Rams starters forced to wait

Goff and the offense will go into season with zero snaps after sitting out 21-20 win over Houston.

Josh Gordon got the goahead from the NFL to practice. Now one of his hamstrings is holding him back.

The former Pro Bowl receiver, whose career has been derailed by drug and alcohol addictions, was released by the league Saturday to resume all on-field activities with the Cleveland Browns after being limited to attending meetings, working out and watching practice since returning from a three-week absence.

Gordon took part in the team’s pre-practice walkthrough after the team removed him from the active/ non-football injury list. The team was going to bring him along slowly, and then that plan got altered because Gordon “tweaked” his hamstring a few days ago.

“I am not going to put him out there until I think he is totally ready to go,” coach Hue Jackson said following practice. “Hopefully, we will work through that. A little minor setback, but we will get him out there soon.”

Top receiver injured

The Jacksonville Jaguars might have lost their No. 1 receiver for the season.

Marqise Lee, who led the team in receptions in 2017, injured his left knee in a 17-6 preseason victory over visiting Atlanta and could be out for the year.

Lee was carted off the field in the first quarter after Atlanta cornerback Damontae Kazee twisted his leg making a tackle. Lee fumbled on the play, but it was overturned because Kazee was flagged for tackling with his helmet.

Blake Bortles

Luck rebounds

Andrew Luck threw a touchdown pass on what will probably be his last preseason drive, and Christine Michael scored on a oneyard plunge late in the third quarter to lift Indianapolis past San Francisco 23-17.

Luck looked much sharper than he did in Monday night’s loss to Baltimore. He wound up eight of 10 with 90 yards and produced the only touchdown in the first half. He also had four carries for 27 yards before leaving in the second quarter.

Otherwise, it was a tough day for the host Colts, who struggled to establish the run — and couldn't stop San Francisco’s physical ground game in the first half.

Backups step up

Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy decided to rest his starters for the next-tolast preseason game rather than use it as the customary regular-season tuneup.

And the backups proved that they’re also ready for the regular season. Backup quarterback Chase Daniel directed touchdown drives on the first three possessions and the host Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20.

Brief cameo

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 114 yards and a touchdown in his brief preseason cameo during the Steelers’ 16-6 victory over visiting Tennessee.

Roethlisberger completed 11 of 18 passes, including a 32-yarder to Justin Hunter in the first quarter.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota completed just five of eight passes for 43 yards while playing most of the first half.

Jackson shines

First-round pick Lamar Jackson led touchdown possessions of 84, 62 and 73 yards against mostly deep reserves, and the Baltimore Ravens rallied past the host Miami Dolphins 27-10.

Jackson entered the game at the start of the second half and had his best performance yet for the Ravens. He went seven for 10 for 98 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 39 yards on three carries, including a 19-yard scoring run.