NFL Player News

Jets quarterback Geno Smith was listed as inactive Sunday against the Chiefs due to a shoulder injury. Smith was going to be the backup quarterback to Michael Vick, if he was active.

The other Jets inactives for Week 9 were Walt Powell, Darrin Walls, IK Enemkpali, Dakota Dozier, Wesley Johnson and T.J. Barnes.

Safety Nate Allen (hamstring) and wide receiver Brad Smith (groin) are the lone injured inactives for the Eagles on Sunday in Houston.

The healthy scratches are quarterback Matt Barkley, center Julian Vandervelde, tackle Dennis Kelly, linebacker Marcus Smith and defensive end Taylor Hart.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith's benching might not last very long. The beleaguered second-year quarterback could return to the starting quarterback role as soon as Week 10 against the Steelers because the team doesn't view Michael Vick -- who is starting Sunday against the Chiefs -- as the long-term solution at quarterback, team sources told NFL.com.

Smith might be inactive Sunday against Kansas City due to a shoulder injury he suffered Week 8. If that happens, Matt Simms will be the team's backup quarterback.

The Jets enter Week 9 against the Chiefs relatively healthy. Out of 15 players listed on the injury report, Darrin Walls (calf, knee) was ruled doubtful for Sunday.Geno Smith (shoulder) was labeled questionable.

The other 13 players were deemed probable: Oday Aboushi (shoulder), Phillip Adams (groin), Antwan Barnes (knee), Willie Colon (knee), Jeff Cumberland (shoulder, finger), Demario Davis (finger), Eric Decker (hamstring), David Harris (shoulder), Chris Johnson (ankle), Jeremy Kerley (illness), Nick Mangold (shoulder), Trevor Reilly (knee) and Greg Salas (wrist, ankle).

Jets quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder) resumed throwing Thursday after not doing so in practice Wednesday, according to ESPN. Though, it's still uncertain if Smith will be able to serve as the backup quarterback Week 9 against the Chiefs.

Jamey Eisenberg and Dave Richard both rank the Bengals' Andy Dalton among their top 12 quarterbacks for Week 9, presumably because he's facing the Jaguars. But how did that work out for Ryan Tannehill in Week 8, Brian Hoyer in Week 7 or, yep, even Ben Roethlisberger in Week 5?

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of the whole "start Player X against the Jaguars because they're bad" argument. Because they're not. At least not anymore -- not on defense, anyway. The Jaguars have allowed an average of 16.5 points in their last four games, and if not for the Dolphins' two defensive touchdowns in Week 8, it'd be 13.0

True, star wide receiver A.J. Green is looking likely to return from a three-game absence for a toe injury, which would certainly improve Dalton's chances. But again, quality quarterbacks -- namely, Tannehill and Roethlisberger -- have had their full arsenals when they faced the Jaguars, and they still underwhelmed against them. I'm not sure this is Dalton's week.

Now, with so many high-profile quarterbacks (such as Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan and Jay Cutler) on bye this week, you may want it to be Dalton's week, but I'd give Carson Palmer, Nick Foles, Cam Newton or Tannehill a shot before I turned to him.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will start Sunday's game in Minnesota, sources within the organization told NBC4 in Washington. Griffin practiced fully Wednesday for the first time since dislocating his ankle Week 2, splitting first-team reps with Colt McCoy.

The team has not announced who will start at quarterback.

Redskins quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Colt McCoy split first-team reps in Wednesday's practice, coach Jay Gruden told reporters. It was Griffin's first full practice since he dislocated his ankle Week 2.

It's unclear at this point who will start Sunday at Minnesota.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III practiced fully Wednesday for the first time since dislocating his ankle Week 2, reports NFL Network. Whether Griffin plays Sunday at Minnesota is "all going to depend on how he does in practice tomorrow and Friday," coach Jay Gruden told reporters.

Griffin has missed six straight games. Colt McCoy would start if Griffin is not ready.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith, now relegated to backup duties, did not throw during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, reports the New York Daily News. Smith hurt his shoulder making a tackle following his third and final interception Sunday against the Bills.

New York is going with Michael Vick in Week 9 at Kansas City.