Talib, Crabtree get 2 games
Oakland receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver cornerback Aqib Talib were suspended two games each without pay for fighting.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan announced the suspensions last night, a day after the two players brawled during Oakland’s 21-14 victory. Both players can appeal the suspensions.
The fight was a continuation of a dispute that started last season when Talib ripped Crabtree’s chain off during the season finale. Crabtree missed the first game between the teams this year but went after Talib early in this latest game.
On the second play of Oakland’s second drive, Crabtree aggressively blocked Talib on a running play and drove him to the ground on the Broncos sideline. Talib ripped Crabtree’s chain off his neck while they were tangled up, and a brawl ensued.
Also in Denver, Trevor Siemian emerged from the revolving door of Broncos quarterbacks as the starter again following Paxton Lynch’s dismal 2017 debut that ended with him in a walking boot and crying on the sideline. Coach Vance Joseph said Lynch will miss 2-4 weeks with a high right ankle sprain.
And nose tackle Domata Peko will miss a game for the first time since 2009, his 123-game streak to end because of a sprained left MCL that Joseph said will sideline him a week or two.
Ravens deny Texans
Terrell Suggs led an aggressive defense that kept Houston out of the end zone for the final 51 minutes, and the Ravens (6-5) went deep in the playbook on offense to squeeze out a 23-16 victory over the Texans (4-7) last night in Baltimore.
The Ravens forced three turnovers, two in the final five minutes. After Suggs stripped the ball from quarterback Tom Savage and Baltimore recovered, Justin Tucker kicked his third field goal with 2:53 remaining for a seven-point cushion.
Anthony Levine then intercepted a Savage pass to clinch it.
Suggs had two sacks, Alex Collins ran for 60 yards and a touchdown and punter Sam Koch threw perhaps Baltimore’s most significant pass of the game.
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh called for a fake punt, converted a fourth down with a rarely used pitchout and had quarterback Joe Flacco line up at wide receiver on a play in which Collins took a direct snap.
All of this added spice to a stagnant offense that protected the ball and did just enough to win.
Chancellor done
The Seattle Seahawks will be without strong safety Kam Chancellor for the rest of the season due to a neck injury he suffered earlier this month . . . .
Buffalo Bills receiver Kelvin Benjamin has a torn cartilage in his right knee. Last week, coach Sean McDermott said tests revealed there was no ligament damage to Benjamin, who was hurt while being tackled in a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. He is listed as day-to-day . . . .
The Detroit Lions put safety Tavon Wilson on injured reserve with a shoulder problem . . . .
The New York Giants placed four players on IR, increasing their season total to 19.
Garoppolo in limbo
Kyle Shanahan isn’t ready to decide between quarterbacks C.J. Beathard and Jimmy Garoppolo just yet.
The San Francisco 49ers coach is waiting to see how Beathard recovers from the hip and knee injuries that forced him out of Sunday’s loss to Seattle. Garoppolo replaced him late in the game, and Tom Brady’s former backup could get his first start here this week against the Bears. Garoppolo threw a touchdown on the final play against Seattle after Beathard was sidelined with 1:07 left. Shanahan said he’ll announce his starter tomorrow.