ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed is being evaluated for a concussion, an injury that puts his status for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles in doubt.
Coach Jay Gruden said Reed reported symptoms Tuesday and was in the process of being checked out. Reed did not practice Wednesday and Gruden said his tight end is going through the NFL's concussion protocol. The coach added that Washington is taking the "cautious approach."
Reed, who has a history of concussions, is Washington's top offensive target. The 26-year-old has 33 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns this season.
"He's done some great things early in the season already so far for us," wide receiver DeSean Jackson said. "Hopefully it's not too serious. Hopefully it's just protocol and hopefully we'll have him for Sunday because we definitely need him and he definitely is a big part of what we do. Hopefully he'll be all right and ready to go" (see full story).
Jets: WR Eric Decker on injured reserve
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Down one of their best playmakers for the season, the New York Jets are looking to their youngsters to help fill the void.
Wide receiver Eric Decker will have season-ending surgery after being placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
"It's tough news," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said.
NFL
Decker was inactive the past two weeks after initially being injured at Buffalo in Week 2 and the shoulder worsening at Kansas City the following week.
Last week, coach Todd Bowles said it was still "too early to tell" whether Decker would be placed on IR, which would mean he would have to sit out at least eight weeks.
Bowles said Wednesday that Decker would be having surgery "soon," and an eight-month recovery period is usually involved. That would put the receiver on pace to possibly be back by minicamp next June (see full story).
Panthers: Cam Newton returns to practice
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton returned to practice Wednesday, although it remains unclear if the league's MVP will play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Newton took reps with the first-team offense after missing Monday night's game against Tampa Bay with a concussion.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Newton remains in the league's concussion protocol and it's too early to know his status for this week's game at the Superdome.
"He looked good and threw the ball pretty doggone well," Rivera said. "He was involved in the plays that we had scripted for him and handled those very well" (see full story).