Pierre-Paul back for Bucs after neck injury from car wreck
Tampa Bay outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul is back after missing the first six games following an offseason car accident that resulted in a neck injury.
Pierre-Paul was active for the Buccaneers‘ game against Tennessee on Sunday, while Titans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson will miss his first NFL game because of a foot injury sustained by the 18th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Tennessee also will be without three-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker because of an injured ankle that sidelined him a week ago despite being active.
Drew Brees is back for New Orleans while Atlanta’s Matt Ryan will miss a game for the first time in 10 years.
The star quarterback of the Saints has missed five games with a right thumb injury that required surgery. New Orleans won all five games without him with Teddy Bridgewater as the starter. The Saints are playing Arizona and rookie No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray at home.
Ryan has a sprained right ankle that will end his streak of 154 consecutive regular-season starts. Matt Shaub is starting for the Falcons, who are taking a five-game losing streak into a home game against Seattle.
In addition to playing without Ryan for the first time since 2009, the Falcons are without starting left guard James Carpenter (knee), cornerback Desmond Trufant (toe) and backup running back Ito Smith (concussion, neck). Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers (neck) will not play.
The New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars are without a combined six linebackers, including two starters apiece, for their game.
The Jets are without starters C.J. Mosley and Neville Hewitt along with backup Albert McClellan. The Jaguars are without Najee Goode and Leon Jacobs as well as backup Quincy Williams.
The Los Angeles Chargers will be without starting defensive linemen Brandon Mebane and Justin Jones for their matchup with the Chicago Bears. Mebane is out with a knee injury, and Jones has a shoulder injury.
Buffalo Bills starting linebacker Matt Milano returns to the lineup to play against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing one game with a hamstring injury. Receiver Robert Foster is also active for the first time in four games.
For the Eagles, cornerback Ronald Darby returns after missing four games with a hamstring injury. Starting left tackle Jason Peters will miss his second straight game with a knee injury.
Saints running back Alvin Kamara will miss his second straight game with ankle and knee problems, while Cardinals running back David Johnson is also a scratch because of his ailing ankle. Arizona receiver Christian Kirk returns from an ankle sprain that sidelined him three games.
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay is inactive against the New York Giants with a hamstring injury. The Giants previously ruled out Sterling Shepard for a third straight game because of a concussion.
Rookie Rock Ya-Sin, Indianapolis’ top draft pick, will start in place of injured cornerback Pierre Desir and Davontae Harris starts in place of injured cornerback Bryce Callahan.
The Cincinnati Bengals are still without left tackle Cordy Glenn and wide receiver A.J. Green for the game against the Los Angeles Rams in London.
Glenn and Green have yet to play this season but took part in practice on a limited basis this week. Glenn missed the first six games with a concussion and was suspended for last week’s game against Jacksonville. Green is still recovering from ankle surgery during training camp.