NFL Player News

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford showed just how dependent the passing game is on Calvin Johnson, completing 25-of-40 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 22-9 loss to the Packers. Stafford was also sacked five times; he had been sacked three total times in his first four games. 

Most of Stafford's production came in the second half with the team playing from behind, as he had just 99 passing yards at halftime. He threw to eight different receivers, and no player had more than four receptions in Week 5. 

If there was a silver lining here for the Stafford, it was that he didn't throw an interception. 

The Lions travel to Cleveland to play the Browns in Week 6. 

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert had to leave Sunday's Week 5 game at St. Louis early in the second half due to a hamstring injury. Gabbert was injured in the first half when he hurt his hand, but remained in the game at that time. He was replaced by Chad Henne.

Gabbert went 9 for 19 for 181 yards and a long 67-yard touchdown to Justin Blackmon in the first quarter. He was also picked off twice in the game, including once in the red zone.

Gabbert, who added three rushes for 6 yards, threw his first touchdown pass of the season on that long play to Blackmon. Still, he has seven picks and may not get back on the field once healthy if Henne impresses the coaching staff.

Giants center David Baas (neck), cornerback Jayron Hosley (hamstring), defensive tackle Linval Joseph (ankle, knee), tight end Adrien Robinson (foot), Louis Murphy (ankle) and quarterback Ryan Nassib were among the team's inactives Week 5 vs. Philadelphia.

Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley, cornerback Shaun Prater, tackle Matt Tobin, tackle Dennis Kelly, defensive end Damion Square and tight end Emil Igwenagu were among the team's inactives Week 5 at N.Y. Giants. 

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is out for the year with an ACL tear in his right knee, Rob Chudzinski has confirmed. The injury was sustained on an awkward fall and hit after he scrambled for a first down early in the win Thursday against Buffalo.

An MRI on Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer Friday revealed a partial ACL tear in the right knee, a source told ESPN.

Hoyer injured the knee while sliding awkwardly and taking a hit early in the win over Buffalo on Thursday night. He had guided Cleveland to two consecutive wins after two losses to start the season.

Brandon Weeden, who was replaced by Hoyer in Week 3, turned the tables against the Bills. He returned from a thumb injury to lead the comeback victory.

The long-term status of Hoyer remains unsettled. But it appears he will out for a while.

The Browns are worried quarterback Brian Hoyer tore his ACL during Thursday's game against the Bills, according to ESPN.

Hoyer is set to have an MRI Friday, so the injury is not official yet. But there's some concern within the organization that Hoyer tore his ACL. If that's the case, Hoyer would likely miss the rest of the season. Since being named the Browns starting quarterback, the club has gone 3-0. Hoyer has thrown for 5 touchdowns in three games this season.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is returning home Week 5 against New England after his worst performance of the season during a loss at Cleveland. Dalton has been much better at home.

In his last six games at home, Dalton has completed 112 of 181 passes for 1,208 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two picks. The Bengals have lost both road contests this season and Dalton has thrown for 488 in those two games with two touchdowns and three picks.

Although he is much better at home, he has a tough matchup against New England. The Patriots are giving up the eighth-fewest Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks on the season. Before Atlanta's Matt Ryan threw for 421 yards with two touchdowns last week against them, the Patriots had not given up a passing TD in back-to-back games with four interceptions.

Dalton has not been a strong Fantasy option for most of this season and we don't see him coming out of that Week 5. Fantasy owners really only should be using Dalton in very deep Fantasy leagues or leagues where two quarterbacks are necessary. He is a low-end No. 2 for Sunday's game.

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer has officially been diagnosed with a sprained right knee, though that is just the initial diagnosis following evaluations in the locker room Thursday.

Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski told reporters after the game that Hoyer will have an MRI taken on the knee Friday. He admitted to the NFL Network broadcast crew at halftime that he fears Hoyer has ligament damage, but would not elaborate following the game.

Hoyer left the game on crutches and wearing a knee brace. The Browns face the Lions in Week 6 in their next game. 

Bills backup quarterback Jeff Tuel was forced into action in Week 5 against the Browns Thursday, and the rookie's first NFL action did not go well in a 37-24 loss. 

Tuel entered the game after EJ Manuel suffered a knee injury in the third quarter, with the ball on the 1 yard line. Fred Jackson would score on the next play, representing the only time the Bills would score with Huel under center.

Huel led the team on six drives, four of which ended in punts. The others ended on turnovers, one on downs and the other on an interception returned for a touchdown.

Huel finished the game with 80 yards on 8 of 20 passing. The Bills have a few extra days off before their next game thanks to the Thursday start to Week 5, which could end up giving Manuel enough time to come back. If not Huel could start his first game in Week 6 against the Bengals.