METAIRIE, La. — As if the New Orleans Saints weren’t dealing with enough problems, now they’ll have to get by without one of the NFL’s most versatile players.
Running back and return specialist Darren Sproles underwent surgery for a broken hand and won’t be able to play Monday night when the Saints (2-5) take on the Philadelphia Eagles at the Superdome.
Interim coach Joe Vitt revealed the injury after Monday’s practice, though he wouldn’t say which hand was hurt. Sproles will be re-evaluated next week to determine if he can play against the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons.
Sproles set an NFL record with 2,696 all-purpose yards last season and is a vital part of the Saints’ offense and special teams. He ranks second on the team in receiving (39 receptions, 323 yards, four touchdowns), third in rushing (26 carries, 117 yards) and handles both kickoffs (averaging 28.7 yards per return) and punts (a 6.6-yard average).
“We have pretty good running backs around here and this is part of the National Football League with injuries,” Vitt said. “It’s next man up. We will miss Darren Sproles, but this is going to be a great opportunity for some of our other running backs to receive some more reps and show what they can do.”
The greater concern is who will take over the returns. Rookie Travaris Cadet handled those duties at Appalachian State and got a look in both roles during the preseason. Receiver Lance Moore also has experience returning punts.
“I’m sorry about Darren’s injury,” Cadet said. “But if my number is called, I’m here to step up and help the team.”
Even with Sproles, the Saints rank last in the NFL in rushing yards. Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram are likely to continue getting the bulk of the carries, and Chris Ivory could finally get an expanded role. He led the team in rushing as a rookie in 2010, but hasn’t carried the ball at all this season.
“We’re going to have to have a few guys that pick up the slack,” offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael said. “Chris has been patient. He’s been great. He’s been out at every practice and has given us his all, his best effort. This will be a chance for him to get some opportunities.”
Porter ruled out
for game against Cincinnati
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter didn’t travel with the team to Cincinnati and will miss his third straight game as doctors continue to regulate his medication to control seizures.
Porter wasn’t on the field Friday, a day after being cleared to practice. Coach John Fox said team doctors were still “regulating the medication. Not that it was a setback, but there was a little bit of an issue.”
Porter also wasn’t allowed to fly to Denver’s game at San Diego on Oct. 15 after he experienced light-headedness and a racing heart — similar to the symptoms he felt before his seizure in August. He missed last week’s game against New Orleans.
Porter has been replaced by Chris Harris in the starting lineup with Tony Carter moving up to nickel back.
Seahawks WR Baldwin
expected to play
RENTON, Wash. — Just two weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain, Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin is expected to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Baldwin was forced to watch his teammates at home on television; he didn’t make the trip to Detroit with the rest of the team.
“That killed me,” Baldwin said. “I have to play football.”
Baldwin vowed to make it back for this Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
Head coach Pete Carroll on Monday called Baldwin “a long shot” to play, yet Baldwin was back at practice on Wednesday. Baldwin was able to fully participate on Thursday, two weeks to the day after injuring his left ankle in a 13-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Conte fined $21K
for hit on Panthers WR LaFell
NEW YORK — Bears safety Chris Conte has been fined $21,000 by the NFL for striking Panthers receiver Brandon LaFell in the head and neck area when LaFell was defenseless.
Conte made the hit in Chicago’s 23-22 victory over Carolina last Sunday. The league announced the fine Friday, and Conte has appealed.
Fined $15,750 were Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour, Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty, Jets linebacker Marcus Dowtin and Titans rookie defensive tackle Mike Martin.
Seymour was docked for roughing Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, hitting him after a pass was thrown and knocking Cassel to the ground. Canty was fined for striking Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo with the crown of his helmet.
Dowtin’s hit to the head area of Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore got him fined and Martin used his helmet to strike Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck in the shoulder.
Fined $10,000 was Dolphins rookie tackle Jonathan Martin for clipping against the Jets.
Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen and Tampa Bay tackle Donald Penn were fined $7,875 each for pulling one another’s face masks.
Lions RB Best won’t
play this season
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Jahvid Best’s season has ended before it began.
The Detroit Lions announced Friday that Best would stay on the physically unable to perform list for the year.
Lions general manager Martin Mayhew says medical experts have recommended Best not return to the field this season. Mayhew says it’s a disappointing decision, but one that is in Best’s long-term best interest.
Best hasn’t played in more than a year because of concussion problems.
Jaguars could be without 3
starting defensive backs vs. Lions
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without half their starting secondary and could be down a third defensive back Sunday against Detroit.
Safety Dwight Lowery (foot) and cornerback Rashean Mathis (groin) were ruled out Friday, and cornerback Derek Cox (back) was listed as questionable. All three players missed last week’s game at Green Bay, and the Jaguars responded with their best defensive performance of the season in a 24-15 loss.
The Jaguars also will be light in the offensive backfield.
Running backs Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) and Montell Owens (shoulder) are out, along with fullback Greg Jones (hip). Jones hasn’t missed a game since 2009.
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert (shoulder), center Brad Meester (foot) and receiver Laurent Robinson (concussion) are probable for Jacksonville.
WR Garcon, S Meriweather
out again for Redskins
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon and safety Brandon Meriweather have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, while linebacker Perry Riley is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Neither Garcon nor Meriweather had been expected to play. Garcon hasn’t practiced all week because of a torn toe ligament in his right foot that has caused him to miss five of the last seven games. Meriweather has been hindered by a recurring left knee injury that has sidelined him all season.
Riley was injured in last week’s 27-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was limited in practice all week. Coach Mike Shanahan said Friday he won’t know until game time whether Riley will play.
Dolphins QB Tannehill
listed as questionable
DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Indianapolis, and coach Joe Philbin says there’s no timetable for a decision on whether he’ll play.
Tannehill was limited in practice for the third day in a row Friday and again wore a brace on his left leg. He left Sunday’s 30-9 victory over the New York Jets in the first quarter with left knee and thigh injuries.
Giants LB Blackburn out,
Herzlich in line to start
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants middle linebacker Chase Blackburn will miss Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a hamstring injury.
The team’s leading tackler, Blackburn was hurt Sunday in a 29-24 win over Dallas. Blackburn did not practice this week and was listed as out on Friday.
Now second-year pro Mark Herzlich is in line to make his third career start.
