Luck struggles in Indianapolis return as Ravens triumph
INDIANAPOLIS — The Baltimore Ravens spoiled Andrew Luck’s Indianapolis homecoming.
They picked him off before allowing a completion, and Terrell Suggs nearly chopped the ball out of Luck’s hands on a sack. The Ravens then secured a 20-19 preseason win over the Colts by stopping a late twopoint conversion run.
Luck was just OK in his first home start since Jan. 1, 2017. But he did receive a roaring ovation from the crowd when he took the field, led the Colts (1-1) to one score and apparently emerged unscathed after going down twice on sacks.
Luck missed his first three throws, the third winding up in the hands of Ravens safety Anthony Levine Jr. Luck rebounded to finish 6-of-13 for 50 yards and set up Adam Vinatieri, 45, for a 57-yard field goal before leaving in the second quarter.
Joe Flacco, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (3-0) looked better.
Flacco went 7-of-9 for 72 yards and one touchdown. Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, was 7-of-15 for 49 yards and a touchdown and carried four times for 26 yards before giving way to another Heisman winner, Robert Griffin III, in the fourth.
Bills to start Allen at QB against Cincy
Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen is getting his chance to secure the starting job in Buffalo’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Allen will make his first start of the preseason in a home game against the Bengals, the team announced. The move comes after Allen worked with the first-string offense in practice earlier Monday and while he’s been involved in an offseasonlong three-way competition for the starting job.
Bills coach Sean McDermott has taken what he’s called a “calculated” approach in Allen’s development behind returning backup Nathan Peterman and offseason free-agent addition AJ McCarron. McCarron’s status is murky after he hurt his throwing shoulder against Cleveland.
Washington adds Peterson at RB
A slimmed-down Rob Kelley is likely to remain Washington’s top running back even though Adrian Peterson is joining the team.
Amid four injuries in its backfield, Washington signed the 33-year-old four-time All-Pro running back on Monday. But Kelley, the former “Fat Rob” who lost weight and added speed to his repertoire, should be considered the front-runner to start Week 1 at the Arizona Cardinals.
Peterson split last season with New Orleans and Arizona.
Rams’ Havenstein receives extension
The Los Angeles Rams continue to finalize contract extensions for players other than standout defensive tackle Aaron Donald, as right tackle Rob Havenstein agreed to terms of a four-year deal through the 2022 season worth $32.5 million.
Havenstein is the third member of the Rams’ offense to sign an extension this offseason, all while Donald continues his holdout for the second consecutive year.
Odds and ends
The Seattle Seahawks put an end to the kicking competitions in training camp, releasing kicker Jason Myers and punter Jon Ryan, who had been the longesttenured member of the team. Kicker Sebastian Janikowski and rookie punter Michael Dickson remain on the roster. … Chicago Bears cornerback Deiondre’ Hall was suspended for the season opener at Green Bay for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. … The Minnesota Vikings completed their plan to turn over their kicking duties to rookie Daniel Carlson, releasing veteran Kai Forbath with two weeks remaining in the preseason.