NFL Player News

EJ Manuel's speedy recovery from mid-August knee surgery has bumped Bills rookie Jeff Tuel from starting Week 1 vs. New England. The Bills made the announcement Wednesday morning Manuel will start Sunday.

The Jets announced Wednesday rookie Geno Smith will start Week 1 against the Bucs. It will be just the second time in franchise history a rookie starts in the opener.

"We're going to go with Geno Smith as our quarterback and we are excited about that,” head coach Rex Ryan said, per NFL.com.

Ryan added the Jets stand behind the second-round pick, who threw for 11,662 yards and 98 touchdowns in his career at West Virginia. 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.

"I know the entire team is confident," Ryan said. "We are definitely confident that Geno's out there and I think all of our guys are looking forward to see what he can do. It's a tough test going against (Darrelle) Revis and two Pro Bowl safeties. It's going to be a test, but it's one we're excited about."

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be seeking revenge against the reigning NFC Champions San Francisco at Candlestick Park in the opening week of the season.

Rodgers faced the 49ers twice last season, including in the NFC Divisional playoffs when the Packers were eliminated. He completed 26 of 39 passes for 257 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. 

Rodgers threw for 250-plus yards and two-plus touchdowns in each of his meetings against San Francisco. He has a solid track record against the 49ers, averaging 315 passing yards with a total of seven touchdowns and one interception in three regular season games.

Rodgers has posted a quarterback rating of 100 or more in four consecutive seasons, which is tied with Hall of Famer Steve Young for the longest streak. He is fresh off a contract extension in the offseason that made him the highest paid player in NFL history and should be clicking at all cylinders for the opener. He should be viewed as a must-start Fantasy quarterback for the opening week of the season.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has a tough matchup against the Bears.

Chicago limited quarterbacks to just 1.12 touchdowns per game last year, ranking them sixth. They also were effective with turnovers, leading the league with 24 interceptions. While the team turned over their coaching staff in the offseason, most of the key defensive players remained. The Bears are also expected to run a similar scheme this year.

There's a lot of excitement about the Bengals offense this season, but they'll be tested in their first game. 

Jets coach Rex Ryan said he'll update quarterback Mark Sanchez's status Wednesday. Numerous reports indicate Sanchez will miss the opener with a shoulder injury, meaning rookie Geno Smith would start against Tampa Bay.

Bills wide receiver T.J. Graham said the receivers were unaffected by quarterbacks EJ Manuel and Jeff Tuel splitting reps during practice Monday. Bills coach Doug Marrone hasn't confirmed who will start at quarterback Week 1 against the Patriots.

"As long as we run our right depth and run the right route and as long as the quarterback puts the ball where it’s supposed to be it doesn’t matter who is throwing it," Graham said, per NFL.com. "As long as Jeff is ready if EJ is not ready, or if EJ is ready, whoever is throwing the ball we all have to make sure that we’re ready and be prepared to adjust to it whenever the time comes."

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford faces a difficult opening matchup: the Cardinals allowed an average of 12.5 Fantasy points to opposing QBs last year, tied for fewest in the NFL.

Bradford threw a pair of touchdowns in each meeting with Arizona last year, but completed less than 50 percent of his throws and averaged 173 yards passing. He's got better weapons this year, a stronger offensive line, and for the first time in his career he didn't have to learn a new system. The fourth-year pro put together an encouraging preseason, averaging a whopping 10.2 yards per attempt.

Still, Bradford is only an option in two-QB leagues this week.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's shoulder injury is worse than the team is letting on, and he could miss a month, reports ESPN.com. Still, rookie Geno Smith has not gotten official word that he's starting Sunday's opener against Tampa Bay.

Bills quarterback EJ Manuel practiced for a second straight day Monday, splitting first-team reps with undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel. Manuel had minor knee surgery Aug. 18 but is making a case to start Sunday's opener against New England.

Coach Doug Marrone says he'll decide Wednesday whether Manuel, the No. 16 overall pick, can play.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (thumb) returned to practice Monday and was able to grip the ball and throw, according to the team's website. The wrap on his thumb is set to come off Wednesday.

Coach Gus Bradley said Gabbert is on schedule and that Wednesday "will be a big day." If Gabbert doesn't have any setbacks, he'll start Sunday against the Chiefs.