Raiders' Garoppolo still in concussion protocol

Jimmy Garoppolo has been preparing as if he's going to be the Las Vegas Raiders' starting quarterback on Sunday against the Chargers. The Raiders' medical staff will make the call, and that might not happen until shortly before game time.

Garoppolo, who's in the concussion protocol, was limited in Thursday's practice and has been taking part in meetings.

Whether Garoppolo plays might not be decided until the weekend. The Raiders could go with 15year veteran Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O'Connell.

Coach Josh McDaniels said experience will not be the deciding factor if Garoppolo can't go.

“I think everybody is going to get ready to go,” he said. “I think sometimes experience is a good thing, it doesn't mean that it's going to determine how it's going to go for one guy versus another. Ultimately what matters is how they perform, not how long they've been in the NFL, or how many games they've played in or what have you.” PANTHERS' THIELEN EAGER TO FACE VIKINGS ❯❯ Adam Thielen isn't ready to call it a revenge game.

But the Panthers wide receiver won't deny he's been eagerly awaiting Sunday's game against the Vikings, the team that released him in the offseason after 10 years with the organization.

Thielen said he's been anticipating this game since the NFL schedule was released. It takes on added importance with both teams at 0-3.

“It's really hard to explain the emotions of it,” Thielen said when asked if he's out for a little revenge. “Is there a little bit of that? Yeah, maybe. But I'm not the type of person to hold grudges. I think it is what it is, and I'm happy where I'm at. I can't look at the past. I'm just focusing on the now. But there are a lot of emotions. We are emotional beings and we are going to have emotions.”

Thielen said contrary to some reports, the Vikings never attempted to renegotiate his contract. With the 32-year-old set to count nearly $20 million against the salary cap, the Vikings simply chose to release him.

Panthers coach Frank Reich advised Thielen not to let his emotions get the best of him on Sunday.

“You're going to get a little emotional, but try to work through that because it can be a distraction,” Reich said. “He's a such a pro and I know he will manage it well. He will feel something and it will feel different. But I know he can manage it.”

For the better part of a decade, Thielen excelled while playing opposite stars like Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson.

Now Thielen has a chance to be the guy in Carolina.

And so far he's done well, catching 11 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown last week against Seattle. GIANTS' BARKLEY PRACTICES ON A LIMITED BASIS ❯❯ Running back Saquon Barkley practiced on a limited basis with a sprained right ankle on Thursday and his status for the Giants' game against the Seahawks on Monday night is still uncertain.

Barkley was among five players listed as limited by coach Brian Daboll after the practice at the team's headquarters.

In the portion of the practice open to reporters, Barkley worked away from the team. He did some agility drills, moving his feet from left to right and then right to left. He carried a ball straight ahead, stepping over cushioned rectangular curbs. He also took pitches from quarterback Daniel Jones and ran upfield.