NFL NOTEBOOK
Saints hold off Panthers
Alvin Kamara had 103 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, the Saints’ defense put the clamps on Cam Newton and New Orleans defeated the Carolina Panthers 12-9 on Monday night to take a big step toward locking up home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
New Orleans’ defense, which has been among the best in the league the last six weeks, held Newton to 131 yards passing, sacked him four times and forced two turnovers.
Broncos’ Joseph downplays chatter about his job security
Vance Joseph doesn't want to fret over his future with the Broncos missing the playoffs again. Nor does he care to ponder his past following a report Monday that general manager John Elway considered bringing back Mike Shanahan this season before ultimately deciding against a coaching change.
"I've spoken to John. That's a private conversation, obviously. But, to be honest, that's the least of my worries, an article," Joseph said.
Colorado Springs Gazette columnist Woody Paige cited anonymous sources in detailing Elway's meeting last December with Shanahan, the franchise's all-time winningest coach, and conversations the two men had about luring to Denver free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom Shanahan had drafted in Washington.
Joseph was ultimately retained after a 5-11 rookie campaign but he's won just 11 of his 30 games overall and with the Broncos (6-8) missing the playoffs again, Joseph's job security is subject to questions.
Source: Dolphins' Gore expected to miss rest of season
A person familiar with the situation says Miami Dolphins running back Frank Gore is expected to miss the rest of the season with a sprained foot.
Gore, the NFL's leading active rusher, was hurt during Sunday's 41-17 loss at Minnesota.
Gore, 35, has played in 126 consecutive games and made 122 starts in a row, and both streaks are the longest by an NFL offensive skill player. Last week he said he was undecided about whether he wanted to play in 2019.
Gore rushed for a teamhigh 722 yards this year and averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Extra points
•CHARGERS: Tight end Hunter Henry took part in his first practice Monday, nearly seven months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Henry remains on the physically unable to perform list and does not count against the 53-man roster. However, his return to the practice field does start the 21-day clock for him to be activated or placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.