Concussion issues facing Colts QB Luck
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts’ second consecutive victory might have cost them quarterback Andrew Luck.
Luck entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after complaining about concussion-like symptoms following Sunday’s 24-17 victory over Tennessee. Coach Chuck Pagano said Monday he believes the concussion occurred in the fourth quarter but could not cite which play Luck was injured on.
The surprising news came a little more than 24 hours after Pagano told reporters that his team had no significant injuries from the game. Indianapolis (55) plays host to Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving night, leaving little time for Luck to recover. If he can’t play, the Colts likely will go with backup Scott Tolzien, who has not thrown a regularseason pass since the 2013 season.
Fitzpatrick gets Jets’ starting nod
Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the New York Jets’ starting quarterback against New England on Sunday.
“He’s healthy, he’s been our starter,” coach Todd Bowles said. “I don’t see anything that could change that right now.”
Fitzpatrick sat out the Jets’ previous game against Los Angeles on Nov. 13 with a sprained left knee. Bryce Petty made his first regular-season NFL start and went 19-of-32 for 163 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 9-6 loss.
Bowles said last week that he would consider which quarterback would give the Jets (3-7) the best chance of winning against the Patriots (8-2).
NFL suspends Bears’ Freeman
Linebacker Jerrell Freeman became the second Chicago player suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy in as many weeks.
Freeman was suspended for four weeks and is eligible to return to practice before the Bears’ Dec. 24 home game against Washington. Freeman, in his first year in Chicago after signing as a free agent, leads the Bears with 69 tackles and with 22 assists.
He apologized and said he took full responsibility for a “mistake with my prescription medication.”
Last week, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was suspended four games for the same violation and will be eligible to return for the Dec. 18 game against Green Bay.
Injured McCoy likely will play
A dislocated left thumb isn’t expected to prevent LeSean McCoy from missing a game.
A person with direct knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press that the Buffalo running back is expected to play against Jacksonville this weekend after having surgery for the injury.
Bills coach Rex Ryan declined to provide a definitive answer regarding McCoy’s playing status a day after the player was hurt in the first half of a 1612 victory at Cincinnati.
Ryan confirmed McCoy had surgery after the team returned home Sunday night but would not commit to whether he might play against the Jaguars.
“I guess we’ll see how he progresses through the week,” Ryan said.
Odds and ends
Miami defensive end Jason Jones was suspended without pay for two games for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. The suspension stemmed from Jones’ arrest last offseason for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a person familiar with the situation said. The suspension begins immediately, and Jones will be eligible to return to the active roster Dec. 5 . ... Jacksonville will be without two starters for the rest of the season after placing tight end Marcedes Lewis and left guard Patrick Omameh on injured reserve. Lewis injured his right calf in a loss at Detroit on Sunday, while Omameh hurt his left foot.