Todman TD lifts Jags past Titans
Blake Bortles revived a stagnant offense. Jordan Todman provided some cushion. And Sen’Derrick Marks sealed it with the most rewarding sack of his career.
The trio provided all the highlights in the Jaguars’ 2113 victory over the Titans on Thursday night in Jacksonville, Fla.
In a matchup that was widely billed as unwatchable, Bortles, Todman and Marks offered some compelling moments in a relatively meaningless game.
“The neat thing about this was different guys stood up at different times,” Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said.
Bortles completed 13of26 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, a 4yard pass to Marcedes Lewis that got Jacksonville going late in the second quarter. He also ran for 50 yards playing with a sprained right foot.
“I wasn’t going out there if I couldn’t move around and help the offense,” Bortles said.
Todman’s 62yard run put the Jaguars ahead for good. He juked one defender and stiffarmed another in his first carry of the night, ending his first score of the season with a leap into the stands.
Marks’ play, though, got themost attention.
With the Titans driving, Marks sacked Charlie Whitehurst on the final play. It gave him 8¹/₂ sacks on the season, triggering a $600,000 bonus in his contract.
BRONCOS: Peyton Manning is over his illness but not his injury. The quarterback was limited Thursday when the Broncos reconvened for their first practice since their win at San Diego on Sunday. Manning fought through the flu in that game and strained his right thigh late in the first half.
Manning participated in the walkthrough, but retreated to the Broncos’ facility after the team stretch while backup Brock Osweiler took over the offense.
He didn’t appear in any discomfort afterward, saying, “I feel OK,” and, when asked if he’ll be ready to play Monday night, added, “I certainly hope so.”
49ERS: Jim Harbaugh is declining to respond to reports he is weighing an offer from Michigan to become the new football coach at his alma mater.
The 49ers coach has one season remaining on the $25 million, fiveyear contract he signed with San Francisco in January 2011. Several media outlets have reported Harbaugh has a sixyear offer on the table from theWolverines to return to Ann Arbor.
“As you know, I’ll only talk about the job that I have. We’ve been together a long time and it’s a longstanding policy,” Harbaugh said Thursday.
San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke said this week a decision on Harbaugh’s future would come after the season.
BEARS: Jay Cutler was officially benched on Thursday as Chicago decided to start Jimmy Clausen against the Lions this weekend instead of their franchise quarterback who signed a massive, sevenyear
deal at the end of last season.
Coach Marc Trestman said Cutler will be available as the backup for Sunday’s game at Soldier Field.
CHARGERS: Philip Rivers was back at practice Thursday, and by all accounts it was a perfect one.
The San Diego quarterback returned a day after sitting out practice in order to rest chest and back injuries. He expects to play at San Francisco on Saturday night, when the Chargers (86) hope to keep their playoff chances alive.
PANTHERS: Cam Newton “probably” will start Sunday against the Browns barring any physical setbacks this week, Carolina coach Ron Rivera said after the quarterback practiced on Thursday.
The team increased Newton’s workload and Rivera said the fourthyear pro seemed to handle it well. However, the coach was hesitant on naming Newton the starter in case he begins to experience soreness in his back.
TEXANS: Receiver Andre Johnson expects to play on Sunday against the Ravens after missing last week’s game because of a concussion. Johnson said he finished the league’s concussion protocol and has been cleared to return.