LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[November 22, 2016] Nov 21 (The Sports Xchange) - Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was taken to the hospital Sunday night with chest pains and remained hospitalized Monday.

The team announced in a statement the results conducted to investigate the cause of chest pains "have come back favorably."

"After returning home from Minnesota, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was experiencing discomfort and not feeling well during the night," the team's full statement read. "His wife took him to a local hospital to be evaluated.

"All tests conducted so far have come back favorably. He remains in the hospital for continued evaluation. Further updates will be provided as they are available."

The Cardinals lost to the Minnesota Vikings 30-24 on Sunday to drop their record to 4-5-1.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler could miss the rest of the season after sustaining a shoulder injury during Sunday's 22-16 loss at the New York Giants, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The Bears are "working to learn more about (Cutler's) injury," according to the Tribune.

Cutler was sacked four times in the loss and was spotted with the team's training staff after the Bears' first possession of the game. He completed the game, but threw an interception on his final passing attempt.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck's status for Thursday's game is in question after he entered the league's concussion protocol.

Luck suffered a concussion during Sunday's 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans but finished the game and went 15 of 28 for 262 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Luck was absent during Monday's practice.

Safety Clayton Geathers is also reportedly in the concussion protocol.

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New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch was suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Branch, 31, tested positive for marijuana and will reportedly appeal the ban. Four separate positive marijuana tests are required for a player to receive a four-game suspension under the league's policy on the drug.

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The suspension will not begin until the appeal is heard, so Branch is eligible to play Sunday at the New York Jets barring team discipline.

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Linebacker Jerrell Freeman became the second Chicago Bears player in as many weeks to be suspended for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy when the team announced his four-week ban.

Freeman joins wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who served the first of his four-game suspension during a loss at the New York Giants on Sunday.

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The New York Jets will go back to Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback when they host the AFC East-leading New England Patriots on Sunday.

Fitzpatrick, tied for the NFL lead with 13 interceptions and last among 33 qualifying quarterbacks with a passer rating of 67.6, sat out a 9-6 loss to the Rams on Nov. 13 with an MCL sprain. Bryce Petty made his first NFL start in the game and went 19 of 32 for 163 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

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The Atlanta Falcons signed right tackle Ryan Schraeder to a five-year contract extension, keeping him out of the unrestricted free agent market.

The deal through 2021 is worth a maximum of $33 million with $12.5 million guaranteed, according ESPN and NFL Network.

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The Denver Broncos re-signed wide receiver Marlon Brown and waived cornerback Taurean Nixon.

The 6-foot-5 Brown, 25, is a fourth-year player who appeared in 38 regular-season games (15 starts) and two postseason contests (one start) in his first three seasons with the Ravens. (Editing by Larry Fine) ))

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