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NFL

Chargers WR Benjamin (foot) to miss 2-3 weeks

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers will be without the services of receiver Travis Benjamin for at least two more weeks, with the earliest he could return to the field being a Week 8 contest against the Tennessee Titans in London.

Benjamin was active last week against the San Francisco 49ers but only played five snaps after re-aggravating a foot injury that forced him to miss the previous two games against the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams.

Benjamin had a cast on his right foot and did not practice this week to promote healing.

“He’s a speed guy,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. “It’s not like it’s a hamstring or an upper body injury, so he has to feel good about it before he gets out there. So we put him in the cast to take some of the pressure off his foot, just so he’s not trying to practice.”

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Lynn went on to say that Benjamin has a heel injury and the team will let him rest for a few weeks.

Benjamin, 28, played in all 16 games for the Chargers last season, finishing with 34 receptions for 567 yards and four touchdowns. He has totaled just two receptions for 3 yards in one game this season — the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Also on the injury front for the Chargers, defensive end Joey Bosa and linebacker Kyzir White have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders, while right tackle Joe Barksdale is doubtful and left tackle Russell Okung is questionable.

Bosa has a bruised left foot and is not expected back until after the team’s bye week against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 at the earliest, while White had knee surgery earlier this week.

Lynn said Okung (groin), who was a limited participant in practice on Friday, will be a game-time decision.

NFL

Colts' miscues undermine Andrew Luck's 300-yard game

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Indianapolis Colts took the field at Gillette Stadium already down two players from the maximum of 46 allowed on the active roster. And they were down to 40 players by the time the game ended in a 38-24 loss to the New England Patriots.

It was another busy night for Andrew Luck, who threw 59 passes with the Colts playing from behind. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

But you would have never thought the Colts were without their best defensive player, top receiver, tight end, running back and cornerbacks early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Andrew Luck looked like his vintage self with the throws he was making in leading them back to within seven points.

These aren’t the Colts of old, who would fall behind big early and never make it much of a game. One of the things coach Frank Reich has instilled is a constant competitive culture.

When it was all over, though, the Colts’ youth and miscues were too much to overcome in their eighth straight loss to the Patriots.

The simple explanation for the Colts losing to the Patriots would be to say that their roster was ravaged by injuries. But, that would let them off the hook too easily.

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Injuries weren’t the reason that kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a 38-yard field goal, ending an impressive 14-play drive when they were down 7-0. They also don’t explain why Colts receivers had at least five drops. The same with Jordan Wilkins having the ball stripped because he didn’t secure it while trying to pick up extra yards. Or why receiver Zach Pascal dropped a pass that went to Patriots defensive back Jason McCourty when Indianapolis was trying to cut into New England’s 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.

And even as good as Luck played, especially in the second half, he wasn’t immune from mistakes. He was intercepted when he forced a pass while under duress late in the first half. That was Luck’s biggest blemish. He followed up his 464-yard passing game in Week 4 by going 38-of-59 for 365 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions as he continues his impressive comeback. Luck has attempted 121 passes in a four-day span.

The Colts’ defense picked off two passes despite ending the game without five starters. It was too bad they couldn’t take advantage of those opportunities. The Colts scored seven points off those turnovers. The Patriots scored 10 points off the Colts’ three turnovers.

It’s unknown when the Colts (1-4) will be a healthy team again, meaning they’ll continue to lean on their youth. One thing that will continue to happen throughout this process is that they’ll be competitive.

NFL

Broncos' Miller lays praise on Jets QB Darnold

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — If Denver Broncos star Von Miller had owned the top pick in the most recent NFL draft, he would’ve selected Sam Darnold.

“I don’t know nothing about drafting a quarterback or anything like that, but I thought he was the No. 1 pick, for sure,” Miller told New York area reporters Wednesday on a conference call.

Von Miller said he has been impressed by Sam Darnold’s ability to escape pressure. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Miller, who faces Darnold and the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, became the latest defensive star to praise the rookie quarterback. In the preseason, Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman spoke effusively of Darnold.

“I thought he was the best offensive player in the draft,” Miller said. “He’s a great quarterback. He’s been playing well. They haven’t been coming up with the wins, but he’s playing really well.”

Actually, Darnold has been the NFL’s lowest-rated passer (63.8) over the past three weeks — all losses for the Jets (1-3). Perhaps Miller, a savvy veteran, was engaging in some gamesmanship.

Darnold was the No. 3 overall pick, following quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Saquon Barkley, respectively. (The Broncos took pass-rusher Bradley Chubb at No. 5.)

Miller sent mixed signals, saying Mayfield was “rightfully” the top pick. But the linebacker quickly added, “In my opinion, just watching everything from a pass-rusher’s point of view, I just feel like [Darnold] was the No. 1 pick in the draft. He wasn’t the No. 1 pick, but he’s definitely playing like it.”

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Darnold smiled when Miller’s comments were relayed to him.

“I mean, it’s a good feeling; I’m not going to lie. But at the same time, I can’t worry about that,” Darnold said. “But when people like that have high praise for me or they’re saying cool things, it’s obviously very flattering.”

One of Darnold’s most impressive traits, Miller said, is his ability to escape pressure. In that respect, he said Darnold is nothing like Miller’s former teammate Peyton Manning.

“As a pass-rusher, you want a guy who will fall when you get to him, kind of like how Peyton was,” Miller said with a laugh. “That’s exactly what you want. When you get close to him and you get ready to touch him, just falls. Sam, he’s not like that. He’s going to create space and get the ball downfield. Rightfully so. He’s a playmaker.”

Darnold has been sacked 10 times in four starts, but he also has displayed the ability to make plays outside the pocket. He also has struggled in recent weeks, with only two touchdowns and four interceptions in the past three games.

Darnold believes he’s “on the edge” of a breakout game.

“It’s going to click soon,” Darnold said.

NFL

Browns' Callaway pleads not guilty to pot charge

Cleveland Browns receiver Antonio Callaway pleaded not guilty Sept. 27 to misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license related to an August traffic stop, according to NFL Network and Ohio.com.

Callaway was stopped at 2:59 a.m. on Aug. 5 in suburban Cleveland. Police found a small amount of marijuana in the car and learned that Callaway was driving with a suspended license.

Callaway’s attorney, Kevin Spellacy, said the marijuana was not Callaway’s.

“He’s emphatic that he did not possess marijuana,” Spellacy told Ohio.com.

Browns receiver Antonio Callaway is “emphatic that he did not possess marijuana,” his lawyer told Ohio.com. Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports

Callaway told police that his car had been shipped to him in Cleveland a few days before he was pulled over and that he was not aware that there was marijuana in the car.

Spellacy attributed the suspended license to a paperwork issue caused by Callaway’s move from Florida to Ohio.

The Browns stood behind Callaway after the incident. His next court appearance is not yet set.

This is not Callaway’s first off-field incident. He also had a positive drug test at the NFL scouting combine caused by a diluted sample. That put him in the NFL and NFL Players Association’s substance abuse program.

A rookie fourth-round pick, Callaway has 10 receptions for 155 yards and one touchdown.

In a separate matter, the Browns placed cornerback Terrance Mitchell on injured reserve, though he likely will be designated to return. Mitchell had started every game this season but broke his wrist in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss in Oakland.

Teams can designate two players to return from injured reserve during the season. The designation does not need to be made until the player returns to practice. Mitchell can return to practice in six weeks but has to miss a minimum of eight games.

To take his place on the roster, the team promoted Jeremiah McKinnon from the practice squad.

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