Houston Chronicle

Despite early struggles, Jets topple Falcons

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Matt Ryan was sharp for the second straight preseason game, leading Atlanta to touchdowns in both of his series in the Falcons’ 30-22 loss to the New York Jets.

Ryan finished 4 of 5 for 75 yards, including a 60yard completion to fullback Collin Mooney, and a 2-yard touchdown toss to Leonard Hankerson. Rookie Terron Ward also had a 4-yard touchdown run for the Falcons (1-1) who carved up the Jets’ touted starting defense.

Ward had 5 yards on six carries while starting with Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman out with hamstring injuries. Star wide receiver Roddy White was scratched before the game with what the Falcons announced was an elbow injury.

Meanwhile, Ryan Fitzpatric­k and the Jets’ starters sputtered until facing Falcons backups midway through the second quarter.

New York (1-1) was sparked by the defense on a safety by first-round pick Leonard Williams, one of two sacks for the former USC star. Chris Ivory followed less than two minutes later with a 33-yard TD run, and Fitzpatric­k found Brandon Marshall for a 2-point conversion that cut New York’s deficit to 14-10.

Fitzpatric­k, who played just one series last week, finished 13 of 19 for 118 yards before being replaced by Bryce Petty late in the first half.

Petty finished 12 of 19 for 168 yards, including a 13-yard TD pass to DeVier Posey late in the third quarter that put the Jets up 23-14.

Chiefs hang on to beat Seahawks

Seahawks quarterbac­k Russell Wilson and Chiefs counterpar­t Alex Smith struggled behind their unsettled offensive lines in Kansas City’s 14-13 preseason victory over Seattle at Arrowhead Stadium.

Wilson was 9 of 15 for 78 yards, though most of those completion­s came on his final drive, when tight end Jimmy Graham finally got involved in the game. Otherwise, Wilson spent his half of work running away from Chiefs pass rushers Justin Houston and Dee Ford.

Smith was pressured so much in the first half that he began rushing his throws, and one of them was picked off by Bobby Wagner. The Seattle linebacker returned it untouched 25 yards for a touchdown that gave the Seahawks a 10-7 halftime lead.

Smith finished 11 of 18 for 81 yards with a touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin.

Safety a priority for Romo, Jones

Dallas owner Jerry Jones suggested Friday that the Cowboys could sit quarterbac­k Tony Romo and other starters for a preseason game in San Francisco over concerns with the troublesom­e turf at Levi’s Stadium.

Jones made his comments in a radio interview a day after coach Jason Garrett said, “I’m confident that the league will make sure that field is safe for everybody to play or we won’t play the game.”

The Cowboys and 49ers play Sunday night.

San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula moved some practices out of the stadium early in training camp after large chunks of sod came loose. There were similar issues when the stadium debuted last season.

Injured McCown still front-runner

Josh McCown’s right ring finger isn’t badly injured. Still, the Browns won’t let him raise his index finger just yet.

McCown will not miss any practice time after hurting the finger on his throwing hand during an exhibition loss Thursday night to Buffalo. McCown threw intercepti­ons on Cleveland’s first two drives, raising questions about whether backup Johnny Manziel, who threw a touchdown pass and made a sensationa­l play, was threatenin­g to jump him on the depth chart.

But Browns coach Mike Pettine said Friday that Cleveland’s depth chart at quarterbac­k remains unchanged.

Steelers’ Golson out for season

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie cornerback Senquez Golson underwent shoulder surgery and is out indefinite­ly.

The second-round pick out of Mississipp­i has been on the physically unable to perform list since training camp began nearly four weeks ago. Coach Mike Tomlin said he’s not certain what path the Steelers will follow when Golson begins rehabilita­tion.

 ?? Al Bello / Houston Chronicle ?? Jets backup quarteback Bryce Petty delivered a touchdown pass to former Texan DeVier Posey during the Jets’ preseason win over the Falcons.
Al Bello / Houston Chronicle Jets backup quarteback Bryce Petty delivered a touchdown pass to former Texan DeVier Posey during the Jets’ preseason win over the Falcons.

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