosis occurs when amyloid builds up in bone marrow and spreads to organs and other body tissue. The 60-year-old Millen stepped away from his broadcasting responsibilities with the Big Ten Network in October to focus on his health. Millen had been in the hospital for nearly three months while waiting for a transplant. --Quarterback Colt McCoy will not be under center for the Washington Redskins in their season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to a published report. The Washington Post reported that McCoy will not return with the Redskins (7-8), who are eliminated from playoff contention. Washington's postseason aspirations were dashed after its 25-16 loss to Tennessee on Sunday and wins by the Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1) and Eagles (8-7). McCoy told reporters last week that he was hoping to play in the regular season finale against Philadelphia on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET). Had that been the case, the 32-year-old McCoy would have been returning for his first action since Dec. 3 when he fractured his right fibula during the final play of the first quarter of a 28-13 setback versus the Eagles.