Watt among current players named finalists for All-Time Team defense
Houston’s J.J. Watt, Carolina’s Luke Kuechly, and Denver’s Von Miller are the current players among the finalists for the NFL’s All-Time Team.
Hall of Famers Joe Greene, Deacon Jones and Dick Butkus are among the finalists.
A 26-member voting panel is making the choices, with 12 LBs, seven DEs and seven DTs eventually making the team.
Bruce Smith, the career sacks leader, Ray Lewis, No. 2 in solo tackles, and Julius Pepper, second in tackles for loss, are on the list.
Ebron put on IR with ankle injury
The Indianapolis Colts have put Pro Bowl tight end Eric Ebron on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
He is expected to miss the rest of the season. Tight end Ross Travis was signed to replace Ebron.
The move comes days after top receiver T.Y. Hilton returned to the lineup and at a time when Indy’s offense has struggled. Ebron had 31 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns in his second season with the Colts (6-5). He was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season and can become a free agent after the year.
Travis played in four games with Indy in 2017 before spending last season on the injured reserve list. He was waived by the team on Aug. 31.
Kerrigan’s streak could be snapped
Ryan Kerrigan was concussed Sunday, putting in danger his streak of 139 consecutive starts that ranks first among active NFL linebackers. Kerrigan, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr are the only players to start every game since the start of the 2011 season.
Dalton returns as starting QB
With the season slipping away and still no win to show for it, the Bengals are going back to Andy Dalton at quarterback.
Coach Zac Taylor announced Monday that Dalton would finish the season, ending a threeweek experiment with rookie Ryan Finley running the offense.
Finley completed only 47 percent of his passes during three starts, and the offense failed to score more than 13 points in any game.
The move came a day after a 16-10 loss to the Steelers in which Finley fumbled twice.
Falcons’ Freeman back from injury
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who has missed two games with a sprained knee, is returning to practice.
Coach Dan Quinn says Freeman will participate in Monday’s light practice as the Falcons prepare for Thursday night’s game against New Orleans.
Safety Kemal Ishmael, who has missed two games with a concussion, also could return this week.
Quinn had no update on wide receiver Julio Jones, who briefly left Sunday’s 35-22 loss to Tampa Bay with a right shoulder injury.