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Here's the latest news on key injuries going into Week 12:
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AFC East
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The Bills are in great shape going into their game against the Jets. The only active player on the injury report, linebacker London Fletcher (knee), practiced Friday and is set to play. This is an interesting matchup because the Jets signed former Bills middle linebacker Sam Cowart, who is leading the team's improved tackling over the past five games.
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Quarterback Jay Fiedler did some throwing on Friday after given clearance. He hopes to be ready for next Sunday's game against the Bills. Defensive end David Bowens returned after missing a day of practice because of sore knee. Left tackle Mark Dixon is okay and will play with his sore ankle. Cris Carter, the wide receiver, should be able to return to action by the Monday night game against the Bears Dec. 9.
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The Patriots added cornerback Ty Law to the injury list Friday, but he was able to practice despite a leg injury that sidelined him Thursday. Safety Tebucky Jones didn't practice Friday because of a leg injury. Victor Green filled in for him. Guard Joe Andruzzi has a knee injury, but will play. The Patriots host the Vikings.
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The Jets will have only one player not ready to play Sunday against the Bills. Guard Dave Szott, who had a knee reconstruction five months ago, did a little bit of practice this week and may be an option for next week. Szott came off the physically unable to perform list this week. He could be pulled into service next week. Guard Randy Thomas was upgraded from questionable to probable. He's been practicing on a sore ankle. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles is okay despite a sore back that nagged him earlier in the week.
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AFC North
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The Ravens upgraded middle linebacker Ray Lewis from doubtful to questionable even though he didn't practice Friday. Lewis told coach Brian Billick that his calf is feeling much better. If Lewis feels good Sunday morning, he could start. Linebacker Edgerton Hartwell didn't have a major knee injury after he hurt the area near his knee cap Thursday. He didn't practice Friday. The injury isn't serious. Cornerback Chris McAlister practiced on his sore ankle, but he remains questionable with an ankle injury. Quarterback Chris Redman worked with the scout team now that he's back is feeling better. Wide receiver Brandon Stokley was downgraded from questionable to doubtful because of his foot injury.
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The migraine headaches of cornerback Jeff Burris subsided enough that coach Dick LeBeau is optimistic he could be available for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh. The likely scenario, though, is for Kevin Kaesviharn would start for him and Burris would be used as the nickel back ahead of rookie Reggie Myles. Defensive end Vaughn Booker will be would because of rib and knee problems. He will be replaced again by Bernard Whittington. Center Rich Braham (ankle), linebacker Canute Curtis (shoulder) and safety Mark Roman (knee) should also be available. Each was able to do some things in practice Friday.
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Halfback Jamel White did some light running along the side so it doesn't appear that he will play against the Saints on Sunday. White, who has been replaced by William Green at halfback because of the injury, hasn't had any contact work since partially separating a shoulder. Green will start. The defense continues to get healthier. Defensive end Kenard Lang (groin) and defensive tackle Alvin McKinley (thumb) continued to practice and will play Sunday. Steve Heiden, who is questionable with an ankle injury, practiced Friday and should be ready to replace Aaron Shea, who went on injured reserve this week. |
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Quarterback Tommy Maddox will probably be in uniform for Sunday's game against the Bengals, but under no circumstance will he play. Maddox suffered a spinal injury and a bad concussion last week. He may practice with the team next week, but coach Bill Cowher said after practice that Maddox may be on the sidelines. His presence, though, won't change the plan to start Kordell Stewart, have Charlie Batch as the backup and use Antwaan Randle El as the emergency quarterback if needed. Cowher didn't officially announce Jerome Bettis as the starter, but he has been with the first team practicing all week and is expected to start. He's been out with a knee injury. Running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (chest) practiced a little bit in the past two days, but will probably wait another week before playing. Inside linebacker Larry Foote (calf) was upgraded from doubtful to questionable. Out for the Steelers are linebacker James Farrior (knee), center Jeff Hartings (knee), safety Mike Logan (groin), Maddox (concussion) and cornerback Hank Poteat (knee). Cornerback Chidi Iwuoma, who is questionable with a knee injury, returned to practice Friday and may be able to play.
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AFC South
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The only sidelined Houston Texan for the Giants game is safety Ramon Walker, who has an ankle injury. He was the only Texan who couldn't practice. Wide receiver Corey Bradford returned to practice after missing Thursday with an ankle injury. Defensive end Gary Walker practiced despite an elbow injury.
