Jets’ Smith has torn ACL
An MRI exam Monday revealed New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which means Ryan Fitzpatrick is back from the bench and will start Sunday against Cleveland.
Smith, a second-round draft pick in 2013 who is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, said he would seek a second opinion on an injury that would be season-ending. The news came one day after the oftcriticized quarterback made his first start since 2014. The injury occurred when Baltimore’s Matt Judon sacked him in the second quarter. Fitzpatrick took over and guided the Jets to a 24-16 win.
Lee admits slur
Jacksonville receiver Marqise Lee said he was penalized for using a racial slur during the Jaguars’ 33-16 loss to Oakland on Sunday.
“I got flagged for saying the N-word,” the fourth-year pro from USC said of his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the third quarter. “In the midst of the game, emotion is going from both teams. It just so happened the ref heard me, so therefore I got the flag [and] I've just got to fess up to it.”
The NFL made racial slurs a point of emphasis in 2014. Foster retires
Miami running back Arian Foster retired after 71⁄2 NFL seasons. The former Pro Bowler, who has battled injuries, said his body can’t take “the punishment” of NFL play. He had only 22 carries in four games this year.
Foster played for Houston from 2009-2015 before joining the Dolphins this year. He is the Texans’ career rushing leader with 6,472 yards and 54 touchdowns.
Ryan calls hit ‘dirty’
Buffalo Coach Rex Ryan challenged the NFL to consider ejecting players for blindside hits to the head such as the one by Miami receiver Jarvis Landry that hospitalized Bills safety Aaron Williams on Sunday.
Ryan called Landry's hit “dirty” and “deliberate.” He said officials made the right call in flagging the player for unnecessary roughness, and questioned why the league doesn’t adopt college football’s policy and have such hits reviewed to determine whether they merit ejection.
“It was totally unnecessary. Did he target? Did he launch? Yeah, he did all those,” Ryan said. “If we really want to protect our players, then we need to look at things.”
Williams’ status is uncertain for this week’s game against New England. Etc.
Jaron Brown, a wide receiver and key special-teams contributor for Arizona, tore an ACL during Sunday’s 6-6 tie with Seattle and will be out for the remainder of the season . ... Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler will return from a thumb injury to play against Minnesota on Monday. Cutler hasn’t played since Week 2; his return is timely with backup Brian Hoyer probably headed to injured reserve after suffering a broken left arm against Green Bay on Thursday. Former USC quarterback Matt Barkley finished that game . ... Washington Coach Jay Gruden said an MRI test showed Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams’ left knee is “structurally OK” but he will be monitored.