NFL Player News

Bills temporary starting quarterback Thad Lewis returned to the practice field on Wednesday after injuring his foot in the Sunday overtime loss to Cincinnati.

Lewis performed well against the Bengals in relief of starter EJ Manuel. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. He will remain the starter until Manuel returns despite the Monday signing of Matt Flynn.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is 7-3 in 10 career games against the NFC and has a 101.6 quarterback rating through two games against the NFC North this season. Dalton will look for his eighth career win against the NFC when the Bengals head to Detroit Week 7.

Dalton is coming off his fourth career game of 300-plus passing yards and three touchdowns during a 27-24 overtime win Week 6 at Buffalo. The Lions are going to present a little bit tougher of a challenge since quarterbacks average just 15.3 Fantasy points per week, which is the 10th-lowest average in the league.

Only Jay Cutler and Brandon Weeden have thrown multiple touchdowns against Detroit, but they have thrown multiple interceptions. In fact, quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (seven) against Detroit.

Dalton has been a somewhat disappointing Fantasy option in 2013. He hadn't surpassed 20 Fantasy points until Week 6. He was averaging 13.4 Fantasy points per week prior to his 30-point outburst (standard) last week. Since quarterbacks haven't performed well against Detroit, it's best to consider Dalton a No. 2 Fantasy option Week 7.

The Chargers listed the following players as inactive for Monday's game against Indianapolis: linebackers Donald Butler (groin) and Jarret Johnson (hamstring), guard Chad Rinehart, safety Brandon Taylor, offensive tackle Mike Remmers, quarterback Brad Sorensen and defensive end Lawrence Guy.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Monday "we probably got a little bit lucky there" when talking about the leg injury quarterback Matt Schaub sustained Sunday against the Rams.

"Matt is getting injections as we speak. Leg, ankle, everywhere," Kubiak said.

Kubiak wouldn't rule out Schaub for Week 7 at Kansas City. However, he said he will evaluate Schaub by the end of the week to see if he can start Sunday. Kubiak added both backup quarterbacks -- T.J. Yates and Case Keenum -- will prepare this week.

Bills coach Doug Marrone said Monday X-rays and an MRI on quarterback Thad Lewis' foot came back negative. Lewis is considered day to day, but Marrone is upbeat about Lewis' status for Week 7 at Miami.

"I feel good about him being able to play Sunday," Marrone said.

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said Monday quarterback Blaine Gabbert isn't ready to return from a hamstring injury, so Chad Henne will start again Week 7 vs. San Diego. Bradley added, however, Gabbert might throw on the side in practice this week.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had another efficient game, but failed to put the ball in the end zone. 

Wilson was effective against the Titans, picking up 23 completions on 31 attemps for 257 yards. Despite his strong play, the team decided to get conservative when they were in the red zone, and leaned heavily on Marshawn Lynch. Wilson continued to prove his effectiveness on the ground, picking up 61 yards on 10 carries. 

Wilson will look to get back on track Week 7 against the Cardinals. 

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton threw for a season-high three touchdowns, leading Cincinnati to a 27-24 overtime win Week 6 at Buffalo. Dalton completed 26 of 40 passes for 337 yards and one interception, while rushing for 17 yards.

Dalton had a strong first half, completing 9 of 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown was an 18-yard pass to A.J. Green with 5:26 left in the first quarter. His second touchdown pass was a 20-yard play to Giovani Bernard, who made four defenders miss after catching a short shovel pass.

Dalton's final touchdown pass came early in the third quarter. He connected with Marvin Jones for a 10-yard score at 10:49 of the third quarter.

Dalton now has seven career games with at least three touchdown passes. Sunday was the first time this season he surpassed 300 passing yards. He has eight passing touchdowns and six interceptions in six games. The Bengals are back in action Week 7 at Detroit.

Bills quarterback Thad Lewis, who was sporting a walking boot on his right foot after Sunday's overtime loss to Cincinnati, said he should be OK after getting X-rays on his foot. Lewis said he suffered a sprained foot, but X-rays were negative.

"We checked it out (injury), we did the tests. I should be fine," he said.

Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith, who broke out for three touchdown passes with no interceptions last week at Atlanta, looked like a different player Week 6 against the Steelers, completing 19 of 34 passes for 201 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had three carries for 8 yards.

Smith seemed to bring out the best in a Steelers defense that entered the game ranked dead last in the NFL with zero takeaways and four sacks. Though his interceptions didn't come until the second half, when he was struggling to keep his team in a game dominated by defense, he took a couple shots from the Steelers pass rush in the first half (getting sacked three times total) and was uncharacteristically inaccurate with his deep ball, overthrowing a wide open Stephen Hill down the middle of the field late in the second quarter.

"I'm just frustrated to lose the game," Smith said. "I understand there's going to be growing pains and things to learn, but we don't go out there with that mindset."

Now with 10 interceptions compared to seven touchdown passes this season, Smith will attempt to bounce back Week 7 against the Patriots.