Report: Bengals punter has broken jaw and cracked vertebra in neck

Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber suffered a broken jaw and a cracked vertebra in his neck on a blindside block during a 68-yard touchdown return by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown in the first quarter Sunday night, according to a report by ESPN.

Huber was hit by the Steelers’ Terence Garvin. Huber, also the team’s holder for place kicks, will be placed on injured reserve, the report said.

ESPN said the block by Garvin is under review by the league. Referee Ed Hochuli’s crew did not penalize Garvin for the hit that left Huber bleeding on the ground for three minutes before he was helped from the field. The team at first announced he suffered a fractured jaw, but X-rays determined he also suffered the cracked vertebra, people familiar with the situation told ESPN.

Ryan says he’s the guy for Jets

Rex Ryan’s tenure as coach of the New York Jets could be in its final weeks.

Keep Rex or fire Rex, that depends on who you ask.

There’s one guy, though, who thinks the Jets already have the right man to lead them beyond this season.

“Of course, I believe it,” Ryan said. “No question, I believe it. There’s no doubt, but again I’d rather get out of this press conference and go to work. That’s how I feel about it.”

Fans and media have taken to sports talk radio and social media with a mixed bag of opinions ranging from wanting to see Ryan get a contract extension to hoping for a coaching staff shake-up.

The Jets (6-8) clinched a third straight non-winning season — their first such stretch since 1994-96 — with a 30-20 loss at Carolina on Sunday.

49ers lose fullback

San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs with a left shoulder blade injury sustained Sunday during a 33-14 win at Tampa Bay.

“It doesn’t look good. It looks like he has an injury to his scapula,” Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday. “He does so many things in the protection, in the run game, receiving out of the backfield. He is a multitalented, multi-use player. Special teams contributor on two, three phases. It’s a loss.”

Etc.

Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn right triceps. ... The Jacksonville Jaguars were awarded rookie defensive end Gerald Rivers off waivers from the St. Louis Rams. ... Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts could miss the final two games of the season because of a groin injury.