NFL Player News

Jets quarterback Geno Smith is active and starting the Week 1 game against Tampa Bay. Smith was awarded with the starting nod in the preseason over Mark Sanchez. His ankle issue is not going to keep him from his first NFL starting experience.

Smith, who was hobbled by an ankle injury in August, completed 59.5 percent of his passes (22 for 37) for one touchdown and three interceptions in the preseason.

The Vikings enter Week 1 against the Lions with three players sitting out due to injuries: quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (illness), Mistral Raymond (shoulder) and defensive lineman Kevin Williams (knee). 

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (right thumb) has been cleared to start Week 1 vs. Kansas City. He was questionable on the injury report.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert was throwing passes during warmups Sunday with no protective wear on his injured right thumb. Gabbert is listed as questionable, but he is expected to start Week 1 vs. Kansas City.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert is expected to start Sunday vs. the Chiefs according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He is listed as questionable for the game. 

Perhaps the best backup quarterback in the NFL will be healthy enough to assume that role Monday night. Kirk Cousins, who has been limited in practice with a sprained right foot, has been cleared to play in the opener for the Redskins against Philadelphia.

The Jets have released an expansive Week 1 injury report. Those listed are as follows:

Out: Defensive end Quinton Coples (ankle), quarterback Mark Sanchez (shoulder).

Questionable: Defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (back), wide receiver Santonio Holmes (foot).

Probable: Linebacker Nick Bellore (oblique), offensive lineman Willie Colon (knee/shoulder), cornerback Antonio Cromartie (hip), defensive tackle Leger Douzable (illness), offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse (calf), wide receiver Clyde Gates (shoulder), linebacker David Harris (hip), wide receiver Stephen Hill (knee), tackle Ben Ijalana (knee), wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (finger), cornerback Ellis Lankster (foot/hamstring), cornerback Dee Milliner (Achilles), quarterback Matt Simms (calf/oblique), quarterback Geno Smith (ankle), tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) and offensive lineman Brian Winters (ankle).

The Vikings enter Week 1 with a pretty hefty list of injured players, though they are expected to have the majority of them available for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Of the 10 players listed on the injury report Friday, only defensive lineman Kevin Williams is expected to miss the game. The remainder are listed as probable despite their various injuries, as follows: quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (illness); defensive backs Chris Cook (groin), Harrison Smith (back) and Mistral Raymond (shoulder); linebackers Larry Dean (shoulder) and Erin Henderson (heel); defensive linemen Sharrif Floyd (knee) and Letroy Guion (finger); wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (back); and tackle Phil Loadholt (knee). 

Blaine Gabbert has been named the starting quarterback in Jacksonville. Now it must be determined if he will start the opener Sunday against Kansas City. His status remains cloudy as he continues to recover from a thumb injury sustained on Aug. 17. But he is increasing his work in practice, reports the Florida Times-Union.

"We're encouraged with what we saw from Blaine Gabbert," Gus Bradley said Friday. "I thought he took steps in the right direction, but it is too early."

Gabbert also expressed encouragement after stepping up his workload, but added that the 48 hours before kickoff will determine his playing status. Chad Henne would replace Gabbert for the Jaguars if he is unable to play.

No player in NFL history attempted more passes than Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford last season, as he chucked the ball up a record 727 times. And 93 of those attempts came in just two games against the Vikings last season, the team he faces to open the season in Week 1.

In a microcosm of his season, Stafford was up-and-down in two games against the Vikings. In Week 4, he threw for 319 yards on 51 attempts, while adding just one rushing touchdown and none through the air. He was better in a later matchup, tossing three touchdowns and 329 yards in Week 10, while throwing one interception.

Stafford's career against the Vikings is more like that latter matchup than the former, overall. He has faced his divisional rival six times, averaging 271.5 yards with 10 total touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Given his track record against Minnesota, Fantasy owners should consider Stafford a solid starting option in all formats for Week 1.