Floundering Fins go back to Cutler at QB

Twice sidelined this season by injuries, Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler is back in the lineup for a team that has lost five consecutive games and allowed seven sacks last week to the Patriots.

Excited, Jay? “I’m excited,” the impassive Cutler said yesterday, managing a small smile at the question. “You always feel bad when you get hurt and you can’t help your team.”

Cutler was released from the concussion protocol, took part in practice and will start Sunday against Denver. He missed Sunday’s loss to the Pats, which dropped Miami to 4-7, and missed a game in Week 8 because of cracked ribs. How does he feel? “Pretty good, thank you,” Cutler said. He said the ribs are no longer an issue, but declined to discuss the concussion.

“I’m not going to go back and rehash that stuff,” he said.

Matt Moore is 0-2 with Miami this season as the substitute starter for Cutler. Moore took a beating against the Patriots and sat out yesterday’s practice because of a foot injury.

Rivers rips Giants

Philip Rivers will have the NFL’s longest active streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback after Eli Manning gets benched by the New York Giants this weekend.

And Rivers isn’t happy about it.

“I honestly thought it was pathetic, really,” Rivers said when asked about the Giants’ decision.

“The guy, he’s been out there 210 straight games with no telling how many bumps and bruises and injuries for his team,” Rivers added before practice with the Los Angeles Chargers.

“Won two Super Bowls, MVPs, the respect he’s had in the locker room over the years, really the respect he’s gained throughout the league, you feel like the guy has earned the opportunity, if they are deciding in fact to go another direction (after the season) ... to finish off these last five weeks.”

Manning’s streak of 210 consecutive regular-season starts is expected to end Sunday when Geno Smith starts for the Giants against Oakland.

Giants co-owner John Mara admitted there had to be a better way to inform Manning that his playing time was being cut. But he was at a loss to know what it was.

Speaking for the first time since coach Ben McAdoo announced the decision, Mara said he made a couple of mistakes in handling the situation.

Not being at the team’s headquarters Tuesday when Manning was devastated by the decision topped the list. He met with Manning in his office yesterday morning and had a very emotional talk, adding Manning was not happy with the decision but understood it.

“He’s a special player, and a special person,” Mara said of Manning. “When you see him get that emotional, it’s tough. The thing about him is, to a lot of players, this is just another team, another franchise. But to him, it means something to be a New York Giant.”

Freeman clear

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has cleared the concussion protocol after missing two games and could return for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

Coach Dan Quinn said Freeman has full clearance to practice “with no limitations.”

Freeman, the league’s highest paid running back, has suffered two concussions this year and three in three years. He said he discussed the concussions with a doctor and isn’t worried about his future.

“It’s not something I’m worried about for the rest of my life,” Freeman said.

Titan wears Kaep

Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews has chosen to support Colin Kaepernick’s foundation “Know Your Rights “as part of the NFL’s “My Cleats, My Cause” on Sunday.

Matthews shared a photo on Instagram of the cleats he will wear against Houston.

The cleats say “Know Your Rights Camp” on each shoe along with the quarterback’s name and Kaepernick kneeling on the right toe . ...

Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward has left the team to be with his family after his brother’s death in a car accident.