Week 3 Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Friday

Sep 25, 2015

Saints QB Drew Brees (right shoulder, out) missed practice Friday after taking limited reps Thursday and is out for Week 3. Luke McCown will get the start in a bad matchup against the Panthers. The Carolina defense is the biggest beneficiary of this news, as the entire Saints offense is likely to take a step back without Brees under center. Even Mark Ingram is looking like a dicey play now that the Panthers can load up and stop the run.

Bears QB Jay Cutler (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 3. Cutler is supposed to miss at least two weeks with a bum hamstring. Jimmy Clausen will start against the Seahawks. Poor guy.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning (not injury related, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Manning will be out there against the Lions.

Browns QB Johnny Manziel (right elbow, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Josh McCown will get the start against the Raiders.

Browns QB Josh McCown (concussion, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. McCown will get the start against Oakland.

Jets QB Geno Smith (jaw, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Ryan Fitzpatrick will remain the starter.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (ribs, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Stafford is expected to play, but isn’t solid start against a tough Broncos defense. The Lions may have to throw the ball quite a bit because they’re going to have a tough time running the ball on Denver.