NFL roundup: Jaguars' Blackmon suspended indefinitely
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy again, the team announced Friday.
The suspension begins immediately, and Blackmon will miss the rest of the 2013 season. Blackmon can apply for reinstatement before the start of the 2014 season.
Blackmon, 23, had been suspended for the first four games of this season for violating the league's drug policy.
Blackmon, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, played in four games this season, starting all four, and recorded 29 receptions for 415 yards and one touchdown. Last year, as a rookie, he had 64 catches for 865 yards.
--- Christian Ponder was named the Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Ponder got the nod over Josh Freeman, who was signed by the Vikings in early October and started the October 21 game against the New York Giants. Freeman missed last week's game against the Green Bay Packers with a concussion, but he's healthy this week.
---Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis confirmed that defensive tackle Geno Atkins has a torn ACL and is out for the year.
Atkins, a first-team All-Pro selection last year, was injured in the first half of Thursday night's loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Atkins, 25, signed a five-year, $55 million contract extension in September.
---Buffalo Bills quarterback Thad Lewis returned to practice Friday but is listed as doubtful to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs because of a rib injury.
If he cannot go, the Bills will likely turn to Jeff Tuel over recently-acquired Matt Flynn.
---Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin addressed reports that right tackle Jonathan Martin may have left the team because of bullying from teammates.
"I'm aware of this report, and I can say without question that we emphasize a culture of team first, accountability and respect for one another," Philbin said. "Any behavior that deviates from that is inconsistent with the values of our organization. This is something that we take very seriously. It will not be tolerated."
Martin has not been with the Dolphins since a Monday incident in which players jokingly refused to sit with him in the team's cafeteria.
NFL Media reported that Martin expects to be away from the team for several weeks as he works through his issues. He hopes to return to the team eventually.
---The success of the Kansas City Chiefs this season is getting them a prime-time spot on Sunday Night Football.
The NFL announced that the Chiefs' Nov. 17 game in Denver against the Broncos will move as part of the league's flex scheduling to an 8:30 p.m. ET start on NBC.
The Green Bay Packers at New York Giants game originally scheduled for Sunday night moves to a 4:25 p.m. ET start on FOX. The San Diego Chargers-Miami Dolphins game will be played at 4:05 p.m. on CBS.
