Falcons’ Freeman on injured reserve
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is going on injured reserve, another major setback for a team that already has lost several key players.
Coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that Freeman’s groin injury was more serious than initially thought, forcing him to undergo a surgical procedure.
In another injury-related move, the Falcons signed kicker Giorgio Tavecchio. He will fill in at least one game for Matt Bryant, who strained his right hamstring making a 57-yard field goal in the 34-29 victory over the Buccaneers.
One of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, Freeman is the fifth Atlanta player to go on injured reserve this season. He follows safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, linebacker Deion Jones and offensive guard Andy Levitre.
Neal, Allen and Levitre are all out for the season. The Falcons hope Jones, sidelined by a foot problem since Week 1, will be able to return after missing the required eight games.
Freeman has been slowed by a variety of injuries the last two seasons. This year, he missed three games with a bruised knee sustained in a season-opening loss at Philadelphia. When he returned for a game at Pittsburgh, he went down with a foot injury and also was bothered by groin soreness that caused him to miss last Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay.
Raiders cut linebacker
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders are releasing linebacker Derrick Johnson.
Coach Jon Gruden announced the move Tuesday and said linebacker Jason Cabinda will be promoted from the practice squad to take Johnson’s spot on the roster.
The Raiders signed Johnson in May to be the starting middle linebacker. But second-year player Marquel Lee has earned the bulk of the playing time at the position and the Raiders decided to go in a different direction heading into the bye week this week.
Gruden also said running back Marshawn Lynch is dealing with a groin injury and receivers Amari Cooper and Seth Roberts are still in concussion protocol. Gruden said he’s hopeful left guard Kelechi Osemele (knee) and safety Karl Joseph (hamstring) will be back when the Raiders host Indianapolis on Oct. 28.
Allen elbow sprained
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills rookie starting quarterback Josh Allen has been diagnosed with a sprained elbow on his throwing arm and is not expected to play at Indianapolis this weekend, a person with direct knowledge told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person described Allen’s status as being week to week as opposed to being out indefinitely. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team has not revealed the nature of the injury.
Coach Sean McDermott would only list Allen as week to week on Monday, and wouldn’t rule him out from playing this weekend.
The Bills (2-4) were off Tuesday, and McDermott is scheduled to address reporters once the team returns to practice today.
Allen’s injury, sustained in the third quarter of a 20-13 loss at Houston on Sunday, leaves Buffalo choosing between turnover-prone Nathan Peterman and newly signed veteran Derek Anderson to start against the Colts (1-5).
49ers sign Savage
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers signed quarterback Tom Savage to a one-year deal to add depth behind C.J. Beathard.
The 49ers waived tight end Cole Wick on Tuesday to make room on the 53-man roster and also released offensive lineman Zack Golditch from the practice squad.
San Francisco has been looking for help at quarterback ever since starter Jimmy Garoppolo’s season-ending knee injury last month. Beathard was promoted to starter and Nick Mullens was elevated from the practice squad to be the backup.
Savage was drafted by Houston in the fourth round in 2014 and played 13 games with nine starts in four seasons with the Texans. He completed 181 of 315 passes for 2,000 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He spent training camp with New Orleans before being cut Sept. 1.