Jets’ Bowles hospitalized
new york» New York Jets coach Todd Bowles was hospitalized Friday with what the team called an “undisclosed illness,” and he did not travel for the game at New England on Saturday.
In a statement posted on the team’s website , the Jets said Bowles was in stable condition, but it was uncertain if he would eventually join the team in time for the game.
The 53-year-old Bowles fell ill early Friday afternoon and was taken to the hospital, where general manager Mike Maccagnan visited him. Maccagnan has remained in constant contact with Bowles, who wants to coach the game but will need to be cleared by doctors.
If Bowles is unavailable to coach, assistant head coach Mike Caldwell will fill in against the Patriots. Caldwell, who played linebacker for 11 seasons in the NFL, also serves as New York’s inside linebackers coach.
Caldwell ran the Jets’ walkthrough practice while Bowles was hospitalized. He was informed during the team’s flight to the Boston area that he would be the head coach if Bowles can’t make it to the game.
Bowles is in his second season as coach of the Jets. He got his tenure off to a promising start with a 10-6 season that finished a win shy of a playoff appearance.
• Jets running back Matt Forte is doubtful to play against the Patriots because of knee and shoulder injuries.
Forte has torn meniscus in his right knee, which he played through last week. He ran for 21 yards on four carries and had a 7-yard reception while spelling Bilal Powell in New York’s 3413 loss to Miami, but he also injured a shoulder during the game.
Peterson ruled out vs. Green Bay
B eden prairie, minn.» Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will not play Saturday at Green Bay because of knee and groin injuries.
He returned last weekend for his first game in three months, playing 12 snaps in his return from surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee. He rushed for 22 yards on six carries as the Vikings lost to the Colts, 34-6, and were eliminated from playoff contention.
• The Vikings’ plane skidded off the runway on a snowy night at Appleton International Airport in Wisconsin and slid into the grass while taxiing after landing.
Everyone on the plane was fine but were stuck for several hours before fire officials at the scene used a truck’s extension ladder to help team members leave the aircraft.
Mathieu lands on injured reserve
B tempe, ariz.» The Cardinals placed defensive back Tyrann Mathieu on injured reserve, the third time the doeverything defensive back has finished the year on the injury list in his four NFL seasons.
Mathieu had been trying to play through a shoulder injury before the decision was made to place him on injured reserve.
The 2015 All-Pro selection never has played a full season. Mathieu played in 10 games this season, with 36 tackles.
In August, Mathieu signed a sixyear, $62.5 million contract extension, with $21.5 million guaranteed.