Cardinals’ Drew Stanton could return this season, coach says

The Arizona Cardinals have taken another big injury hit, but it could have been worse.

Coach Bruce Arians said Friday that quarterback Drew Stanton will not require surgery on his injured right knee.

“We feel he definitely has a chance to be back this season,” the coach said. “We just don’t know when.”

Asked if there was any chance Stanton could play in the next game, a crucial NFC West showdown against Seattle on Dec. 21, Arians said, “I wouldn’t put it past him but I would be surprised.”

He would not specify what the injury is but multiple reports said Stanton has a sprained knee.

Arians said he hasn’t decided whether Ryan Lindley or rookie Logan Thomas would start in Stanton’s place.

McCoy given OK from doctor to play

Colt McCoy received the OK from the doctor to start Sunday against the New York Giants.

McCoy has been dealing with a sprained neck this week, but he was a full participant in Friday’s practice, getting all of the first-team snaps. He then went to see a specialist, who cleared him to play.

Coach Jay Gruden had indicated that the doctor’s approval would be a mere formality. Gruden said McCoy threw the ball fine with “no issues whatsoever” at practice.

McCoy sprained his neck in the fourth quarter of last week’s 24-0 loss to the St. Louis Rams. He is listed as questionable on the injury report.

Robert Griffin III was pegged to start if McCoy wasn’t cleared.

Etc.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews missed practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday’s game with the Denver Broncos. Mathews, who injured his ankle in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots, hasn’t practiced this week. ... Chris Harris Jr., who signed a $2,000 bonus as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011, has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Denver Broncos worth more than $42 million.