QB Fitzpatrick, sidelined with hip issue, opts for no surgery
Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick does not plan to undergo surgery to address his hip sublaxation but still is expected to be sidelined for about half the season.
The 38-year-old, hurt in Washington’s Week 1 loss, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday — ruling him out through at least Week 4. NFL Network reported Fitzpatrick is expected to be sidelined eight weeks.
Taylor Heinicke started in Fitzpatrick’s place Thursday, with former Carolina quarterback Kyle Allen backing him up. Washington also signed quarterback Kyle Shurmur to its practice squad Monday.
Coach Ron Rivera said the team has no plans to add a veteran quarterback to the roster.
■ Ravens: Running back Devonta Freeman was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad. The 29-year-old two-time Pro Bowl selection joined the team Sept. 9, nine days after New Orleans released him. Also, cornerback Chris Westry is expected to be sidelined at least one month with a torn lateral meniscus, ESPN reported. The 24-year-old played 33 snaps Monday against the Raiders.
■ Giants: Left guard Shane Lemieux (knee) was placed on injured reserve, and offensive lineman Matt Skura was promoted from the practice squad. Lemieux, 24, had started 10 straight games. Skura, 28, started 52 of the 57 regular-season games he has played at guard and center, all with Baltimore.
■ Colts: Two-time All-pro linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle, illness), three-time All-pro guard Quenton Nelson (foot, back) and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes (calf ) were sidelined at practice, along with rookie defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring), the team’s first-round draft pick.
■ Bengals: Wide receiver Tee Higgins said this will be the last season he wears uniform No. 85 — mainly because the 22-year-old doesn’t want to be compared to Chad Johnson, one of the franchise’s best and most colorful wideouts, who wore 85 from 2001 to 2010 while making six Pro Bowls.
■ 49ers: Linebacker Dre Greenlaw plans to undergo surgery for a core muscle injury that will sideline him six to eight weeks. The 24-yearold, who had six tackles in Week 1, had 178 tackles the past two seasons.
■ Vikings: All-pro linebacker Eric Kendricks (quadriceps), fourtime Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) and four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen (concussion) were sidelined at practice.
■ Chiefs: Three-time All-pro safety Tyrann Mathieu, who cleared COVID-19 protocol the day before Kansas City’s Week 1 win, will make his season debut Sunday, coach Andy Reid said.
■ Lions: Wide receiver Tyrell Williams remains in concussion protocol, and coach Dan Campbell said it “doesn’t look great” for the 29-year-old former Raider to play Monday.
■ Jaguars: Running back Duke Johnson, formerly with Cleveland and Houston, was released after 10 days on Jacksonville’s practice squad.
■ Steelers: Tight end Eric Ebron (hamstring) was added to the injury report and did not practice.