Ex-Saint Horn pleads guilty to role in fraud

Former New Orleans wide receiver Joe Horn pleaded guilty to the count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud as part of a plea agreement related to the federal investigation into a group of exNFL players accused of defrauding the league’s health care benefit program.

The 47-year-old was one of 12 players named by Department of Justice officials for allegedly submitting nearly $4 million in phony claims, leading to payouts of about $3.4 million between June 2017 and December 2018.

Horn is to be sentenced in April. Although he is subject to a maximum of 10 years in prison, his cooperation likely will lead to a lesser sentence.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Horn spent seven of his 12 NFL seasons with the Saints and is a member of their Hall of Fame. He retired in 2007.

■ The status of Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry (hamstring) was downgraded to questionable for Sunday, running back Dalyn Dawkins was promoted from Tennessee’s practice squad, and linebacker Sarif Finch was waived.

Henry, 25, practiced fully Friday. He ran for 86 yards in Week 15 after not practicing all week

Titans:

leading up to the game. He ranks second in the league this season in yards rushing with 1,329, behind Cleveland’s Nick Chubb (1,408).

Dawkins, 25, who has played one game this season, joined the Titans in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State and spent most of last season on Tennessee’s practice squad.

■ Three-time Pro Bowl running back Darren Sproles announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old ran for 66 yards at an average of 3.9 per carry this season before being placed on injured reserve with a torn right hip flexor.

A fourth-round draft pick out of Kansas State in 2005, the 5-foot-6inch Sproles ranks fifth on the NFL’s career list for all-purpose yards with 19,696, behind Jerry Rice (23,546), Brian Mitchell (23,330), Walter Payton (21,803) and Emmitt Smith (21,564).

■ Running back Kerryon Johnson (knee) was activated from injured reserve. The 22-year-old hasn’t played since Week 7 and returned to practice Dec. 4.

■ Dalvin Cook (shoulder) was ruled out for Monday, and fellow running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) is questionable. Review-Journal wire services

Eagles: Lions: Vikings:

Derrick Henry