nfl news & notes

49ers: Steelers owner Dan Rooney made his way to the visiting locker room at Heinz Field and tracked down Jim Tomsula after Sunday’s game to offer a few encouraging words. “It was obviously an honor,” Tomsula said of the surprise greeting from the Hall of Famer. “He just wanted to come down and tell me I was a good kid, ‘keep working, you’re going to have good days and bad days.’ ” This was one of the bad ones for Tomsula in his Pittsburgh homecoming as his San Francisco 49ers took a 43-18 beating just six days after a commanding season-opening win against Minnesota when much went right. Sure, there was plenty stacked against San Francisco (1-1): the short week, a cross-country flight and early kickoff time. “If it’s a lopsided game, I’m not really into talking about all the positives, to be honest with you,” Tomsula said Monday. “We had some drops. Nothing was glowingly beautiful yesterday. ... It’s a 16-week season and we don’t need to get on a rollercoaster. Keep your head focused, lock your jaw and let’s get to work. Own it, fix it, move on.”

Packers: Green Bay Coach Mike McCarthy had good news Monday about the status of injured running back Eddie Lacy. Lacy suffered an ankle injury in the Packers’ 27-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night. Speaking to reporters Monday night, McCarthy said Lacy was in for medical treatment earlier in the day at the team’s Lambeau Field facilities. The Packers’ next game is Monday against the Kansas City Chiefs. McCarthy said Lacy could be on the field when the team holds practice Thursday. McCarthy also wouldn’t rule out Lacy from being able to play next week for NFC North leader Green Bay (2-0). Lacy was injured during the Packers’ 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the first possession of Sunday’s game. He didn’t return to the game and was taken to the locker room on a cart later in the first quarter. James Starks filled in for Lacy the rest of the way and finished with 95 yards on 20 carries.

Texans: The quarterback switch to Ryan Mallett didn’t keep the Houston Texans from starting 0-2. They’re hoping Arian Foster’s eventual return reverses their fortunes. Coach Bill O’Brien didn’t rule out the star running back returning to the lineup this week. O’Brien said Monday that Foster (groin) is listed day to day ahead of the Texans’ Week 3 home date against Tampa Bay. Foster was injured during training camp and Alfred Blue, Chris Polk and Jonathan Grimes have taken his snaps by committee. In three games, Polk leads the Texans in rushing with 19 carries for 60 yards. Polk rushed for 38 yards on 14 carries in the 24-17 loss to Carolina on Sunday. No Texans tailback has a rushing touchdown in 2015. Foster rushed for 1,246 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014.

Saints: Saints coach Sean Payton isn’t ready to say whether he expects Drew Brees to miss snaps because of a hit he took to his throwing arm. Payton says the Saints will keep evaluating Brees’ health and do what’s best for him before deciding whether he plays this Sunday at Carolina.

Associated Press