K.C. fears Ware out for year
Spencer Ware tore the posterior cruciate ligament and caused other damage to his right knee in Friday’s preseason game in Seattle, an MRI exam revealed, and the Kansas City Chiefs believe their starting running back needs season-ending surgery.
Ware ran for 921 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games last season. Coach Andy Reid said third-round draft pick Kareem Hunt will be the starter for the opener.
Burf ict suspended
Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict is appealing a five-game suspension for a preseason hit against the Chiefs, according to multiple reports, and the Bengals released a statement supporting the sixth-year veteran.
Burfict, who was suspended for the first three games last season for repeated violations of player safety rules, had a pick-six of Kirk Cousins in the Bengals’ 23-17 loss Sunday.
Cowboys LB out
An MRI exam revealed that Dallas middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens sustained a tibial fracture in his right knee, according to multiple reports, and will be out at least eight weeks.
Hitchens started every game last year and had 104 tackles. It’s unlikely that Dallas will name Jaylon Smith the starting middle linebacker, though, as it brings the 2016 secondround pick back slowly from a severe knee injury.
“You don’t jeopardize a guy’s future over anything like that, but as you know, Jaylon’s coming along,” Dallas executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters. “The plan all along was for him to be ready to play for the Giants. Now are we going to throw him in there for 60something plays? I don’t think so.”
Bears lose top WR
Cameron Meredith, Chicago’s leading receiver last season, suffered what is believed to be a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Sunday’s 19-7 exhibition win at Tennessee. The Bears are awaiting results of an MRI exam.
Meredith had 66 catches for 888 yards last year.
Mike Glennon (11 for 18, 134 yards, touchdown) looked like a lock to be the starting quarterback in Week 1. “He balled out today,” said No. 2 pick Mitch Trubisky, who was 10 for 15 for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Vick joins Fox
Michael Vick has joined Fox as a studio analyst.
The retired quarterback joins Tony Gonzalez, Dave Wannstedt, Colin Cowherd and Charissa Thompson on “NFL Kickoff.”
Kizer is Browns’ QB
Coach Hue Jackson announced that rookie DeShone Kizer will be the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback.
The 2017 second-round pick was only six for 18 for 93 yards with an interception Saturday against Tampa Bay in his first start, but he’ll become the Browns’ fifth opening-week starter in five seasons.
“This is not just for the moment,” Jackson told reporters. “We are going to get with DeShone, ride with him through it all and work with him through all of this . . . . We are just going to correct it and keep moving forward.”
Etc.
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee Saturday, according to multiple reports, but has not been ruled out for Thursday’s exhibition finale . ... The Jets claimed defensive end Kony Ealy off waivers from New England . ... Buffalo thirdstring quarterback T.J. Yates is being evaluated for a concussion, leaving the Bills with only one healthy quarterback: 2017 fifthround pick Nathan Peterman.