Cowboys’ Martin off COVID reserve
FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys activated right guard Zack Martin off the COVID-19 reserve list Monday, but they will start the week without defensive end Randy Gregory because of the health and safety protocols.
Gregory went on the COVID-19 list four days after playing in the opener, a 31-29 loss to Tampa Bay. Backup tackle Brandon Knight returned along with Martin.
Martin missed the game against the defending Super Bowl champions after testing positive five days earlier. The Cowboys are at risk of having another starter sidelined for a game if Gregory can’t return this week.
Gregory needs two negative tests 24 hours apart to be activated. The Cowboys visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Fitzpatrick out with hip injury
Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a subluxation, or partial dislocation, of his right hip during the Washington Football Team’s season-opening
loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and will be placed on injured reserve, coach Ron Rivera said Monday.
Fitzpatrick will miss at least three weeks and possibly more, as he and the team receive further details from a second doctor’s opinion. In his absence, Taylor Heinicke will be Washington’s starting quarterback and Kyle Allen, a former Texas A&M and University of Houston player, his backup.
“We want to make sure we get as good an answer as to what’s going on so we know how to handle everything going forward,” Rivera said. “... It is frustrating, but hopefully with the situation we have right now, we can go forward . ... We like the guys that we have. We’ve had them play for us. They’ve done some good things for us.”
Fitzpatrick, 38, was sacked on a pass play with nine minutes remaining in the second quarter of Sunday’s game.
The team will have to quickly regroup, as it prepares for a divisional game against the New York Giants at Fedex Field on Thursday night.
Washington signed Kyle Shurmur to its practice squad, giving it a third quarterback on the roster who could be elevated to the active roster for the game, if needed.
Lions’ Okudah out for season
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has a season-ending Achilles tendon injury, the team announced.
Okudah was hurt in the fourth quarter Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers held on to win 41-33 against the Lions.
Detroit drafted the Ohio State star with the No. 3 overall pick last year and injuries limited him to nine games as a rookie. Okudah appeared to make improvements during training camp, but he had a rough game in Week 1.
Browns’ Beckham still not ready
Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s status remains uncertain.
Beckham was inactive for the opener, delaying a possible debut after his 2020 season ended on Oct. 25 with a tore anterior cruciate ligament against Cincinnati. Beckham has made a quick recovery following surgery.
Beckham has taken part in team drills for two weeks and he seemed on the brink of his return. The Browns listed him as questionable going into the matchup with Kansas City.
However, after Beckham went through pregame warm-ups Sunday, the Browns ruled him out.
“I wouldn’t call it a conservative approach,” coach Kevin Stefanski said when asked if the Browns are being overly cautious with Beckham. “I would say we’re trying to be appropriate with all this.”