Redskins’ Kyle Shanahan challenges comments made by Donovan McNabb’s agent

Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan took his turn at the microphone Friday, challenging comments made by quarterback Donovan McNabb’s agent.

Not that Shanahan provided clarity. If anything, the situation became more confusing.

Shanahan said Fletcher Smith’s comments were “disturbing,” so he spoke “face-to-face, man-to-man” with McNabb on Thursday night at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. He said the 12-year veteran told him that the claims made by his agent were untrue.

Smith said in a statement Thursday that the “tension” between the quarterback and the Washington coaches was a result of McNabb’s suggestions for improving the Redskins’ offense.

“When I talked to Donovan, he said he didn’t say any of that,” Shanahan said during his weekly television interview on Comcast SportsNet. “I’m like, ‘Well, your agent did, which to me is you.’ He said he didn’t agree with any of that, that those words didn’t come out of his mouth and that he didn’t tell his agent that stuff. So all I can go off of is what Donovan tells me.

“We’ve never had a confrontation all year. We’ve never had an argument. Everything’s been good, so it is really a different situation to hear that stuff, but when I cleared it up with him, I’ve got to go with the reality of what two guys between us talk about.”

Smith said in a statement Thursday that Shanahan and his father, Coach Mike Shanahan, have made comments that go beyond disrespectful and that were “unprecedented for a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback such as Donovan.”

The agent stood by his comments Friday.

“Donovan and I talk constantly and have done so with more frequency during this season. We are absolutely on the same page. I stand by my statement and will reserve any further comments until after I have had a chance to speak, directly, with Coach Shanahan.” Smith said in a statement.

Among the claims made by Smith on Thursday was an allegation that, after the Redskins’ loss to Tampa Bay on Dec. 12, Kyle Shanahan said McNabb would never play for him again.

“Zero,” said Shanahan when asked if there was any truth to the assertion.

McNabb, 34, was listed as the No. 2 quarterback during the Redskins’ 33-30 loss to Dallas on Sunday and is expected to the No. 3 quarterback for Washington’s final two games.

Jones-Drew’s availability in doubt

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew sat out practice for the third consecutive day, raising doubts about his availability against Washington on Sunday.

Jones-Drew was listed as doubtful on Jacksonville’s injury report Friday, but Coach Jack Del Rio declined to reveal whether he expects his star to try to play against the Redskins.

Del Rio said the Jaguars would “monitor his condition throughout the weekend.”

Jones-Drew has dealt with knee problems for most of the season, but his right knee became more problematic after his sixth consecutive 100-yard game, Dec. 12 against Oakland. Jones-Drew sat out two days of practice last week, and Indianapolis held him to 46 yards on the ground.

Sanchez probable for Sunday’s game

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has a sore right shoulder, was listed as probable on New York’s injury report, and Coach Rex Ryan said he expects Sanchez to start at Chicago on Sunday.

“Today, I don’t think there was any question that he was out to say, ‘Hey, look, I’m fine,’ ” Ryan said. “He was. He threw it good. He never grimaced or anything else. He’s feeling good.”

Sanchez injured the shoulder during New York’s second drive in last week’s 22-17 win at Pittsburgh, but he finished the game. He was 19 of 29 for 170 yards passing and ran for a touchdown.

Sanchez insisted earlier in the week that he would be able to play Sunday, especially with the Jets (10-4) trying to secure a playoff spot with a win over the Bears (10-4).

Vikings list Favre as doubtful

Minnesota Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier said Brett Favre, who has a concussion, will be listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, leaving the door open for the 41-year-old quarterback to play against the Philadelphia Eagles.

A week ago, the Vikings listed Favre as “out” for the game against Chicago because of a sprained right shoulder. However, Favre was upgraded to questionable on the day of the game and ended up starting against the Bears, a development that did not sit well with Chicago Coach Lovie Smith.

Favre was knocked out of that game in the second quarter after he was sacked by Corey Wootton.

If Favre cannot play against Philadelphia, rookie Joe Webb will make his first career start.

Stafford put on injured reserve

The Detroit Lions put quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has a separated right shoulder, on injured reserve, a move that ends Stafford’s season.

Injuries limited Stafford to three games this season and 10 last season. Stafford injured the shoulder in the Lions’ first game of the season and later aggravated the injury.

That leaves Detroit (4-10) with two banged-up quarterbacks, Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton, along with rookie Zac Robinson. Coach Jim Schwartz has not said who will start Sunday at the Miami Dolphins.

Self-promotion

Michael Vick’s MVP pick? That would be Michael Vick.

Asked after practice Friday whom he would select if he had a vote, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback said, “You put me on the spot.” Then he added, smiling: “I would take … myself.”

Vick and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady are widely considered the top two candidates for the award, which has been won or shared by a quarterback in 17 of the last 23 seasons.

Brady leads the NFL with a 109.9 passer rating. In his last nine games, he has thrown for 21 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Patriots (12-2) have won 11 of their last 12.

Vick’s 103.6 passer rating is third-highest in the NFL and leads the NFC. He also has 613 yards rushing and has run for eight touchdowns — more than all but nine NFL running backs.

Etc.

The NFL fined sixteen players for illegal hits, eight in each conference. Atlanta defensive end Kroy Biermann was fined $15,000 for helmet-to-helmet contact on Seattle quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, and Cincinnati linebacker Dhani Jones was docked the same amount for the same infraction against Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy. Overall, seven players were fined for roughing the passer and three for flagrant fouls on defenseless receivers. Both areas are points of emphasis by the league this year. … Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said Marcus Trufant will be able to play against Tampa Bay. The cornerback left last week’s game against Atlanta because of back spasms. … Tennessee backup quarterback Chris Simms sat out practice because of an illness, but he is listed as probable for Sunday’s game at Kansas City.