Raiders sign C.J. Anderson

Trubisky expects to play

Mitchell Trubisky is just about ready to return to the Chicago Bears' lineup. Trubisky said he is "really close to 100 percent" and expects to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night after missing the past two games because of a right shoulder injury. He went through a full practice on Wednesday. Assuming no setbacks, he figures to start when the NFC North leaders host the NFC West champions. "I just gotta show coach that I can play," he said. "I'm feeling good about where I'm at. As long as I can show them that I can go out there every day and make all the throws and be the player that they know I am, I feel confident that I'll be able to go." Nagy said he feels "strong that he will play," though he wouldn't quite commit to it. "I got to see more," he said. "I feel good about it." Trubisky was hurt sliding late in a win over Minnesota on Nov. 18. He was hit by the Vikings' Harrison Smith on the left side, resulting in his throwing shoulder getting driven into the ground. Chase Daniel has started the past two games, a victory at Detroit on Thanksgiving and an overtime loss at the New York Giants.

Jets' Darnold fully practices

Sam Darnold is one step closer to returning from his foot injury. The New York Jets rookie quarterback was a full participant at practice Wednesday, putting him on track to start at Buffalo against the Bills on Sunday. "That's the goal," Darnold said. "I'm really excited about this week and where we're headed. I'm really excited about how I felt today, so as of right now, I'm really excited about hopefully getting a chance to play on Sunday." Yes, he's really excited. After all, Darnold has missed the past three games with a strained right foot. He was injured against Miami on Nov. 4 and hasn't played since. Despite Darnold fully participating and Josh McCown limited with a sore back, coach Todd Bowles wouldn't commit to the rookie starting this week. "We'll see," Bowles said. "It's too early in the week." Darnold certainly is preparing as though he'll be playing in the icy cold of Buffalo, where the temperature is expected to be right around freezing Sunday. So, instead of hitting the practice field bundled up in layers Wednesday with the temps in the low-30s, the California kid wore a short-sleeved shirt. "It was cold today, but I had a little wet suit underneath," Darnold said with a big grin. "So, I was really warm and felt like I didn't really need long sleeves. I just kind of went with it." Added Bowles: "This is going to be about how it's going to be on Sunday, so I'll think he'll be fine. He's 21, he'll shake it quick." Running back C.J. Anderson has signed with the Oakland Raiders and could be in their backfield for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Raiders coach Jon Gruden said that the move is insurance in case Doug Martin isn't available. The Raiders primary running back since Marshawn Lynch went on injured reserve with a groin injury in mid-October, Martin is nursing a sore knee and his status is uncertain. "Although we think he'll be ready to go we can't take any precautions," Gruden said Wednesday. "We have to be ready. We have four games left to play and the Steelers blitz almost every play, so we needed a back. Fortunately for us C.J. Anderson was available and we're happy to have him." A Pro Bowl back with Denver in 2014 when he had nearly 1,200 all-purpose yards, Anderson was released by the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 12 and had tryouts with Kansas City and Detroit before signing a deal with the Raiders for the remainder of this season. "Just getting acclimated with the playbook as much as I can," Anderson said. "The good thing is there's a lot of crossover from what I'm used to doing, what I did with (Peyton Manning), what I've done with (Gary Kubiak) and just a little bit with Norv (Turner). The good thing is I know it's a West Coast system. The terminology is different, so just heavily diving in the playbook."

Broncos WR Sanders hurt

Although the schedule gets easier for the Denver Broncos this month, the degree of difficulty in reaching the playoffs keeps going up. The Broncos (6-6) lost leading wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to a torn left Achilles tendon on Wednesday. He was hurt in a non-contact drill at the beginning of practice. The Broncos quickly claimed wide receiver Andre Holmes off waivers from Buffalo, giving them a seventh-year veteran to go with their four remaining receivers, all of whom made their NFL debuts this season. Sanders, who led the team with 71 catches for 868 yards and four touchdowns in a bounce-back year, was injured on a routine route. He sensed the gravity of the injury as he crumbled to the ground, tearing off his helmet and rolling it away as teammates and trainers rushed toward him.