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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles lost another key player for the season.

Cornerback Ronald Darby tore his ACL in the second half of Philadelphia’s 27-20 loss to Dallas on Sunday night, leaving the defending Super Bowl champions without half their starting secondary. Safety Rodney McLeod sustained a season-ending knee injury in September.

Starting cornerback Jalen Mills and starting nickel cornerback Sidney Jones didn’t play against the Cowboys because of injuries so rookie free agent Chandon Sullivan filled in for Darby. Rasul Douglas, Tre Sullivan and Corey Graham were other reserves already playing. Mills isn’t expected to return this week, but Jones is a possibility.

“It’s hard because you’re asking players that maybe don’t get a lot of practice time during the week to come and play,” coach Doug Pederson said Monday.

Kupp out for season

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles receiver Cooper Kupp is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee, depriving the Rams’ offense of a major contributor heading into a showdown with Kansas City.

Coach Sean McVay on Monday confirmed the ACL injury for Kupp, who led the Rams in yards receiving last season. Kupp is likely to have surgery this week.

“It’s a huge loss for our football team,” McVay said. “He’s such an important part of what we do, and a great football player, great person. It’s tough, but fortunately we’ve got guys that are ready to step up.”

Kupp has 40 catches for 566 yards and six touchdowns this season, providing reliable hands in the slot and a knack for big catches.

Bengals fire DC

The Cincinnati Bengals have fired defensive coordinator Teryl Austin ahead of their crucial Week 11 rematch Sunday with the Ravens, according to multiple media reports Monday.

After a bye in Week 9, the Bengals (5-4) allowed a season-worst 51 points Sunday in their blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. They also became the first team in NFL history to surrender more than 500 yards in three straight games. Five of Cincinnati’s past six opponents have finished with at least 481 yards of offense.

The Bengals have yet to officially name a replacement for Austin, but ESPN reported that head coach Marvin Lewis will assume his responsibilities.

— The Baltimore Sun

Bowles remains Jets coach

NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Bowles is staying put as coach of the New York Jets.

For now, at least.

It was business as usual Monday for Bowles, whose job status appeared extremely shaky after the Jets’ embarrassing 41-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday , their fourth consecutive defeat that dropped the team to 3-7.

“We picked a bad day to have a bad day,” Bowles said during a conference call.

No doubt about it.

Fans at MetLife Stadium booed the team throughout and chanted for the Jets to fire Bowles. That sentiment was echoed by many fans on social media and sports radio Monday morning. Several published stories also speculated that the time to make a change would be now with the Jets heading into a bye-week break.

Instead, owner Christopher Johnson opted to not fire Bowles.

The two were scheduled to have their usual Monday meeting later in the day, but no change in Bowles’ status was expected.

“What gives me faith that I’m the right guy? I coach football,” Bowles said. “As a coach, you go back to the drawing board. And that’s what I’m going to do. We’ll come back and we’ll prepare better and get ready for the next one.”

For many, it’s a surprise that there will even be another game for Bowles to coach with the Jets.

He is 23-35 during his run with the Jets, a .397 winning percentage that is better than just one coach in franchise history with at least 30 games in charge: Rich Kotite (.125).

Allen Bills’ starter when healthy

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — It appears as if journeyman quarterback Matt Barkley’s successful debut as the Buffalo Bills starter will be limited to one outing.

A day after a 41-10 win at the New York Jets, in which Barkley breathed life into an anemic offense in his first NFL start in nearly two years, coach Sean McDermott on Monday announced rookie Josh Allen will reclaim the starting job once he’s healthy.

With the Bills entering their bye week, there’s a very good chance of Allen being back behind center on Nov. 25, when Buffalo (3-7) next takes the field hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Josh is our starter when healthy, and his development is important for him and for us as we move forward, getting experience,” McDermott said. “You’ve seen a lot of quarterbacks this season play, and it’s important that he gets as many reps as he can get in live game action.”

Allen is 2-3 as a starter, and has missed four games since spraining his right throwing elbow.

Flacco’s status ‘up in the air’

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Carrying a three-game losing streak and a losing record, the Baltimore Ravens now face the burden of uncertainty at the quarterback position.

Joe Flacco is nursing a hip injury that could keep him out of Sunday’s game against Cincinnati, an AFC North matchup that carries huge ramifications for the sagging Ravens.

With Baltimore coming off a bye, Flacco received an additional week of rest and treatment after sustaining the injury on Nov. 4 in the opening minutes of a 23-16 loss to Pittsburgh.

Flacco went the distance, completed 23 of 37 passes for 206 yards. His status this week, however, is unclear.

“He’s getting treatment, just like all the guys are getting treatment, and we’ll see,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “I’d say that we’ll know more as the week goes on and I’m hopeful all our guys play, including Joe.”

If Flacco can’t play, rookie Lamar Jackson will likely get his first NFL start, although veteran Robert Griffin III is also an option.

Bucs sticking with Fitz

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their No. 1 quarterback.

Coach Dirk Koetter said Monday that the 14th-year pro, who failed to produce a touchdown in the previous day’s 16-3 loss to Washington, will start next Sunday on the road against the New York Giants.

The Bucs (3-6) have dropped six of seven games following a 2-0 start, with Fitzpatrick starting four of the losses after leading the team to surprising victories over New Orleans and Philadelphia while Jameis Winston was serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

“We’re going to go with Fitz this week,” Koetter said, adding he still feels Fitzpatrick “gives us the best opportunity” to win and pull out of a tailspin that’s jeopardized the prospects of ending a long playoff drought.

Also, struggling kicker Chandler Catanzaro was waived.

Catanzaro was one for three on field goals against the Redskins, missing from 30 and 47 yards.

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby (21) is helped off the field by trainers during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Darby tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season in the loss.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_AP18316126760119-2.jpg.optimal.jpgPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby (21) is helped off the field by trainers during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Darby tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season in the loss. Matt Slocum | AP photo

Combined media sources