Benched Josh Freeman and banned 'creamsickle' uniform both featured on Buccaneers tickets

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3) are headed into this week's game against the Cardinals in the awkward position of featuring quarterback Josh Freeman and the team's throwback creamsickle-colored uniforms on their paper tickets — both of whom fans won't be seeing on the field.

That sure is Freeman — now the backup quarterback — and those are the throwback "Bucco Bruce" helmets and creamsickle uniforms that the team was supposed to wear for this game —but cannot because of safety concerns — featured front and center on the now outdated tix.

Does this make the Bucs Oh-for-five going into Week 4?

@CardsMarkD @AZCardinals @Cardschatter @kentsomers Ironic that my #az@tb game tickets have Josh Freeman pictured pic.twitter.com/TRC0ag9KaA
— Jake King (@AZJake) September 26, 2013

Cardinals customize Rashad Johnson foam hand with missing fingertip

The Arizona Cardinals are working on a prototype foam hand for safety Rashad Johnson after he lost the tip of his finger during a play in Sunday's game against the Saints.

Johnson tweeted a gnarly photo of his severed middle digit Sunday, while the team posted a less gruesome photo of the foam "Victory" fingers Tuesday with a Miley Cyrus-sized bite taken out of it.

Working on a prototype foam finger for #AZCardinals safety Rashad Johnson (@49foyamind49) #thefinger @nfl pic.twitter.com/WTrGQLXtdG
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 24, 2013

Buccaneers scrap creamsicle-colored uniforms for safety reasons

The No Fun League has sidelined Bucco Bruce after banning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from wearing its fabulous creamsicle-colored throwback uniforms with the iconic logo in a game Sept. 29 against the Arizona Cardinals.

A new rule instituted by the National Football League this year urges players to wear the same helmet throughout the season. During the offseason, the league approved a recommendation by the NFL's Head, Neck and Spine Committee to forbid teams from switching helmets during the season.

The committee wanted to prevent players from wearing multiple helmets during the season for safety reasons. Some teams easily can change helmet designs by swapping out decals. The Buffalo Bills, for instance, were able to wear throwback helmets last Sunday because their base helmet is white, the same color as their throwback helmet. They just had to change helmet decals.

Because the throwback jersey and the team's current color scheme (pewter and white helmets) are so unalike, the Buccaneers organization said it had no choice but to scrap the idea.

"While we regret that  our players will not be able to don the "Bucco Bruce" helmet and traditional orange, red and white uniforms, there simply was no acceptable way to meet the requirements of the new policy while staying true to the spirit of our throwback theme," Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford said in a team-issued press release.

The Bucs would've had to switch to a second set of helmets to wear the throwbacks.

Well it is in the name of safety.

Cardinals' mistake leads to hilarious Chargers touchdown (VIDEO)

Saying things didn't go too well for the Arizona Cardinals Saturday night might be an understatement. Not only did the redbirds lose its first-round draft pick — right guard Jonathan Cooper, who broke his leg and is out indefinitely — but they were on the wrong side of a wacky touchdown in a 24-7 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

In the second quarter, the Cardinals were whistled for their third pass interference penalty of the game, giving San Diego the ball at the Cardinals 1. Chargers running back Ryan Mathews went over the middle, but the ball popped free. Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson picked it up but, in an ill-advised move, lateraled to Sam Acho.

Acho, who appeared to be caught off-guard by Johnson’s toss, was hit by Antonio Gates and again the ball popped in the air. Another San Diego tight end, John Phillips, grabbed it and returned it 3 yards for the score to make it 14-0.

It ain't the Buttfumble, but it sure is funny.

“We talk about being a smart football team,” first-year Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said, “and that’s probably the dumbest 30 minutes of football I’ve ever seen.”

The Chargers also blocked a punt and a field goal in addition to scoring on the fumble recovery.

“It's not the conventional way to score,” said Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers about the double-fumble. “I don't know if I've seen a play like that in a long time.”

Cardinals cheerleader and Iraq war vet arrested for beating boyfriend

The Iraq war veteran turned NFL cheerleader for the Arizona Cardinals has been arrested for assaulting her boyfriend at her Arizona home.

Megan Welter called police for help getting her professional fighter boyfriend to leave her home after the couple argued about a text message he had sent to an ex-girlfriend.

When police arrived at her Scottsdale home however, it was Welter who was arrested after cell phone footage recorded by her boyfriend showed the 29-year-old cheerleader hitting and scratching him and yelling: "Who is she?" as he pleaded with her to stop, according to WPTV.

The argument began in the early hours of Saturday, July 20, after the couple went out drinking to celebrate Welter's birthday. 

In the 911 call, Welter — who spent 16 months leading a platoon in Iraq — claimed she was choked and had her head smashed on a ceramic tile floor. She then told the operator: "I'm a NFL cheerleader, I cannot have ..." before her voice trails off.

Her boyfriend, named by Right This Minute as Ryan McMahon, told police Welter thought he resented her after she aborted their baby against his wishes a month earlier.

When the couple, who have been dating for about six months, returned to Welter's home, they started to argue about a text message the boyfriend had sent.

As he was questioned by police outside Welter's home, he explained he had sent a joke text to an ex-girlfriend who had sent him a picture of a dog. He replied with a message that read: "Are you trying to turn me on with a girl dog?"

In footage police filmed as they interviewed him outside the house, he held out his phone and told them repeatedly that he filmed the attack, as he denied harming Welter. When police spoke to her though they said there was no evidence of bruising or marks on her. Her boyfriend however, was found to have scratches on his arms, chest and shoulder.

He said he did not want to press charges and, in a later statement, told 3TV: "People make mistakes, no one is perfect. I honestly want the best for her and I hope that this doesn't take away from the good things that she has done for both the NFL, as well as the service to our country."