ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Colts linebacker Robert Mathis is inactive for Indianapolis’ season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Though Mathis has resumed practicing, the six-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL’s 2013 leader in sacks is still not fully recovered from a torn Achilles tendon that forced him to miss last season. Reserve running back Vick Ballard (hamstring), who did not travel to Buffalo, and cornerback Greg Toler (neck) are also among the Colts inactive players.
Darius Butler will start in place of Toler.
For Buffalo, running back Bryce Brown is inactive because he’s the odd man out behind backups Boobie Dixon and rookie Karlos Williams.
Jernigan sits for Ravens vs. Saints
DENVER — Haloti Ngata’s replacement, Timmy Jernigan, and rookie receiver Breshad Perriman, Baltimore’s first-round draft pick, are both out for the Ravens’ opener at Denver with knee injuries.
Lawrence Guy will start at defensive tackle for Jernigan.
Baltimore’s other inactives are Lorenzo Taliaferro, Rashaan Melvin, Ryan Jensen, Christo Bilukidi and Za’Darius Smith.
There were no surprises in Denver’s deactivated list, which included defensive end Kenny Anunike (knee). Others are Curtis Marsh, Lorenzo Doss, Lerentee McCray, Shelley Smith, Mitchell Henry and Trevor Siemian.
The Broncos are also playing without two suspended players. Safety T.J. Ward is serving a one-game ban for violating the league’s personal conduct code and defensive end Derek Wolfe is out for four weeks after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
RGIII out for Redskins vs. Dolphins
LANDOVER, Md. — Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has been placed on the inactive list for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Griffin missed most of the preseason with a concussion and was cleared to play on Thursday. Colt McCoy will be the backup to Washington starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Redskins wide receiver and kicker returner Rashad Ross, who excelled in the preseason finale against Jacksonville, is also on the inactive list.
Washington’s other inactives are linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat; guards Arie Kouandjio and Spencer Long; tackle Tom Compton; and tight end Anthony McCoy.
Miami’s inactives include tackle Jason Fox, who has a concussion. Linebacker Chris McCain is inactive, along with cornerbacks Will Davis and Tony Lippett; running back Jonas Gray; defensive tackle A.J. Francis; and wide receiver Matt Hazel.
Rams’ Tre Mason to sit out Week 1
ST. LOUIS — Running back Tre Mason is inactive with a hamstring injury for the St. Louis Rams’ season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Mason did not practice all week and had been questionable for Sunday’s game. First-round pick Todd Gurley was ruled out earlier while rehabbing from knee surgery.
Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead are likely to share the running back duties.
Wide receiver Brian Quick, recovering from a shoulder injury, also is inactive for the Rams.
Seahawks backup cornerback Tharold Simon is out with a toe injury after being questionable. Backup linebacker Mike Morgan was ruled out earlier with a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice all week.
Bowe sidelined with hamstring issue
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is inactive against the New York Jets with a hamstring injury, while quarterback Johnny Manziel (elbow) will serve as the backup to Josh McCown.
Manziel was listed as probable after throwing in practice Monday for the first time since Aug. 23 because of elbow tendinitis. He has not played since the second preseason game Aug. 19 against Buffalo.
Cornerback Justin Gilbert is out with a hip flexor. He was not injured after crashing his car into a ditch following a road rage incident with another driver Friday. Gilbert was cited for failure to "maintain reasonable control of his vehicle" and released by Brunswick, Ohio, police.
Among the Jets’ inactives are QB Geno Smith (jaw), WR Devin Smith (ribs) and RB Zac Stacy.
Jeffery, Royal ready to go for Bears
CHICAGO — Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is active for the Chicago Bears after missing the preseason with a calf injury.
Fellow receiver Eddie Royal also is set to play in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers after being hampered by a hip injury. Royal signed with Chicago in the off-season.
The Packers will be without Morgan Burnett after the safety missed the last preseason game with a calf injury. Micah Hyde got the start in place of Burnett.
Quarterback Brett Hundley and running back Alonzo Harris also are inactive for Green Bay.
The Bears’ inactive list includes linebacker Jonathan Bostic, who is out with an ankle injury. Quarterback David Fales, running back Ka’Deem Carey and centre Hroniss Grasu also are inactive.
Jaguars without Lee, Gerhart vs. Panthers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without receiver Marqise Lee and running back Toby Gerhart in the season opener against Carolina.
Lee hasn’t practiced since Aug. 5 because of a hamstring injury. He was listed as doubtful Friday. Gerhart was limited all week with an abdominal strain. He was listed as questionable.
Jacksonville’s other inactives: guard A.J. Cann, centre Luke Bowanko, tight end Julius Thomas, defensive end Andre Branch and defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks. Thomas, Branch and Marks were ruled out earlier in the week.
Safety Dean Marlow, running back Brandon Wegher, tight end Richie Brockel, linebacker David Mayo, offensive tackle Nate Chandler, receiver Kevin Norwood and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei are inactive for the Panthers. Brockel, Chandler and Lotulelei were ruled out Friday.
Texans’ Blue draws start for injured Foster
HOUSTON — Alfred Blue will start at running back for the Houston Texans against the Kansas City Chiefs with Arian Foster inactive while recovering from groin surgery.
It will be the fourth career start for the second-year player. Foster is out indefinitely.
Also Sunday, last year’s top overall pick outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney will play for the Texans for the first time since microfracture surgery in December.
Among the players inactive for the Chiefs are quarterback Aaron Murray and cornerbacks Steven Nelson and Marcus Cooper.
Other players inactive for the Texans are cornerback Jumal Rolle, safety Lonnie Ballentine and guard Xavier Su’a-Filo.
