Foles to start
Nick Foles will be under center when the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Coach
Doug Pederson made the announcement Monday, one day after a testy exchange with reporters in which he insisted he wanted to wait before ruling out Carson Wentz.
Wentz still hasn’t been medically cleared for contact as he comes back from surgery in December to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. Foles was spectacular in the playoffs and helped Philadelphia defeat New England 41-33 to win the franchise’s first NFL title since 1960.
Frederick avoids IR
Travis Frederick will not go on injured reserve initially as he battles a condition that affects the nervous system, although the Dallas Cowboys still don’t have a timetable for the return of their four-time Pro Bowl center. Coach Jason Garrett said Monday that Frederick hasn’t had any “drastic setbacks” while getting treated for Guillain-Barre syndrome. The disorder attacks nerves and causes weakness in various parts of the body. Joe Looney is expected to start when the Cowboys open the season Sunday at Carolina. The 27-year-old Frederick traveled with the team to the final preseason game in Houston and is attending meetings. He has started all 83 games, including three playoff games, over five seasons. A move to IR would force Frederick to miss at least eight games.
Rookie Darnold gets nod
Sam Darnold will start at quarterback in the New York Jets’ season-opening game at Detroit on Monday night. The 21-yearold Darnold will be the youngest quarterback to start in Week 1 since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. The announcement Monday by Coach Todd Bowles comes as no surprise as the rookie was solid while starting the Jets’ second and third preseason games. New York traded Teddy Bridgewater to New Orleans last week, and Darnold then sat out the preseason finale at Philadelphia — clear signals that the No. 3 overall draft pick would be under center against the Lions.
Bell a no-show
The Pittsburgh Steelers are beginning preparations for their Week 1 opener against Cleveland without All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell did not arrive at the team’s facility in time for practice Monday and has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender, leaving his status for Sunday’s visit to the Browns in doubt. The Steelers placed the franchise tag on Bell for a second straight season this spring, but failed to come to terms on a new contract. Bell signed his tender on Labor Day last season and was ready in time for the opener. Pittsburgh General Manager Kevin Colbert said the team is “disappointed” that Bell has yet to rejoin his teammates. If Bell isn’t ready, the Steelers will turn to James Conner against Cleveland.