Former Washington defensive lineman Dave Butz, a two-time Super Bowl winner who played 16 seasons in the NFL, has died. He was 72.

The Commanders announced his passing Friday on their website. They did not provide a cause of death, however.

Former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann took to Twitter to reflect on his former teammate.

“Lost a dear friend today. Dave Butz,” Theismann wrote. “Dave, Mark Mosley and I used to ride to games together. A true gentle giant. Rest In Peace my friend.”

Lost a dear friend today. Dave Butz. Dave Mark Mosley and I used to ride to games together. A true gentle giant. Rest In Peace my friend.

— Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) November 4, 2022

Butz received All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection after registering 11.5 sacks in 16 games for Washington in 1983. He was named to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team and helped Washington capture two championships with victories over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.

He recorded 64 sacks, seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 216 career games (191 starts) with the then-St. Louis Cardinals and Washington franchise. The Cardinals selected Butz with the fifth overall pick of the 1973 NFL Draft, however he joined Washington after an issue in his contract led him to becoming a free agent.

Commissioner Pete Rozelle ruled that Washington had to send St. Louis a pair of first-round picks and a second-round selection to complete the deal.

“We’re heartbroken over the loss of Washington Legend Dave Butz, a 2x Super Bowl champion and member of our Ring of Fame and 90 Greatest list,” the Commanders wrote on Twitter. “Sending our deepest condolences to Dave’s family and friends.”

We're heartbroken over the loss of Washington Legend Dave Butz, a 2x Super Bowl champion and member of our Ring of Fame and 90 Greatest list. Sending our deepest condolences to Dave's family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ZkxgGoFNwR

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 4, 2022

Butz famously is remembered for checking himself out of a hospital to play in Washington’s game against the New York Jets during the 1987 season. He made the game-saving sack on Ken O’Brien before returning to the hospital after the game.

Butz’s name resides in the Ring of Fame at FedExField.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor’s availability for Sunday’s game at New England is in question after he was not spotted on the practice field by beat reporters Friday.

Taylor has yet to participate in practice this week while dealing with a nagging ankle injury.

Should Taylor sit out on Sunday, Deon Jackson would be in line to start for the Colts (3-4-1) against the Patriots (4-4) in Foxborough, Mass.

Taylor, 23, initially sustained the ankle injury in the Colts’ 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 2. He sat out the next two games before totaling 85 yards from scrimmage in a 19-10 setback to the Titans on Oct. 23 and 76 in a 17-16 defeat to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Taylor has rushed for 462 yards and one touchdown and added 16 catches for 71 yards in six games this season.

Jackson, 23, rushed 25 times for 104 yards and a touchdown in the two games in which Taylor didn’t play. Jackson has five carries for minus-4 yards in the other three games in which he has played.

–Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard will miss Sunday’s game at Cincinnati with an ankle injury.

The Panthers ruled Hubbard out for a second straight week after he did not practice Friday. He did limited work on Wednesday and Thursday.

D’Onta Foreman will once again carry the load for the Panthers (2-6) against the Bengals (4-4), with rookie Raheem Blackshear providing backup.

The Panthers will also be without safety Juston Burris (concussion) and wide receiver Rashard Higgins (illness). Tight end Stephen Sullivan (illness) is doubtful, while cornerback Donte Jackson (ankle) and defensive end Amare Barno (knee) are questionable.

Hubbard, 23, carried nine times for 63 yards and a touchdown in the Week 7 win against Tampa Bay. It was his first start of the season following the trade of Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco.

Foreman, 26, followed up a 118-yard effort against the Buccaneers by rushing for another 118 yards and three TDs in last Sunday’s 37-34 overtime loss at Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer and New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis have been ruled out of Sunday’s game in East Rutherford, N.J.

Poyer had yet to practice this week after injuring his elbow in the second half of the Bills’ 27-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.

The absence of the All-Pro could result in newly acquired safety Dean Marlowe seeing additional time against the Jets. Marlowe, a former Bill, was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday.

Poyer, 31, has four interceptions to go along with 21 tackles in five games this season.

Linebackers Von Miller (ankle) and Matt Milano (oblique) are considered day-to-day with their respective injuries, Bills coach Sean McDermott said.

Davis, 27, will miss his second straight game after sustaining a knee injury in New York’s 16-9 victory over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 23.

Davis has 19 catches for 351 yards and two touchdowns in seven games this season.

Rookie Garrett Wilson, Braxton Berrios and Denzel Mims likely will see a bit more playing time in his absence.

–Field Level Media