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Edgerrin James will start Sunday night's game against the Broncos. He's practiced the past couple of days despite an ankle injury. Coach Tony Dungy was encouraged Friday. Wide receiver Qadry Ismail, who missed last week's game because of an knee injury, worked with the first unit Friday and should start. Out for the Colts are defensive end Raheem Brock (ankle), defensive tackle James Cannida (knee), defensive tackle David Pugh (groin), fullback Detron Smith (hamstring) and cornerback Joseph Jefferson (ankle). Jefferson and Smith have been important players on special teams. Defensive tackle Josh Williams practiced and may be available. He's been questionable with a foot injury. |
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The Jaguars have nearly a full roster heading into their game against the Cowboys on Sunday. Wide receiver Patrick Johnson only did limited work Friday and will probably sit out this game against the Cowboys. Bobby Shaw has been practicing on the turf toe that has been bothering him and should start. Cornerback Fernando Bryant (concussion) practiced and will play. Backup cornerback Ike Charlton was a little bit limited in practice because of a sore knee, but he remains listed as probable.
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Defensive end Jevon Kearse is becoming more of a longshot to play Sunday against the Ravens. He only did work on the inside after having a big day Wednesday working with the first team. Kearse is coming back from a broken foot in the opener. Coach Jeff Fisher wants to see Kearse go fulltime and it's becoming apparent that Kearse isn't ready yet. Middle linebacker Randall Godfrey (ankle) could only work with the scout team Friday and it looks like rookie Rocky Calmus will start again for him. Tight end Frank Wycheck is okay and has practiced this week after being out with a concussion. Don't expect cornerback Dainon Sidney (arm) to be active. |
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AFC West
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Because of the team's 0-3 record in night games this season, coach Mike Shanahan scheduled a rare Friday night practice at Invesco Field. There isn't much injury news to report except for the obvious. Quarterback Brian Griese (knee) and tight end Shannon Sharpe (elbow) are out. Steve Beuerlein starts. The Broncos list three players as probable -- defensive tackle Chester McGlockton (elbow), safety Izell Reese (groin) and wide receiver Rod Smith (ankle). All three have been practicing this week. The Broncos host the Colts Sunday night.
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The Chiefs won't have cornerback William Bartee, who hasn't been able to practice all week because of an ankle injury. Also out for this game against the Seahawks are defensive end Rich Owens (groin) and defensive tackle Derrick Ransom (foot). Trent Green has been fighting an ankle injury for the past couple of weeks but that won't prevent him from starting.
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The Raiders should be in good shape for their game against the Arizona Cardinals. They still aren't sure about middle linebacker Napoleon Harris (groin), but they hope he is ready by gametime. Tight end Roland Williams missed practice time this week, but they expect that he will play. Safety Rod Woodson has a knee injury, but he returned to practice Thursday and Friday. |
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The Chargers left early for their Sunday game in Miami, and their injury report doesn't look as bad as it did coming into the week. For sure, they won't have right tackle Vaughn Parker (elbow), but they have a chance to have left tackle Damion McIntosh, who has been able to do a little work this week. McIntosh missed last week's victory over the 49ers. He practiced again Friday. Offensive line is the team's thinnest position. It's still iffy if backup guard Michael Keathley will be available. He's questionable with an ankle injury. The rest of the list looks encouraging for coach Marty Schottenheimer. Linebacker Donnie Edwards (concussion) and guard Bob Hallen (concussion) will be able to play even though they are listed as questionable. Linebacker Carlos Polk (ankle) and fullback Fred McCrary (thigh) have been upgraded from questionable to probable. Halfback Terrell Fletcher remains very questionable because of an ankle injury. Wide receiver Curtis Conway missed time this week in practice because of a sore shoulder, but he should be fine. |
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NFC East
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Most of the decisions about the Cowboys were made earlier this week. Safety Darren Woodson will have surgery Saturday for an abdominal injury that should knock him out two months. Guard Larry Allen may have ankle surgery as early as next Monday that could give him three months of rehab. Right tackle Javiar Collins is out with a knee injury. Tony Dixon starts at safety for Woodson. Rookie cornerback Pete Hunter is expected to get some work as the third cornerback. Five players listed as probable all practiced Friday and will play. That list includes defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban (quad), defensive tackle Brandon Noble (arm), linebacker Markus Steele (back) and right tackle Solomon Page (knee). The Cowboys host the Jaguars.
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The Giants will be thinner than normal Sunday against the Texans. Their defensive line won't have defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, who has an ankle injury. Griffin missed Friday's workout. Ron Dixon won't be available at wide receiver because of a knee injury. He's out. So is center Chris Bober, who has a biceps tear. The linebacking corps will be without backups Nick Greisen (foot) and Quincy Monk (ankle). Starting at defensive tackle against the Texans will be Lance Legree and Dwight Johnson.
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The Eagles will return two injured starters to the lineup for the Monday night game against the 49ers. Carlos Emmons starts at outside linebacker on the strong side now that his hamstring injury has healed. John Welbourn is back at guard. The only Eagles who will miss the 49ers game will be quarterback Donovan McNabb (ankle) and defensive end Derrick Burgess (foot).
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The Redskins won't make a change at punter. Bryan Barker handled the work Friday despite an ankle injury. Had he not been able to work, the Redskins would have brought Craig Jarrett off the practice squad. Guard Brenden Stai is out with a knee injury. Tight end Walter Rasby thinks he will be able to play despite being listed doubtful with an abdominal injury. The Redskins host the Rams.
