Broncos bop Osweiler, Texans
The Broncos ruined Brock Osweiler’s homecoming last night, incessantly hurrying, hitting and harassing their former teammate in a 27-9 win over his Houston Texans in Denver. Coach Gary Kubiak returned to the sideline following his second health scare in three years, and the Broncos (5-2) snapped a two-game skid in sending the overwhelmed Texans home at 4-3.
C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker energized Denver’s sputtering ground game, each running for a touchdown. Anderson gained 107 yards on 16 carries and Booker had 83 on 17 carries.
But the big story was Trevor Siemian, Peyton Manning’s surprise successor, outplaying Osweiler, who was groomed to be Denver’s next QB but instead bolted to Houston in free agency.
Although he avoided sacks, Osweiler was just 22for-41 for 131 yards with no TDs and no interceptions. Siemian was 14-of-25 for 157 yards, a TD and no interceptions.
Kubiak missed Denver’s last game with a complex migraine condition.
Jets’ Smith out
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is seeking a second opinion on the injury that would end his season, and likely his time with the team that drafted him.
Smith, a second-round pick in 2013, injured his knee while taking a sack from Baltimore’s Matt Judon in the second quarter of the Jets’ 24-16 win Sunday. Smith got the start in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Smith hadn’t started since the 2014 season finale. The Jets will now turn back to Fitzpatrick. . . .
Four-time Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster announced his retirement midway through an injury-plagued year with Miami.Foster, 30, tried to come back from a torn Achilles tendon, but was slowed by groin and hamstring injuries. ...
Arizona Cardinals receiver Jaron Brown tore an ACL in Sunday’s 6-6 tie with Seattle and is out for the rest of the season. . . .
Chargers coach Mike McCoy says defensive end Caraun Reid tore the ACL in his left knee in Sunday’s 3330 overtime victory at Atlanta and will miss the rest of the season. . . .
Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey says starting left guard Quinton Spain has a bruised bone in his right knee and will miss up to four weeks. . . .
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will return from a thumb injury to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 31. Cutler has been out since a Sept. 19 loss against Philadelphia.
Brown status talks
The New York Giants started discussions about placekicker Josh Brown and his future with the team a day after returning from a game in London.
The NFL placed Brown on paid leave Friday after the kicker disclosed in journals and emails released by authorities in the state of Washington that he abused his then wife.
The Giants did not allow Brown to leave with them Thursday for London for Sunday’s 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Being placed on Commissioner Roger Goodell’s “exempt” list means Brown cannot attend practices or Giants games but can go to team’s headquarters for meetings and workouts.
The NFL’s official policy is to suspend players guilty of domestic abuse for six games on their first offense. Brown was suspended for one game for his arrest. . . .
Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee says he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for using a racial slur in Jacksonville’s 33-16 loss to Oakland on Sunday.
“I got flagged for saying the N-word,” Lee said. “In the midst of the game, emotion is going from both teams. It just so happened the ref heard me . . . I’ve just got to fess up to it.”
The NFL made racial slurs a point of emphasis in 2014, reminding officials there was a rule against abusive language.