RAVENS TO PLAY WITHOUT TOP 2 QBS

The Baltimore Ravens put quarterback Tyler Huntley on the reserve/ COVID-19 list Saturday, leaving them without their top two QBS for today’s showdown at Cincinnati for first place in the AFC North.

Lamar Jackson missed last week’s game with a sprained ankle, and the Ravens announced this weekend that he would not travel with the team. Huntley played well in Jackson’s place in last weekend’s loss to Green Bay, but now Josh Johnson, the former USD star, is the team’s top healthy quarterback.

The Ravens signed the 35-year-old journeyman Johnson before last week’s game. He appeared in three games earlier this season for the New York Jets.

It’s been one major blow after another for the Ravens ever since running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards went down with season-ending knee injuries before the season even began. Baltimore has more than a dozen players on injured reserve and several more on the COVID-19 list.

The Ravens (8-6) have managed to hold at least a share of first place for almost the whole season, but they would fall out with a loss to the Bengals (8-6). Baltimore activated QB Kenji Bahar from the practice squad.

Cincinnati got back CB Chidobe Awuzie from the COVID-19 list, but also had to place two defensive linemen, D.J. Reader and Wyatt Ray, on that list.

One coach in, other out

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni cleared the NFL’S COVID-19 testing protocol and will be on the sideline for today’s game against the New York Giants. The team said Sirianni returned to its facility on Saturday.

The Eagles (7-7) are hoping to secure a playoff spot with a strong finish to the season. They have won two in a row and four of five overall.

Jets coach Robert Saleh was ruled out for the game against the Jaguars because he didn’t clear COVID-19 protocols Saturday. Tight ends coach Ron Middleton will assume the head coaching duties.

Saleh tested positive for the coronavirus Wednesday and needed to have two negative tests by Saturday afternoon to return to the sideline. The coach has been quarantining in a hotel while running team meetings remotely.

More COVID news

Kansas City, which hosts Pittsburgh, will be significantly strengthened as star tight end Travis Kelce and wideout Tyreek Hill were activated. The Chiefs, who have won seven straight games to take over the top spot in the AFC, also get back linebacker Nick Bolton and tackle Lucas Niang.

• Seattle activated reserve defensive lineman

Kerry Hyder Jr. off the list but added CB Bless Austin to it. Austin’s addition means John Reid could be in line to make his first start at cornerback against Chicago. Austin started last week with D.J. Reed on the virus list. Reed has not been cleared to return from the virus list.

• Against New England, Buffalo will have back offensive lineman Dion Dawkins but will miss two assistant coaches. Eric Washington will be replaced as defensive line coach by Jacques Cesaire, while Matt Smiley will handle special teams in place of Heath Farwell.

• Offensive tackle Nate Solder and defensive tackle

Danny Shelton were added to the list by the Giants. Solder opted out of the 2020 season.