Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Thursday that he plans to start Colt McCoy for a third straight game on Sunday at the New York Giants if the quarterback’s sprained neck allows.

McCoy was hurt in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s loss to St. Louis.

Robert Griffin III will get the nod over Kirk Cousins against the Giants if McCoy can’t go. However, Gruden said that he doesn’t need more game action to evaluate the struggling Griffin, the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The team also announced rookie offensive tackle Morgan Moses was placed on injured reserve with a lisfranc injury suffered in practice Wednesday that will require surgery.

—Cleveland Browns rookie Johnny Manziel had better be ready to deal with taunts and that attention that he’ll likely receive as the starting quarterback. hat will be the message for the next few days from coach Mike Pettine.

Asked if he plans to talk with Manziel about his actions on the field, Pettine said, “Sure, and I’m sure I’ll talk with him as the game gets closer. It’s something he’s faced. It’s not anything new coming into the NFL for him.”

Pettine announced Tuesday that Manziel would make his first start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

—Two days after escaping serious injury in an auto accident, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton returned to the team’s practice facility on Thursday saying he was thankful to be alive.

Newton suffered two transverse process fractures in his back during the collision on Tuesday near Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. His pickup truck rolled over and was severely damaged.

“I’m looking at this truck and thinking someone’s supposed to be dead,” Newton told reporters.

Newton has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Backup Derek Anderson will start in his place.

—Stephen Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are plotting their future, and coach Jason Garrett is a key figure in what’s ahead.

Jones, the team’s COO and the son of owner Jerry Jones, said the Cowboys will plan to discuss a new contract with Garrett at the end of the season. Dallas clinched a winning record for the first time in Garrett’s career and will play at Philadelphia in a game that will decide first place in the NFC East with two weeks remaining.

—New York Jets owner Woody Johnson wants a winner in New York, even if it means starting over next season.

Johnson said he is undecided but giving daily thought about the direction the Jets will take in January. The Jets are 2-11 and fans are publicly calling for change. Johnson is contemplating his next call as his team limps across the finish line. Their final two games are against the top two teams in the AFC East, New England and Miami.

If Ryan sticks around, which would be considered an upset in the Big Apple, general manager John Idzik becomes the presumptive fall guy.

—The Chicago Bears signed fullback Montell Owens and placed linebacker D.J. Williams on injured reserve with a neck injury on Thursday.

Williams started 10 games for the Bears this season and had 73 tackles, one pass breakup and two quarterback pressures. In 10 NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos and Bears, Williams has started 129 games and has 998 tackles, 22 1/2 sacks, two interceptions, 42 pass breakups, 15 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

Owens has 292 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 56 carries, 12 receptions for 132 yards and 74 special-teams tackles in nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions.