Cardinals lose star in season opener
The Arizona Cardinals lost way more than a game in their season opener in Detroit. Star running back David Johnson dislocated a wrist, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said, and probably will require surgery.
Arians said Johnson is seeking a second opinion. If the original prognosis is confirmed, the injury is the same as the one that sidelined rookie T.J. Logan in the preseason.
While he didn’t give a timetable for Johnson, Arians said Logan is expected to be out eight to 12 weeks.
“It’s always a huge blow to lose a top player but it’s not the end of the world,” Arians said at his Monday news conference.
Johnson likely is headed for injured reserve, not necessarily for the season but maybe for most of it. NFL rules allow up to two players to be brought back from IR.
Ravens
Baltimore knew its defense was going to be better, and the season-opening shutout of Cincinnati seemed to prove that. After forcing five turnovers and getting five sacks in a 20-0 rout, the Ravens still believe there is room for improvement. “We can build on that,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We can always work on the things that we need to work on to chase perfection.”
Broncos
Denver beefed up its depleted defensive line before kickoff Monday by signing rookie nose tackle Tyrique “Pot Roast Jr.” Jarrett to their active roster. Jarrett, generously listed as packing 335 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame, had four tackles in the preseason after being signed as a college free agent in May from Pitt.
Jaguars
Jacksonville confirmed that receiver Allen Robinson will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Robinson from Penn State tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the season opener at Houston.
Bears
Wide receiver Kevin White broke his collarbone against the Falcons and will go on injured reserve for the third consecutive season.
Rams
Los Angeles punter Johnny Hekker, arguably the team’s most valuable player last season, signed a two-year contract extension.
Elsewhere
The NFL moved quickly in hopes of reversing a federal judge’s decision that has blocked the league’s sixgame suspension of Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott over a domestic violence case in Ohio. The league asked the judge who ruled in Elliott’s favor to stop the preliminary injunction that cleared last year’s NFL rushing leader to play while the case is in court. A notice of appeal was also filed with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. The NFL’s filings came about 12 hours after Elliott rushed for 104 yards in the Cowboys’ 19-3 season-opening win against the Giants.