Kirk’s late TD lifts streaking Jaguars
NEW ORLEANS — Travis Etienne ran for two touchdowns, Foyesade Oluokun returned an interception for a score, and Christian Kirk's 44-yard touchdown after a short catch over the middle lifted the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 31-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence returned from a sprained knee that forced him out of the final minutes of a victory over Indianapolis on Sunday and wound up leading Jacksonville (5-2) with 59 yards rushing. He also completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards and one TD to help the Jags win their fourth straight and give Jacksonville its best start since opening 5-2 in 2007.
Kirk's touchdown broke the tie with 3:08 left. The Saints (3-4) were in position to answer when they drove inside the Jacksonville 10 in the final minute, but stalled out with four straight incomplete passes.
Watson expected to start Sunday
Deshaun Watson's official status for Sunday's game at Indianapolis is questionable.
Nothing looked uncertain about Cleveland's quarterback on Friday.
Watson fired passes with his usual velocity during his second straight practice, and he is expected to start when the Browns visit the Colts.
However, coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't fully commit to Watson starting for the first time in nearly a month after hurting the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder in a Sept. 24 win over Tennessee.
Kendrick returns to Rams practice
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Derion Kendrick could play on Sunday, less than a week after he was arrested and charged with two gun offenses.
Kendrick returned to practice Friday, and coach Sean Mcvay described the second-year pro as “remorseful and regretful” for the disturbance he caused to the Rams (3-3).
Mcvay said he hasn't decided whether Kendrick, who has started every game this season, will suit up when Los Angeles hosts Pittsburgh (3-2) on Sunday.
Kendrick was away from the Rams' training complex until Thursday, when he returned and spoke at length to Mcvay. The coach said he emerged from the conversation believing Kendrick can use his latest arrest “as a learning opportunity.”
Odds and ends
Bears quarterback Justin Fields is not expected to need surgery for his dislocated right thumb, coach Matt Eberflus said Friday. As expected, Fields was ruled out for Sunday's game against the visiting Raiders (3-3) . ... Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is questionable with a neck injury for New York's game against the Commanders on Sunday . ... Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth will miss his second straight game after aggravating a hamstring injury . ... Seahawks safety Jamal Adams has been fined $50,000 for directing “verbal remarks'' and making “inappropriate physical contact'' with an independent concussion doctor during an evaluation of a teammate in Sunday's game at Cincinnati, a league source confirmed to The Seattle Times.