Chiefs QB Smith will start Sunday
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith will start Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers after missing this past Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a concussion, coach Andy Reid announced Monday.
“He’ll be back in as long as there are no setbacks,” Reid told reporters.
Nick Foles started at quarterback against Jacksonville, going 20-for-33 with a touchdown in a narrow 19-14 win.
Smith was ruled out against the Jaguars last Wednesday after hitting his head on the turf twice during a 30-14 win against the Colts on Oct. 30. Smith threw for 127 yards (9 of 19) and a touchdown in the victory.
Pelicans sign Goodwin
The New Orleans Pelicans waived injured guard Lance Stephenson and signed guard Archie Goodwin, the team announced Monday.
Stephenson will undergo surgery to repair a groin injury and is expected to be sidelined approximately two months.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings waived guard Jordan Farmar, the team announced.
The Kings initially released Farmar on Oct. 24, then re-signed him last Wednesday.
Jets’ Fitzpatrick injuries MCL
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick sustained a sprained MCL during Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, according to an ESPN report.
An MRI exam on Monday morning revealed Fitzpatrick’s injury is not considered serious, per ESPN.
Fitzpatrick had been benched in favor of quarterback Geno Smith, who promptly sustained a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Jones says Romo could return
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not ruling out the return of veteran quarterback Tony Romo for Dallas’ game at the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, saying that “he’s ahead of last year.”
“Unlike last week, I wouldn’t speculate,” Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after a 35-10 win at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. “I don’t know. But he will do more. And he’s really doing things that are strong relative to last year’s strength.”
Whether or not Romo — sidelined with a broken bone in his back — will start over rookie sensation Dak Prescott, Jones was less speculative.
Jones, who earlier in the season said that Romo would be the starter upon his return, recently changed his tune and sounds more open to the possibility of unleashing the Prescott era in Dallas.
Talib status cloudy
Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib could be out until after the team’s bye week in Week 11, according to a report from KMGH-TV in Denver.
Talib, who is sidelined with a back injury, received a second opinion in California last week and is considered day-to-day.
Talib last played Oct. 24 against the Houston Texans and was ruled out for this past Sunday night’s 30-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Falcons GM gets new deal
The Atlanta Falcons announced the signing of general manager Thomas Dimitroff to a three-year contract extension on Monday.
The extension runs congruent with head coach Dan Quinn’s contract.
Dimitroff, 50, has guided the Falcons to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons and is responsible for drafting, signing or retaining players who have combined for 22 Pro Bowl selections.
In the 2008 and 2009 seasons under Dimitroff, Atlanta posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
Chip Kelly happy with current job
Chip Kelly insists that he has no interest in returning to the college game, despite his San Francisco 49ers dropping to 1-7 after being blown out by the New Orleans Saints 41-23 on Sunday.
“It’s been the same story since I left four years ago,” the 49ers coach told reporters Monday. “So, I’m not looking to go back and that’s what I’ve always said. So, I don’t know why it’s still a story.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported over the weekend that Kelly’s representatives were telling college teams interested in hiring the former Oregon coach that he’s staying put in the NFL.
Eagles sign Huff
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed wide receiver Josh Huff, who was recently released by the Philadelphia Eagles after his arrest for firearm and marijuana possession, to their practice squad.
“We signed him to the practice squad. That’s it,” Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter told ESPN. “All your practice squad guys are developmental guys you’re trying to look at.”
Huff, 25, was arrested in New Jersey on Nov. 1 and charged with possession of a 9-mm handgun as well as possessing a small amount of pot.