Ravens' Lamar Jackson absent from practice following back injury

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) – Lamar Jackson did not practice Wednesday for the Baltimore Ravens because of his back injury.

John Robertson, European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest, dies at 72

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) – John Robertson, a former Scotland winger who won the European Cup twice with Nottingham Forest and scored the only goal in the 1980 final, has died. He was 72.

Evan Mobley makes a quick return to rejoin the Cavaliers on Christmas

NEW YORK (AP) – Evan Mobley was available to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers against New York on Thursday, making it back from a strained left calf in less than two weeks when it was originally feared he could miss twice that.

Jaguars CB Jourdan Lewis to have season-ending foot surgery

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis will have season-ending foot surgery, a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Minnesota to stretch bowl winning streak to 9 when it faces New Mexico

PHOENIX (AP) – Opting out has become the in thing to do.

Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 17

By Week 17 in fantasy football, there’s no room for guessing. Depth charts have settled, tendencies are exposed and every decision carries championship weight. This week’s fantasy plays focus on players positioned to deliver – and the familiar names whose matchups make them too risky to trust when it matters most.

Falcons Mike Hughes unlikely to return from ankle injury against Rams

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes is expected to miss a second consecutive game with an ankle sprain, leaving undrafted rookie Cobee Bryant and backup C.J. Henderson in key roles for Monday night’s game against the high-scoring Los Angeles Rams.

Raiders place Brocks Bowers and Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) – The Las Vegas Raiders will place tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on season-ending injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.