Cleveland Browns starting defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and top cornerback Denzel Ward will miss Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots with injuries.

Clowney has been dealing with ankle, knee and elbow issues this week and was limited in practice. He came back after missing two games with an ankle injury and played last week against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t reveal Friday if Clowney suffered any setbacks, just that he isn’t ready to play.

“As you know, you want all of your guys to make it to the game,” Stefanski said. “This is the league. Guys are injured. It happens to every team. You lose a guy sometimes in pregame. Sometimes you lose them during practices. You just have to move on.”

With Clowney out, the Browns’ pass rush isn’t the same as teams can double- and triple-team star Myles Garrett. He’ll play against the Patriots after being rested this week with some lingering injuries from a car crash last month.

Ward has not cleared concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the fourth quarter while trying to make a tackle in last week. The two-time Pro Bowler has been in the league’s protocols since getting hurt.

This is Ward’s third concussion in the NFL. He had two during his rookie season in 2018.

• Deshaun Watson’s status with the NFL has not changed even though the suspended Cleveland Browns quarterback has been named in a new civil lawsuit by another woman alleging sexual misconduct two years ago.

Watson is almost halfway through serving an 11-game suspension for alleged sexual misconduct while he played for the Houston Texans. Two dozen women previously claimed he was sexually inappropriate during massage therapy sessions.

On Thursday, a 26th woman filed a lawsuit in Texas that alleges Watson pressured her into performing a sex act after a massage in 2020. Watson has settled 23 of 24 previous lawsuits filed against him, one was dropped.

PANTHERS: P.J. Walker will start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, but interim head coach Steve Wilks is hopeful Baker Mayfield will serve as his backup.

Mayfield hasn’t practiced all week because of a high ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful. The team is awaiting a final MRI before making a decision on whether to activate him.

Mayfield attended practice Friday but didn’t participate. However, Wilks said Mayfield had a “great workout” with trainers before practice.

RAMS: Running back Cam Akers has abruptly departed the Los Angeles Rams, who cited personal reasons for why their leading rusher won’t play Sunday against Carolina.

Coach Sean McVay did not give further details when asked about Akers’ circumstances, though he did say the running back was not injured.

When asked whether Akers would be part of the Rams going forward, McVay replied: “We’re working through some different things right now, so hopefully you guys understand and respect that.”

McVay also said the team wanted to keep it “in-house,” later adding that personal reasons are “more like we’re dealing with things internally. This is kind of uncharted territory. … He’s going to be OK.”

Akers practiced with the defending Super Bowl champions on Wednesday, but wasn’t with the team on Thursday or Friday.

BUCCANEERS: Tom Brady reportedly has been fined $11,139 for kicking Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett on the pivotal third-down play in which Jarrett was whistled for roughing. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the fine.

Brady, still on his back after being sacked, appeared to attempt to kick Jarrett with his right leg as the 288-pound veteran peeled himself off the 45-year-old quarterback. The penalty negated a third-and-5 stop for Atlanta with 2:56 remaining, affording the Bucs a fresh set of downs that allowed them to run out the clock in a 21-15 triumph.

BEARS: Justin Fields was feeling it physically and mentally after a third straight loss.

The Chicago Bears’ quarterback vented following a 12-7 loss to the struggling Washington Commanders, frustrated by missed opportunities and a little banged up to add to his misery.

Fields took a beating, absorbing five sacks and 12 quarterback hits not to mention the blows he took running a whopping 12 times. The left shoulder he hurt earlier in the year started bothering him in the first half.

“He’s a little bit sore today,” Coach Matt Eberflus said Friday. “But he’ll be OK.”

The Bears have a little extra time to heal and figure out how to get back on track before they visit New England for a Monday night matchup on Oct. 24. Eberflus said they’ll be examining the scheme and the rotations. Players were also given a list of three things they’re doing well and three areas they need to improve.