College football reporter Brett McMurphy was one of the most public faces around

Ohio State’s Zach Smith scandal Atlanta Falcons Hats , which led to Urban Meyer’s suspension for three games at the start of the 2018 season. Reporting by McMurphy was part of the impetus for Ohio State to fire Smith, who’d been accused of repeated domestic violence, and to commission its own investigation into how Meyer handled allegations against his longtime receivers coach. As the 2018 season winds down, McMurphy’s made news about Meyer, Smith, and Ohio State again. On Tuesday, he reported for Stadium the 2017 transfer of a blue-chip Ohio State receiver might have been related to Smith using the N-word in a confrontation with that player. That runs counter to what Ohio State, the player involved, the player’s mother, and apparently the NCAA have agreed happened: that he transferred because of a family medical issue. Here’s what we know is true about four-star receiver Trevon Grimes’ transfer from the Buckeyes in 2017: After the season, Grimes, then a freshman, transferred from Ohio State to Florida. He had left the team that October, due to what Meyer called “family health issues.”His mother, Leah Grimes Atlanta Falcons Hoodie , had been diagnosed with cancer, UF later revealed. The NCAA gave Grimes immediate eligibility to play in 2018, declining to make him sit out the usual one year for underclass transfers. He got a hardship waiver, which is the NCAA’s usual tool to bend its rules for players dealing with difficult family issues. The player’s estranged father, LeBron Grimes, now tells McMurphy his son didn’t actually transfer because of his mom’s health issues.There’s a lot in McMurphy’s new story, but here’s the key passage: LeBron Grimes alleged to McMurphy that Meyer knew of Smith’s “alleged racially-charged altercation in September 2017 with his son Trevon and helped keep it quiet.”McMurphy’s report challenges whether Leah Grimes was really as sick as the NCAA believed she was when it granted Trevon Grimes a hardship waiver. He also wrote Leah “has had her share of past legal issues” and goes on to list a few of them. In turn, Leah Grimes provided McMurphy with this statement: Trevon Grimes did not confirm McMurphy’s report. Zach Smith denied it.McMurphy wrote: A number of Ohio State players have refuted the version of events described by Grimes’ dad and reported by McMurphy. These are all members of Ohio State’s offense. All were on the team in September 2017, when Grimes’ father says the incident with Smith took place:Ohio State’s administration took the unusual step of denying the report by name. That included Meyer, the president, and the AD.Meyer suggested legal action by the school was possible: In a statement from the school, which president Michael Drake — who’s butted heads with Meyer over the Smith story before — tweeted out: Athletic director Gene Smith added: We’ll update this post as needed. One season after the NFC South sent three teams to the playoffs, the division may be just as deep.The Atlanta Falcons know they can't afford to fall too far behind in the division as they prepare to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Atlanta made the playoffs at 10-6 in 2017 despite finishing third in the South, behind New Orleans and Carolina.Now, coming off last week's loss at Philadelphia Cheap Customized Atlanta Falcons Jerseys , the Falcons (0-1) need to beat the Panthers to avoid falling two games behind only two weeks into the season.Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the team that wins the NFC South this season "will have been in some fights."For Carolina and Atlanta, this is an early opportunity to establish a pecking order in the division."For us to have a division game ... early in the season, I think it's good for us and good for the division, too," Quinn said.A road win would be another strong statement for Carolina (1-0), which won its opener over Dallas .Each team has lost key starters to injuries.Carolina tight end Greg Olsen and as many as three offensive linemen could be held out. Olsen has a broken bone in his foot for the second straight year , but hopes to return this season and has not been placed on injured reserve.Panthers right tackle Daryl Williams (knee) was placed on IR Wednesday, joining left tackle Matt Kalil (knee), who was put on IR before Week 1. Also, three-time Pro Bowl right guard Trai Turner was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol on Wednesday."We are missing a Pro Bowler on offense," said wide receiver Devin Funchess, referring to Olsen. "We are just here to play our game. Those guys don't make up their whole team and Greg does not make up our whole team. ... I know for sure in our locker room we have the next-man-up mentality."The Falcons placed two key defensive starters , safety Keanu Neal (left knee) and linebacker Deion Jones, on injured reserve this week. Neal will miss the remainder of the season. The team hopes Jones will return , but he must miss at least eight games.Meanwhile Womens Customized Atlanta Falcons Jerseys , running back Devonta Freeman could be held out with a knee injury. Tevin Coleman would move up to the role of lead back.Here are some things to know about this NFC South showdown:REPLACING OLSENThe Panthers will turn to rookie Ian Thomas at tight end. Thomas is still very raw having only played two seasons of major college football at Indiana.Quarterback Cam Newton said it's impossible to replace Olsen, a three-time 1,000-yard receiver. Newton likes what he's seen from Thomas."He has everything you would want in a premier tight end," Newton said. "But he has to believe in himself and know that it starts with understanding the small things make a big difference."TEVIN'S TIMEQuinn prefers having Freeman and Coleman split the carries "because then we can feature the uniqueness of them, the balance of them." But Sunday could be another chance for Coleman to prove he can be more than a backup. He had six starts in his first three seasons."We highly regard Tevin," Quinn said. "We've been down this road if it gets to that, Tevin can certainly handle that."TIGHTEN IT UPMiddle linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive tackle Kawann Short led Carolina's defense in holding Dallas to 232 yards and eight points last week. Kuechly was all over the field, making 13 tackles. He set the tone with six stops in the first quarter."Luke played out of his mind," defensive coordinator Eric Washington said. "But that's who Luke Kuechly is."Short had two timely sacks. He lines up beside former Falcons defensive tackle Dontari Poe.BAYOU BROTHERHOODIn a handoff from one former Louisiana State player to another, Duke Riley will take over for Jones at inside linebacker. Riley had been starting on the weak side.Rookie Foyesade Oluokun, a sixth-round pick out of Yale, could share time with Kemal Ishmael at weakside linebacker, with De'Vondre Campbell still starting on the strongside.Damontae Kazee will be start at Neal's safety spot.QUICK STUDYThe Panthers' makeshift offensive line could include eight-year NFL veteran tackle Chris Clark , who was signed on Wednesday. Coach Ron Rivera said Clark is "in really good shape right now."AP Sports Writer Steve Reed contributed to this report.