Colts’ Luck could miss the entire preseason
The Colts believe lingering pain in Andrew Luck’s lower left leg will likely force their starting quarterback to miss the rest of the preseason.
They’re still unsure about his availability for the Sept. 8 season opener against the Chargers.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday additional testing revealed Luck appears to be suffering from an injury near the front of his ankle, something his previously diagnosed strained left calf might have exacerbated.
“Honestly, I think it’s a cumulative thing through the years. Andrew’s had some issues with his left (ankle) for a while, so I think it’s really a cumulative thing,” Ballard told local reporters on a conference call. “We think we’ve found it, so we’ll move forward and try to treat it.”
The injury kept Luck out of all of the team’s offseason workouts and all but three training camp practices. He still has not participated in full team drills.
Tate’s appeal shot down: Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has had the appeal of his four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s policy on performance enhancers turned down.
The decision by an independent arbiter means the 10-year-veteran will miss the first four games of the regular season, starting with the Cowboys on Sept. 8.
Tate, who signed a $37.5 million contract as a free agent with the Giants in March, announced the suspension in a Twitter post on July 27. He said he intended to appeal it and felt his case had merit because he was using a fertility drug prescribed by a doctor.
Tag team: The NFL and Jay-Z’s entertainment and sports representation company are teaming up for events and social activism.
The league not only will use Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to consult on its entertainment presentations, including the Super Bowl halftime show, but will work with the rapper and entrepreneur’s company to “strengthen community through music and the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative.”
Inspire Change was created by the league after an agreement with a coalition of players who demonstrated during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice in this country. Those demonstrations were sparked by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem in 2016.
NFL owners agreed to contribute up to $89 million over six years toward causes players were supporting.
Extra points: Packers coach Matt LaFleur said QB Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the first-team offense and first-team defense will play for about “a quarter or so” Thursday against the Ravens . ... WR Antonio Brown returned to Raiders training camp facility after missing time to see a specialist for his frostbitten feet and losing a grievance with the NFL over the use of a helmet . ... The Jaguars will sit QB Nick Foles and most of their starters against Foles’ former team in this week’s preseason game against the Eagles . ... The Jets signed veteran CB Marcus Cooper for depth in their depleted secondary and waived TE Nick Truesdell.