NFL Player News

The 49ers have listed the following players as inactive for Thursday night's battle with the Seahawks: defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (forearm), tight end Vance McDonald (back), cornerback Tramaine Brock (hamstring), wide receivers Bruce Ellington (ankle) and Quinton Patton, quarterback Josh Johnson and tackle Anthony Davis.

Dorsey had previously been ruled out for the game, while McDonald, Brock and Ellington were all listed as questionable on the team's final injury report.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for a season-high 390 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions' 34-17 win vs. Chicago on Thanksgiving. While Stafford -- who completed 34 of 45 passes -- didn't throw an interception, he did lose a fumble in the first half, which led to a touchdown for Chicago.

It comes as no surprise Stafford's favorite target Thursday was star receiver Calvin Johnson, who totaled 11 catches for 146 yards. Johnson also caught both of Stafford's touchdowns. He had a 25-yard touchdown catch early in the second quarter and a 6-yard touchdown catch right before halftime.

Stafford has thrown for two touchdowns in four of his last six games. The Lions are back in action Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay.

The Cowboys declared quarterback Dustin Vaughan, offensive tackles Tony Hills and Donald Hawkins, linebacker Dekoda Watson (hamstring) defensive tackle Josh Brent (groin), cornerback Tyler Patmon (knee, ankle) and safety Jeff Heath (thumb) inactive for Thursday's game against the Eagles.

Although Jets coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday that "everybody's on board" with the decision to replace Michael Vick with Geno Smith at quarterback, it appears that might not be totally true, according to the New York Daily News.

Sources told the Daily News offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was among the majority of people in the organization, including players, who wanted Vick to remain the starting quarterback. Ryan also preferred to continue to start Vick, who was benched during a 38-3 loss Monday against the Bills.

However, Ryan made the decision to change starting quarterbacks because he wants to avoid conflict with his bosses -- owner Woody Johnson and general manager John Idzik. Ryan wants to take the high road before looking for his next job, sources told the Daily News.

"I think the best thing for this team right now is to play Geno Smith," Ryan said Wednesday. "Does he give you a good chance to win? Or a chance to win? I believe he does give us a chance to win."

Bill O'Brien has announced that the Texans will have a competition between just-signed veteran Thad Lewis and rookie Tom Savage for the backup quarterback role behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The winner will be determined in practice this week.

As expected, the Texans have signed Thad Lewis to take the roster spot vacated when fellow quarterback Ryan Mallett was placed on IR.

The team has also added safety Terrance Parks to the practice squad.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden confirmed in a conference call with Colts reporters Wednesday quarterback Robert Griffin III has been benched in favor of Colt McCoy for Sunday's game at Indianapolis. Gruden added Griffin will be the backup quarterback Week 13. 

"Colt (McCoy) is going to start this week at quarterback. I felt like he deserved a bit of a promotion," Gruden said.

McCoy will be facing a Colts defense yielding 249.4 passing yards per game. Indianapolis has also allowed 18 passing touchdowns, while recording nine interceptions and 28 sacks in 11 games.

Despite speculation Michael Vick would start Week 13 against the Dolphins, Jets coach Rex Ryan informed his quarterbacks Wednesday morning Geno Smith would be returning to the starting role Monday. 

Vick, who entered the starting lineup Week 9 against the Chiefs, was replaced by Smith in the third quarter of Monday's game against the Bills. Smith will be facing a Dolphins defense yielding 220.6 passing yards per game, which is the eighth-lowest total in the NFL. The Dolphins have allowed 20 passing touchdowns through 11 games.

Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy, who reportedly will start Week 13 at Indianapolis over Robert Griffin III, has been incredibly accurate in the two games he's played this season. McCoy replaced Kirk Cousins in Week 7 against Tennessee and completed 11 of 12 throws for 128 yards and a touchdown.

After leading that winning fourth-quarter drive, McCoy started Week 8 at Dallas and was just as good, hitting 25 of 30 throws for 299 yards with an interception and rushing for 16 yards. Washington won 20-17 in overtime. McCoy has completed 85.7 percent of his throws so far.

Now he faces a Colts defense holding quarterbacks to an 88.5 passer rating, 13th-lowest in the NFL.

The Redskins are planning to start Colt McCoy over Robert Griffin III at quarterback Sunday at Indianapolis, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move is expected to become official Wednesday when coach Jay Gruden meets with reporters, Schefter said.

Gruden informed the team Wednesday morning about the change at quarterback, according to Schefter.

McCoy went 2-0 while Griffin recovered from his dislocated ankle. Griffin threw for 106 yards, took five sacks and lost a fumble on his team's last offensive play Week 12 at San Francisco.

Over the last three games, all losses, Griffin has thrown for 564 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. He's holding the ball too long and not throwing with authority when he does let it fly.

Although Griffin is not part of Sunday's game plan, he remains "a significant part of the Redskins' long-term plan," Schefter said.