Jonathan Vilma placed on injured reserve after playing in one game

Jonathan Vilma’s season is over and his future on the football field is in doubt.

The New Orleans Saints placed Vilma to injured reserve, ending his season — and possibly his career — only three days after he had returned for his first game of this season.

Vilma began the season on short-term injured reserve because of an arthroscopic procedure in August on his left knee, which has troubled him through multiple surgeries over two-plus seasons. The designation allowed the 10th-year linebacker to return to the active roster in Week 9.

Vilma was activated Saturday and played 12 defensive snaps in a 26-20 loss to his former team, the New York Jets, on Sunday.

After Sunday’s game, Vilma said he “felt fine,” but added that he was eager to see how his knee responded in the coming days.

Coach Sean Payton did not explain or even acknowledge the roster move when he met with reporters after practice Wednesday, about two hours before it had been formally posted by the NFL. Vilma was not present when reporters were allowed in.

Broncos’ Moffitt retires, says he lost love of game

John Moffitt says he quit the NFL because he’d lost his love for the game and was tired of risking his health.

The third-year guard from Wisconsin called the Broncos from his home in Seattle this week to notify them he wouldn’t be returning to the team after its bye.

The Broncos put him on their reserve/left team list on Tuesday when they activated center J.D. Walton from the physically unable to perform list. They have five days to formally release Moffitt, who left more than $1 million on the table, including about $312,500 for the remainder of this season and $752,500 in non-guaranteed salary in 2014.

Moffitt, who signed a four-year contract for nearly $3 million after Seattle made him the 75th overall draft pick in 2011, said he knows teammates and fans don’t understand how he could forgo the fame and fortune of pro football.

“I just really thought about it and decided I’m not happy. I’m not happy at all,” Moffitt told the Associated Press in a phone interview from Seattle. “And I think it’s really madness to risk your body, risk your well-being and risk your happiness for money.

Moffitt, 27, made about $1.8 million before taxes in his 21/2 seasons in the NFL.

Phillips named Texans’ interim coach

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will take over as Houston’s interim head coach and try to help the team end a six-game skid with Gary Kubiak out indefinitely after suffering a mini-stroke on Sunday.

“I’m just keeping the seat warm,” Phillips said.

Phillips, a 30-plus-year NFL coaching veteran, was last a head coach in Dallas and has twice served as an interim head coach in the league.

Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison will take over the play-calling duties, with input from Phillips, when the Texans travel to Arizona on Sunday. Dennison doesn’t believe much will change offensively with Kubiak out.

Etc.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Greg Little accused Baltimore Ravens safety James Ihedigbo of choking him during a pileup in Cleveland’s 24-18 win Sunday.

After a running play in the first quarter, Little found himself on his back at the bottom of a stack of players. He said Ihedigbo, who was on top of him, put his hands around his neck and choked him. Little popped to his feet and then flung the Baltimore player’s helmet, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday at the Ravens practice facility, Ihedigbo denied the charge.

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Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers probably faces a four- to six-week recovery from the fractured collarbone he suffered Monday night in a 27-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, two people with knowledge of the injury told NFL Media.

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The St. Louis Rams postponed quarterback Sam Bradford’s knee surgery, which had been scheduled for Tuesday, because of swelling.

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Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger and defensive end Red Bryant did not participate in practice Wednesday as each went through the mandated concussion protocol after being injured Sunday against Tampa Bay.