Osweiler endures unhappy return
The Broncos ruined Brock Osweiler’s homecoming Monday night, incessantly hurrying, hitting and harassing their former teammate in a 27-9 win over his Texans in Denver. C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker energized the Broncos’ sputtering ground game, both running for a touchdown. Anderson gained 107 yards on 16 carries, while Booker had 83 on 17 carries for the Broncos (5-2).
But the big story was Trevor Siemian, Peyton
Manning’s surprise successor, outplaying Osweiler, who was groomed to be the Broncos’ next QB but instead bolted to Houston in free agency.
Siemian was 14 of 25 for 157 yards, a TD and no interceptions, while Osweiler completed 22 of 41 passes for 131 yards for the Texans (4-3).
Lee uses slur: Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee said he was flagged for using a racial slur in Jacksonville’s 33-16 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.
Lee acknowledged Monday that was the cause for his unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty late in the third quarter, a flag that seemingly started the Jaguars’ fourth-quarter meltdown in which defensive tackle Malik Jackson and cornerback Jalen Ramsey were ejected.
“I got flagged for saying the N-word,” Lee said. “In the midst of the game, emotion is going from both teams. It just so happened the ref heard me, so I got the flag. I’ve just got to fess up to it.”
Lee, who finished with seven receptions for 107 yards, said he and several Raiders were “going back and forth as far as the words and stuff.”
RB Foster retires: Fourtime Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster has announced his retirement midway through an injury-plagued season with the Dolphins.
Foster, 30, tried to come back from a torn Achilles tendon but was slowed this season by groin and hamstring injuries. He disclosed his decision on the website Uninterrupted, and the Dolphins confirmed it. The retirement is effective immediately.
Foster signed a oneyear, $1.5 million contract with the Dolphins in July after seven years with the Texans. He holds the Texans’ franchise record with 6,472 rushing yards.
Ryan calls hit ‘dirty’: Bills coach Rex Ryan is challenging the NFL to consider ejecting players for blindside hits to the head such as the one by Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry that leveled Buffalo safety Aaron Williams.
Ryan called Landry’s hit “dirty” and “deliberate” while saying on-field officials made the right call in flagging the player for unnecessary roughness.
Extra points: Bears QB Jay Cutler has been cleared and will return from a thumb injury to play against the Vikings on Oct. 31. He has been out since Sept. 19 . ... Cowboys WR Dez Bryant, who has not played since injuring his right knee Sept. 25 against the Bears, ran routes and caught passes in practice and is expected to play Sunday . ... Jets QB
Geno Smith has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is out for the season.