PHILADELPHIA — Darren Sproles had two touchdowns, Mark Sanchez threw for two scores and the defense sacked Cam Newton nine times to help the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Carolina Panthers 45-21 Monday night.

Filling in for an injured Nick Foles, Sanchez had 332 yards passing in his first start since Dec. 30, 2012. Sproles returned a punt 65 yards for a score and had an 8-yard TD run. Bradley Fletcher returned an interception 34 yards for a TD and Jordan Matthews had 138 yards receiving and two TDs.

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Carolina’s Greg Olsen, 88, is tackled by Philadelphia’s Casey Matthews after catching a pass in the first half of their game Monday in Philadelphia. The Associated Press

The Eagles (7-2) stayed on top in the NFC East. They’re trying to repeat as division champions without Foles, who broke his collarbone in a win at Houston last week.

The Panthers (3-6-1) hardly look like the team that won the NFC South last year.

VIKINGS: The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance with the NFL to reinstate Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

The NFLPA cited Monday “explicit language in a signed agreement” from Sept. 18, when Peterson was placed on a special commissioner’s exempt list following his indictment on felony child abuse in Texas. He pleaded no contest Tuesday to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless assault.

The league began a review Thursday of his case under the personal conduct policy, but said Peterson would remain on paid leave until the process is completed.

That didn’t sit well with the union.

The NFLPA demanded in a letter to the NFL last week that Peterson be allowed to rejoin the Vikings immediately until any determination of any discipline.

“As of now, they have failed to respond or comply,” the NFLPA said. “It is our obligation to protect all players’ rights, and we will pursue any and all breaches of any contract between a player and his team or the NFL.”

• Former Vikings safety Orlando Thomas has died of complications from ALS. He was 42.

Thomas was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2004. He died on Sunday night in his hometown of Crowley, Louisiana. The death was confirmed by the Vikings, Mark Bartelstein, the former agent for Thomas, and Glenn Boullion, the director of Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley.

49ers: Ray McDonald can continue playing for the San Francisco 49ers without the burden of a domestic violence case that has followed him all season.

The Santa Clara County district attorney’s office announced Monday that it declined to file charges against the defensive lineman in an investigation stemming from his Aug. 31 arrest.

Prosecutors said in a release that they had insufficient evidence to charge McDonald. They cited conflicting versions of what happened, a lack of verifiable eyewitnesses and a lack of cooperation by the alleged victim, McDonald’s fiancee.

COLTS: Indianapolis Coach Chuck Pagano says safety LaRon Landry will not start Sunday against New England.

He hasn’t played since Sept. 28 after the league imposed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Landry was eligible to return Nov. 3 but was not activated until Nov. 4. Indianapolis (6-3) had a bye last weekend.

DOLPHINS: Miami left tackle Branden Albert will miss the rest of the season because of a right knee injury, triggering a significant reshuffling in the offensive line.

Albert went on injured reserve Monday after being hurt in Miami’s loss at Detroit.

To fill Albert’s roster spot, Miami signed running back LaMichael James off the practice squad. James was a second-round draft pick by San Francisco in 2012. The Dolphins (5-4) play at home Thursday against Buffalo (5-4).

CHIEFS: Kansas City lost backup running back Cyrus Gray for the season with a torn knee ligament. Tight end Demetrius Harris is also sidelined with a broken foot.

SEAHAWKS: Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane suffered a “really legit” hamstring injury, according to Coach Pete Carroll, with no timetable on when he could return.

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