Eagles’ top two backs ruled out
The Philadelphia Eagles won’t have running backs Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles for tomorrow’s game against Indianapolis and Corey Clement is questionable.
Ajayi missed practice all week because of a back injury suffered in last week’s 27-21 loss at Tampa Bay. Sproles already missed one game with a hamstring injury. Clement appeared on the injury report for the first time yesterday with a quadriceps injury.
Wendell Smallwood is Philadelphia’s only experienced healthy running back. Rookie Josh Adams was promoted from the practice squad earlier in the week.
Viking docked $53K
Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo was fined $53,482 by the NFL yesterday for his hit during a play in Minnesota’s tie at Green Bay last weekend.
Sendejo was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness after tackling Packers receiver Davante Adams in the third quarter. The safety knocked into Adams with his right shoulder just after Xavier Rhodes made initial contact.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said during his weekly radio show that Sendejo was told by an official after the play that he did everything right on the tackle. It still resulted in a fine by the NFL, and it was a hefty one because Sendejo is considered a repeat offender.
Among those not fined yesterday were Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks — both of whom were flagged roughing the passer.
Atlanta safety Damontae Kazee was docked $10,026 for his hit on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton last Sunday that also drew an ejection.
Arizona safety Antoine Bethea was docked $20,054 for roughing the passer after a hit on Rams QB Jared Goff in the third quarter.
Detroit running back LeGarrette Blount picked up a $10,026 fine for his actions midway through the fourth quarter of a loss to San Francisco. Blount was ejected for a personal foul penalty after he came off the sideline and shoved 49ers linebacker Elijah Lee to the ground.
Mayfield can wait
for Browns coach Hue Jackson isn’t ready to “officially” make Baker Mayfield his starting quarterback. Everyone else has. Jackson said he’ll wait until talking to his players before publicly announcing a decision that seems inevitable after Mayfield replaced injured starter Tyrod Taylor on Thursday night and led Cleveland to its first win since 2016. Taylor is in concussion protocol.
Titans QB up in air
The Tennessee Titans still don’t know who will start at quarterback tomorrow against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Marcus Mariota was limited all week with an arm injury and is questionable for the second straight game. Blaine Gabbert started in place of Mariota in Tennessee’s 20-17 victory over the Houston Texans . . . .
Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas was at practice but did not take part because of reasons of a personal nature, according to coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll left open the possibility that the issue could keep Thomas from playing tomorrow in the team’s home opener . . . .
The widow of legendary broadcaster Pat Summerall filed a concussion claim with the NFL earlier this month.
Cheri Summerall, the wife of the former NFL placekicker and longtime CBS and Fox sportscaster filed a claim with the league on Sept. 8 to show solidarity with other former players who are looking for compensation for concussionrelated ailments.