NFL Player News

According to the Tennessean, the following players will not suit up for the Titans Saturday night against the Falcons in Atlanta: center Chris Spencer, center Gabe Ikard, quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, and defensive lineman Antonio Johnson and Mike Martin.

The Jets officially named Geno Smith the team's starting quarterback Friday, a move that does not come as much of a surprise given his usage in the preseason.

"I think he's taken off from where he left off [last season]," coach Rex Ryan said after announcing the decision. "I expect great things in the future."

Smith has been working almost exclusively with the first time offense during training camp and preseason, as Michael Vick hasn't made much of a push to start. Smith made the decision easier with his solid preseason play, completing 69.7 percent of his 33 passes, for 268 yards and a touchdown. He added a rushing touchdown while turning the ball over just once.

Smith started all 16 games as a rookie, completing just 55.8 percent of his passes and finishing with 12 passing touchdowns to 21 interceptions.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson caught fire again during Friday's preseason game against the Bears.

Wilson scored a seven yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. In the second quarter, he Jermaine Kearse for a 12-yard strike and Christine Michael for a 7-yard strike. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 202 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked once and finished with four carries for 23 yards and a touchdown through the ground.

Wilson has compiled 360 yards through the air while completing 30 of 39 passes this preseason. He has five touchdowns, three of which have come through the ground. While completing 79.6 percent of his passes, he has not committed a turnover.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had another impressive showing Friday night at home against the Raiders in preseason play.

Rodgers plated nearly the entire first half and capped his preseason by compiling 139 yards through the air while completing 9 of 20 passes. He completed a 12-yard strike to Jordy Nelson and a 6-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless -- all in the second quarter. He had two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Rodgers has passed for 267 yards through two preseason games.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was picked off once in an up-an-down outing Friday night against the Jaguars in exhibition play.

Stafford was intercepted by Andre Branch in the first quarter. He was limited to only one half of work with the first unit. He compiled 98 yards through the air while completing 10 of 16 passes. He had one interception and no touchdowns, registering 53.6 passer rating.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith appeared in full control of the offense Friday night against the Giants in exhibition play.

Smith hooked up with one of his new weapons, Eric Decker, for a 27-yard connection in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Smith found an open Jace Amaro on a playaction play for a 1-yard touchdown. He compiled 137 yards through the air while completing 9 of 14 passes. He added a touchdown and no interceptions, registering a 120.2 passer rating.

Smith was named the Week 1 starter for the Jets after the game.

Mike Pettine has confirmed that he and Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan have considered a two-quarterback system down the road with a package featuring rookie Johnny Manziel "on the table."

Pettine announced this week that Brian Hoyer will start the season opener in Pittsburgh. He has indicated that any package involving Manziel will not yet be incorporated for that game.

"No, this is Brian's job," Pettine said. "I don't foresee us now, especially early, being in a two-quarterback system. This is Brian's job and I never think of it as a leash or we want a guy to be a game manager. ... I don't want our guys on offense to feel like there's any type of governor there and they can't just cut it loose and be aggressive."

Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr has recovered from a concussion, but he will be inactive for the Friday game in Green Bay due to bruised ribs. Dennis Allen has stated that he does not want to expose Carr to further injury.

Carr left the second preseason game with the rib injury, though Allen told the media following the game that he had sustained a concussion.

Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters he doesn't want starting quarterback Brian Hoyer "looking over his shoulder if he makes one bad throw." Pettine said theres' no leash on Hoyer and no package for rookie Johnny Manziel.

"No, this is Brian's job," Pettine said. "This is Brian's job."

Pettine announced his choice to the team Wednesday. Hoyer will start Week 1 at Pittsburgh.

As expected, the Jets will go with Geno Smith as their starting quarterback in the regular-season opener, reports ESPN.com. An injury is the only thing that would change the team's plans and enable Michael Vick to start, the website.

Smith will start his third preseason game Friday against the Giants. In the first two games, Smith went 14 of 19 for 131 yards with an interception while adding a rushing touchdown.