NFL Player News

After Bills quarterback EJ Manuel returned to a limited practice Sunday, coach Doug Marrone said the first-round pick is ahead of schedule but that the team will decide Wednesday who starts the opener. "He looked good and we were excited about it," Marrone said. "We'll see how it goes later this week."

Manuel participated in individual drills Sunday and is expected to join team drills Monday. Undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel would face the Patriots if Manuel, coming back from knee surgery, isn't ready.

"I definitely want to be back and help the team," Manuel said.

Bills quarterback EJ Manuel returned to practice Sunday, increasing the likelihood he'll start the season opener over undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel. Manuel underwent minor knee surgery on Aug. 18.

All along, coach Doug Marrone said the team was hopeful its first-round pick would make it back but was preparing Tuel for the start. Manuel will have to prove he's healthy in practice this week to start next Sunday against the Patriots.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford rarely threatened defenses deep in his first three seasons, finishing 30th (5.95), 32nd (6.06) and 26th (6.72) in yards per attempt, according to ESPN.com. If the preseason is any indication, Bradford will use his improved receiving corps -- including Jared Cook, Tavon Austin and Chris Givens -- to go vertical a lot more often.

Among projected starters, Bradford tied for second this preseason in yards per attempt at 10.2. "What will happen in the regular season remains to be seen, but there are certainly signs that the offense is indeed moving in the direction of one that will be more aggressive and take more chances," the report said.

The San Diego Chargers released 11 players Saturday and have reached the league-mandated 53-man maximum on the roster. The players cut Saturday are as follows: Tackle Nick Becton; Linebacker Frank Beltre; Tight End Ben Cotton; Cornerback Marcus Cromartie; Defensive End Logan Harrell; Running Back Michael Hill; Cornerback Josh Johnson; Linebacker Thomas Keiser; Wide Receiver Robert Meachem; Center David Molk; and Tight End David Rolf.

The Buffalo Bills made more cuts Saturday in order to get the roster down to 53 players. The following players were released on Saturday: DE Jamie Blatnick, DE Izaan Cross, QB Thad Lewis, LB Bryan Scott and DT Torell Troup. These players will likely be signed to the practice squad or sign on with another team.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez might not be wearing a Jets uniform much longer, according to the New York Daily News, which is reporting that general manager John Idzik and Rex Ryan now deem him a full-time backup even after he recovers from his shoulder injury.

That would leave rookie Geno Smith as the starter despite a three-interception performance in the third preseason game.

Original reports claimed that Ryan preferred Sanchez, thereby clashing with the view of Idzik. But the Daily News is now claiming they are on the same page and that they have both grown weary of the veteran's inconsistency and mistakes in the red zone.

Unless Sanchez is released, no decision on his fate must be made immediately. His shoulder is unlikely to be healthy until beyond the opener and possibly well into September.

The Bills have placed injured quarterback Kevin Kolb on the season-ending injured reserve list, a league source told WGR 550 AM radio in Buffalo.

Kolb, who signed with the Bills in the offseason, suffered a concussion in the team's third preseason game that could potentially end his career. Undrafted rookie quarterback Jeff Tuel is expected to start Week 1 against the Patriots if EJ Manuel is not ready to return from knee surgery.

And the winner is ... nobody!

That could be the result of the Jets' quarterback derby, Rex Ryan told the Star-Ledger. Ryan offered that he might not declare a winner. It could actually be a moot point if Mark Sanchez (shoulder) is out for extended time, the possibility of which seems to be growing.

Geno Smith had a chance to wrest the job away from Sanchez, but tossed three interceptions and committed other rookie mistakes in the third preseason game. He will most certainly start the regular season opener if Sanchez is not ready to return, despite the surprisingly strong performance by third-stringer Matt Simms on Thursday night.

Ravens tight end Ed Dickson (hamstring), quarterback Tyrod Taylor (concussion) and wide receiver Deonte Thompson (chest) were all held out of Thursday's preseason finale against the Rams. The Ravens will open the season at Denver on Sept. 5.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins was held out of Thursday's preseason finale against the Buccaneers as precautions, as he continues to nurse a sprained right foot. Cousins was limited in practice because of the injury, but should be ready to backup Robert Griffin III on Week 1 against the Eagles.