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Saturday 19 OctOber 2019
NFL's biggest star joins growing list of sidelined QBs

By ARNIE STAPLETON guys out there on the field
AP Pro Football Writer had never caught a ball
DENVER (AP) — Awaiting from Matt even in prac-
the verdict on MVP Pat- tice," Kelce said. "I know
rick Mahomes' gruesome I hadn't." While backups
knee injury, fans across the Teddy Bridgewater in New
NFL may be longing for the Orleans and Kyle Allen in
days when the backup Carolina have each gone
quarterback's job was to 4-0, most fill-ins aren't so
carry a clipboard and not fortunate. Mason Rudolph
the hopes and dreams of was knocked unconscious
an entire franchise. after replacing Roethlis-
Mahomes is headed for an berger, elevating undraft-
MRI on his right knee, which ed Devlin "Duck" Hodges,
he dislocated Thursday who'd been cut at the end
night in Kansas City's 30-6 of training camp, to the
pummeling of the Denver starring role in Pittsburgh's
Broncos that kicked off last game. Siemian's sea-
Week 7. son-ending injury opened
"He's a huge part of this the door for Luke Falk be-
team, huge part of the fore Darnold returned last
league. You just hate to week. Only four starting QBs
see that," said journeyman who own Super Bowl rings
Matt Moore, the latest No. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) lies on the field after being injured against are still standing: the age-
2 thrust into a leading role the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, in Denver. less Tom Brady, the rejuve-
Associated Press
in this "Year of the Backup nated Aaron Rodgers, the
Quarterback." homes got hurt not on one "I've never seen anything a 35-year-old career back- dependable Russell Wilson
Starting with Andrew Luck , of his improvisational mas- like that on the field be- up who wasn't even in and the floundering Joe
who retired at age 29 after terpieces but on the most fore," Harris said. "His knee the league last year as he Flacco, who somehow es-
dealing with a series of in- basic play, a quarterback was literally all the way to sought to transition into ei- caped injury Thursday night
juries, the league's celebra- sneak. the side, his kneecap was. ther coaching or scouting. despite being sacked a ca-
tion of its 100th season has The stadium grew silent as I wish him the best. We Moore attended Kyler Mur- reer-high eight times and
been marred by the loss of one by one players peeled definitely need him in the ray's pro day at Oklahoma knocked down on most of
some of its biggest stars. off the pile and Mahomes league, he's definitely a big this spring alongside Adam his other drop-backs.
The club of QBs sidelined stayed down, his right leg attraction in the league." Engroff, the Miami Dolphins' Hill insists it's business as usu-
so far includes Drew Brees stuck at an awkward angle Mahomes refused to leave director of college scout- al with Moore under center
(thumb), Ben Roethlisberg- before he rolled onto his the field on a cart, so train- ing. But Moore found him- instead of Mahomes.
er (elbow), Cam Newton back, ripped off his helmet ers helped him off the field self in demand again when "I don't see anything
(foot), Nick Foles (collar- and covered his face. once his kneecap was Chad Henne broke an an- changing," Hill said.
bone), Josh Allen (con- "I don't even want to think popped back into place. kle in the preseason and he Except, well, everything.
cussion), Mitchell Trubisky about that," receiver Tyreek Then, he walked gingerly to signed Sept. 1 to back up Earlier this week, Broncos
(shoulder) and Sam Dar- Hill said. "We are just trying the locker room. Mahomes. coach Vic Fangio said fac-
nold (mononucleosis), to move on from it, and I "Obviously we need him to It was Kansas City's domi- ing Mahomes is the tough-
whose backup, Trevor Si- will continue to pray for my get wins," Hill said. "But now nant defense that really est task in the football be-
emian was lost for the sea- dog." we just have to move on." stepped up when Ma- cause "you have to defend
son with a gruesome ankle "It was out of whack," tight The Chiefs' hopes of reach- homes went out Thursday two plays: the one they've
injury. end Travis Kelce said. "I ing their first Super Bowl night, but Moore did throw called and then the one he
Now, the league's brightest couldn't even describe it. since 1970 — the year Ma- a 57-yard TD pass to Hill with might create."
young star is hurt, too. You looked at it and were homes' father, former big Chris Harris Jr. in coverage. Now, those skills are shelved,
Shortly after becoming the like, 'On no, there is some- leaguer Pat Mahomes, was Overall, he was 10 of 19 for like those of so many others
fastest player in NFL history thing wrong with him.'" born — will rest at least for 117 yards. who have mastered the
to throw for 7,500 yards, Denver defensive end Shel- a while not on their magnifi- "It is crazy. I am pretty sure league's paramount and
in just his 25th game, Ma- by Harris' heart sank. cent maestro but on Moore, about three or four of the most precarious position.q

NASCAR closes $2B purchase of
International Speedway Corp.

Associated Press prove it on Wednesday. “The merger of NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) The sale merges the two and ISC represents a his-
— NASCAR closed its $2 companies under one toric moment for our
billion purchase of Interna- organizational structure sport,” France said. “There
tional Speedway Corp. on with NASCAR chairman is much work ahead of us,
Friday, bringing under the and CEO Jim France con- but we’re pleased with the
sanctioning body’s con- tinuing in the same role. progress made to position
trol 12 tracks that include ISC chief executive Lesa our sport for success.”
Daytona, Talladega and France Kennedy will be- Absent from the leadership
Miami-Homestead Speed- come the executive chair is Brian France, who had
way. and NASCAR president served as chairman and
A young fan waves a flag as he watches the celebration in The merger was an- Steve Phelps will oversee CEO of NASCAR until he
Victory Lane after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega
Superspeedway, Monday, Oct 14, 2019, in Talladega, Ala. nounced in May and day-to-day operations of was arrested for drunken
Associated Press shareholders voted to ap- the merged companies. driving in August 2018.q