Key injuries hit Jags, Saints
Corner Ramsey, LT Armstead require surgery after camp.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey is recovering from surgery to “treat a core muscle injury” sustained during organized team activities.
Ramsey had surgery Thursday, the same day the Jaguars wrapped up a mandatory, three-day minicamp. Jacksonville offered no timetable on Ramsey’s return, making it unclear whether he will be ready for the start of training camp in late July.
The Jaguars said they “felt this was the best course of action for Jalen to properly recover and train for the 2017 season.”
Ramsey, the fifth overall pick in the 2016 draft, was one of the franchise’s bright spots last year. He led all NFL rookies with 14 passes defensed.
Also Friday, the Jaguars claimed first-year cornerback Taurean Nixon off waivers from Denver and released rookie corner Jeremy Cutrer.
Saints: The New Orleans offense got some brutally bad news following their minicamp this week. NFL Network reported that left tackle Terron Armstead is scheduled for surgery Monday to repair a torn labrum.
The report said Armstead sustained the injury Wednesday and had tests Thursday that confirmed a torn labrum, per sources informed of the situation.
The timetable for Armstead’s rehab is four to six months, which puts his potential return between late October and December.
The news is a crushing blow for a Saints offensive line that already saw Max Unger undergo foot surgery this offseason.
Armstead, a promising young left tackle who has grown into the position since being drafted in the third round out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2013, signed a fiveyear, $65.25 million contract extension last offseason. The 25-year-old missed nine games in 2016 due to injury.
Vikings: Police say wide receiver Michael Floyd has been flagged for failed alcohol tests that are part of his monitoring for house arrest in Minnesota. Police records obtained by the Star Tribune show Floyd flagged his alcohol monitoring three times and missed another test.
Floyd told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the reports are “totally false.” He allegedly blamed the results on consuming kombucha tea, which is fermented.
The 27-year-old Floyd pleaded guilty Feb. 12 in Scottsdale, Ariz., to extreme drunken driving. Messages left for Scottsdale law enforcement and Floyd’s agent, Brian Murphy, were not immediately returned.
Meantime, another visit to his eye doctor has coach Mike Zimmer optimistic that all the problems surrounding a detached retina in his right eye are behind him.
If he keeps progressing the way he has been recently, Zimmer said, a ninth surgery on the eye should not be necessary.
Zimmer said Thursday he was told the retina is “perfect” and that his doctor “would be absolutely shocked” if the coach experienced a recurrence of the issues that have plagued him for the last nine months.
Colts: Placed veteran running back Christine Michael on the injured reserve list. Michael signed with Indy on June 1. To replace him on the roster, the Colts signed 5-foot-8 running back Troymaine Pope, who played four games with the Seahawks and Jets last year.