Falcons place Freeman on injured reserve
The Atlanta Falcons are placing running back Devonta Freeman on injured reserve with a groin injury.
The team made the announcement Tuesday, another major setback in its injury plagued season.
One of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, Freeman is the fifth Atlanta player to go on injured reserve this season. He follows safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, linebacker Deion Jones and offensive guard Andy Levitre.
Freeman has slowed by a variety of injuries the last two seasons. This year, he missed three games with a bruised knee sustained in a season-opening loss at Philadelphia. When he returned for a game at Pittsburgh, he went down with a foot injury and also was bothered by groin soreness.
The Falcons didn’t think the groin problem was serious, but further tests showed Freeman needs a surgical procedure. The team is hopeful he will be able to return late in the season.
Bills could turn to Peterman, again: Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback has been diagnosed with a sprained right elbow on his throwing arm and is not expected to play against Indianapolis Sunday.
Allen’s playing status is considered week to week as opposed to being indefinite. A person with direct knowledge spoke to the Associated Press Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because the team has not revealed the nature of the injury.
The first-round draft pick was hurt while being hit on both sides shortly after completing a pass in the third quarter of a 20-13 loss at Houston Sunday.
The injury leaves Buffalo choosing between turnover-prone Nathan Peterman and newly signed veteran Derek Anderson to start Sunday.
Peterman has thrown four interceptions this season, including two in the final two minutes against Houston. The second-year player lost the starting job after faltering in a 47-3 season-opening loss at Baltimore.
Anderson is a 12-year veteran who was lured out of semiretirement to sign with Buffalo last week to mentor Allen. The 35-year-old Anderson attempted just eight passes in three appearances with Carolina last season, and hasn’t started a game in nearly two years.
Vikings lose Hughes: The Minnesota Vikings have placed cornerback Mike Hughes on injured reserve, following the ACL injury to the rookie’s left knee that will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
The Vikings re-signed defensive tackle David Parry Tuesday to take the open roster spot, increasing their depth on the interior. Rookie Jalyn Holmes has worked primarily at defensive tackle, but he has taken turns at defensive end with backup Tashawn Bower sidelined the past two games and starter Everson Griffen out for the past four games.
Parry played in the first two games and had a sack against Green Bay. He was cut in favor of defensive tackle Tom Johnson Sept. 19.
49ers sign Savage: The San Francisco 49ers signed quarterback Tom Savage to a one-year deal to add depth behind C.J. Beathard.
San Francisco has been looking for help at quarterback ever since starter Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a season-ending knee injury last month. Beathard was promoted to starter and Nick Mullens was elevated from the practice squad to be the backup.
Savage was originally drafted by Houston in the fourth round in 2014. Savage played 13 games with nine starts in four seasons with the Texans. He completed 181 of 315 attempts for 2,000 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He spent training camp with New Orleans before being cut Sept. 1.