Titans roll; Jets release Bell
The wait between games caused by the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak left the Titans depleted. They’re still undefeated.
Ryan Tannehill threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score as the Titans routed the visiting Bills 42-16 on a rare Tuesday night in a showdown between two of the NFL’s five remaining undefeated teams pushed back two days after a couple more positive tests for the Titans last week.
The Titans (4-0) continued their best start since winning their first 10 games in 2008 despite getting on the field just the last three days since their last game Sept. 27.
Malcolm Butler intercepted two passes, the second he returned 68 yards, and both set up short TDs for the Titans.
■ The Jets released disgruntled RB Le’Veon Bell, ending a disappointing tenure after less than two full seasons. As a vested veteran, Bell doesn’t have to clear waivers. The 28-year-old former All-Pro has just 113 total yards in two games this season. ... The Saints have begun discussions with LSU about holding future Saints home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., in order to accomodate spectators. The Saints have played three of eight scheduled regular-season home games at the Superdome so far this season with no ticketed fans in attendance. The Saints placed a request with New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell to allow ticketed fans to occupy about 25% percent of the Superdome’s 73,000 seats while wearing masks and following other social distancing guidelines during Monday night’s victory over the Chargers. But the mayor denied that request. LSU’s Tiger Stadium is an outdoor venue seating up to 102,000, meaning it can hold more than 25,000 fans at one-quarter capacity.
College football: Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, hospitalized last week after contracting COVID-19, told the Tallahassee Democrat that he’s feeling better and hopes to go home soon. The 90-yearold College Football Hall of Famer coached FSU for 34 years, retiring after the 2009 season. He’s second on the career victories list in major college football with 357, behind only the late Joe Paterno of Penn State. He won national championships in 1993 and 1999.
NHL: The Bruins could be without two-thirds of their top line when next season starts after the team announced that David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand each underwent surgery last month. Pastrnak isn’t expected to be fully recovered and able to play until mid-February after an operation to repair a torn labrum in his right hip Sept. 16. Pastrnak shared the tied for the league lead with 48 goals last season and missed some time in the playoffs because of injury. Marchand won’t be good to go until roughly mid-January after having a sports hernia repaired Sept. 14. He was the NHL’s first-team All-Star left wing after having 87 points on 28 goals and 59 assists in 70 games.