Falcons sign Pressley to practice squad
Former University of New Mexico running back Jhurell Pressley was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad Tuesday to bolster a backfield that lost Tevin Coleman to a hamstring injury in Sunday’s game against San Diego.
The Falcons also signed RB Stevan Ridley, who began his NFL career with New England and also played for the New York Jets, in addition to promoting Terron Ward from their practice squad.
Pressley, an undrafted free agent, was with Minnesota during the exhibition season before being cut. He was picked up by Green Bay but released soon after. He has not appeared in a regular-season game. Last year he was the Lobos’ leading rusher.
Coleman’s injury had left Devonta Freeman and fullback Patrick DiMarco as the only healthy running backs on the Falcons’ active roster before the additions. PATRIOTS-BRONCOS
TRADE: Denver traded a 2017 fifth-round pick to New England for tight end A.J. Derby.
Derby was a sixth-round draft pick out of Arkansas last year and played in four games for the Patriots this season after spending his rookie season on IR.
Playing behind Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, Derby played just 36 snaps. But his preseason production — 15 receptions for 189 yards, a TD — is roughly what the Broncos’ tight ends have managed this season. Denver’s Virgil Green, John Phillips and Jeff Heuerman have a combined 17 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown.
Broncos GM John Elway called Derby “a young tight end who can help us immediately.”
BEARS: Jay Cutler’s return has come at the right time for Chicago.
Cutler is back as the starter after five weeks away with a thumb sprain. He’ll take over as the starter from Brian Hoyer, who went on injured reserve with a broken left arm.
Bears coach John Fox is thankful to have Cutler healthy enough to play, even if earlier he hinted there was a chance Hoyer could keep the job.
“He doesn’t have a choice, I guess, at this point,” Cutler said about Fox. “Brian is out, so I’ve got to go.
“I’ve had good conversations with Foxy this week, last week, the week before. There’s never been any strain in our relationship. We’re both very open and honest, and we’re on the same page. We just want to win football games.”
While Cutler was away, Hoyer played five-plus games without an interception and had a 98.0 passer rating.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville will be without defensive tackle Roy Miller for the rest of the season because of a torn right Achilles tendon.
The Jaguars (2-4) made the announcement Tuesday, two days after Miller left the game against Oakland and did not return.
A disruptive run-stopper whose 10 tackles this season don’t show how important he is to Jacksonville’s defense, Miller was placed on IR and will undergo surgery later this week.
NAMATH: Broadway Joe delivered a headline-making apology.
Joe Namath backpedaled Tuesday on his criticism of Jets quarterback Geno Smith for not returning to the game Sunday after injuring his right knee and standing on the sideline for the second half of a 24-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
An MRI on Monday revealed that Smith has a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a seasonending injury.
“My bad Geno,” Namath wrote on Twitter to Smith. “In the dark ages we players had the say. I hope you heal and play as long as you choose! Joe.”