NFL Player News

Redskins coach Jay Gruden said quarterback Colt McCoy's strong play the past two games won't affect the timetable for Robert Griffin III's return. "No matter what happens," Gruden told the Washington Post, the Redskins won't rush Griffin back from his ankle injury.

Griffin is "very, very, very close," Gruden added, saying Griffin will be reevaluated by doctors after Wednesday's practice. Griffin has missed six straight games. Washington visits Minnesota on Sunday before getting a bye.

Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy looked competent in leading the team to a 20-17 overtime win over the Cowboys in Week 8, but that doesn't mean there is much here for Fantasy owners to look for.

McCoy, a 59.9 percent passer for his career,  completed 25 of 30 passes Monday, giving him an 85.7 completion percentage over parts of two games with the Redskins. That is great, but certainly not sustainable for a player who has completed 59.9 percent of his passes in his career. McCoy has effectively managed the game plan, but there is little reason to think he can be a long-term starter for Washington.

In fact, the 16 Fantasy points he managed in Week 8 might be the high point of his season, with Robert Griffin III's impending return. McCoy is one of the most-viewed players in CBSSports.com leagues as of Tuesday afternoon, but there isn't much upside in actually adding him at this point. 

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the team's medical staff feels "very confident" about the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who strained his hamstring in Sunday's loss at New Orleans, reports the Green Bay Press-Gazette. With Green Bay on a Week 9 bye, Rodgers is not expected to miss any time.

"So far, so good I would say is how we're looking at it," McCarthy said.

Offensive coordinator Tom Clements told the paper the injury eliminated "designed quarterback movement plays" but added he did not need to "revamp the whole plan."

Making his first start in three years, Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy completed 25 of 30 throws (83.3 percent) for 299 yards and rushed for a touchdown in Monday's overtime win at Dallas. McCoy made one terrible decision, getting picked off on a first-quarter throw to the end zone, but otherwise looked in command.

McCoy opened overtime by hitting Pierre Garcon for 23 yards across the middle. He then found tight end Jordan Reed twice to get Washington in field-goal range. On the second, McCoy scrambled and lofted a touch pass along the sideline for 16 yards.

McCoy underthrew deep threat DeSean Jackson twice on potential touchdowns, but connected with him six times for 136 yards, including 49- and 45-yard gains.

McCoy gave the Redskins a short-lived lead with a 7-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter. He ran seven times for 16 yards.

It's unclear if McCoy will make a second straight start Week 9 at Minnesota, as Robert Griffin III is nearing a return from his ankle injury.

The Cowboys declared right tackle Doug Free (foot), defensive end Jack Crawford (calf), defensive back Jakar Hamilton, quarterback Dustin Vaughan, guard Donald Hawkins, defensive tackle Davon Coleman and linebacker Keith Smith inactive for Monday's game against the Redskins.

Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters on Monday that Geno Smith's shoulder injury isn't expected to be serious moving forward. However, he admitted that Smith isn't 100 percent healthy and if he's not available to backup Michael Vick against the Chiefs in Week 9, then the team will likely promote Matt Simms from the practice squad to serve as the No. 2 quarterback, according to the New York Daily News.

The recently benched quarterback injured his shoulder while making a tackle on his third interception of the afternoon against the Bills in Week 8. He completed only 2 of 8 pass attempts for 5 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions before he was replaced by Vick after four drives.

Jets coach Rex Ryan made it official on Monday, announcing that Michael Vick will be the starting quarterback over Geno Smith for Week 9 against Kansas City. Ryan told reporters that the move was his decision and that Vick's hold on the starting job isn't guaranteed beyond this week, per the New York Daily News.

Vick took over for Smith after the second-year quarterback three three interceptions against the Bills. Ryan hopes that Smith will "maybe get a different perspective" by watching Vick play from sideline. Vick lost two of four fumbles and completed 18 of 36 pass attempts for 153 yards with one interception in Week 8 against Buffalo.

Barring a last minute "power play" decision from general manager John Idzik or owner Woody Johnson, the Jets are expected to start Michael Vick at quarterback against the Chiefs in Week 9, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News on Monday.

Vick took over for second-year starter Geno Smith, who threw three interceptions against Buffalo. Vick led the team with 69 yards on the ground, but failed to make much of an impact through the air. The veteran quarterback completed 18 of 36 passes for 153 yards with one interceptions and losing two of his four fumbles in New York's 43-23 loss on Sunday.

No one could blame Jets quarterback Geno Smith for being upset after he was pulled during Sunday's loss against the Bills. After completing just 2 of 8 passes for 5 yards and three interceptions, coach Rex Ryan made the decision to bench Smith and go with backup quarterback Michael Vick.

Though, Smith still appeared to be exuding confidence in his abilities after Sunday's loss, even though his struggles haven't been confined to one game. The second-year quarterback has more career interceptions (31) than passing touchdowns (19).

"Obviously, I don’t want those things to happen," Smith said, per NJ.com. "It’s never an ideal situation for any quarterback. I never envisioned that happening (Vick replacing him) because I do see myself as the starting quarterback, and I honestly believe that I can turn things around myself to get this team going. But if those things do happen, I have to learn from it."

Ryan announced Monday that Vick will start Week 9 against the Chiefs. However, he would not name Vick the starter beyond the Chiefs game.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is not expected to play Monday against the Cowboys, missing a sixth straight game due to a dislocated ankle, according to NFL Network. As expected, Colt McCoy will draw the start Week 8 after he replaced Kirk Cousins during a comeback win Week 7 against the Titans.