NFL Player News for Week 8 - Thursday Edition

**LT Profits** · 10-23-14, 07:34 AM

Players from Chargers and Broncos are in bold.

Quarterback

QB Matt Ryan (ATL) was sacked five times as the team's offensive line continues to struggle with injuries and poor play. "We had way too much pressure," head coach Mike Smith said. "Our quarterback was hit and sacked way too much. There were times where we really didn't have a chance to get the play off, and that's very difficult for a quarterback, and we have to do better with our protection."

QB Jay Cutler (CHI) threw an interception and fumbled twice in the team's Week 7 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Cutler has turned the ball over multiple times in all four of the team's losses this year, but he hasn't turned the ball over once in any of the team's three wins.

QB Brian Hoyer (CLE) is still the team's starting quarterback even though he struggled in Week 7, according to head coach Mike Pettine.

QB Johnny Manziel (CLE) could see some action in Week 8 against the Oakland Raiders, according to head coach Mike Pettine. However, Pettine said Monday, Oct. 20, that Brian Hoyer is still firmly entrenched as the team's starting quarterback. Hoyer completed a career-low 39 percent of his attempts against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7 and threw for 215 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He has completed only 41.3 percent of his passes in the last two weeks. Pettine blamed Hoyer's poor performance on the team's inability to run and set up play-action.

QB Peyton Manning (DEN) threw his third touchdown of the first half of Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers to Demaryius Thomas in the second quarter. It was the 509th touchdown pass of Manning's career, as he moved into the top spot in NFL history for career touchdown passes. Manning added another touchdown later in the game.

QB Josh McCown (TB) returned to practice Monday, Oct. 20, and was reportedly throwing well.

QB Jake Locker (TEN) is expected to be back in Week 8. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Sunday, Oct. 19, that Locker's hand was still sore this week. Charlie Whitehurst started in his absence in Week 7 against Washington.

QB Zach Mettenberger (TEN) Jake Locker will start at quarterback when he's healthy, according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt. Charlie Whitehurst has filled in for Locker twice this year, but buzz continues to mount for Zach Mettenberger, the team's sixth-round draft pick this year. "We're trying to get him better as we go, knowing with the way it's gone for us at quarterback this year that's something that could happen at any time," Whisenhunt said. Whisenhunt doesn't sound concerned about playing Mettenberger too soon, either.

QB Kirk Cousins (WAS) was benched in favor of Colt McCoy in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans. After the game, head coach Jay Gruden said Sunday, Oct. 19, that a decision on the starting quarterback for Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys will be made during the week. It's uncertain if Robert Griffin III (returning from an injured ankle) is an option.

QB Robert Griffin III (WAS) is expected to be put through a rigorous workout Wednesday, Oct. 22, that will give team officials a better idea of where he's at in his recovery. Griffin has already joined practices for stretching, warm-ups, individual drills and limited handoffs with the scout team. Head coach Jay Gruden has said he'd like to have Griffin log at least two weeks of practice before returning to a starting role. As of Tuesday, Griffin had not be ruled out for Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys, but he has a long way to go in order to be ready, according to head coach Jay Gruden. Gruden said Griffin must be 100 percent in order to play.

QB Colt McCoy (WAS) would start this week if Robert Griffin III (ankle) is unable to play, according to head coach Jay Gruden. "It's a good sign the way Colt finished the game, ran the offense," Gruden said, alluding to his poise and efficiency in engineering the game-winning touchdown drive on the last possession, which started with 3 minutes and 14 seconds remaining. "Very smart and very efficient. Did some good things."

Running Back

RB Andre Ellington (ARI) has sore ribs but no structural damage, according to head coach Bruce Arians.

RB Bryce Brown (BUF) was inactive for the seventh time this season in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings. However, with injuries to Fred Jackson (groin) and C.J. Spiller (collarbone), head coach Doug Marrone said Sunday, Oct. 19, that he would "have no problem bringing up Bryce."

RB Anthony Dixon (BUF) was pressed into duty in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings due to injuries to Fred Jackson (groin) and C.J. Spiller (collarbone). Dixon finishes with 13 carries for 51 yards, and he added three receptions for 15 yards. Dixon will get a chance to make his mark next week, along with Bryce Brown, although they draw the tough Jets run defense.

RB Fred Jackson (BUF) had an MRI Sunday, Oct. 19, and he will be out at least two weeks due to the groin injury he suffered in the Week 7 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson said his adductor longus pulled off the bone about a centimeter, and he felt a pop. The injury is typically a four-week injury, but surgery not required.

RB C.J. Spiller (BUF) underwent surgery Monday, Oct. 20, to repair the broken collarbone he suffered in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Doug Marrone said Sunday, Oct. 19, that Spiller will be out "an undetermined time." The Bills placed Spiller on short-term Reserve/Injured Tuesday, Oct. 21.

RB DeAngelo Williams (CAR) will reportedly return to practice Wednesday, Oct. 22.

RB Ben Tate (CLE) Running backs Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell, and Terrance West were held to 69 yards on 33 carries in Week 7, and head coach Mike Pettine suggested a change was coming for the trio. "We'll have a discussion this week as to how to best rotate those guys," Pettine said.