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NFC North
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Coach Dick Jauron wouldn't announce his starting left tackle for Sunday's game against the Lions, but most people expect it to be Mike Gandy. Bernard Robertson is the other option. Jauron confirmed that starter Marc Colombo is out of the season because of his dislocated knee cap. Jim Miller hasn't taken a snap in practice all week, but he will backup Chris Chandler. Tight end John Davis, listed as questionable because of a concussion, has practiced and should be cleared to start. Center Olin Kreutz returns after missing one game because of an appendectomy. The Bears will be down two defensive linemen -- tackle Ted Washington (ankle) and end Joe Tafoya (hamstring). |
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Five defensive starters sat out Friday's practice and remain very questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears. The biggest problems are along the defensive line. Defensive end Robert Porcher says that he will be able to play despite a knee injury. Defensive tackle Luther Elliss has a bad ankle. Linebacker Barrett Green (knee) also hasn't practiced and remains very questionable. There are the continuing problems at safety. Corey Harris didn't practice, but he should be able to play. Brian Walker, another safety, remains sidelined with a turf toe. Lamar Campbell is questionable with a hamstring, but he practiced. The Lions are without defensive tackle Jared DeVries, who has a foot injury. If Porcher can't play, the Lions will use James Hall and Kalimba Edwards at defensive end. |
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The Packers had linebacker Na'il Diggs (knee) and cornerback Tyrone Williams (hamstring) return to the practice field. Each missed work on Thursday. Williams is listed as questionable and hasn't missed a game so he should be able to play against the Bucs. The only player who will miss the game is defensive end Vonnie Holliday, who is coming back from knee surgery. Defensive linemen Cletidus Hunt (knee) and Aaron Kampman (hand) practiced Friday.
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Coach Mike Tice wanted a fresh team for Sunday's game against the Patriots and he got his wish. Three players have been scratched from the injury list -- wide receiver D'Wayne Bates, tight end Byron Chamberlain and linebacker Henri Crockett. Tice has been resting the heal injury of touchdown halfback Moe Williams and expects him to play. Williams practiced Friday. Williams has scored a touchdown in seven consecutive games. Guard Corbin Lacina has been practicing despite a leg injury. The Vikings only possible scratches are wide receiver Cedric James (ankle) and left tackle Lewis Kelly (ankle). Bryant McKinnie gets his second NFL start at left tackle. He's been in 92 plays in his first two games since ending a 98-day holdout. |
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NFC South
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Of the nine players on the Falcons injury list, defensive end Travis Hall is the only player who is going to miss Sunday's game against the Panthers. Hall only played two snaps last Sunday against the Saints because of his foot injury, but he has been unable to practice this week. Defensive end Brady Smith (hip) and linebacker John Thierry (hip) have been upgraded from doubtful to questionable, but it will be a game-time decision how active they will be. Each practiced the past two days, including Friday. Expect Patrick Kearney and maybe Smith to start at the two defensive end positions. Wide receiver Shawn Jefferson, who missed last Sunday's game with a foot injury, has been upgraded from questionable to probable after practicing all week. Linebacker Mark Simoneau, who started the week as questionable because of an ankle injury, has also been upgraded to probable. The big question for the Falcons is how much they will use halfback T.J. Duckett, who wasn't used last week even though he had recovered from his ankle injury. Duckett has practiced all week and will be available. |
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The Panthers added three players as probable on Friday. Starting wide receiver Isaac Byrd was added because of a groin injury, which becomes significant because of the suspension of Steve Smith for a game for beating up teammate Anthony Bright. Defensive back Deon Grant was added because of a quad injury and defensive end Al Wallace was added because of an ankle injury. Five other players, including wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee), practiced Friday and will be able to play.
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Halfback Deuce McAllister spent 70 percent of the practice working with a trainer and then took some snaps with the first team Friday. Coach Jim Haslett said that either McAllister, who is questionable with an ankle injury, will start or he will be inactive and that James Fenderson will start against the Browns. McAllister said he didn't feel comfortable in some of the runs. If that discomfort doesn't improve by Sunday, he won't play. Right guard LeCharles Bentley (ankle) didn't practice against Friday. Spencer Folau will start at right guard and Victor Riley will start at right tackle. Kenny Smith has replaced Norman Hand as a starting defensive tackle.
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Cornerback Ronde Barber will play with a soft cast to protect his broken thumb in Sunday's game against the Packers. Barber was upgraded from questionable to probable Thursday, and he's practiced the past couple of days. Right tackle Kenyatta Walker also practiced on the ankle that has been bothering him for weeks. Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson was added to the injury report with a rib contusion, but he will play. Out for the Bucs are defensive tackle Anthony McFarland (forearm) and defensive end Corey Smith (knee)..
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John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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