NFL notebook: Redskins lose three injured players

Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden delivered some bad news Monday regarding his team's injury situation., Guards Brandon Scherff (torn pectoral) and Shawn Lauvao (torn ACL) and receiver Paul Richardson (AC joint) will all require season-ending surgery, Gruden said. The loss of two starting guards as well as the continued absence of tackle Trent Williams (thumb) means the Redskins need to take some action regarding offensive linemen. Later Monday, the Redskins announced the signing of three offensive linemen: guard Luke Bowanko, guard Jonathan Cooper and tackle Austin Howard. Richardson has played in seven games this season, including four starts, and has 20 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns. He had 44 catches for 703 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. Gruden said Richardson has had the shoulder problem all season. Also, offensive tackle Moses Morgan (knee) is day-to-day, leaving another potential problem spot in the offensive line. --The Los Angeles Chargers released kicker Caleb Sturgis, the team announced Monday. The Chargers also announced they signed kicker Michael Badgley to the active roster from the practice squad. Sturgis missed a 42-yard field goal attempt and two extra points in Sunday's 25-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Sturgis was making his return after sitting out two games in addition to the bye week with a strained quad. Badgley, a rookie out of Miami, spent two weeks with the Chargers earlier this season while Sturgis was sidelined with the quad injury. Badgley converted all 10 kicks (three field goals, seven extra points) he attempted in those games. --Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green had a specialist examine his injured toe, and head coach Marvin Lewis said that Green will not need surgery. Lewis said Green will be "fine," but did not provide a timetable for Green's return. The coach did not rule Green out for this week's game against the New Orleans Saints. When asked whether Green would play Sunday, Green said after practice, "We'll see." However, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Green will miss two weeks, and then he will be reevaluated. Also, defensive end Carl Lawson was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL, and quarterback Christian Hackenberg was released from the practice squad. --Running back Chris Johnson, who led the league in rushing in 2009, officially ended his 10-year NFL career on Monday by announcing his retirement. Johnson made the announcement through his marketing agency, EAGSportsManagement Johnson's final season was 2017, when he was with the Arizona Cardinals. He also spent one season with the New York Jets in 2014, but his best season were with the Tennessee Titans from 2008 to 2013. He had six 1,000-yard seasons, including a league-leading 2,006 yards in 2009, which is the sixth-highest single-season total in history. --Free-agent wide receiver Kendall Wright signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced. Wright initially signed with the Cardinals on Oct. 8 before being released 10 days later with the team dealing with injuries at other positions. The 28-year-old Wright led the Chicago Bears with 59 receptions for 614 yards and one touchdown last season. He signed a one-year, $4-million contract with the Bears after playing five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. --Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard David DeCastro is tired of hearing about the absence of three-time Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell. With apologies to DeCastro, let's review. Bell has yet to play for the Steelers (5-2-1) this season as he seeks a long-term deal. The 26-year-old running back hasn't signed his $14.5 million franchise tender and has until Nov. 13 to report if he wants to play this season. So now, cue Mr. DeCastro. "Honestly, no one cares anymore," the 28-year-old DeCastro said after Sunday's 23-16 win over the Ravens, via of NFL.com. "Why would I? I don't want to waste the energy. I have to block some of the best players on the best defense in the world. Do you think I'm going to worry about a guy who's not here?" Bell's replacement, James Conner, has rushed for 706 yards and nine touchdowns. The 23-year-old also has 38 receptions for 379 yards and a score. --Joe Horn admitted to tearing up and being "humbled" when he saw New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas pay homage to him by retrieving a cell phone from the bottom of a goalpost on Sunday. Horn told The Times-Picayune that he was working out by himself in Mississippi when Thomas celebrated his 72-yard touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams. "When I saw him bring out that cell phone, I teared up," the 46-year-old Horn said, via the newspaper. "That's something that some kids don't do, to pay homage to an old soul. For him to do it on a national stage took a lot of courage. I'm humbled." Horn also said that he immediately purchased a Thomas' No. 13 jersey after the touchdown. Thomas said he watched Horn's celebration in 2003 via YouTube. "I loved the celebration," the 25-year-old Thomas said. "I loved the swagger that he brought. I love how it got the crowd going. I definitely was thinking about it, but I'm happy I waited for that moment." --Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters isn't using a calf injury as an excuse for his performance this season. Peters, in fact, owned up to his play after being torched by Michael Thomas and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Peters watched as Thomas had 12 receptions for a franchise-best 211 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 45-35 win over the Rams. "I can stand up, I can play better, I've been playing (poorly) the last couple weeks and that's just being honest," the 25-year-old Peters said. "With me, I'm going to continue to fight and that's the type of player I am. ... You're going to get beat in football, but you go out there and you compete to the highest of your ability and (stuff) happens."