RB Terrance West (CLE) was benched Sunday, Oct. 19, after failing to pick up a first down in two short-yardage situations. He had room to run on both carries but danced in the hole on one carry and ran into his lineman on the other.

RB DeMarco Murray (DAL) is the first played in NFL history with over 100 rushing yards in each of his first seven games to begin a season, surpassing Hall of Fame RB Jim Brown.

RB Montee Ball (DEN) did not practice on Tuesday.

RB Kapri Bibbs (DEN) was attracting interest from other teams on the practice squad, and the Broncos elevated him to their active roster because they didn't want to lose him to another team. The move reflects more on outside interest for Bibbs than it has anything to do with replacing Juwan Thompson, who has been dealing with a sore knee. Thompson was able to practice Monday, Oct. 20.

RB Juwan Thompson (DEN) practiced fully on Tuesday.

RB Toby Gerhart (JAX) is progressing from a foot injury that has caused him to miss the last two games. His status will be updated Wednesday, Oct. 22.

RB Denard Robinson (JAX) rushed 22 times for 127 yards in the Week 7 game Sunday, Oct. 19. He was the team's first 100-yard rusher in almost a calendar year. Head coach Gus Bradley was somewhat vague when asked if Robinson would keep the featured back role. "Yeah, I think so. We'll look at the film. He did a good job and we hope to get Toby (Gerhart) back," Bradley said.

RB Pierre Thomas (NO) is expected to miss two to three weeks due to a shoulder injury, according to sources.

RB Darren Sproles (PHI) returned to practice Tuesday, Oct. 21.

RB LeVeon Bell (PIT) became the first running back in team history to start the year with seven straight games of 100 yards of total offense. Bell ran 12 times for 57 yards and caught eight passes for 88 yards and a touchdown in the team's Week 7 win over the Houston Texans Monday, Oct. 20.

RB Donald Brown (SD) did not practice on Tuesday.

RB Ryan Mathews (SD) did not practice on Tuesday.

RB Derrick Coleman (SEA) suffered a broken foot in pregame workouts before the Week 7 game against the St. Louis Rams.

RB Zac Stacy (STL) did not have any touches in the Week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams used a combination of Tre Mason -who had 85 rushing yards and a touchdown - and Benny Cunningham - who led the team with 46 receiving yards and a score.

Wide Receiver

WR Brandon Marshall (CHI) called out Jay Cutler in a heated locker room discussion after the team's Week 7 loss against the Miami Dolphins, a source said Sunday, Oct. 19. The source said there "are some very selfish individuals in the locker room." But it's not out of the ordinary for Marshall to strongly voice his opinion to Cutler, as the two are close friends off the field. Marshall also reportedly yelled at PK Robbie Gould.

WR A.J. Green (CIN) has made significant progress in his rehab from his toe injury, according to head coach Marvin Lewis. Green, however, said his return from a toe injury is "still up in the air" heading into Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens. However, Green said he's making nice progress, and his toe feels much better. Green hasn't played since Week 5 against the New England Patriots. "It's probably not going to be 100 percent," Green said. "I hope it's just manageable and I can get through the season and be fine and still play at a high level."

WR Calvin Johnson (DET) would not give any indication whether he would play in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. After the Week 7 game Sunday, Oct. 19, he simply said, "maybe" as he was asked about his playing status next week.

Johnson will only return in Week 8 against the Falcons if he's 100 percent healthy, according to head coach Jim Caldwell. "It's not going to be a thing of degrees," Caldwell said. "When they say he's cleared, he's ready to go and he's feeling great, when they doctors say, OK, that's when it's going to happen. It's not going to be a whole lot of in between." Johnson has missed six straight practices.

WR Reggie Wayne (IND) Wayne's elbow injury isn't believed to be serious, but it could cause him to miss a game or two, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Head coach Chuck Pagano hasn't revealed the results of Wayne's MRI exams, however. Wayne said his injury wasn't serious after the Week 7 win. He finished the game against the Cincinnati Bengals with just four catches for 15 yards, and he had two drops.

WR Greg Jennings (MIN) said he's on schedule and hopes to play after the team's bye this week. He'll start running this week

WR Percy Harvin (NYJ) Harvin's role on offense will depend on how fast he can learn the playbook, according to head coach Rex Ryan. Ryan said Harvin will return kicks for the team.

WR Jeremy Kerley (NYJ) officially signed a four-year, $16 million extension Tuesday, Oct. 21. Kerley will receive $5.4 million of guaranteed money. He has 22 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown this year.

WR Steve Johnson (SF) did not practice on Tuesday.

WR Vincent Jackson (TB) Jackson's name came up over the weekend in reports that the team was fielding phone calls from interested teams, but head coach Lovie Smith said Monday, Oct. 20, that the team isn't interested in trading their star receiver.

Tight End

TE Owen Daniels (BAL) was targeted by Joe Flacco nine times Sunday, Oct. 19, and caught six balls for 58 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. Daniels is second on the team with 27 catches, 275 yards and three touchdowns. "He makes catches in traffic," Flacco said. "He obviously has held onto the ball a lot of times while getting hit by two guys, even one in the end zone. So, yes, I have a lot of confidence throwing to him."

