THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OLB Terrell Suggs activated for Ravens against Texans
HOUSTON — Baltimore outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has been activated for Sunday’s game at Houston.
Suggs, the league’s defensive player of the year in 2011, returned to practice this week for the first time since undergoing surgery in May to repair his torn right Achilles tendon. Suggs had a career-high 14 sacks and forced seven fumbles last season.
The Ravens are playing without star linebacker Ray Lewis (torn triceps) and cornerback Lardarius Webb (torn ACL), who were both placed on injured reserve. The Ravens have also activated linebacker Josh Bynes from their practice squad.
Houston’s inactive players included defensive backs Roc Carmichael and Quintin Demps, linebacker Barrett Ruud, defensive lineman David Hunter, and offensive linemen Brandon Brooks, Andrew Gardner and Cody White. Rookie Ben Jones was starting at right guard for Antoine Caldwell, who sustained a concussion in last week’s loss to Green Bay.
Saints LB Vilma set to make season debut against Buccaneers
TAMPA, Fla. — New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma is active for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay, meaning he’ll make his season debut while appealing a suspension for his role in the Saints bounty program.
Vilma has been rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee and practiced for the first time Wednesday. He was moved from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster Saturday.
The ninth-year pro’s return could wind up being relatively brief. His appeal hearing on a season-long suspension has been scheduled for Oct. 30.
Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is inactive with a sprained right ankle. Running back Chris Ivory, cornerback Elbert Mack, linebacker David Hawthorne, tackle Bryce Harris, defensive tackle Bryce Harris and defensive end Turk McBride also are inactive for New Orleans.
Running back Michael Smith, defensive back Keith Tandy, centre Cody Wallace, receiver Chris Owusu, tight end Danny Noble and linebackers Jacob Cutrera and Najee Goode are inactive for Tampa Bay.
Cowboys will be without RB DeMarco Murray
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is active and will start against Carolina after being held out of practice Friday with a groin injury.
Running back DeMarco Murray is inactive. That means Felix Jones gets the start for the Cowboys (2-3) against the league’s 23rd-ranked run defence.
Dallas’ other inactives include safety Matt Johnson, defensive tackle Sean Lissemore, punter Chris Jones, linebacker Kyle Wilber, guard David Arkin and receiver Cole Beasley.
Carolina (1-4) will be without a pair of starters in linebacker Jon Beason and cornerback Chris Gamble. Luke Kuechly makes his second straight start at middle linebacker, while Captain Munnerlyn starts in place of Gamble.
Also inactive for Carolina are quarterback Jimmy Clausen, centre Thomas Austin, returner Joe Adams, defensive tackle Frank Kearse and cornerback D.J. Campbell.
Shawne Merriman active for Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills defensive end Shawne Merriman is active for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Merriman was re-signed by the Bills this past week after Buffalo released him in the middle of August.
Defensive lineman Spencer Johnson was also active after missing the past two games because of an ankle injury. Starting offensive linemen Kraig Urbik (knee) and Cordy Glenn (knee) remain sidelined for the Bills.
Tennessee is without starting middle linebacker Colin McCarthy, who has an ankle injury. Zac Diles started in place of McCarthy.
Rams OT Hunter out; Packers minus 4 starters on defence
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Wayne Hunter is inactive against the Packers with a back injury that kept him out of practice all week. Hunter has been the stand-in starter for Rodger Saffold, who has a knee injury.
The Rams made another change on the offensive line, with Shelley Smith starting in place of Quinn Ojinnaka. Joe Barksdale, claimed off waivers from Oakland in late September, started in place of Hunter.
The Packers were minus cornerback Sam Shields (shin, ankle), linebacker Nick Perry (knee) and tackle B.J. Raji (ankle) on defence. Rookie cornerback Casey Hayward, a second round pick, got his first career start.
Perry, Raji, Shields and wide receiver Greg Jennings (groin) were ruled out on Friday.
Washington receiver Garcon inactive again, Giants RB Bradshaw active despite foot injury
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Washington wide receiver Pierre Garcon is among the Redskins inactives for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
It marks the second straight week Garcon has been sidelined with a foot injury and the fourth time in seven games he has been inactive. Joshua Morgan starts for Garcon.
For the Giants, running back Ahmad Bradshaw is active. He has been bothered by a foot injury and barely practiced this past week. He has rushed for 316 yards on 57 carries the past two weeks. Among the inactives are Kenny Phillips (knee) and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (quadriceps).
Colts deactivate Mathis, Redding while Browns will play without Massaquoi
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis will miss his second straight game Sunday, and Indianapolis also will be without defensive Cory Redding.
Both players are inactive.
Mathis and Redding both have knee injuries and will be replaced by Jerry Hughes and Ricardo Matthews. Cornerback Darius Butler, running back Donald Brown, defensive end Fili Moala, left guard Joe Reitz and nose tackle Martin Tevaseu are Indy’s other inactive players.
Cornerback Vontae Davis (ankle) will start for Indy (2-3).
Injured receiver Mohammed Massaquoi is inactive for the Browns (1-5). Cleveland will also play without defensive backs Tashaun Gipson and Dimitri Patterson, linebacker Scott Fujita, running back Brandon Jackson, left guard James Pinkston and tight end Alex Smith.
Josh Gordon will replace Massaquoi in the lineup, and John Greco will take Pinkston’s spot.
