SHELDON RANKINS

New York Jets defensive end Vinny Curry has a rare blood disorder that required his spleen to be removed.

New York Jets defensive lineman Carl Lawson is lost for the season after rupturing an Achilles tendon during a joint practice Thursday with the Green Bay Packers.

New York Jets defensive end Carl Lawson will miss the season after rupturing his Achilles in practice Thursday, a devastating loss for a team seeking to turn the corner under new coach Robert Saleh.

Saints starting defensive tackle David Onyemata has been given a six-game suspension after being notified by the NFL he tested positive for a banned substance and hand the player said in a social media post Friday morning.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after a touchdown by Alvin Kamara in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)NEW ORLEANS – Drew Brees periodically discusses his long, extraordinary NFL journey in terms of fate and destiny. “Other than that, there’s not a lot of bad about” the Saints, Brady said. I think the quarterback-receiver relationship is really important.”Still, no defense has had more success against Brady this season than the Saints. The Saints gained 2,265 yards rushing during the regular season and added another 123 yards in their playoff opener against Chicago's formidable front.

The Bears’ Cairo Santos made a 51-yard field goal at the end of regulation to force the extra period. He came through with his fourth field goal on a windy day, sending the Bears (5-3) to their second straight loss. “My gut, we’re on the field and I feel like we can kick a field goal at that distance without risking any ball-security issues,” Payton said. Marshon Lattimore then intercepted Nick Foles, leading to a tiebreaking field goal by Lutz. After the Saints went three-and-out, Chicago tied it with 13 seconds left on Santos’ field goal into the wind.

The Cowboys met much more resistance in the Superdome, where the Saints' defensive front was bolstered by the return of defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins from an Achilles tendon tear that had sidelined him since January. "Hats off to the defense," said Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who improved to 2-0 as starter in place of injured record-setter Drew Brees. This victory kept the Saints (3-1) atop the NFC South and sent a message that they are not about to let Brees' estimated six-week absence sink their playoff hopes. Defensive tackle David Onyemata had the Saints' only sack of Prescott on the first play of Dallas' final drive. Saints: Reserve defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who entered the game leading the Saints in sacks with three, was taken to the locker room with a neck injury in the second quarter and did not return.

(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)NEW ORLEANS - NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is active for the first time this season, marking the completion of his rehabilitation from an Achilles tendon tear last January. Dallas linebacker Luke Gifford, who'd been questionable to play with an ankle injury, has been ruled out. While receiver Amari Cooper was limited in practice with an ankle injury and had a precautionary MRI this week, he is active. The Saints ruled out receiver Tre'Quan Smith (ankle) in their final injury report Friday. ___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright 2019 The Associated Press.