Redskins’ Jay Gruden expects Colt McCoy to start Sunday

Washington Redskins Coach Jay Gruden anticipates Colt McCoy will be sufficiently recovered from a neck injury in time to start Sunday against the New York Giants, adding that McCoy is “in the lead” above Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins despite coming off a subpar performance.

McCoy was officially listed as limited in practice Thursday and will need to receive a final medical clearance Friday, but Gruden thinks McCoy will get the go-ahead from the doctor.

“It’s pretty positive right now. … He looked fine today,” Gruden said.

McCoy sprained his neck when he was sacked in the fourth quarter of a 24-0 loss to the St. Louis Rams and could barely swivel his neck when speaking to reporters early this week, but he went through all of his throws with a normal motion during the portion of practice open to reporters Thursday. Gruden said McCoy took most of the snaps with the starting offense.

Griffin will start if McCoy can’t. Gruden had hinted earlier in the week that he might go with Griffin anyway in light of the offense’s poor output against the Rams, but the decision is yet another sign that Griffin’s days in Washington could be drawing to a close.

Asked whether the decision is based on which quarterback he needs to see in more game action to make a fuller evaluation, Gruden said he’s seen plenty from the trio.

“We’ve had looks at all three quarterbacks,” he said. “And based on what we’ve seen out at practice for the whole training camp and off-season, and the game situations, right now we feel like Colt is in the lead.”

Griffin and Cousins have each started five games this season; McCoy has started three.

Jets’ Amaro cleared after concussion

The New York Jets probably will have Jace Amaro back in the lineup at Tennessee. The rookie tight end fully practiced Thursday for the first time since suffering a concussion against the Buffalo Bills in Detroit nearly three weeks ago.

“I felt back to normal today,” Amaro said. “I’ll be playing Sunday.”

Amaro, who was cleared for physical activity after going through the NFL’s protocol for head injuries, was hurt during a kickoff return against the Bills on Nov. 24. Amaro is tied with Jeremy Kerley for second on the team with 34 receptions.

“I kind of felt like I could play last week, but things just didn’t work out that way,” Amaro said. “I feel really good for this week.”

Rookie linebacker Trevor Reilly was also cleared after suffering a concussion at Minnesota last Sunday, and fully practiced Thursday.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin sat out for a second straight day because of a sprained left ankle after saying he “definitely” thinks he’ll play.

“I know he’s optimistic and I hope he’s right,” Coach Rex Ryan said, “But I’m a lot less optimistic.”

Etc.

San Francisco defensive coordinator Vic Fangio expects outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks to return to the 49ers’ starting lineup Sunday at Seattle after his benching last week for missing a team meeting. … The Chicago Bears have placed middle linebacker D.J. Williams on injured reserve because of a neck injury and signed fullback Montell Owens.