Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will be under center when his winless team hosts the New York Jets this weekend, coach Zac Taylor announced Monday.
Dalton started the Bengals’ first eight games of the season before being benched in favor of rookie Ryan Finley. The 2019 fourth-round pick has completed just 41 of 87 passes for 474 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in three games.
Dalton, the winningest quarterback in club history, has started 128 games for Cincinnati since the start of his rookie season in 2011. The franchise last made the playoffs in 2015.
—Los Angeles Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James was designated to return from injured reserve and could make his season debut Sunday at Denver.
The 23-year-old participated in Monday’s practice, after which coach Anthony Lynn said staff would evaluate James’ progress from foot surgery before deciding whether he would play this week.
The Chargers could also get back safety Adrian Phillips, who was designated to return from IR on Nov. 14. He hasn’t played since Week 2 because of a broken arm.
—Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against Tennessee, coach Frank Reich announced.
Mack injured his hand during Indianapolis’ victory over Jacksonville on Nov. 17 and underwent surgery the following day. The 23-year-old has 862 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 10 games this season.
—The right hand injury Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz sustained Sunday in Philadelphia’s loss to Seattle isn’t serious, and he isn’t expected to miss practice time this week, coach Doug Pederson said.
Wentz was diagnosed with a bruise on the middle finger of his throwing hand after further evaluation, Pederson said. Wentz should be OK to play on Sunday at Miami.
In other positive medical news for the Eagles, veteran right tackle Lane Johnson said that he’d be cleared from concussion protocol on Tuesday.
—Eagles Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks explained his exit from Sunday’s game due to anxiety in an unapologetic statement the day after he was unable to continue against Seattle.
Coach Doug Pederson confirmed Brooks needed to leave the game due to anxiety after the team’s third offensive series. Brooks, 30, logged 12 snaps in the loss to the Seahawks. Before leaving, he’d played every offensive snap since Week 2.
—Nearly three weeks after re-signing with the team that drafted him five years ago, wide receiver Jordan Matthews was waived by Philadelphia after his third stint with the Eagles.
The team announced the move one day after the Eagles’ second straight home loss dropped Philadelphia to 5-6 entering December.
—The Colts will place tight end Eric Ebron on season-ending injured reserve with multiple ankle injuries, per reports.
Ebron caught four passes for 44 yards in a loss to Houston last Thursday after missing multiple practices during the week. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Ebron needs surgery on both ankles.
—The Broncos selected quarterback Drew Lock in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft as the quarterback of the future. The future might arrive on Sunday in Denver.
Coach Vic Fangio said it’s possible Lock could be activated this week from injured reserve. Fangio added the rookie from Missouri could start at home against the Chargers.
