LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[November 03, 2016] Nov 2 (The Sports Xchange) - Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner resigned two days after a stunning loss to the Chicago Bears.

Tight ends coach Pat Shurmur will assume the duties as interim offensive coordinator effective immediately, the team announced Wednesday. Turner, who was in his third season running the offense, surprised coach Mike Zimmer with his resignation.

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The Kansas City Chiefs will start Nick Foles at quarterback for injured Alex Smith in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced Wednesday that Smith will not play and will be inactive, even though the quarterback does not have a concussion. Smith took two blows to the head in the Chiefs' 30-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

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The Atlanta Falcons ruled out running back Tevin Coleman and defensive end Dwight Freeney for Thursday night's game against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Coleman leads the Falcons with six touchdowns (five running, one receiving) in seven games but will miss his second consecutive game. Freeney tried to play through a quadriceps tear in Sunday's 33-32 win over the Green Bay Packers.

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Cam Newton said he had a "great discussion" with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the Carolina Panthers quarterback's safety concerns regarding the lack of late-hit and low-hit penalties this season.

Newton was upset after Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell hit him below the knees on a pass play in the third quarter of the Panthers' 30-20 win on Sunday. Campbell was not flagged for the hit but the league has since admitted that should have been a penalty.

"I got my point across, he got his point across," Newton said Wednesday of the phone call with Goodell. "We'll see Sunday and moving forward."

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Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson expects wide receiver Josh Huff to play Sunday despite his arrest on firearm and marijuana charges.

Huff, 25, was arrested Tuesday morning in New Jersey and charged with possession of a 9 mm handgun without a permit and having a small amount of marijuana after he was pulled over for speeding.

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Veteran Percy Harvin, coming out of retirement to bolster the wide receiver position for the Buffalo Bills, feels "refreshed and I'm ready to go."

Harvin spent five games with the Bills last season before being shut down because of hip and knee injuries that eventually drove him into retirement.

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Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after passing for a franchise-record 513 yards, the NFL announced.

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard took the NFC offensive honor. Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the 27-19 win against the San Diego Chargers.

Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei earned the NFC award and Houston Texans punter Shane Lechler was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Wil Lutz took the NFC honor after booting a career-high four field goals in the 25-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks. (Editing by Frank Pingue)

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