Romo knocked out of game

Cowboys QB appears to injure back against Seattle.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo appeared to injure his back on the third play of Thursday night’s preseason game at Seattle after getting pulled down from behind by Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril.

Romo was forced from the pocket by a blitz from K.J. Wright. As Romo scrambled and was about to begin his slide, he was pulled down by Avril chasing in pursuit. Romo immediately grabbed at his back and was tended to by trainers for a few minutes before popping up and walking off the field without any assistance.

While Dak Prescott took over, Romo spoke with medical personnel on the sideline for several minutes and he threw some passes. But when the Cowboys took the field for their second drive, Prescott remained at quarterback with Romo on the sideline.

Texans: Rookie center Nick Martin underwent season-ending surgery this week to repair a high-ankle sprain, sources told the Houston Chronicle. Martin will be placed on injured reserve.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien had acknowledged Sunday there was a possibility Martin would require surgery to repair the damage to his ankle suffered during a joint practice against the Saints.

Martin was projected as an immediate starter. Now, the Texans will have to go with former undrafted free agent Greg Mancz at center.

Patriots-Browns trade: Cleveland traded disappointing linebacker Barkevious Mingo to New England for a 2017 fifth-round pick.

The Browns selected Mingo with the No. 6 pick in 2013. The former LSU standout has recorded just seven sacks in three seasons and spent much of last season on special teams. Two of the Patriots’ top pass rushers — linebackers Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard — are dealing with injuries.

Broncos: Quarterback Trevor Siemian will get another chance to prove himself against the Rams’ strong defense in Saturday’s preseason game.

Siemian was a full participant in Thursday’s practice after being limited Wednesday with a sore right shoulder. He will start for the second straight game. Coach Gary Kubiak said he will decide today whether veteran Mark Sanchez or rookie Paxton Lynch will serve as the No. 2 quarterback.

Giants: Receiver Victor Cruz is slated to play Saturday in the annual preseason game against the Jets. Cruz, who has not played in a game since injuring a knee in his sixth game in 2014, got through a week of practice without aggravating a groin injury that kept him out of the first two preseason games.

Ravens: Joe Flacco will start at quarterback Saturday against the Lions, his first game action since tearing his left ACL and MCL nine months ago in a game against the Rams.

Jaguars: Left tackle Kelvin Beachum will make his Jacksonville debut Sunday against Cincinnati. It will be the first game for the former Steeler since he tore the ACL in his left knee in October. Beachum signed a fiveyear, $45 million contract in free agency.

PED investigation: Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers met this week with NFL investigators looking into allegations linking them to performance-enhancing drugs, the players’ union said. Last week, the league threatened Harrison, Matthews, Peppers and free agent Mike Neal with suspensions if they did not talk .

ELAINE THOMPSON / AP Dallas quarterback Tony Romo is tended to after he went down awkwardly on the third play of Thursday night’s preseason game at Seattle. Romo walked off on his own but was replaced by Dak Prescott.