Chiefs’ Mahomes out for Sunday’s clash vs. Packers
The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled quarterback Patrick Mahomes out for Sunday night’s showdown against the Green Bay Packers because of his dislocated right kneecap.
Mahomes, who hurt his knee Oct. 17 in Denver, was a limited participant in practice all week. The Chiefs decided to give the reigning league MVP at least one game off as he recovers from an injury that can sometimes sideline a player for several months.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after Friday’s walkthrough that Matt Moore would start against Green Bay. Rookie Kyle Shurmur will serve as the backup.
TEXANS’ FULLER OUT VS. RAIDERS >> Houston Texans receiver Will Fuller will miss Sunday’s game against the Raiders due to a hamstring injury.
Fuller was injured during last week’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He didn’t practice this week and could miss multiple games.
Fuller has 34 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns this season.
BREES’ STATUS UNCERTAIN >> Drew Brees is listed as questionable and could return as New Orleans Saints quarterback on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Then again, maybe Brees (thumb) won’t play and Teddy Bridgewater will draw his sixth straight start. Coach Sean Payton didn’t declare a starter after Friday’s practice and said he would “probably wait until Sunday.”
The Saints (6-1) have gone 5-0 with Bridgewater as starting quarterback but Payton has said multiple times that Brees will return to the starting role as soon as he is healthy.
FALCONS’ RYAN HOPING TO PLAY >> Quarterback Matt Ryan returned to practice from a right ankle sprain and is listed as questionable for the Atlanta Falcons’ game against Seattle.
The 2016 NFL MVP was a limited participant in Friday’s session. If he is unable to play, Matt Schaub will make his first start since 2015 with Baltimore.
Ryan was on the field for the first time since leaving in the fourth quarter of last week’s blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He was injured on the Rams’ fifth sack and limped off the field after losing a fumble.
The 12-year veteran has not missed a game since 2009, a span of 154 consecutive regular-season and nine postseason starts.
BROWNS MAKING TACKLE SWITCH >> The Browns have pushed big Greg Robinson to the bench.
Cleveland’s left tackle said Friday that he’s been demoted to a backup role after making 14 straight starts over the past two seasons. Robinson’s insertion into the starting lineup midway through last season sparked a second-half surge by the Browns. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was only sacked five times in the final eight games.
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens has been considering a shake-up to his line since the bye week and decided to make the switch before his struggling team visits the unbeaten Patriots (7-0) on Sunday.
Kitchens didn’t reveal any changes in his lineup, but it’s expected that Justin McCray will make the start at New England.
McCray started 13 games over the last two seasons for the Green Bay Packers.
CARDINALS’ JOHNSON DEALING WITH INJURY >> Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson is a game-time decision for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
Johnson is battling an ankle injury and missed the entire week of practices. He is listed as questionable.
If Johnson can’t play, second-year back Chase Edmonds will be the primary ball carrier. Edmonds had a career-best game by rushing for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in last Sunday’s win over the New York Giants.
CHARGERS’ ALLEN AILING >> Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen could miss Sunday’s game at Chicago with a tender hamstring.
Allen didn’t get much work in this week due to the injury. He was hurt in practice and unable to get on the field Thursday and Friday, which would push Mike Williams into the No. 1 wide receiver role.