Broncos place ‘surprised’ Flacco on injured reserve
Joe Flacco’s Denver debut lasted half a season.
The Broncos placed the veteran quarterback they acquired from Baltimore on injured reserve Friday and promoted rookie QB Brett Rypien from their practice squad to back up new starter Brandon Allen.
Coach Vic Fangio said even though Flacco doesn’t need surgery on the herniated disk in his neck, he requires six weeks of rest.
“At best it was six weeks where he could do nothing — when I say nothing, absolutely nothing — he would need probably two weeks to get back and a good chance that it would be eight of doing nothing and then another week or two to get ready,” Fangio said. “You guys can do the math, so it became an easy decision.”
Fangio said Flacco “was not happy about it, obviously. He’s kind of surprised because he really doesn’t feel that bad. The doctors are surprised he’s not feeling worse based upon the MRI and the tests. He’s frustrated and down a little bit, but he’s a pro.” SEAHAWKS CLAIM GORDON >> Wide receiver Josh Gordon has joined the Seattle Seahawks a day after being released off injured reserve by the New England Patriots.
Seattle claimed Gordon off waivers. He joins a crowded receiver group in Seattle, which was already carrying seven receivers on its active roster.
“He’s a unique talent,” coach Pete Carroll said. “Next week, we’ll take a look and see what he looks like. He’s done a lot of good stuff and made a lot of good plays.”
Gordon was among New England’s leading receivers this season, with 20 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown through six games. But he was placed on injured reserve last week with knee and ankle injuries.
Gordon was reinstated by the NFL in August after having been suspended indefinitely in December 2018, missing the final three games of last season for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. It ended what had been a strong year for Gordon, who had 40 catches for 720 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.
A 2012 second-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, Gordon was also suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season for a substance abuse policy violation but still caught 87 passes for nine touchdowns and a league-leading 1,646 yards and was named to the All-Pro team. EAGLES’ JACKSON SET TO PLAY >> DeSean Jackson is ready to return to action.
The speedy receiver plans to play for the first time in two months when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Chicago Bears on Sunday. He practiced this week on a limited basis and is listed as questionable.
“Definitely been a long process,” said the former Cal star who’s been out with an abdominal injury.
The Eagles have been inconsistent on offense without Jackson, who opens things up for other receivers because he draws attention. Jackson had eight catches for 154 yards and a pair of 50-plus yard touchdowns in a 32-27 win over Washington in the opener. He was injured in Week 2. MAHOMES QUESTIONABLE >> Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is questionable against the Vikings, raising the possibility the league MVP could return after missing just one game to a dislocated kneecap.
Mahomes practiced on a limited basis throughout the week, just as he did last week. But rather than being listed out, as he was for the Packers, he was given the official injury designation that means it is uncertain whether he’ll play.