DETROIT – A federal judge has extended a deadline for prosecutors to investigate the former Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith.

According to a court filing, the extension allows negotiations to continue for a possible plea deal.

Smith is accused of stealing nearly $40 million from the non-profit in a scheme that dates back to 2012.

Investigators say he used the money for airline tickets, hotels, limos, clothes, and luxury goods.

Last month, the Conservancy sued him, his mother, wife, sister, and the best man at his wedding.

Smith faces federal criminal charges and remains free on bail with a GPS tether.

The deadline for when prosecutors must obtain an indictment is Sept. 26.

The NFL announced on Friday that Los Angeles Rams tackle Alaric Jackson has been suspended for the first two games of the season. Jackson was projected to be the Rams’ starting left tackle this season, meaning Los Angeles will be missing one of their key players in their Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Jackson was suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, but no other details were given regarding the suspension.

Jackson has been battling an injury in training camp. Repping as the starter at left tackle for most of training camp has been veteran offensive lineman Joe Noteboom. Last year, Noteboom started eight games for the Rams (split between LT, RG, and RT), and he’s started a total of 31 games in his six seasons with the franchise.

This is the latest development in a turbulent offseason for the Rams offensive line. This offseason, they signed former Lions guard Jonah Jackson, but the veteran offensive lineman has missed almost the entirety of training camp with a shoulder injury, although he’s expected to work back into the lineup next week. Additionally, right tackle Rob Havenstein has missed significant time in training camp, but he returned to the field earlier this week.

The Lions have had injury scares of their own, but luckily it appears most of their recent injuries — like Penei Sewell, Jahmyr Gibbs, Terrion Arnold, and Sam LaPorta, among others—are expected to be ready by Week 1.

The Lions and Rams are scheduled to open up the “Sunday Night Football” schedule, with their Week 1 matchup at 8:20 p.m. ET on September 8 at Ford Field.

The Detroit Lions are nearing the end of the preseason, and as a result the time to make key roster decisions is running out.

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have seen plenty since training camp opened in mid-July, as players have made their pitches for a roster spot over the last month with their performance. Though the Lions have much of their starting lineup locked into stone, the depth behind those starters will be key.

Several position groups have ongoing battles for important depth roles. With starters unlikely to play in Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh, the game itself will be a showcase for players looking to make the final roster.

Here are three position battles to watch in the Lions’ preseason finale.

Backup quarterback

If all goes according to Dan Campbell’s plan, Hendon Hooker will be the starting quarterback in Saturday’s game. He said he hopes to start the Tennessee product during the week, and actually planned to in Week 2 had he not gotten injured and missed practice time.

As a result, Hooker’s final preseason audition for the backup job could be an extended one. Campbell is likely weighing multiple options as far as how long to play. Nate Sudfeld will likely get reps at some point, but it remains to be determined just how much both passers play.

Campbell offered some clarity on the backup job, stating that Sudfeld has “the upper hand” over Hooker in terms of experience and time with the system. It may not be finished, however, as Hooker has the opportunity to make a strong case for the backup job in Saturday’s game.

Detroit appears to be being patient with Hooker’s development, and while Campbell wouldn’t 100 percent commit to keeping three quarterbacks, he seemed to imply that was the direction it was going during his press conference Tuesday.

Wide receiver 3/4

The wide receiver position has been one that has caught plenty of attention throughout camp, particularly for the lack of clarity on the spots behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Campbell named Kalif Raymond as WR3, but admitted the team would prefer not to play him a heavy workload because of his ability as a returner.

Plenty of players have stood out at points in practice, such as Kaden Davis, Daurice Fountain, Isaiah Williams and Donovan Peoples-Jones. However, Campbell has said that they are still missing the necessary consistency that would allow the staff to feel confident in their options.

Williams could be the biggest benefactor of a big game Saturday. He has been the top playmaker for the offense each of the last two games. Though he may face an uphill climb toward a roster spot, the Illinois product has made a strong case and can continue building it with another good showing.

Tight end 3/4

With Sam LaPorta dealing with an injury and Brock Wright not playing in the preseason, Saturday will be the last of three opportunities for the Lions’ depth to compete for the third tight end role.

This competition has been one that is unique, because the players competing for the third tight end role all have vastly different skill sets. Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell have the pass-catching profile, while Sean McKeon and Parker Hesse are more known for their blocking ability.

In the end, the Lions could elect to keep four players at this position. It could shake out to be one receiving and one blocking tight end that stays alongside LaPorta and Wright, so Saturday’s game will carry a lot of weight at what could be one of the final positions with available roster spots.