Saints’ Thomas, Sanders miss practice
METAIRIE, LA. » Two of the Saints’ starting receivers, twotime All- Pro Michael Thomas and veteran Emmanuel Sanders, missed practice on Thursday, raising questions about who would replace their production in New Orleans’ passing attack.
Thomas limped off the field late in Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay, and the team said Thursday he had an ankle injury.
Coach Sean Payton declined to address Thomas’ prognosis with reporters, maintaining his usual policy of declining to disseminate any details beyond what clubs are required to post on injury reports.
Sanders, who left San Francisco as a free agent this past offseason, caught a 5- yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees in his Saints debut. The Saints said Sanders’ absence from practice Thursday was not injury- related, but no further explanation was provided.
Chiefs fan at season opener tests positive for virus.
KANSAS CITY, MO. » Ten fans who attended the Kansas City Chiefs game last week have been told to quarantine after one fan tested positive for COVID- 19, Kansas City health officials announced Thursday.
A person who watched the game from the group’s box in Arrowhead Stadium’s lower level tested positive the day after the game, the health department said.
The health department and Chiefs organization worked together to track down those who had contact with the person.
Brady says little about Arians’ criticism.
TAMPA, FLA » . Tom Brady had little to say in response to coach Bruce Arians’ critical assessment of the quarterback’s play during the sixtime Super Bowl champion’s debut with the Buccaneers.
Arians made headlines after the Bucs fell to New Orleans 3423 in the season opener, initially attributing a pair of interceptions to mistakes by Brady, who signed with the team in free agency after 20 years with the New England Patriots.
The coach later said receiver Mike Evans was at fault for one of the interceptions, but remained adamant that Brady made a “bad decision” on a sideline throw that Saints cornerback Janoris Jenkins returned for a touchdown.
“He’s a coach. I’m a player,” Brady said Thursday. “Just trying to win a game.”
Chargers place Pouncey on IR.
COSTA MESA, CALIF. » Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the season because of a hip injury.
General manager Tom Telesco said Thursday that Pouncey will undergo surgery before the end of the month.
Pouncey is in his 10th season and is in the final year of his contract.
Vikings put RG Elflein on injured reserve. EAGAN, MINN. » The Minnesota Vikings placed starting right guard Pat Elflein on injured reserve, meaning the fourth- year player will miss at least three games. NFL Network reported that Elflein hurt his thumb in practice on Thursday.
Jets
WR Crowder sits out practice, could miss 49ers game.
NEW YORK » The New York Jets’ struggling offense could be without wide receiver Jamison Crowder against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Crowder sat out practice Thursday with a hamstring injury, leaving his availability for the game uncertain.
Crowder was limited at practice Wednesday, but the Jets want to be cautious with their leading receiver.