INDY WILL BE MINUS TOP TWO RBS TODAY

The Indianapolis Colts announced Saturday they will be without running backs Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines for today’s key AFC South battle against Jacksonville.

Taylor, last year’s NFL rushing champion, will miss his second straight game with an injured ankle. He had only missed one game in his first two seasons, that one because he was considered a close contact during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hines entered the concussion protocol since wobbling off the field early in last the Oct. 6 victory at Denver.

The Jaguars (2-3), who beat the short-handed Colts 24-0 in Week 2, will be without receiver Marvin Jones (hamstring) and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (quadriceps). Neither traveled with the team Saturday and both were downgraded from questionable to out.

Deon Jackson and Phillip Lindsay carried the workload against Denver and likely will again after Indy (22-1) promoted Lindsay from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Coach Frank Reich also announced Friday that three-time All-pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard would sit out after having surgery on his broken nose.

Notable

Dolphins QBS Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater have cleared concussion protocols, according to an Associated Press source. Tagovailoa has been in the protocols since getting hurt against the Bengals on Sept. 29. Skylar Thompson will be the starter for today’s game against Minnesota.

• Commanders QB Carson Wentz fractured a finger on his throwing hand in Thursday’s win over Chicago and is expected to see a specialist in L.A. on Monday to determine the next steps, The Washington Post reported.

• The Jets activated defensive end Vinny Curry from injured reserve after he sat out the first five games with a hamstring injury.

• The deadline to complete negotiations for the Bills to build a new $1.4 billion stadium has been pushed back to at least December in order for the state to finish the environmental impact study.