NFL Player News

The eight screen passes Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw Sunday represented a career high, according to ESPN.com. Not coincidentally, Stafford set the mark in the first game he played with running back Reggie Bush.

Stafford completed six screens. Bush caught three of them, taking one for a 78-yard touchdown.

The Lions visit Arizona in Week 2.

The Eagles have listed the following players as being inactive for the Week 1 Monday night game in Washington: Quarterback Matt Barkley; cornerback Shaun Prater; tackle Matt Tobin; defensive end Vinny Curry; and tight end Emil Igwenagu. 

Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins is active and available for coach Mike Shanahan for the Week 1 Monday night opener at home against the Eagles.

Obviously, Cousins will participate in the game as the second-string QB behind Robert Griffin III. He was on the injury report as probable for the game due to a sprained right foot.

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said Monday quarterback Blaine Gabbert will not play Week 2 at Oakland because of a laceration on his right hand that required 15 stitches. Bradley hopes to have Gabbert back by Week 3 at Seattle.

Chad Henne will draw the start Sunday against the Raiders.

Jets coach Rex Ryan confirmed Monday quarterback Geno Smith will start Thursday (Week 2) against the Patriots, as Mark Sanchez gets a second opinion on his injured shoulder. Smith led New York to an 18-17 win in his first career NFL start Week 1, completing 24 of 38 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers turned in an impressive performance as he reached the 300-yard mark and found the end zone three times in Week 1 at San Francisco.

Rodgers found Randall Cobb, who stretched out after the catch to break the plane for a 5-yard score in the first quarter. After throwing an interception to Eric Reid on a pass intended for Jermichael Finley, Rodgers didn't lose faith in his tight end as he hooked up with Finley for a 12-yard touchdown strike with 16 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Rodgers then hooked up with Jordy Nelson for an 8-yard touchdown with 3:49 left in the third quarter.

He completed 21 of 37 passes for 333 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, finishing with a 102.6 passer rating in a 34-28 defeat.

The Packers will host the Redskins in Week 2.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford was highly accurate in the season-opening win over the Cardinals, completing 27 of 38 throws for 299 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Bradford posted a 100.7 passer rating and added a 2-yard conversion on a well-designed draw.

Bradford could have had a bigger day had Jared Cook not fumbled on his way to the end zone in the first quarter, but it was a successful outing nonetheless. Bradford loves throwing to the big tight end; he targeted Cook a team-high 10 times, connecting seven times for 141 yards and both scores.

Bradford visits the Falcons in Week 2.

The Giants ruled defensive end Damontre Moore (shoulder), defensive end Adewale Ojomo, quarterback Ryan Nassib (not injury related), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (not injury related), center David Baas (knee), tackle David Diehl (thumb) and tight end Adrien Robinson (foot) inactive for Sunday's Week 1 opener at Dallas.

As a Fantasy owner I'm disappointed in Andy Dalton's Week 1 outing against Chicago because of the two interceptions he had, but there's so much to like about what he did. 

Dalton completed passes of 21, 42 and 45 yards to A.J. Green, flexing his arm and proving he's not a weak thrower. Green's an easy and obvious target for him as evidenced on his two touchdown passes (a 2-yard job and a 45-yard bomb).

He also made very nice use out of both of his tight ends, hitting Tyler Eifert and Jermaine Gresham five times each for a combined 82 yards. And while he didn't throw much to his running backs, in time he'll hit mainly Giovani Bernard for some screens and dump-off passes. 

The thing that stood out to me is that Dalton leaned on his surrounding talent to complete 26 of 33 passes (78.8 pct.). That's a very nice improvement. Though he didn't win the game, he didn't exactly cost the Bengals the game either. He's probably not a great Fantasy starting option in Week 2 vs. the Steelers but at least you know when a favorable matchup comes around he's going to be incredible. Unless you have a rock-solid quarterback on your roster, keep Dalton around. 

The Jaguars announced Sunday night quarterback Blaine Gabbert required 15 stitches to close the laceration on his right hand, which he sustained in the fourth quarter Week 1 vs. Kansas City. The cut on his hand was near the top of his pinkie finger.