Texans latest to have COVID issues
The Texans put second- year offensive lineman Max Scharping on the NFL’s COVID- 19 reserve list hours after they closed their practice facility Wednesday.
The team was notified of a positive test on Tuesday night and said the player immediately self- isolated according to NFL protocols. Contact tracing is being conducted and the facility is underdoing “deep cleaning,” the Texans said in a statement.
“We are in close consultation with the NFL, as well as our team of independent doctors and specialists, and will follow their guidance regarding our scheduled bye week operations,” the team added. “The health and safety of our team, as well as our entire staff, are of highest priority.”
The Texans ( 1- 6) do not play again until Nov. 8 against the host Jaguars.
Broncos coach misses practice
Broncos offensive line coach Mike Munchak was absent from practice for COVID- 19 reasons two days after running backs coach Curtis Modkins returned from a bout with the novel coronavirus.
Assistant offensive line coach Chris Kuper coached the offensive linemen in Munchak’s absence. All 11 offensive linemen on the roster and practice squad were present during the open period.
The Broncos ( 2- 4) host the Chargers ( 2- 5) on Sunday. They were originally scheduled to have a bye this weekend, but their schedule was juggled after a rash of coronavirus cases on the Patriots’ roster earlier this month.
Dunlap to Seahawks
The Seahawks acquired defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap from the Bengals for offensive lineman B. J. Finney and a 2021 seventhround draft pick.
Dunlap, 31, has spent his entire career with the Bengals and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 and 2016. He had 46 sacks between 2015- 19 and had eight sacks last year.
But Dunlap was thoroughly unhappy with his situation with the Bengals, to the point of briefly putting his house for sale on social media last weekend.
This and that
The Cowboys released defensive tackle Dontari Poe, cutting ties with a veteran expected to play a key role for a disappointing defense now going through a midseason shakeup. Defensive back Daryl Worley also was cut. Quarterback Andy Dalton did not practice. Third- stringer Ben DiNucci took all the first- string snaps and is expected to make his first start with Dalton likely to remain in the concussion protocol until at least late this week. The Cowboys visit the Eagles on Sunday night.
† Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, the NFL’s sacks leader ( nine), did not practice because of an ankle injury. Coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects Garrett to practice later this week. The Browns host the Raiders on Sunday.
† The Packers held a walk- through rather than a full practice but estimated that running back Aaron Jones ( calf ), cornerback
Kevin King ( quadriceps) and kicker Mason Crosby ( calf/ back) wouldn’t have practiced.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook ( groin) was a limited participant in practice. The Vikings visit the Packers on Sunday.
The Vikings also announced that defensive end Danielle Hunter had an operation Tuesday to repair a herniated disk in his neck. He is out for the season.