Brees sets passing yardage record
Drew Brees has become the NFL’s all-time leader in yards passing — and he did it in style.
The 39-year-old Brees eclipsed Peyton Manning’s previous record of 71,940 yards with a 62-yard touchdown pass to rookie Tre’Quan Smith during Monday night’s 43-19 victory over the Redskins.
After the record-breaking completion, officials stopped the game and the game ball was handed over to Pro Football Hall of Fame officials on the sideline while the Superdome crowd offered a standing ovation. Brees removed his helmet and hugged his wife, Brittany, and four children on the sideline.
“I love you guys so much,” Brees said while hugging his three boys as Brittany held their daughter nearby. “You can accomplish anything in life if you're willing to work for it.”
Brees entered the game needing 201 yards for the record. He passed for 250 by halftime and finished 26 of 29 for 363 yards and three touchdowns.
The Eagles placed running back Jay Ajayi on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending the season of the Eagles’ top rusher — and maybe his Eagles career. Ajayi tore his anterior cruciate ligament, according to a league source.
Ajayi, 25, has 45 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns this season. He came to the Eagles during a midseason trade from the Dolphins last season and is in the last year of his contract.
The Eagles have Corey Clement, Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams at running back. Clement has not played the last two weeks because of a quad injury. Sproles has been out since Week 1 with a hamstring injury.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had negative results on an X-ray of his foot following Sunday’s blowout loss against the Steelers.
Coach Dan Quinn said Ryan is “100 percent good to go” this week against the Buccaneers after getting sacked six times and hit 11 additional times. Quinn did not say which foot was hurt.
Ryan, an 11-year veteran and the 2016 NFL MVP, has been sacked 16 times, tied for third-most in the league. He was sacked 24 times last year.
Panthers LB Thomas Davis returned to the team after serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs . ... The Jets activated CB Rashard Robinson and released S J.J. Wilcox. Robinson returned to the team last week on a roster exemption following a fourgame suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy . ... The Jaguars placed TE Austin SeferianJenkins and RB Corey Grant on injured reserve. Coach Doug Marrone says Seferian-Jenkins will have core muscle surgery but could return later in the season. Grant is out for the year with a foot injury . ... The Colts placed starting G Matt Slauson on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury . ... Titans T Taylor Lewan is having tests on his right foot after leaving a loss against the Bills.