NFL Player News

The Jets are officially referring to the Mark Sanchez shoulder injury as day-to-day, but are internally worried he will be out longer, according to the NFL Network.

If the injury extends to the regular season, rookie Geno Smith will have won the position battle by default. Smith has shown flashes of his talent, but tossed three first-half interceptions Saturday against the Giants.

Among the injured Jaguars not playing Thursday night are linebacker Russell Allen (ankle), quarterback Blaine Gabbert (thumb), tight end Marcedes Lewis (calf), defensive back Chris Prosinski (concussion) and running back Justin Forsett (toe).

Bills quarterback Jeff Tuel, who has been thrust in as the temporary starter with E.J. Manuel and Kevin Kolb sidelined, might do nothing but watch his team host Detroit on Thursday night, according to the Buffalo News.

The Bills signed free agent Matt Leinart two days ago and traded for Thad Lewis for depth. It remains to be seen who will take the snaps under center against the Lions.

Buccaneers rookie quarterback Mike Glennon will start Thursday's game against the Redskins and play a significant amount, coach Greg Schiano said. He'll be followed by third-stringer Dan Orlovsky.

In three preseason games, Glennon is 26 of 54 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions.

Quarterback Luke McCown will start the Saints' final preseason game Thursday at Miami and play about a quarter, according to the team's website. Rookie Ryan Griffin will play the rest of the game.

Griffin, who went undrafted out of Tulane, is 17 for 28 passing for 182 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. He has not thrown an interception.

“He has handled this transition very well for a first-year player,” coach Sean Payton said. “He’s able to digest and spit out the terminology pretty fluidly and pretty quickly. I think that’s helped him. He’s got a demeanor that you would want at that position.”

Giants rookie Ryan Nassib will follow Eli Manning in the quarterback rotation Thursday at New England, reports the Star-Ledger. The fourth-round pick served as the third quarterback in the first two preseason games and didn't play last week against the Jets.

“I’ve been playing with (the second team) in practice, so I definitely have a little better feel with those guys than with some of the newer guys I’ve been with in the past,” Nassib told the paper. “I’m anxious and ready to get out there."

Nassib was under relentless pressure in his first two outings. He completed 3 of 10 passes for 77 yards while getting sacked four times.

Kellen Moore "has looked like a different player this summer, throwing confidently and with better velocity and accuracy," reports ESPN.com. The Lions' No. 3 quarterback "has improved enough to be considered a potential No. 2 quarterback behind Matthew Stafford as early as 2014," the report adds.

Shaun Hill, 33, is the current No. 2 quarterback and he's on the last year of his contract.

In three preseason games, Moore has hit 20 of 30 throws for 223 yards and two touchdowns without committing a turnover. Moore should get most of the snaps Thursday at Buffalo.

"He's a very improved player," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He has played well when given the opportunities and has improved a lot from over the course of the season last year, but then particularly in our offseason program and training camp. In all facets his understanding of our offense, his understanding of what defenses do, and also physically, he's improved."

Jets coach Rex Ryan reportedly plans to hold quarterback Geno Smith out of Thursday's preseason finale against the Eagles, according to NFL.com. The Jets plan to start Matt Simms against the Eagles, while Smith, Mark Sanchez and Greg McElroy all sit out.

Reggie Bush has caught 10 passes for 147 yards in the last two preseason games, and MLive.com expects that trend to continue once the games count. "We're setting the bar at 70 receptions and taking the over," the report said.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz projected Bush would catch 60-80 balls this season. Bush caught a career-high 88 passes as a Saints rookie in 2006, and has never caught fewer than 34.

"There's little doubt the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford view Bush as a top target," the report said.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who sustained a hairline fracture in his right (throwing) thumb on Aug. 17, told the Florida Times-Union that he's “still on schedule” to face Kansas City in the season opener. Gabbert is wearing a splint and has not gripped a football since he got hurt, the report said.

“We’ll know more tomorrow and in the next couple days,” he said. “It’s coming up quick.”

The plan is for Gabbert to have his splint removed Sept. 4, four days before the game. He knows he'll have to play with pain. “Of course it’s going to be painful but at the same time, you’re always playing with things, nicks, bumps, dings and bruises,” he said. “I’ll have to manage it.”

Gabbert added that he's “being very careful with what we’re doing and how we’re doing it and what I’m wearing on it. I just can’t have any setbacks from here on out.”