ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Trevor Siemian’s biggest takeaway from his career-best performance wasn’t the masterpiece of pinpoint passes in the face of heavy pressure but a sprained left foot he suffered on one of five sacks.

It will sideline him this weekend.

The Denver Broncos ruled out Siemian for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville, meaning rookie Paxton Lynch will make his second career start.

Siemian had hoped to return to practice Friday but head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos informed Coach Gary Kubiak his starter wasn’t ready.

He’ll be in a walking boot Sunday when the Broncos (7-4) turn to Lynch against the Jaguars (2-9).

The Broncos are scrambling for a playoff spot after their loss to Kansas City in which Siemian threw for a career-best 368 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. He was injured on his last sack, when Tamba Hali dropped the second-year QB.

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“I think it’s still a day to day process,” Kubiak said. “When we tried to get him going a little bit today we realized it was time to go ahead and make a decision” to start Lynch this weekend.

Lynch lost to Atlanta in Week 5 when Siemian was out because of a bruised left shoulder. Lynch, a first-round pick out of Memphis, had a poor performance against the Falcons, and four days later Siemian was back in the lineup at San Diego even though he lacked mobility and zip on his throws.

COWBOYS: Linebacker Rolando McClain has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

The suspension is his third since the end of the 2014 season, his only full season with the Cowboys after reviving his career following a year away from the game

PANTHERS: Carolina will be without star linebacker Luke Kuechly and two other key defenders Sunday while its playoff hopes hang by a thread.

Kuechly and safety Kurt Coleman have been ruled out at Seattle because of concussions. Defensive end Mario Addison, the team’s leader with 61/2 sacks, will miss his second straight game because of a foot injury.

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WASHINGTON: Tight end Jordan Reed, the team’s leading receiver, will miss Sunday’s game at the Arizona Cardinals because of a sprained left shoulder.

DOLPHINS: Left tackle Branden Albert and left guard Laremy Tunsil took full part in practice Friday, and barring setbacks they’re expected to return from injuries and play Sunday at Baltimore.

Center Mike Pouncey (hip) has been ruled out for the third game in a row.

RAIDERS: Cornerback DJ Hayden is expected to be placed on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, potentially ending the former first-round pick’s stay in Oakland.

Although the team had yet to make an official announcement, Coach Jack Del Rio told reporters that Hayden’s season is finished.

SEAHAWKS: Seattle is expected to get at least six players back from injury this week, including safety Earl Thomas, defensive end Michael Bennett and center Justin Britt.

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Also expected back in the lineup are cornerback DeShawn Shead, linebacker Mike Morgan and backup running back Troymaine Pope.

Thomas, Shead and Britt were not listed on the team’s final injury report. Thomas and Shead each missed last week’s game against Tampa Bay because of hamstring strains. Britt was out because of a sprained ankle, and Bennett has missed five games after having knee surgery in early November.

Though Bennett was listed as questionable, Cach Pete Carroll said he expects Bennett to play.

FINES: Chiefs safety Eric Berry and Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson have each been fined $24,309 by the NFL for helmet-to-helmet hits last weekend.


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