Jaguars claim RB Darrell Henderson off waivers from Rams
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville claimed veteran running back Darrell Henderson off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, giving the Jaguars more experience behind starter Travis Etienne.
Jacksonville waived offensive lineman John Miller to make room for Henderson on the 53man roster.
Henderson rushed for 1,742 yards and 13 touchdowns over four seasons with the Rams, who chose him in the third round in 2019. Henderson started 28 games, including seven this season, and played extensively in the Los Angeles backfield whenever he was injury-free during his career.
Henderson played just four snaps in last week’s loss at New Orleans. Rams coach Sean McVay said Henderson had a minor knee injury, citing it as the reason he barely played. But Henderson is in the final year of his rookie contract before free agency, and the Rams were moving on before the final seven
games of what’s looking like a lost season.
Henderson has 283 yards rushing and three touchdowns this season. He is averaging 4.0 yards a carry.
He could end up replacing backup JaMycal Hasty, who has 24 yards on 13 touches since Jacksonville traded James Robinson to the New York Jets in late October and installed Etienne as the team’s starter.
Belgium politician wears ‘One Love’ armband at World Cup
AL RAYYAN, Qatar — Belgium’s foreign minister wore a “One Love” armband when she met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino at her country’s World Cup match against Canada on Wednesday.
Hadja Lahbib was pictured wearing the colorful armband — regarded as a symbol for inclusion and diversity — that FIFA has prevented captains of seven European teams, including Belgium, from wearing at the World Cup in Qatar.
They wanted to wear it as a rebuke to host nation Qatar’s human rights record.
Lahbib posted a photo of herself on Twitter wearing the band on her left arm, writing: “My heart goes out to our Red Devils!”
FIFA warned the seven European federations that players would be penalized if they wore the armband.
Germany’s players covered their mouths for their team photo before their opening World Cup match, a 2-1 loss to Japan, to protest against FIFA’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband.
“It was a sign from the team, from us,” Germany coach Hansi Flick said, “that FIFA is muzzling us.”
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who is also responsible for sports, also wore a “One Love” armband in the stands for her country’s match, sitting beside Infantino. Faeser posted a photo of herself wearing it with the hashtag #OneLove.
Aaron Rodgers says he’s been playing with broken thumb
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers acknowledged Wednesday that he’s been playing with a broken thumb for the past six weeks.
Rodgers hurt his thumb Oct. 9 during a foiled Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the Packers’ 27-22 loss to the New York Giants in London. Although the Packers’ injury report has listed Rodgers with a thumb issue ever since, the four-time MVP hadn’t said publicly that it was broken.
“It’s definitely a challenge, but the days off helped,” Rodgers said. “I’m feeling better this week.”
Because the Packers (4-7) played a Thursday night game last week — losing 27-17 at home to Tennessee — they had extra time to prepare for Sunday night’s game at Philadelphia (9-1).
Rodgers hasn’t missed any games, but the injury has limited his practice time and he hasn’t approached the level he reached while earning MVP honors each of the last two seasons. Rodgers downplayed the impact of the injury Wednesday.
“I think I’ve had worse injuries I’ve played with,” Rodgers said.
England’s Kane trains ahead of World Cup match against U.S.
DOHA, Qatar — England captain Harry Kane trained Wednesday and could be recovered from his ankle injury to play against the United States in the World Cup.
Kane was injured Monday in England’s 6-2 win over Iran.
“I think he’s good,” said England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. “He will probably be a little bit sore, but I think he’s fine. He’s out on the grass with us today and that’s good. He’s our captain and he’s fine.”
His recovery will be a relief to coach Gareth Southgate and England fans ahead of Friday’s match against the Americans.
Team doctors were concerned about the extent of the damage sustained by Kane and ordered scans on his right ankle. Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup as the tournament’s leading goal scorer.
“Harry is an unbelievable player, he sets the example in the squad, he’s a leader,” said Pickford. “He’s the captain and we all look up to him.”
Wentz returns to Commanders practice, not as starting QB
ASHBURN, Va. — Carson Wentz is back practicing with the Washington Commanders.
Just not as their starting quarterback. Wentz returned to the practice field Wednesday and was designated to return from injured reserve, but he’s set to watch Sunday as Taylor Heinicke makes a sixth consecutive start when the Commanders host the Atlanta Falcons.
Coach Ron Rivera selected Heinicke as the starter even pending Wentz’s return because Washington is 4-1 since the QB change.
“We had a pretty brief conversation, pretty to the point,” Wentz said of Rivera delivering the news. “And it was fine. I get it.
I get it. It’s part of the business and I totally understand where we’re at as a team and everything else. Obviously as a competitor you want to be out there.”
Wentz isn’t even expected to be in uniform as Heinicke’s backup this weekend. That job remains with rookie Sam Howell, according to Rivera, who would not commit to Wentz’s role moving forward.
“We’ll take it one game at a time,” Rivera said. “Right now it’s to see how he looks back in team settings. We have him doing some stuff off to the side, then we bring him in and get him involved in some of the other stuff that we’re doing.”
Wentz broke the ring finger on his right, throwing hand Oct. 13 in a victory at Chicago and underwent surgery to repair it the following week. The 29-year-old said physically he feels good, and his passes in practice had some zip on them.
Phillies’ Harper to miss start of season after elbow surgery
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will miss the start of the 2023 season after he had reconstructive right elbow surgery on Wednesday.
The operation was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
Harper is expected to return to Philadelphia’s lineup as the designated hitter by the All-Star break. He could be back in right field by the end of the season, according to the team.
The 30-year-old Harper suffered a small ulnar collateral ligament tear in his elbow in April. He last played right field at Miami on April 16. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in May and shifted to designated hitter.
Harper met Nov. 14 with ElAttrache, who determined the tear did not heal on its own, necessitating surgery.
Even with the elbow injury, Harper led the Phillies to their first World Series since 2009, where they lost in six games to Houston. He hit .349 with six homers and 13 RBIs in 17 postseason games.
In late June, Harper suffered a broken thumb when he was hit by a pitch and was sidelined for two months. The two-time NL MVP still hit .286 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs for the season.
Harper left Washington and signed a 13year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in 2019. A seven-time All-Star, Harper has 285 career home runs.
With Harper out, the Phillies could use Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber at designated hitter. J.T. Realmuto also could serve as the DH when he needs a break from his catching duties.