NFL Player News

Jets coach Rex Ryan wouldn't say Tuesday who will start Thursday's preseason finale against the Eagles, according to the New York Daily News. With Mark Sanchez sidelined with a shoulder injury, the options are rookie Geno Smith, Greg McElroy or Matt Simms.

Ravens backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor passed part of his concussion testing and coach John Harbaugh said Taylor could play at St. Louis, assuming he is cleared. Joe Flacco won't play in the preseason finale, so it's an opportunity for Taylor to get substantial work.

Taylor got hurt in the fourth quarter of last Thursday's game against Carolina.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has played just 45 snaps this preseason, compared to an average of 80.4 from 2008-12, reports ESPN.com. “We have a plan to make sure he’s ready,” Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo said of Rodgers. “We’re going to keep him sharp on fundamentals. We have a plan in place.”

Rodgers took scout-team reps in practice Monday with several starters, including wideouts Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Rodgers isn't expected to play in the preseason finale.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert is expected to get the cast off his right thumb four days before the season opener, reports Sports Illustrated. Gabbert cracked a bone at the base of his thumb in the second preseason game against the Jets.

"Blaine is doing good," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley told the Florida Times-Union. "We anticipate him this week doing some ball things, not throwing but just gripping the ball so that's the next phase of his rehab. So you saw him out there, just like we said in the beginning, he was going to compete and run and do all the things and the calls and that's what he's doing now so we're optimistic."

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins returned to practice Monday, but he remained limited as he recovers from a sprained right foot.

"I felt good today -- probably about what I expected," Cousins said, per The Free Lance-Star. "I moved around pretty well. I was still favoring it, but it’s still just continuing to get better every day. I’ve got to get the point where I’m not favoring it at all."

Coach Mike Shanahan said it's unlikely Cousins will play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bucs.

"You can tell it’s much improved than it was a few days ago, but it would be a long shot for him to play in the game," Shanahan said.

Jets coach Rex Ryan declined to name a starter for the regular-season opener, even though <player idref= won't practice this week due to a shoulder injury. "I'm not going to put myself or anybody in a box," Ryan said. "When we're ready to name a starter, we will."

Rookie Geno Smith is expected to start Thursday against the Eagles.

With rookie EJ Manuel still recovering from a knee procedure, the Bills plan to start rookie Jeff Tuel in Week 1 against the Patriots, the team announced. Coach Doug Marrone said he still hoped Manuel would return in time, but the team is not counting on it.

Tuel completed 10 of 17 throws for 63 yards on Saturday against Washington. An undrafted free agent out of Washington State, Tuel was outstanding in the preseason opener, hitting 19 of 23 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Monday a majority of the starters won't play during Thursday's preseason finale against the Jets, which includes starting quarterback Michael Vick. Kelly said Nick Foles will get the start and Matt Barkley will also play.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (foot) returned to practice Monday. His status for Thursday's preseason finale at Tampa Bay hasn't been determined.

"I feel much better," he said. "I'm going to go out there (Monday) and see what I can do."

After a strong performance during Sunday's preseason game against the Vikings, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh tabbed Colt McCoy as the backup quarterback to starter Colin Kaepernick.

"I feel real good about Colt as the backup quarterback," Harbaugh said, per CSN Bay Area.

McCoy completed 11 of 15 passes for 109 yards. He did not have a touchdown and one interception, but McCoy is completing 60.7 percent of his passes (17 for 28) in three preseason games.

"Over the last week, I feel like things have come together," McCoy said Sunday. "I practiced really well. And, then, minus a couple exceptions, I felt I played well tonight. All that is confidence for me, moving forward. Was I ever scared or nervous? No, I wasn't worried about the situation. I was more concerned about me getting a grasp of what's going on. And I really think I'm on my way to a lot of improvement there."