NFL report: British official pushes for team in London

Britain’s treasury chief pushed his case Friday for placing a permanent NFL franchise in London, saying he hoped the league would move a team to the capital within the next five years.

“The real prize, the touchdown for London, would be to get a team based here,� Chancellor George Osborne said after a meeting with league executives, team owners and former star players. “I want London to be the global sporting capital.�

The meeting came on the same day that the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets arrived in London ahead of their game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. It’s the first of three NFL games in London this season.

“I am supporting the NFL to bring one of their 32 teams to London permanently and will work with them to make this happen,� Osborne said. “Hopefully it is something we could achieve in the next few years, maybe four or five years’ time.�

QB updates

Drew Brees is expected to return as starter for New Orleans against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night in the Superdome, Saints Coach Sean Payton said Friday.

“We’re planning on starting him, based on the work week,� Payton said after practice. “He’s thrown well. I thought he looked sharp today.�

Brees missed the Saints’ 27-22 loss in Carolina last Sunday because of a bruised rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck probably will be a game-time decision to play against Jacksonville on Sunday.

He was listed as questionable Friday after he was limited in practice for the third straight day with a sore right shoulder. Coach Chuck Pagano gave no indication to the extent of Luck’s participation or how much Luck has thrown this week.

Cruz optimistic

Despite another setback with his injured calf, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz believes he will play this season.

Speaking Friday for the first time since experiencing another problem with his left calf, Cruz confirmed that he received a shot of platelet-rich plasma Thursday in an effort to hasten his recovery.

Coach Tom Coughlin and Cruz say there is no timetable for the 28-year-old’s return. Cruz had hoped to play Sunday against the Bills in Buffalo, but the calf didn’t feel right Wednesday when he tried to run full speed. He shut it down after talking with trainers.

Cruz hasn’t played in a game since sustaining a season-ending knee injury last Oct. 12 against the Eagles.

Quick back

Out since injuring his shoulder last October, St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brian Quick is finally going to be back on the field. Quick said Friday that he will be active for Sunday’s game at Arizona.

“When you’re working every day in practice and seeing your brothers out there fighting, you want to be out there with them,� Quick said. “I’m excited to get out there.�

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Quick has worked hard to get back after he sustained a torn rotator cuff against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 26. The injury, which some thought was career-threatening, required surgery and a lengthy recovery.

“You can’t give up. On anything you do in life, you just can’t give up,� Quick said. “I just want to go out there and do whatever I need to do as far as anything if I get the opportunity.�

Etc.

Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly will miss his third straight game Sunday against Tampa Bay with a concussion. ... Buffalo running back LeSean McCoy is out indefinitely after revealing he had a setback with his hamstring injury last week. ... The Jacksonville Jaguars ruled out receiver Marqise Lee for their AFC South opener at Indianapolis on Sunday. Lee has practiced only a few times since injuring his right hamstring Aug. 5, during the first week of training camp. ... Minnesota declared Charles Johnson out for Sunday’s game against Denver with a rib injury and Jarius Wright is questionable with a hand injury, leaving only Mike Wallace among second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s top options at receiver. ... San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Davis left last week’s 47-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a right knee injury and did not return.