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[October 15, 2016] Oct 14 (The Sports Xchange) - The Oakland Raiders moved one step closer to making a move to Las Vegas a reality on Friday.

State lawmakers in Nevada approved $750 million in public funding for a stadium in Las Vegas by a vote of 16-5 in the Senate and 28-13 in the Assembly. Governor Brian Sandoval, who has shown support for the stadium, now needs to sign off.

"I would like to thank Governor Sandoval, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, and the members of the Nevada Legislature on this historic day," Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement.

"All parties have worked extremely hard to develop and approve this tremendous stadium project that will serve as a proud new home for the entire Raider Nation."

The $750 million is expected to come from a Las Vegas-area hotel tax, though taxpayers would be on the hook if the tax fails to provide the expected windfall.

The Raiders and Las Vegas have been circling each other since NFL owners voted in favor of moving the Rams to Los Angeles after last season instead of Oakland and San Diego. Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is expected to contribute $650 million while Davis will kick in another $500 million for the proposed 65,000-seat stadium.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, officially listed as questionable, will start Sunday's game at New Orleans barring a setback in the concussion protocol.

Coach Ron Rivera told reporters that the reigning MVP still has to get final clearance from an independent physician. Newton is expected to meet with the independent physician later Friday.

Newton, who sat out the Panthers' 17-14 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night due to repercussions from the concussion he sustained in a Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, returned to practice Wednesday in a limited role.

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Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Reed, the Redskins' leading receiver, has been dealing with a concussion since Tuesday when he reported issues to the team.

Washington ruled rookie receiver Josh Doctson (Achilles) out of the contest on the Friday injury report. Cornerback Bashaud Breeland (ankle), linebacker/safety Su'a Cravens (concussion) and Dashaun Phillips (hamstring) joined Reed in being listed as questionable.

This is the sixth documented concussion for Reed dating to his college days at the University of Florida.

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New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski did not practice and is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury/illness for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Gronkowski was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday. His absence on Friday was due to an undisclosed illness.

The four-time Pro Bowler was sidelined for the Patriots' first two games, but caught five passes for 109 yards last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

New England has ruled two players out for Sunday's game; linebacker Jonathan Freeny (shoulder) and tight end Greg Scruggs (knee).

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Steve Smith Sr. leads a lengthy injury report for the Baltimore Ravens that could see as many as five starters sit out Sunday's visit to the New York Giants.

Smith (ankle) is listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report along with guard Marshall Yanda (shoulder), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (foot), linebacker C.J. Mosley (hamstring) and kick returner Devin Hester (thigh). Linebacker Elvis Dumervil (foot) has already been ruled out.

The Ravens are preparing for their first game with new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who took over when Marc Trestman was fired on Monday.

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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

Eifert, who has not yet played in a regular-season game this season, was the only Cincinnati player listed on Friday's injury report. All other players previously listed were full participants in Friday's walk-through.

Eifert sustained a back injury last week just as he was recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the Pro Bowl.

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Hall of Famer Roger Staubach feels the Dallas Cowboys should stick with rookie Dak Prescott as their starting quarterback as long as they continue to win, even if Tony Romo is healthy enough to play.

Staubach has been impressed with Prescott leading the Cowboys to a 4-1 start while Romo recovers from a fractured back he suffered in the preseason.

"Tony is a fantastic football player," Staubach said, via the Dallas Morning News. "We won the Super Bowl in 1971 and I separated my shoulder in the exhibition season of '72, and Craig Morton was the quarterback and took over and when I came back healthy probably eight or nine games later -- that was a 14-game schedule -- Craig was winning.

"We were winning as a team. I understood it. The momentum was there and you don't want to mess around with the quarterback position and Craig was playing very well."

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The Cleveland Browns placed starting left guard Joel Bitonio on injured reserve after he suffered a mid-foot sprain last week.

Coach Hue Jackson said Bitonio is done for the season.

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The Carolina Panthers brought back defensive end Wes Horton on a one-year deal Friday and waived wide receiver Damiere Byrd.

Horton has played 34 games for Carolina over the past three seasons, recording six sacks and 41 tackles. He was released prior to the start of the regular season. (Editing by Andrew Both)

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