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AROUND THE NFL Saturday’s preseason games, plus news & notes

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Luck runs out: Colts QB announces retirement

INDIANAPOLIS

Andrew Luck watched one last game from the sideline. Then he said goodbye to the NFL. The oft-injured star is retiring at age 29. Luck said the repeated injuries, the lingering pain and continual rehab took away his love for the game. Word first leaked about Luck’s plans during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 27-17 loss to the Chicago Bears when ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Luck felt mentally worn down and had met with team owner Jim Irsay to inform him of his decision.

Cowboys 34, Texans 0

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

The Houston Texans couldn’t get Deshaun Watson off the field fast enough, especially after running back Lamar Miller was injured on the second play. Watson didn’t return for a second series after getting dropped twice in three plays. Miller was carted off after defensive tackle Maliek Collins slammed into his left leg at the line of scrimmage in what figures to be Miller’s only carry of the preseason. There was no immediate update on Miller’s status. Dak Prescott scrambled and threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Gallup while playing the first two series for Dallas. Prescott was 2 of 5 for 22 yards. Tony Pollard had a 20-yard run to finish with 26 yards on six carries. Alfred Morris had a 1-yard TD run.

Vikings 20, Cardinals 9

MINNEAPOLIS

Dalvin Cook had an 85-yard touchdown run for Minnesota, the highlight of an otherwise rough first half by the first-team offense during a victory by the Vikings over the Arizona Cardinals. Cook scored early and Mike Boone crossed the goal line late, as the Vikings totaled 190 yards on 29 carries. Kirk Cousins went just 3 for 13 for 35 yards. Rookie Kyler Murray was relatively sharp while going 14 for 21 for 137 yards over the five possessions against a Vikings defense that was almost at full strength. Three of the drives ended with a successful field goal by Zane Gonzalez.

49ers 27, Chiefs 17

KANSAS CITY, MO.

San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was impressive in his return to Arrowhead Stadium, and Chiefs counterpart Patrick Mahomes may have been even better, as the 49ers beat Kansas City in their third preseason game. Garoppolo was 14 of 20 for 188 yards. Garoppolo led the 49ers deep into Kansas City territory four times, throwing a nice TD pass to Matt Breida and getting two field goals from Robbie Gould. Mahomes finished 8 of 10 for 126 yards, highlighted by a 62-yard catch-and-run to Damien Williams in which the Chiefs’ injury-prone running back raced right by the woebegone linebacker covering him.

Saints 28, Jets 13

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

Drew Brees threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas to cap his only drive in his preseason debut, and the New Orleans Saints defeated the New York Jets. Brees finished 4 of 6 for 68 yards and was done for the night. Sam Darnold’s night for the Jets lasted quite a bit longer as the second-year quarterback played midway into the second quarter. Darnold was 8 of 13 for 97 yards and the score.

Associated Press