TE Dwayne Allen (IND) said he is still working his way back to pre-injury form, but he looks a lot better than he did in training camp, according to beat writer Stephen Holder. Allen has 33 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns thus far.

TE Jimmy Graham (NO) played 30 offensive snaps (41 percent of the offense) in Week 7 Sunday, Oct. 19. He was targeted twice but was shut out in the loss to the Detroit Lions.

TE Ladarius Green (SD) hasn't seen his role expand this year after head coach Mike McCoy expected him to earn a much bigger role in the offense in the offseason. Green wasn't thrown to at all in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs after being featured extensively against them last year.

TE Zach Miller (SEA) will not be able to play in Week 8.

TE Luke Willson (SEA) may be able to play in Week 8, according to head coach Pete Carroll.

Kicker

PK Brandon McManus (DEN) did not practice on Tuesday.

Offensive Line

OL Baltimore Ravens (BAL) LS Morgan Cox suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons and he is lost for the year.

OL San Diego Chargers (SD) T D.J. Fluker practiced fully on Tuesday.

G Rich Ohrnberger did not practice on Tuesday.

OL San Francisco 49ers (SF) C Daniel Kilgore will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken bone in his left leg during the team's Week 7 game. Marcus Martin is expected to take over the starting center role.

Defensive Tackle

DT Phil Taylor (CLE) is expected to miss his third straight game in Week 8 after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Oct. 8.

Defensive End

DE Glenn Foster (NO) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Monday, Oct. 20.

Inside Linebacker

ILB Rey Maualuga (CIN) is expected to miss a few weeks because of his hamstring injury.

ILB Paul Posluszny (JAX) will be placed on the Reserve/Injured list after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 7.

ILB Kavell Conner (SD) practiced fully on Tuesday.

ILB Manti Teo (SD) did not practice on Tuesday.

Outside Linebacker

OLB Vontaze Burfict (CIN) did not suffer a concussion in the team's Week 7 game but did suffer a neck injury, according to a team official. Burfict has suffered two concussions this season and has been able to finish only one game this season.

OLB Akeem Ayers (NE) and a seventh-round draft pick were traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick Tuesday, Oct. 21.

OLB Jeremiah Attaochu (SD) partially participated in Tuesday's practice.

OLB Aldon Smith (SF) was given a nine-game suspension for multiple violations of league policies before the season began. According to multiple sources, there's a chance the suspension could be lifted a game or two early.

OLB Brian Orakpo (WAS) will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right pectoral muscle.

Cornerback

CB Brandon Carr (DAL) strained his hamstring in Week 7 against the New York Giants. Carr still played every defensive snap and should be able to play Monday, Oct. 27, against the Washington Redskins.

CB Omar Bolden (DEN) suffered a concussion in the team's Week 7 game and is going through the concussion protocol.

CB Omar Bolden (DEN) did not practice on Tuesday.

CB Chris Harris (DEN) practiced fully on Tuesday.

CB Brandon Flowers (SD) did not practice on Tuesday.

CB Jason Verrett (SD) partially participated in Tuesday's practice.

CB Steve Williams (SD) partially participated in Tuesday's practice.

Safety

S Quinton Carter (DEN) practiced fully on Tuesday.

S T.J. Ward (DEN) practiced fully on Tuesday.

S Usama Young (OAK) will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn medial collateral ligament in Week 7, according to a source.

General Team News

TM St. Louis Rams (STL) The St. Louis Rams waived wide receiver Austin Pettis Monday, Oct. 20.

Source: footballguys.com

**LT Profits** · 10-23-14, 07:36 AM

San Diego Charger backers note the state of their secondary vs. Peyton. If Verrett cannot go, it could get ugly.

**LT Profits** · 10-23-14, 07:41 AM

Chargers CB Brandon Flowers was forced from San Diego's Week 7 game against the Chiefs with a concussion, and will not return.

Flowers put a huge second-quarter hit on Jamaal Charles at the goal-line, but ended up taking the worst of it. Amazingly, Flowers was briefly allowed to continue playing before being pulled. He was officially ruled out in the third quarter.

The short week may not allow Flowers enough time to pass the NFL concussion protocol in order to suit up.

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Chargers CB Jason Verrett (shoulder) is expected to miss Thursday's Week 8 game against the Broncos.

The short week isn't doing the Chargers' improved secondary any favors. Verrett will likely miss his second straight game, and fellow CB Brandon Flowers suffered a concussion on Sunday. It's not a good time for Peyton week.

**Chi_archie** · 10-23-14, 08:58 AM

good stuff LT

**LT Profits** · 10-23-14, 06:15 PM

Verrett is ACTIVE for San Diego.

**jjgold** · 10-23-14, 06:43 PM

it seems by game time many of these guys play

hard to say how injuries come into play with lines in nfl

**lagoonlife** · 10-24-14, 01:08 AM

Thanks for the condensed updates OP.

Hopefully Calvin Johnson plays this week.

**Wrigley** · 10-24-14, 03:37 PM

Thanks again LT