NFL Player News

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.”

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.