Texans: No Watson if Taylor out
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is day to day with a hamstring injury as the Texans face a quick turnaround with a Thursday night game against the Panthers.
If Taylor can’t play, Deshaun Watson will not be an option, with coach David Culley saying Monday that Watson would be inactive for Thursday’s game just as he has been for the first two games.
Watson has been listed as inactive/not injury-related following his trade request and after 22 women filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault or harassment.
Taylor was scheduled for an MRI on Monday.
“If he’s able to go and ready to go, he’ll play,” Culley said.
Taylor was injured in the first half of the Texans’ 31-21 loss to the Browns on Sunday and didn’t return after halftime. Rookie Davis Mills, a third-round pick from Stanford, took over and threw for 102 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
If Taylor can’t play Thursday, the Texans likely will bring up Jeff Driskel from the practice squad to back up Mills. Culley said they haven’t yet discussed the possibility of signing another quarterback this week.
Colts QB Carson Wentz sprained both ankles during Sunday’s loss to the Rams, and coach Frank Reich said Monday he’s not sure when Wentz will return. Wentz limped off the field midway through the fourth quarter after his right leg got twisted in a pile. He didn’t return. Reich said Wentz injured his left ankle earlier in the game and played through the pain. It’s unclear whether Wentz will play this weekend when the Colts visit the defending AFC South champion Titans in a game that could give the winner an early leg up in the division chase . ... Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is considered “day to day” with a rib injury, coach Brian Flores said. X-rays were negative, ESPN reported. Tagovailoa was knocked out of the Dolphins’ 35-0 loss to the Bills on Sunday after taking a hit from Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa on the Dolphins’ second drive of the game. He was carted into the locker room shortly after and didn’t return. Jacoby Brissett threw for 169 yards and an INT in his place . ... Bears QB Andy Dalton will remain the team’s starter if healthy, coach Matt Nagy said. Dalton suffered a knee injury during the Bears’ 20-17 win over the Bengals, but Nagy said early tests were negative for an ACL tear. Rookie Justin Fields took over for Dalton, throwing for 60 yards with an INT and rushing for 31 yards . ... The Eagles placed TE Zach Ertz on the reserve/COVID-19 list. His status for next Monday night’s game against Cowboys is unclear.
College football: Miami QB D’Eriq King has a shoulder injury that will need further evaluation Tuesday, and he’s questionable for Saturday’s game against FCS team Central Connecticut State, Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz announced. King suffered the injury in Miami’s loss to Michigan State . ... LSU DE Andre Anthony will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Anthony, who ranks second on the team with 3 ½ sacks, suffered the injury during Saturday’s victory over Central Michigan.
NHL: Center Travis Zajac signed a one-day contract with the Devils and then retired. Zajac, 36, played all but 13 of his 1,037 games with the Devils, who traded him to the Islanders last season.