Leading receiver Collins to miss at least 4 games after Texans put him on IR

houston>> Nico Collins, the NFL’s leading receiver, will miss at least four games after the Houston Texans placed him on injured reserve with a hamstring injury Wednesday.

Collins left Houston’s 23-20 victory over the Bills on Sunday after scoring on a 67-yard reception late in the first quarter.

Coach DeMeco Ryans refused to answer when asked if he expected Collins to return after the four games he’s required to sit out after being placed on injured reserve.

“I’m not getting into that,” he said.

Abdul Salaam, a member of the Jets’ “New York Sack Exchange,”dies at 71

Abdul Salaam, a member of the Jets’ famed “New York Sack Exchange” in the 1980s, has died. He was 71.

ESPN reported the former defensive lineman died Tuesday after battling multiple health issues, according to his widow Debbie.

Salaam joined future Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Klecko, the sack dancing Mark Gastineau and the gritty Marty Lyons to form the Jets’ formidable defensive line that wreaked havoc on opposing offenses.

Raiders return to Aidan O’Connell as starting QB against the Steelers

HENDERSON, Nev.>> When Antonio Pierce became the Raiders’ interim coach midway through last season, his first major act was naming then-rookie Aidan O’Connell the starting quarterback. Pierce is turning again to O’Connell and is benching Gardner Minshew with the Steelers visiting on Sunday.

Rattler set to start at QB for Saints against the Bucs

METAIRIE, La>> New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is scheduled to take his first regular-season NFL snaps on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Starter Derek Carr will miss at least one game because of a left oblique injury.

5 former employees sue San Diego Wave, league

SAN DIEGO>> Five former employees of the San Diego Wave have filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court accusing the women’s soccer club of discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination, among other allegations.

The lawsuit stems partly from claims made earlier this year on social media by former Wave video and creative manager Brittany Alvarado. She was joined by four other plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed Monday.

Mavs guard Dante Exum has surgery on wrist

DALLAS>> Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum had surgery on his injured right wrist, the team announced, without saying how long he will be sidelined.

Swiss downhill racer Niels Hintermann has cancer

ZURICH>> Swiss downhill racer Niels Hintermann has been diagnosed with lymph node cancer and will miss the entire ski season for treatment.

Senators sign goalie Ullmark to $33M extension

OTTAWA, ONTARIO>> The Ottawa Senators signed goaltender Linus Ullmark to a four-year contract extension worth $33 million.

It has an average annual value of $8.25 million.

— The Associated Press