NFL notes: Giants rout Redskins

Larry Donnell kicked his right leg high as he fell to the turf in the east end zone, then did the same with his left leg at the west end. Touchdown catches that mirrored each other.

And he still wasn’t done for the New York Giants.

The second-year player who went undrafted out of Grambling State caught three short scoring passes in the first half in a 45-14 victory over the turnover-prone Washington Redskins on Thursday night.

After struggling in his first two games, Eli Manning has led the Giants (2-2) to consecutive victories. Manning went 28 for 39 for 300 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.

Manning also ran for a 1-yard score, as did Andre Williams.

Donnell finished with seven catches for 54 yards. He leads the Giants this season in TD catches (four) and overall receptions (25). Fellow tight end Daniel Fells added a 2-yard scoring catch in the third quarter.

Kirk Cousins, who is starting while Robert Griffin III recovers from a dislocated ankle, finished 19 for 33 for 257 yards with four interceptions and a fumble for first-year coach Jay Gruden’s Redskins (1-3), who dropped into the cellar in the NFC East. Cousins threw three interceptions in a span of five attempts in the second half.

Redskins tight end Niles Paul left the game in the first half after a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit at the end of a 28-yard catch. The Redskins also lost two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams to a strained right knee.

Charles should play

Chiefs coach Andy Reid expects star running back Jamaal Charles to be ready for Monday night’s game against the New England Patriots.

Charles was back on the practice field Thursday after missing last week’s game against the Dolphins with a high ankle sprain. Charles practiced a bit last week and made the trip to Miami, but he spent the game on the sideline in street clothes.

Reid said that a decision on Charles won’t be made until closer to game time, but he sounded optimistic that one of the game’s most dynamic players will be on the field.

Decker plans to play

New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker says his ailing right hamstring is feeling better and he’s planning to play against the Detroit Lions.

Decker was limited Monday night against Chicago because of tightness in the hamstring, which made him a game-time decision. He had one catch for 19 yards against the Bears before pulling himself out of the game.

Decker sat out practice for the second straight day, but was able to participate in some individual drills.

Quick kicks

Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker’s didn’t practice Thursday because of an injured right wrist and his status for Sunday’s game with the Indianapolis Colts remains uncertain. Backup Charlie Whitehurst says he’s ready if Locker can’t go. … DE Jared Allen missed the Chicago Bears’ practice Thursday because of an illness. Allen is riding a streak of 113 consecutive NFL starts. … Minnesota Vikings RG Brandon Fusco will need about four months to recover from his upcoming surgery for his torn pectoral muscle. He was hurt while blocking last week in a game.