Wednesday NFL Buzz: Redskins await word on Josh Norman, Jordan Reed
Check back throughout the day for all the latest quick-hit news:
Redskins' cornerbacks limited
ASHBURN, Va. – A.J. Green may be smelling blood in the water on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Washington Redskins all-pro cornerback Josh Norman was on the practice field Wednesday – though his participation was limited – just three days after suffering a concussion during Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions. Washington's other top corner, Bashaud Breeland, was also limited Wednesday by a lingering ankle injury that has kept him out of two of the team's previous four games.
Green, the Cincinnati Bengals' Pro Bowl receiver, leads the AFC with 775 receiving yards and has exceeded 160 in three games this season. The Bengals play the Redskins on Sunday in London.
"A.J.'s been pretty effective against just about any corner he's ever gone against," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Wednesday while suggesting the Redskins might have to get creative to stop the wideout regardless of the circumstances.
Gruden emphasized this kind of matchup is why they broke the bank to acquire Norman in the offseason but tried to convince reporters that the team could come up with effective alternate schemes if he can’t play.
"A.J.'s a different animal,” said Gruden, who definitely knows what he’s up against after serving as Green’s offensive coordinator in Cincinnati for three seasons.
Norman is scheduled to see an independent neurologist Thursday, and Gruden said that visit should determine whether he's on the flight to Great Britain later in the day.
Besides Norman, the team is also waiting on word if tight end Jordan Reed clears protocol in time to accompany the team to London.
- Nate Davis
Browns QB McCown cleared
Cleveland Browns QB Josh McCown has been cleared to play, but coach Hue Jackson said Wednesday he wants to wait to see more from the veteran before deciding whether to start him Sunday vs. the New York Jets.
McCown had been sidelined since breaking his collarbone in Week 2.
Cody Kessler, who started Week 7's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, remains in the concussion protocol.
Lions get key players back
Red-hot Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is about to get two of his favorite weapons back.
Running back Theo Riddick and tight end Eric Ebron returned to practice today, and both could be back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans (1 p.m., Fox).
Riddick missed the last two weeks with a sprained ankle, while Ebron sat out three straight games with knee and ankle injuries.
The Lions won all three games, improving to 4-3 overall.
Ebron caught 18 passes in the Lions' first four games, while Riddick ranked among the team leaders with 26 receptions and four touchdowns at the time of his injury.
- Dave Birkett, The Detroit Free Press
Broncos RB to be checked again for knee injury
Running back C.J. Anderson is currently seeking a second medical opinion on a right knee injury suffered during the game Monday night against the Houston Texans.
There is hope the injury could be minor in nature, although it’s also possible he could miss an extended period.
Either way, the Broncos may be without their starting running back and leading rusher against the Chargers.
On the final play of the first quarter Monday night, Anderson cut right during an 11-yard gain and after he was tackled he wound up staying down and clutching his knee, even though there wasn’t contact in the knee area.
Impressively, Anderson played three more quarters on that damaged knee, gaining 84 more yards on 14 more carries. He finished with 107 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown in the Broncos’ 27-9 win against Houston on Monday night.
— Mike Klis, KUSA
Lewis set to return?
Running back Dion Lewis is expected to return to Patriots’ practice this week, NFL Network reports.
Lewis is recovering from a torn ACL in his knee and is on the Patriots’ PUP list. Once he hits the practice field, the team has 21 days to activate him.
LeGarrette Blount and James White have handled the bulk of the running back duties so far for the Patriots.
Players of the week
Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi won his second straight AFC offensive player of the week honor. He has rushed for more than 200 yards in back-to-back games.
Giants safety Landon Collins, who had two interceptions against the Rams including a pick six, was named NFC defensive player of the week.
Eagles kicker returner Josh Huff won NFC special teams player of the week. He returned a kick for a TD against the Vikings.