NFL Player News

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said quarterback Aaron Rodgers (broken collarbone) didn't appear to be in pain during Wednesday's practice, but suggested reporters ask Rodgers directly, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Rodgers, however, won't talk to the media until Thursday.

Rodgers did more in practice Wednesday than he did last week. His status remains uncertain for Sunday at Dallas. 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did more throwing on the run Wednesday than he did in practice last week, reports ESPN.com. Rodgers, who's coming back from a broken collarbone, said he felt pain in last week's workout.

No word yet on how Rodgers felt Wednesday. Matt Flynn will start Sunday in Dallas if Rodgers doesn't get cleared.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins was informed he'll start Sunday's game in Atlanta instead of Robert Griffin III. "Certainly with human nature you're going to have a heightened sense of urgency now that you know, but it shouldn't change anything in the way I get ready," he told reporters.

Cousins said he was told by coaches only that he's starting Week 15. There was no mention of what will happen Weeks 16-17.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins took the first-team snaps in practice Wednesday, with Rex Grossman getting the second-team reps, reports the Washington Post. It's another indication Cousins will start Sunday at Atlanta over Robert Griffin III.

Griffin took no snaps in the portion of practice open to the media, the report said.

The Washington Redskins will go with quarterback Kirk Cousins over Robert Griffin III this week at Atlanta, according to ESPN.

There has been speculation since Sunday about the prospect of coach Mike Shanahan starting Cousins over Griffin Week 15. The team has not confirmed its quarterback plans for the game, but several reports this morning state the game plan has Cousins starting.

Cousins replaced Griffin in last week's loss to Kansas City, completing seven of 16 pass attempts for 59 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Griffin did not play the entire fourth quarter during a snowy game, completing 12 of his 26 passes for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Just like he did in 2012, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is headed for another strong finish after an uneven start to the season. Wilson moves onto the Giants in Week 15 after the 49ers stopped his hot streak Week 14, so this could end up being an ugly week for the New York defense.

Wilson has thrown multiple touchdowns in seven of his last nine games. He's been held to less than 20 Fantasy points just three times in his last nine games. 

The Giants did have a run of games from Week 7 through Week 11 where they held quarterbacks to less than 10 Fantasy points over a four-game span. But quarterbacks have averaged 22 Fantasy points in the last three games against the Giants, so the defense is starting to have its problems again. Through the first six games this season, quarterbacks were averaging 27 Fantasy points per week against New York.

The 49ers were a tough matchup for Wilson, who has combined to total 23 Fantasy points in two games against the NFC West foe. The Giants won't be as difficult of a matchup, so consider Wilson a viable Fantasy start in all formats Week 15.

Though Texans quarterback Case Keenum has been in hot water recently, getting relieved by Matt Schaub two of the last four weeks, he's expected to start Week 15 at Indianapolis. And if recent history is any indication, it's a good matchup for him. Making just his second career start, Keenum threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns against the Colts in Week 9.

Generally speaking, the Colts have been middle-of-the-road against the pass. They've allowed 241.5 passing yards per game and have given up the 13th-most Fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. They've also failed to generate much of a pass rush over their last six games, averaging 1.5 sacks.

Still, averaging just 192.5 passing yards with two touchdowns to four interceptions over his last four games, Keenum is a risky start regardless of the matchup. Of the three CBSSports.com Fantasy Football analysts, Dave Richard ranks him the highest at 20th among quarterbacks.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who's trying to come back from a broken collarbone, said he felt pain and discomfort when he practiced last Wednesday, reports ESPN.com. "I shouldn't be having pain doing simple movements," he said.

Rodgers will try to practice this Wednesday in hopes of playing Sunday at Dallas. "I don't feel like I need a ton of reps (to play)," he said, per the website. If he can't go, Matt Flynn will get another start.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan hasn't named a starting quarterback for Week 15 at Atlanta, as he considers benching struggling starter Robert Griffin III. A team source told ESPN it appears Shanahan wants to start Kirk Cousins the remainder of the season to protect Griffin, but it seems Washington owner Daniel Snyder wants Griffin to remain under center.

"Mike is pushing it with benching the quarterback, but I don't think Dan is going for it," the source said.

Although he's coming off a four-touchdown performance, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton isn't a surefire Fantasy starter Week 15. Dalton visits the Steelers, and his history vs. Pittsburgh is not encouraging.

In five career meetings, Dalton has completed 53 percent of his throws. He's averaged 194 passing yards with five touchdowns, five interceptions and a 67.8 passer rating. Dalton did play fairly well in Week 2 vs. Pittsburgh, throwing for 280 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 10 yards.

But Dalton's last three road games were ugly: eight turnovers, three touchdowns. The Steelers rank in the middle of the pack in defending Fantasy quarterbacks; they're capable of eliciting the "bad" Dalton.

Dalton has been up and down all season. With Fantasy playoffs on the line, place your trust elsewhere if possible.