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NFL notes: Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson doubtful for Atlanta game

Ap

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is still a doubt for Detroit’s game against Atlanta on Sunday in London.

Johnson has missed the last two games, both wins, for the Lions (5-2) with a right ankle injury. He made the trip to England, but said Thursday there was still no decision on whether he would play this weekend.

“It gets better and better,” Johnson said. “Like, right now it’s getting better on a daily basis.”

Washington plans to start McCoy

Colt McCoy remains on pace to start for Washington on Monday night against Dallas, although Jay Gruden said he won’t make a decision on Robert Griffin III until shortly before kickoff.

Gruden tried to be a bit strategic, declining to rule out whether Griffin will face a Cowboys team that, in theory, will have to prepare for two very different quarterbacks.

But the coach gave every indication that McCoy will start. He said Griffin needs to show that he’s fully recovered from a dislocated ankle.

Around the league

Detroit offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle kept playing after banging his head on the ground late in last week’s victory over the New Orleans Saints, even though the team knew a concussion was possible. Waddle was knocked down during an extra-point attempt after Corey Fuller had scored in the 24-23 comeback win over the Saints. He was then on the field at right tackle when quarterback Matthew Stafford took a knee to end the game on the next possession. … Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly said he’s not angry that he was wrongly ejected in the second half of Sunday’s 38-17 loss to Green Bay. Coach Ron Rivera said the NFL informed him in a memo that officials made a mistake when they ejected the NFL’s leading tackler when he inadvertently shrugged off an official who was trying to pull him away from a pile of players. … Oakland defensive end LaMarr Woodley has a serious biceps injury and could miss the remainder of the season. … Denver released safety John Boyett from their practice squad a day after he was charged with assault, theft and harassment. Police said Boyett, 24, assaulted a cab driver, stole a shovel from a construction site and tried to hide from officers by covering himself in mulch early Wednesday in Greenwood Village, according to court documents.