Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 38

Browns OC Kyle Shanahan said he was “a big fan” of Brian Hoyer’s coming out of Michigan State in 2009 and reviewed him again when New England let Hoyer go in 2012. By then, Shanahan had his hands full with RG3 and Kirk Cousins as rookies.

“I think Brian’s a very capable guy,” Shanahan said. “Everyone’s looking for one of those top five guys. If you’re not one of those top five guys, then odds are you’re trying to get replaced. Obviously, no one here has proven they are one of those top five guys.

“But he has shown he can play in this league. You’ve got to see what his ceiling is and how high a level he can reach. Everyone wants a franchise quarterback. I truly believe that’s the only way to have sustained success in this league. I’m not saying he is. But he hasn’t shown that he can’t be. So I’m looking forward to studying him more. It’s nice to be in this building so I can look at a lot of practice tape, also.”

Hoyer is atop the Cleveland depth chart at this point, but the Browns are expected to draft a QB early.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is officially out.

This is not surprising news given the way this week has gone. Owners waiting on Rodgers will have to continue to put a band aid on the QB position. Kirk Cousins, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Tannehill, Joe Flacco and Jason Campbell are all decent-to-good streaming options. Even Matt Flynn and Matt Cassel are worth consideration. Check our QB rankings to see how we believe these players will perform this week.

Kirk Cousins will replace Robert Griffin III at quarterback Sunday when the Washington Redskins face the Atlanta Falcons, a high-ranking team official confirmed to ESPN.com.

NFL Network, which had earlier reported Cousins would start, reported that Redskins players have been told that Griffin will be inactive for Sunday's game and veteran Rex Grossman would be the backup quarterback.

Coach Mike Shanahan raised the possibility Monday of benching Griffin for the last three regular-season games, citing 24 sacks in the past five games and the desire to keep him healthy for the offseason. Griffin's offseason work this year was compromised by the major knee injury he suffered in the team's playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks in January.

Cousins has one NFL start in his career -- Week 15 last year against the Browns in Cleveland. He threw for 329 yards on 26-of-37 passing with two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed three times for 22 yards. He was the #7 QB that week. He comes in at #19 in a nice matchup against the Falcons, though he carries some risk since the Redskins organization is a dysfunctional mess right now. Alfred Morris may see a few extra carries, but the defense won't have to respect Cousins' running ability as much, so they can key on Morris. Pierre Garcon looks like an upside WR2, while Jordan Reed -- if healthy -- isn't a bad option at tight end.

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins (foot) took full practice reps again Friday.

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins (foot) took full practice reps Thursday.

The Washington Redskins still await word on Robert Griffin III's status for the season opener. But there doesn't appear to be any question as to whether backup Kirk Cousins will be ready.

"No doubt at all," Cousins said.

Cousins sprained his right foot in the Redskins' preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 19. X-rays and an MRI ruled out torn ligaments as well as a Lisfranc injury.

Cousins participated in practice Monday but said he's still not 100 percent when it comes to rolling out or quick changes of direction, the story said. If RGIII doesn't play, Cousins may actually be an emergency, QB2 option against what's been a very poor Eagles secondary.

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins' MRI on his foot was negative, source tells FOX Sports. Expected back for season opener. May play next week.

The Redskins need the insurance of Cousins, even with Robert Griffin III expected to be ready for Week 1 as well. It's a good matchup for either QB against an Eagles defense that isn't supposed to be very good. If for some reason neither QB could play, Rex Grossman would get the call.

Kirk Cousins got his second start of the preseason because Redskins franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in January.

With 11:50 left in the second quarter of the Monday Night game against the Steelers, Cousins dropped back to pass, didn't find any receivers open, and took off running towards the sidelines. Except Pittsburgh linebacker Lawrence Timmons beat him to it, tackling the second-year quarterback by the ankles.

Cousins limped back to the huddle before sitting down in the middle of the field and pointing to his right foot. He eventually hobbled to the bench where he was examined by the Redskins' medial staff.

Cousins didn't return to the game, but the team announced at halftime that X-rays of Cousins' right foot were negative - and it was diagnosed as a mid-foot sprain. With Robert Griffin III out of the preseason, most likely, the team went to veteran Rex Grossman. That's not a direction they want to go in come Week 1...