As rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger preps for his first NFL start, he -- and the rest of us -- are still waiting to hear if a pair of Houston Texans defensive stars will be on the field to welcome him to the league. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney told ESPN he's ready to return from his knee injury and coach Bill O'Brien brushed off reports that linebacker Brian Cushing will sit out.
RGIII’s status still uncertain, Texans not sure about Jadeveon Clowney, Brian Cushing
Washington won’t decide if Griffin is active until Monday, Houston is awaiting word on a pair of defensive stars and the Bengals were once again without A.J. Green at practice.
Joe Sargent
“I’m the best I’m going to be this season, I feel like,” said Clowney, who hasn’t played since tearing his meniscus in Week 1. “Take it and go ahead and play football.”
Texans coaches haven’t confirmed that Clowney will play, but said that it will be on a limited basis if he does. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said the top draft pick will likely be confined to third downs, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
O’Brien said there is no truth to reports that Cushing has been benched this week to rest a bothersome knee, a rumor that has floated out of multiple sources. Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports Cushing will travel with the team to Nashville and be evaluated before the game.
Here’s more news from around the league:
RGIII’s status won’t be decided until Monday
For now at least, Colt McCoy is still Washington's Week 8 starter. Coach Jay Gruden said he won't announce whether Robert Griffin III will be active against the Dallas Cowboys until Monday, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post.
Gruden hinted on Wednesday that it could be Week 11 -- after the team’s bye week -- before we see RGIII.
“I would guarantee Tampa, most likely, unless something happens between now and then,” Gruden told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “You’ve got a good bye week, you’ve got a couple weeks to make sure [the ankle] is ready.”
It’s just all part of Washington’s new plan to only start backup quarterbacks, if you ask us.
A.J. Green misses practice again
For the seventh practice in a row, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green was a nonparticipant on Thursday, according to Pro Football Talk. The star hasn't played or practiced since leaving with an injured toe against the New England Patriots on Oct. 5.
Albert Breer of NFL Network reports that the Bengals are proceeding with caution in the wake of a similar injury to receiver Marvin Jones, who has yet to play this season after reportedly aggravating foot and ankle injuries while attempting to practice through them.
The Bengals had just 103 passing yards and didn't score a point with Green out of the lineup against the Indianapolis Colts last week.
Vincent Jackson not interested in being traded
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly been fielding trade offers for Vincent Jackson left and right, but the veteran wide receiver said he has no interest in leaving.
“I’m happy here in Tampa. I’ve heard nothing here that would suggest that I’m going anywhere,” Jackson told ESPN. “So I’m just going to let that pass on and keep doing my job.”
Rather than jumping ship for a playoff contender, Jackson said he’d prefer to stick around and help the 1-5 Bucs turn things around in Lovie Smith’s first year.
“I think bringing Lovie in and the staff that he’s brought and his mentality and his goals are aligned with mine and I think a lot of guys in this locker room. I hope for us to start the tradition here of winning football in Tampa Bay. I hope to stay in this uniform and this jersey and help bring that.”
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