NFL Player News

Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (shin) and linebacker Keenan Robinson (knee) were listed as inactive Week 14 vs. St. Louis. Safety Brandon Meriweather, quarterback Kirk Cousins, defensive lineman Kedric Golston, guard Josh LeRibeus and tackle Tyler Polumbus were also inactive.

The Cowboys have listed the following players as inactive for Thursday night's Week 14 matchup with the Bears: safety Jeff Heath (thumb), cornerback Tyler Patmon (knee, ankle), linebacker Dekoda Watson (hamstring), defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (chest), quarterback Dustin Vaughan and offensive tackles Tony Hills and Donald Hawkins.

Lawrence was deemed questionable to play Thursday after being limited in practice Tuesday. Heath, Patmon and Watson were all ruled out for Week 14 on the team's final injury report. The team will have all its probables active for Thursday night's game.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford seemed to hit the lowest of lows Week 12 at New England, his second straight game without a touchdown pass. At the time, he had yet to throw for three touchdowns in a game and had thrown for more than 300 yards just twice.

Well, he still has yet to throw for three touchdowns in a game, but after throwing for a season-high 390 yards Week 13 against Chicago, his prospects are suddenly looking up.

It wasn't the most unpredictable turnaround. The Patriots have a tough secondary while the Bears rank 30th against the pass. Stafford's Week 14 matchup against Tampa Bay comes closer to the latter than the former. Not only do the Buccaneers rank 21st against the pass, allowing 245.3 yards per game, but they've given up 22 touchdowns through the air, tied for seventh-most in the league.

Granted, at 2-10, they may not pose much of a challenge for the Lions, but after getting back in sync last week, Stafford and Calvin Johnson should be able to do some real damage against them before the Lions resort to running out the clock.

If you look back through Stafford's game log, he's been especially susceptible to matchups this season, so you can trust him for this one.

If you have yet to put your faith back in Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson with his recent turnaround -- he has averaged 21.7 Fantasy points over his last three games, according to standard CBSSports.com scoring -- his matchup Week 14 at Philadelphia might be that last little push you need.

The Eagles rank 26th against the pass, giving up 258.6 yards per game, and have allowed the fourth-most Fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Their opponents are pretty much forced to pass against them just to keep from falling too far behind. The Eagles are averaging 31.3 points per game, fourth-most in the league, and have been even more productive with Mark Sanchez under center, averaging 34.4 in their last five.

Of course, they haven't had to face the Seahawks during that stretch, who are back to being a dominant defensive team. If their defense steps up against a strong offense, Wilson may not be needed for big numbers, which is always the risk for him.

But based on how his last few weeks have gone and how much better the Eagles are offensively than the Seahawks' last few opponents, more likely than not, Wilson has good things in store. Jamey Eisenberg and Dave Richard both rank him among their top 10 quarterbacks for this week.

Browns All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas has made no secret that he supports the decision of Mike Pettine to continue starting Brian Hoyer at quarterback Sunday against Indianapolis.

Thomas indicated that his team, which remains in the playoff hunt, would not maximize its postseason hopes with a rookie such as Johnny Manziel running the team.

"Certainly when you start throwing guys in there, trying to see what they can do, the message is we're already playing for next year," Thomas told the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Mike Pettine has indicated that Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer will not be on a short leash Sunday against Indianapolis.

Pettine said that he did not want to put that added pressure on Hoyer with rookie Johnny Manziel waiting in the wings and added that he expects the starter to play well and win. Pettine also said Hoyer has shown a propensity to bounce back from poor efforts.

Browns coach Mike Pettine cited the team's winning record in sticking with quarterback Brian Hoyer over rookie Johnny Manziel. Hoyer will be under center when Cleveland hosts the Colts on Sunday.

"After thorough evaluation and talking to the staff, we feel Brian gives us the best opportunity to win on Sunday," Pettine said in a statement released by the team. "This is a football decision and those are always going to be based on what we think is best for our team. Brian has led our team to a 7-5 record. I’m confident that we can get the entire offense playing at the level needed to accomplish the goals we set at the beginning of the season. Those goals are still very much attainable."

Hoyer has completed 56 percent of his throws for 3,056 yards and 11 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Over the past two games, he's thrown zero touchdowns against five picks.

"I don’t have any doubt in myself," Hoyer said Monday, before Pettine announced his choice. "I never have throughout this entire process, going back to last year. I feel like we’re 7-5. We still have a chance to attain all of our goals. It’s still there in front of us."

The decision to maintain Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback for the Browns was based partly on widespread support from his teammates, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

Several Browns players interviewed after the Sunday loss in Buffalo in which Hoyer performed poorly deferred to Mike Pettine, saying it was his call and not claiming to be leaning either way between Hoyer and rookie Johnny Manziel.

Struggling Brian Hoyer is set to start Sunday at quarterback for the Browns against visiting Indianapolis, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. League sources have confirmed that report, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Mike Pettine is scheduled to make an announcement Wednesday at 12:45 as to whether Hoyer has kept his starting job or has been replaced by rookie Johnny Manziel.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said quarterback Geno Smith will start Sunday at Minnesota, reports the Associated Press. Smith only dropped back to pass 15 times in Monday's loss to the Dolphins. He went 7 of 13 for 65 yards, his last pass getting intercepted.

Asked if he learned anything from Smith's performance against Miami, Ryan replied: "No, because he only threw it 13 times. ... I'm just kidding."

Smith replaced Michael Vick in the third quarter of the Week 12 loss to Buffalo.