Bengals’ top pick Ross hurt in loss to Colts
The Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts should have been about John Ross catching his first pass as a professional, and the dynamic playmaking ability of rookie defenders Jordan Willis and Jordan Evans.
Instead, the story line in the Bengals’ 7-6 loss to the Colts on Thursday night in Indianapolis is centered around injuries, one of which could affect how the team shapes its final roster Saturday.
The potentially most significant injury was to first-round draft pick John Ross, whose day ended after one reception for six yards and one rush for 25 yards. The club announced he injured his left knee, but he also had his right leg checked before being ruled out for the game.
The Bengals also had to put quarterback AJ McCarron back in for the rest of the game as third-string quarterback Jeff Driskel injured the thumb on his throwing hand early in the second quarter.
The Bengals had given every inclination that they wanted to keep Driskel as the third quarterback for the second straight year, but they’ll have to make a quick determination on the severity. After the half, Driskel came out with a cast on the thumb and the fear is that it is broken.
McCarron completed 20 of 30 passes for 216 yards.
Willis, a defensive end, recorded a sack for the fourth straight game, capping an impressive preseason.
Evans, a linebacker, pressured Colts quarterback Scott Tolzien into a fourth-down incompletion and broke up several passes.
The Colts’ Phillip Walker threw a 29-yard TD pass to Justice Liggins in the fourth quarter for the winning points.
Kessler, Hogan lead Browns to blowout
Cody Kessler had a solid first half with the Browns holding out second-round pick DeShone Kizer and Brock Osweiler, completing 11 of 19 passes for 144 yards to lead the Cleveland Browns to a 25-0 victory over the Bears in Chicago.
Kessler was sacked three times but threw a 27-yard touchdown to Rannell Hall in the second quarter.
Kevin Hogan started the third period for the Browns and went 13 of 18 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He hit a wide-open Randall Telfer for a 51-yard TD late in the quarter and threw a 21-yarder to Jordan Leslie early in the fourth.
No. 2 overall pick and Cleveland-area product Mitchell Trubisky completed 2 of 5 passes for 10 yards for the Bears.
Elliott finishes hearing on appeal
Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott’s hearing on the appeal of his sixgame suspension over a domestic violence case ended after 2 days.
According to the labor agreement, arbitrator Harold Henderson must rule on the NFL’s punishment “as soon as practicable.” The Cowboys must cut their roster to 53 players by Saturday, and putting Elliott on the restricted list would give them an extra spot.
The NFL’s 2016 rushing leader was suspended after the league concluded that he used physical force last summer in Columbus against his girlfriend at the time. Prosecutors didn’t pursue the case, citing conflicting evidence.
Wrapping up
A person familiar with the negotiations said Houston and receiver DeAndre Hopkins agreed to a five-year, $81 million contract extension. … Pittsburgh signed general manager Kevin Colbert to an extension through the 2020 draft. Colbert began his tenure with the Steelers as director of football operations in 2000 before becoming general manager in 2011.