Texans down several players again

Texans audition punters

Linebacker back on roster

Safety remains with Texans on new deal.

Texans veteran defensive end Derek Rivers has been diagnosed with a torn biceps tendon and is expected to be placed on injured reserve, according to a league source.

The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.

The Patriots went back to work Saturday, Oct. 17, one day after a fifth player on the team tested positive for COVID-19 and one day before their twice-postponed game against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had COVID-19 news of their own Saturday: Running backs coach Curtis Modkins has tested positive and won’t make the trip to New England. Elsewhere, the Jacksonville Jaguars said that a practice-squad player tested positive. The Jaguars also placed defensive end Josh Mauro on the regular COVID-19 list. The Falcons had to shut their facility Thursday but reopened Friday after one nonplayer tested positive.