Friday NFL buzz: Broncos won't have Trevor Siemian vs. Jaguars
Check back here throughout the day for all the latest quick-hit news:
Broncos forced to turn to Lynch
The Denver Broncos ruled out Trevor Siemian (sprained foot) for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville, meaning rookie Paxton Lynch will make his second career start.
Siemian had hoped to return to practice Friday but head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos informed coach Gary Kubiak his starter wasn’t ready.
He’ll be in a walking boot Sunday when the Broncos (7-4) turn to Lynch, who lost his debut eight weeks ago, against the Jaguars (2-9).
The Broncos are scrambling for a playoff spot after their loss to Kansas City in which Siemian threw for a career-best 368 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. He was injured on his last sack, when Tamba Hali powered past Russell Okung to drop the second-year QB.
The Broncos are hopeful Siemian returns next week when they travel to Tennessee.
“I think it’s still a day to day process,” Kubiak said. “When we tried to get him going a little bit today we realized it was time to go ahead and make a decision” to start Lynch this weekend.
— The Associated Press
Good news for Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas is recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him last week for the first time in his career and will return to the lineup Sunday night against the Carolina Panthers.
The team could also finally get defensive end Michael Bennett back from arthroscopic knee surgery. He's missed the last five games.
McClain suspended indefinitely
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain’s on-again, off-again career could be over this time.
McClain was suspended indefinitely Friday for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, his third suspension since the end of the 2014 season. That was his only full year with the Cowboys, although he missed three games with injuries, after reviving his career following a year away from the game.
The suspension likely means the end of McClain’s Dallas career. The 27-year-old McClain was on his third straight one-year contract but never saw the field for the Cowboys. McClain was suspended the first 10 games this year after a four-game ban to start 2015.
McClain was eligible to return for the Thanksgiving game this season, but owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he wouldn’t report to the team. Jones declined to be more specific.
— The Associated Press
Kuechly still out
The banged-up Carolina Panthers will be without star linebacker Luke Kuechly and two other key defenders Sunday while their playoff hopes hang by a thread.
The 2015 All-Pro Kuechly and safety Kurt Coleman have been ruled out at Seattle (7-3-1 ) with concussions. Defensive end Mario Addison, the team’s leader with 6 1-2 sacks, will miss his second straight game with a foot injury. Ron Rivera’s team desperately needs a win to hang in a crowded race for a playoff spot in the NFC.
Kuechly traveled with the team to the Bay Area for practice at San Jose State; the team stayed on the West Coast to cut down on travel time. The Panthers lost to the Raiders last week 35-32, after surrendering an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter.
— The Associated Press
Colts waiting for Luck to be cleared
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been practicing all week after missing the team's Thanksgiving loss with a concussion.
But he remains in the protocol and awaits clearance to play Monday vs. the New York Jets.
“Still going through the protocol," coach Chuck Pagano said Friday. "Him and Clayton (Geathers) both will see an independent this afternoon and then get the report from that, but they’re still both in the protocol.”
Rodgers, Matthews questionable
The Packers have listed injured stars Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews as questionable for Green Bay’s game Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Coach Mike McCarthy has said that Rodgers and Matthews are expected to play. They were limited on Thursday in the Packers’ one day on the practice field so far this week.
Rodgers tweaked his left hamstring during the Packers’ 27-13 over the Eagles on Monday night. Second-year pro Brett Hundley is the other quarterback on the active roster.
— The Associated Press
Watkins ready
Buffalo Bills receiver Sammy Watkins is expected to play in his second consecutive game though questions persist about the severity of his left foot injury.
On Thursday, Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said Watkins still has a broken bone in his left foot. Watkins returned from injured reserve last week after missing two months of action.
Watkins spoke with reporters Friday but was vague when pressed about Lynn’s comments. Asked if he still has a broken bone in his foot, Watkins responded: “Not necessarily. You hear a lot of things.”
Buffalo’s top receiver had surgery in April to repair a stress fracture in the injured foot. It was aggravated in Week 3 when a teammate stepped on Watkins’ foot at a walk-through.
Watkins returned against Jacksonville on Sunday and provided a major spark to the league’s worst passing attack, catching three passes for 80 yards. He missed Wednesday’s practice due to foot soreness but participated on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday.
“Playing the game, you come out a little bit sore being out for eight weeks,” Watkins said. “So we expected that, I expected that myself. I’m fine. I got through the game last week, I felt pretty good, didn’t have any hiccups, and really just keep doing the things in the training room.”
— The Associated Press
Raiders lose corner
The Raiders plan to place cornerback DJ Hayden on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, potentially ending the former first-round pick’s stay in Oakland.
Hayden was injured on the second play in the fourth quarter of last week’s win against the Carolina Panthers and did not return. That ended an up-and-down season for the fifth-year player who had been playing mostly in nickel situations.
The 12th overall pick in 2013, Hayden has played only one full season due to a history of injuries after suffering a near-fatal heart injury prior to his senior year in college.
— The Associated Press
Could Beckham return punts Sunday?
New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo has a stock answer when he's quizzed about the possibility of Odell Beckham Jr. returning punts Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"We'll see," McAdoo says.
For his sake, Beckham hopes he gets the opportunity.
"It's something I've loved to since I was little," said the star wide receiver, who returned kickoffs and punts at LSU. "It takes you back to being a kid again. Between us, I guess I wouldn't mind doing it. But you never know."
With special teams coordinator Tom Quinn not happy with Dwayne Harris' decision making, McAdoo went to rookie running back Bobby Rainey against the Cleveland Browns, but Rainey muffed a punt and drew a penalty for an illegal fair catch signal.
That was Beckham's cue to come to his team's rescue. He returned three punts for 35 yards and had a 59-yard touchdown return erased by a holding penalty against Mark Herzlich.
"A lot of good things happen when the ball is in his hands," offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said of Beckham.
— John Rowe writes for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.), part of the Paste BN NETWORK
Jordan Reed out
Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed won't play Sunday in Arizona as he continues to deal with a shoulder sprain suffered on Thanksgiving.
The team's leading receiver, Reed did not practice all week. Expect Vernon Davis' role to expand against the Cardinals.
Jags depleted
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without two offensive starters Sunday against Denver and maybe a third.
Coach Gus Bradley ruled out running back Chris Ivory (hamstring) and receiver Allen Hurns (hamstring) on Friday. He also listed tight end Julius Thomas (back) as doubtful to play against the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos.
Receiver Rashad Greene (Achilles tendon) and defensive end Jared Odrick (shoulder) also are out, leaving the Jaguars (2-9) with four healthy receivers heading into the game. Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee will start, with Arrelious Benn and Bryan Walters serving as backups.
— The Associated Press
Ryan Mathews out
A knee injury will keep Philadelphia Eagles tailback Ryan Mathews for the second straight week.
Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles should again split the workload Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals
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