Injury lands newly signed Bryant on injured reserve list
NEW ORLEANS — Dez Bryant’s season is over before it had even begun.
The New Orleans Saints placed the newly acquired Bryant on injured reserve Saturday, promoting receiver Keith Kirkwood from the practice squad to the active roster beforetoday’s game at Cincinnati.
Bryant was injured during his second practice with New Orleans on Friday. A person familiar with the situation says Bryant has a torn Achilles tendon. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the Saints have not announced details of the veteran receiver’s injury.
The 30-year-old Bryant became a free agent in April after eight seasons with Dallas. He’d been looking for a new team until signing with New Orleans on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-3 Kirkwood is a 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of Temple.
BILLS: Buffalo is going with newly signed journeyman Matt Barkley as their starting quarterback, rather than provide turnover-prone Nathan Peterman another chance.
The Bills ruled out injured rookie Josh Allen on Saturday and announced Barkley is expected to start against the New York Jets today. Barkley gets the nod ahead of Peterman despite having just two weeks of practice experience since signing Oct. 30.
Barkley will become the fourth quarterback to start for the team this season, and third in three weeks. It will be his first start in two years since going 1-5 with the Chicago Bears in 2016.
Allen will miss his fourth straight game since spraining his right throwing elbow in a 20-13 loss at Houston on Oct. 14. The first-round pick practiced on a limited basis this week and will get more time to recuperate with Buffalo entering its bye week.
Veteran backup Derek Anderson is out with a concussion.
JETS: The New York Jets have signed quarterback Davis Webb from the practice squad and placed tight end Neal Sterling on season-ending injured reserve.
Webb will serve as the backup to Josh McCown today against the Buffalo Bills. Rookie starter Sam Darnold is sidelined with a strained right foot.
GIANTS: The revolving door that is the New York Giants offensive line swung around again Saturday, as the team cut Patrick Omameh, and coach Pat Shurmur confirmed that newly-claimed guard Jamon Brown will be ready to face the 49ers on Monday.
The Giants signed Omameh for three years, $15 million last March. The Gians also cut Ereck Flowers last month, and now the offensive line could see its ninth different starter on Monday.
PATRIOTS: Tight end Rob Gronkowski is not expected to play today against the Tennessee Titans because of neck and back injuries. Gronkowski has missed two of the Patriots’ last three games. New England has an open week after today’s road game.
SAINTS: Receiver Michael Thomas has been fined $30,000 by the NFL for using a phone as a prop for a touchdown celebration in last week’s victory over the Rams.
Thomas emulated former Saints wideout Joe Horn with his celebration, hiding the phone in the bottom of the goal post and pulling it out after scoring. He was fined for that and having a mobile device in the bench area.