NFL Player News

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (calf) was not on the field for the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, reports ESPN.com. Instead, Rodgers was seen heading to the training room.

Rodgers took part in a light practice Tuesday and has said he expects to play Sunday against the Lions. Green Bay is laying 7.5 points at William Hill sportsbooks.

The Bengals sent home quarterback Andy Dalton before Wednesday's practice after he showed up to the facility with the flu, reports the team's website. Coach Marvin Lewis said he expects Dalton to be fine for Sunday night's division-deciding showdown at Pittsburgh.

Cincy is a 3.5-point underdog.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III suffered a "mildly sprained [throwing] shoulder" when he was sacked by Fletcher Cox in the Week 16 win over the Eagles, coach Jay Gruden told the Washington Post. Griffin was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Gruden said Griffin did some throwing Wednesday and should be fine with rest and treatment, but a final determination will be made Friday. Kirk Cousins would start Sunday if Griffin is unable to play.

Washington is a 6.5-point home underdog to the playoff-bound Cowboys.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was sent home from Tuesday's practice because he was sick, reports ESPN.com. Coach Tony Sparano said he hopes Carr will return Wednesday ahead of Sunday's visit to Denver.

With Carr out, Matt Schaub and Matt McGloin split first-team reps. Carr has thrown for 3,112 yards and 20 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, including six scores and no picks in his past three games.

Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters the quarterback situation is still unsettled because of Brian Hoyer's shoulder injury, per the Plain Dealer. In addition to the shoulder issue, Hoyer has a "badly bruised" bicep, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN on Tuesday.

Hoyer will not practice on Tuesday. The team will add Connor Shaw from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster. Shaw is expected to receive all first-team snaps until Hoyer is recovered.

"Brian Hoyer (shoulder) will rest today We don't know where we are at the QB position," Pettine said. "I don't know if Brian (Hoyer) can get to 100 percent. Connor Shaw will take all the reps today."

Cleveland opened as a 7-point road underdog. The line has now moved to 9 points in favor of the Ravens.

In addition to a right shoulder injury he sustained Week 16 against Carolina, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer has a "badly bruised" bicep, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN on Tuesday.

With Hoyer's status up in the air, the Browns signed Tyler Thigpen as a backup option. Practice squad quarterback Connor Shaw is in line to start if Hoyer is unable to play Week 17 against Baltimore.

Cleveland opened as a 7-point road underdog. The line has now moved to 9 points in favor of the Ravens.

With Johnny Manziel (hamstring) sidelined for the season finale and Brian Hoyer's (shoulder, bicep) status up in the air, the Browns signed quarterback Tyler Thigpen, according to CBSSports.com Jason La Canfora on Tuesday.

The team announced the move, waiving fullback Ray Agnew and signed defensive lineman Christian Tupou to the practice squad.

If Hoyer is unable to play, the Browns could turn to Connor Shaw Week 17 against Baltimore. According to La Canfora, Thigpen will be the No. 2 quarterback if Hoyer can't play.

Thigpen played with the Browns in the preseason before getting cut on Aug. 12. He has not made an appearance since 2012 with the Bills, and has not made a start since 2010 with the Dolphins.

After suffering a calf injury during Sunday’s victory over the Buccaneers, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sore, but coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Rodgers is 'upbeat and positive' about the injury, reports ESPN.com.

“He told me he wants to work, but we'll see what the medical [report says]," McCarthy said. "I really haven't talked to the medical staff about his specific injury."

Rodgers was able to participate in Tuesday's light practice. The Packers face the Lions for the division title on Sunday and Rodgers said it would 'definitely take a lot to hold me of the game.'

The Packers are 7-point favorites.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith sounded like a man who knows the fate of his current head coach on Monday. When asked about dealing with coaching changes while at West Virginia, Smith told reporters that a "change could be good for us all," according to the New York Post.

Smith, the 39th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, has completed only 58.2 percent of his passes, compiling 2,167 yards through the air, with 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions his sophomore season.

"It is all about what you make it," Smith said. "I think the toughest part about it is not being able to continue to play for the same coach the same guy that you learned to love, you invest so much in, and you believe [in] them. To reset and readjust is a tough thing to do, but we are professionals and we have to do it. A change could be good for us all, so if it happens, when it happens, then we will see."

Team owner Woody Johnson is reportedly interested in hiring former general manager Charley Casserly as a consultant, should the Jets choose to make a change in leadership. After reaching the AFC Championship in his first two seasons, Ryan is in the midst of his worst season as a head coach (3-12) and could be out the door along with general manager John Idzik following Sunday's season finale at Miami.

Playing much of the game without top target A.J. Green, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton dinked and dunked his way to a Week 16 win over the Broncos. Dalton overcame an early pick-six to complete 17 of 26 throws for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Dalton relied on his running game and repeatedly looked for tight end Jermaine Gresham over the middle, finding him for a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Running back Giovani Bernard later took a dumpoff pass 22 yards for a score.

Dalton averaged 5.6 yards per attempt after averaging 4.9 the week before. It's unclear if Green (arm) will be available when the Bengals visit the Steelers in Week 17.