sidelines the past few years, backing up starter Tajh Boyd in 2013, Cole Stoudt and Watson in 2014, and Watson these final two seasons. Schuessler has no illusions hell see much more pl

NEW ORLEANS -- Saints receiver Michael Thomas was having a charmed rookie season until he ran up against the top-rated pass defense in the NFL.His two fumbles and bobble-turned-interception were among the most glaring mishaps that undermined the Saints bid to break .500 for the first time since the end of the 2013 season.Thomas apparently was in no mood to discuss his worst day as a pro following New Orleans 25-23 loss to the defending champion Denver Broncos. He was nowhere to be found in the locker room, so his teammates and coach spoke for him.Some lessons in our league are learned the hard way, coach Sean Payton said. You hope that ball security is not one of them, but it doesnt just happen to rookies either. Weve got to get that corrected.Added offensive tackle and locker room leader Zach Strief, Guys make mistakes. Mike will come back. Weve got a lot of faith in Mike. He knows that cant happen.Nothing heading into Sunday pointed to Thomas careening into a turnover-laden performance. Entering Sunday, he led all NFL rookies in catches (47), receiving yards (573) and touchdown receptions (5).A week ago, in a win over San Francisco, his two touchdowns were tough, critical catches the helped New Orleans get back to .500. His second TD was an acrobatic grab after he tipped the ball to himself over the back of a defender.Against Denver, he caught four passes for 40 yards, but his key plays resulted in turnovers.I know hes going to be stronger for this, New Orleans receiver Willie Snead said. I know hes going to get over it and come back Thursday (against Carolina) and be ready to go.On the first play of the second quarter, Drew Brees threw to Thomas, who got his hands on the ball only to have it pop from his grasp and straight to Denver safety Darian Stewart. Denver converted a 50-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead on the ensuing series.Its the two fumbles, though, that Thomas might have a tough time overcoming.The first came early in the fourth quarter with the Saints leading 17-10 and in possession after a missed Denver field goal. The fumble, forced by Bradley Roby, turned into a tying touchdown when Trevor Siemian passed to Demaryius Thomas from 2 yards.Then, after the Saints defense held Denver to a 28-yard Brandon McManus field goal, Thomas fumbled again when he was leveled by defensive end Jared Cricks crushing blind-side hit . The Broncos took over at New Orleans 20 and again Denvers McManus converted, this time from 37 yards for a 23-17 lead.Brees could be seen rushing to Thomas side to see if the receiver was OK after Cricks crushing tackle. Brees also sounds intent on not allowing Thomas to dwell on his uncharacteristically poor performance.Were going to need him to make some plays down the stretch and we will, Brees said. Those guys that care so much, thats the reason why you tell them hey, just let it go. Lets move on.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Barclay Goodrow Sharks Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. Logan Couture Sharks Jersey . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. http://www.officialsharksnhlshop.com/tomas-hertl-jersey/ . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. Tim Heed Sharks Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. San Jose Sharks Jerseys . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. CLEMSON, S.C. -- The Deshaun Watson watch is on at No. 3 Clemson.The Tigers Heisman Trophy contender fell hard on his right, throwing shoulder Saturday just before halftime in a 54-0 win over Syracuse and did not return. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and Watson both said he couldve returned, but with the Tigers (9-0, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) already up by four touchdowns at the break, it was not necessary.Watson appeared with an ice pack on his shoulder in postgame interviews. He was not available for his regular Monday media session because he was taking treatment on the sore shoulder. A Clemson spokesman said he might be available on Tuesday.Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott was confident Watson would be behind center when the Tigers try and wrap up the ACC Atlantic Division against Pitt (5-4, 2-3) on Saturday.Watsons roommate, receiver Artavis Scott, was also confident hed catch passes from his longtime teammate.Its football, Scott said Monday. Everybodys banged up. Hell be fine.Watson, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior, has been extremely durable the past two seasons in leading Clemson to a 23-1 record -- the lone loss coming to Alabama 45-40 in last Januarys national championship game.Watson has been the main cog of a fast-paced offense where hes expected to move the chains with his legs along with his accurate arm. He became the first player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to throw for more than 4,000 yards and run for more than 1,000 last year.Watson finished 2015 with 491 passes and 207 carries, without suffering any major injuries. Thats why most orange-clad fans in Death Valley held their breath when Watson jogged to the sidelines with Clemson in the midst of a TD drive right before the half.He came down hard on the shoulder after a tackle by Syracuse defenders Davion Ellison and Rodney Williams. Watson threw incomplete on the next play before leaving the game forr good.ddddddddddddwinney said Watson looked good on Sunday, would receive treatment Monday and that he would get him back in practice the early part of the week.Elliott said he and co-coordinator Jeff Scott will game play as they have the past two seasons -- with Watson as their starting quarterback.Clemsons offense showed it could operate with Watson on the sidelines as fifth-year senior Nick Schuessler threw for two touchdowns and 177 yards -- more than Watson -- in relief.Schuessler, a one-time Mississippi State signee, has stood on the sidelines the past few years, backing up starter Tajh Boyd in 2013, Cole Stoudt and Watson in 2014, and Watson these final two seasons. Schuessler has no illusions hell see much more playing time down the stretch if Watsons close to 100 percent.I just want to do well whenever Im called on, Schuessler said.It wasnt long ago some worried that Watson might be injury plagued .Watson cracked a collarbone during his first spring practice in 2014, then injured a finger in a start against Louisville that same season. Watson returned four games later at Georgia Tech, but left that game early with a knee bruise.Watson missed the next game before playing with a braced-up, torn ACL -- Swinney said he tore it in practice that week and not against Georgia Tech -- as the Tigers ended a humiliating, unprecedented five-game losing streak to rival South Carolina.A short time later, Watson underwent knee surgery and was out for Clemsons bowl game to close the season. He has not missed a start since.In Elliotts mind, that streak wont end this week.Hes got a bruised shoulder, but was able to come out and throw the football in second-half warmups, he said. So no doubt about Watson starting.---More AP College Football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '