NFL report: Cardinals to start Ryan Lindley at quarterback

The Arizona Cardinals confirmed after Thursday’s practice that Ryan Lindley will start at quarterback in Saturday’s wild-card playoff game at Carolina.

The announcement was no surprise because Drew Stanton did not practice all week. Stanton, the starter after Carson Palmer went down with a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 9, will miss his third straight game with a sprained right knee.

Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green worked out lightly Thursday, a step toward being cleared for the Bengals’ playoff game at Indianapolis.

Green suffered a concussion during a loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday night that relegated Cincinnati to a wild-card berth. The Bengals play the Colts on Sunday.

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Detroit defensive tackle Nick Fairley took one significant step toward returning from his knee injury when he practiced with the Lions on Thursday.

Fairley hasn’t played since injuring his right knee in a win over Atlanta on Oct. 26. The Lions open the playoffs at Dallas on Sunday.

The Lions listed Fairley as limited Thursday. Coach Jim Caldwell said earlier in the week it would be a “miracle” if Fairley could play this weekend, but Fairley looked trim and active during the portion of practice open to reporters.

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Bill Polian told the Buffalo Bills thanks, but no thanks: He’s taking himself out of the running for a proposed front-office job with his former team.

Polian told the Associated Press he has elected to stay in broadcasting after informing Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula of his decision on Thursday. His decision followed several discussions with the Pegulas, who had gauged Polian’s interest in filling a newly created role overseeing the team’s football operations.

ESPN, for whom Polian works, first reported the development.

Polian’s announcement comes a day after Bills head coach Doug Marrone left the team by exercising the opt-out clause in his contract.

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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson took his search for the team’s new coach and general manager to Seattle on Thursday.

Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and assistant head coach-offensive line coach Tom Cable, along with former Buffalo coach Marrone, are on the Jets’ early list of candidates the New York owner will interview to replace the fired Rex Ryan.

Johnson was set to fly to Seattle on Thursday night, along with consultants Ron Wolf and Charley Casserly to meet this weekend with Quinn and Cable. While in Seattle, the three were expected to meet with Seahawks director of pro personnel Trent Kirchner to discuss New York’s general manager position, which opened when Johnson fired John Idzik along with Ryan on Monday.