CARDS SHUFFLE UP BACKFIELD
PHOENIX» The Cardinals placed all-pro David Johnson on injured reserve and re-signed veteran running back Chris Johnson.
The team also signed ex-Arizona State running back D.J. Foster, who grew up in nearby Scottsdale, off the New England practice squad.
The Cardinals had released Chris Johnson in final roster cuts this year.
ESPN reported Tuesday David Johnson would undergo surgery on his dislocated left wrist and would be sidelined two to three months.
Although the Cardinals didn’t say anything about the surgery, placing him on injured reserve would seem to confirm the report. Under NFL rules, David Johnson would be eligible to come off IR in eight weeks, which coincides with the Cardinals’ bye. But he could well be out another month after that.
Woodhead out.
Ravens running back Danny Woodhead is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Ravens could decide to place Woodhead on injured reserve and bring him back around midseason as one of their two designated-for-return players.
Woodhead, who signed a three-year, $8.8 million contract (including $4.25 million guaranteed) this offseason with the Ravens, was injured on the team’s opening drive of the season Sunday.
Watson takes top reps.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien declined to name a starting quarterback for Thursday night’s game against the Bengals.
All signs, however, point to the Texans starting rookie Deshaun Watson. He took every snap with the first-team offense during the short portion of practice open to the media.
Watson relieved Tom Savage in the second half of Sunday’s 29-7 loss to the Jaguars.
Moss, Lewis lead list.
Star linebackers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher and game-breaking wide receiver Randy Moss are among 11 first-year eligible players for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Also part of the 108 early nominees who are eligible for the first time, having been retired for five years when the class is chosen next February, are cornerback Ronde Barber, wideouts Donald Driver and Steve Smith (former Giant, Eagle and Ram), offensive linemen Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk, and Jeff Saturday, and defensive linemen Richard Seymour and Kyle Vanden Bosch.
The roster of nominees consists of 53 offensive players, 38 defensive players, five special teams players and 12 coaches. Modern-era nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 finalists in January.