NFL notes: Cardinals turn to Logan Thomas at quarterback
When he takes the field Sunday in San Francisco, Logan Thomas, the team’s fourth-round pick, will be Arizona’s fourth starting quarterback this season.
If St. Louis upsets Seattle, the Cardinals would win the NFC West with a victory over the 49ers.
Cards coach Bruce Arians said he’ll be watching that Rams-Seahawks score and make personnel decisions accordingly.
“We’ll just see how the games go,” Arians said.
So there could be a quarterback change in the second half?
“Yeah,” Arians said. “I mean everything is based on winning the game and then being smart.”
Barring upsets, Arizona will be the No. 5 seed in the NFC.
Shaw excited for chance to start for Browns
Connor Shaw will likely make his first career start for the Cleveland Browns, who lost Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer to injuries last week, in Baltimore on Sunday. Shaw has spent this season watching and learning on the practice squad.
The Browns placed Manziel on injured reserve Wednesday.
Manning intends to return for 18th season
Peyton Manning said he plans to return to the Denver Broncos in 2015 for his 18th NFL season.
Manning was asked if there was a set of circumstances that would lead him to retire.
He replied: “I have not thought about those circumstances at all. So, I certainly plan on being back, if the Broncos will have me. But at this point, I’m kind of thinking about Oakland.”
6 Giants fined by NFL for fight in Rams game
Odell Beckham and five other Giants were fined a total of $72,400 for their actions in Sunday’s melee-marred game in St. Louis.
PK Josh Brown, DT Cullen Jenkins, WR Preston Parker, DE Damontre Moore and long snapper Zak DeOssie reportedly were the other fined players.
Gano eager for another chance vs. Falcons
Graham Gano is hoping for another chance this Sunday against Atlanta. The veteran kicker missed a potential winning 46-yard attempt last month against the Falcons with 1:27 remaining and had a 63-yarder blocked as time expired. The Panthers lost 19-17.
Had Carolina won that game, it would have already clinched the NFC South division.
Instead, they need a win or tie at Atlanta to become the first team to repeat as NFC South champions.
Quick kicks
QB Andy Dalton was sent home from practice because he came down with the flu, the latest in a wave of the illness going through the team. The Cincinnati Bengals expect him to be fully recovered for Sunday night’s game against Pittsburgh that will decide the AFC North title. …San Diego RB Ryan Mathews did not practice and he could miss his third straight game Sunday. …Washington QB Robert Griffin was limited in practice with a sprained right shoulder. Coach Jay Gruden said Griffin is sore but doesn’t think the injury is serious enough to bring in another QB.