Broncos to start Lynch at QB against Jaguars
Foot injury sidelines Siemian; TE Reed out for Redskins.
Trevor Siemian’s biggest takeaway from his careerbest performance wasn’t the masterpiece of pinpoint passes in the face of heavy pressure but a sprained left foot he suffered on one of five sacks.
It will sideline him this weekend.
The Denver Broncos ruled out Siemian for Sunday ’s game at Jacksonville, meaning rookie Paxton Lynch will make his second career start.
S i e mi a n h a d h o p e d t o return to prac tice Friday but trainer Steve Antonopulos informed coach Gary Kubiak hi s st ar ter wasn’t ready. He’ll be in a walking boot Sunday when the Broncos turn to Lynch, who lost his debut eight weeks ago against the Falcons.
The Broncos are scrambling for a playoff spot after their loss to Kansas City in which Siemian threw for a career-best 368 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. He was injured on his last sack, when Tamba Hali powered past Russell Okung to drop the second-year QB.
The Broncos hope Siemian can return next week when they travel to Tennessee.
Packers: Listed injured stars Aaron Rodgers (hamstring) and Clay Matthews (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Texans. Coach Mike McCarthy has said Rodgers and Matthews are expected to play. They were limited Thursday in the Packers’ one day on the practice field so far this week.
Starting inside linebackers Jake Ryan (ankle) and Blake Martinez (knee) are also questionable for the Texans game.
Redskins: Tight end Jord a n Re e d wi l l mi s s S u n - day’s game at Arizona with a sprained left shoulder. It’ll be the third game missed this season by Reed, who leads the Redskins with 59 catches. He has 630 yards receiving and five TDs.
Reed hurt his shoulder in Washington’s Thanksgiving loss at Dallas, then was sidelined for practice all week.
Panthers: Will be without star linebacker Luke Kuechly and two other key defenders Sunday night while their playoff hopes hang by a thread. The 2015 All-Pro Kuechly and safet y Kurt Coleman have been ruled out at Seattle with concussions. Defen- sive end Mario Addison, the team’s leader with 6.5 sacks, will miss his second straight game with a foot injury.
Carolina will also be without right tackle Daryl Williams after he suffered a left ankle injury in the second quarter against the Raiders.
Seahawks: At least six players are expected back from injury this week, including safety Earl Thomas, cornerback DeShawn Shead, defensive end Michael Bennett and center Justin Britt. Thomas and Shead each mi s s e d l a s t week’s g a me against Tampa Bay due to hamstring strains. Britt was out due to a sprained ankle.
Bennett has missed the past five games after having knee surgery in early November. Though Bennett was listed as questionable, coach Pete Carroll expects him to play.
P a t r i o t s : C o a c h B i l l Belichick says he’s “disappointed” to lose tight end Rob Gronkowski for the rest of the season because of a back injury. Belichick praised Gronkowski’s hard work and called the injury “unfortunate.” The three-time AllPro was scheduled for surgery Friday on a herniated disk in his back. The Patriots said he’s likely to be out the rest of the season.
D o l p h i n s : L e f t t a c k l e Branden Albert (wrist) and left guard L aremy Tunsil (shoulder) took full part in prac tice and barring set - backs they’re expected to return from injuries and play Sunday at Baltimore. Center Mike Pouncey (hip) has been ruled out for the third game in a row.
Raiders: Are planning to place cornerback D J Hayden on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, coach Jack Del Rio said, potentially ending the former first-round pick’s stay in Oakland.
C owb oys : L i n e b a c ke r Rolando McClain’s on-again, off-again c areer could be over this time. McClain, 27, was suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, his third suspension since the end of the 2014 season and likely ending his Dallas career.
B i l l s : W i d e r e c e i v e r Sammy Watkins is expected to play in his second consecutive game Sunday at Oakland despite ongoing questions about the severity of his left foot injury.
Jaguars: Will be without running back Chris Ivory (hamstring) and receiver Allen Hurns (hamstring) on Sunday against Denver. Tight end Julius Thomas (back) is listed as doubtful.
C a r d i n a l s : T y r a n n Mathieu (shoulder) did not practice and coach Bruce Arians said it’s doubtful the versatile defensive back will play Sunday against Washington.
Late Thursday
Cowboys 17, (at) Vikings 15: Like the light on a short December day in Minnesota, the Vikings are fading fast. Stung by a critical special teams turnover, hurt on defense by a couple of long gains and unable to overcome a depleted offensive line and costly penalties, the Vikings fell to 6-6 with a loss to the league-leading Cowboys (11-1).
Vikings coach Mike Zimm e r, w h o h a d s u r g e r y We d n e s d a y n i g h t f o r a detached retina, missed a game for the first time in his 23-year NFL career.