Luck out; Tolzien to start opener for Colts
NFL NOTEBOOK
The Colts officially ruled Andrew Luck out for Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams, and the quarterback is still not to the point where he can practice, general manager Chris Ballard said Monday.
“Still no timetable,” Ballard said about Luck practicing. “He’s in the training phase right now. He’s done excellent in his rehab, and we’re still continuing to take it week to week.”
Scott Tolzien will start against the Rams. Jacoby Brissett, whom the Colts acquired from the Patriots for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett over the weekend, will be Tolzien’s backup.
Luck, who was taken off the physically unable- to- perform list Saturday, has not done any on- field work with his teammates since Week 17 of last season. He underwent right shoulder surgery in January after originally getting injured in Week 3 of the 2015 season.
Janikowski declines deal
The Raiders and placekicker Sebastian Janikowski, who has played more games ( 268) with the team than any player in franchise history, are in a contractual standoff that could dictate whether he plays with the team this season.
The Raiders reportedly have asked Janikowski, 39, to rework his contract, which calls for him to make $ 4 million in the final season of his deal. Janikowski so far has declined.
Steelers’ Bell signs tender
Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell signed his franchise tender with the Steelers, clearing him to return for the season.
The team placed the franchise tag on Bell in February. He declined to sign his one- year, $ 12.1 million tender while waiting to see if a longterm deal could be reached.
Cowboys’ Elliott will practice
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said running back Ezekiel Elliott will be at practice Tuesday, not at the U. S. District Court in Sherman, Texas, where a judge will hear his request for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the NFL from enforcing a decision on Elliott’s appeal hearing.
This and that
Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor returned to practice in taking the next step in recovering from a concussion. He’s not yet been cleared for Buffalo’s season opener against the Jets.
The Cardinals signed three- time All- Pro punter Andy Lee to a two- year contract and released punter Matt Wile.
The Buccaneers signed safety T. J. Ward, two days after the three- time Pro Bowl selection was released by the Broncos. Ward spent the past three seasons with the Broncos.
The NFL is considering moving the Dolphins’ opener against the Bucs to another site or earlier in the week because of Hurricane Irma.