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Thursday, December 26
Updated: December 27, 11:32 PM ET
 
Week 17: Injury updates around the NFL

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

Here's the latest news on key injuries going into Week 17:

AFC East
Team Comment
The Bills list only one player on their injury report. Backup linebacker Dominique Stevenson has lingering effects from a concussion and is listed as questionable. Don't expect him to play. The Bills host the Bengals.
The Dolphins had defensive end Rob Burnett on the practice field Friday for a little work, and he may be available for backup duty. He has been idle most of the week because of a quad injury. The Dolphins list him as questionable. He's considered a valuable backup. Defensive tackle Larry Chester remains questionable with an ankle injury, but he took part in a little of Friday's workout. The rest of the Dolphins are in good shape. It is likely that the Dolphins will have all 53 players available for duty Sunday.
The biggest question mark for the Patriots is middle linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who hasn't been able to practice much this week because of a knee injury. Ted Johnson has been starting for him. Guard Joe Andruzzi (knee), wide receiver Deion Branch (leg), tight end Cam Cleeland (groin) and right tackle Kenyatta Jones (knee) are questionable but have been able to practice and should be able to play.
The Jets are in good shape heading into Sunday's game against the Packers. Their biggest worry is their playoff health. The Jets need a Patriots victory over the Dolphins to have a chance to win the AFC East. A three-way tie among the Jets, Dolphins and Patriots hands the division to the Jets. As far as team health, defensive end John Abraham didn't practice Friday because of a thigh injury but he will play. He's listed as probable.

AFC North
Team Comment
The Ravens added wide receiver Dameon Hunter to the injury list Friday as questionable because of a neck injury. They also added wide receiver Terry Jones to the report with a thigh injury. He may be able to play. Cornerback Tom Knight did not practice and is expected to be inactive because of a thigh injury. Everyone else practiced for Sunday's game against the Browns. That includes wide receiver Randy Hymes, who is probably with a thigh injury. Defensive end Adalius Thomas practiced with the thigh injury that has him listed as probable. The Ravens visit the Steelers on Sunday.
The Bengals adjusted their injury report Friday. Wide receiver Ron Dugans went from probable to questionable after not practicing Friday because of a sore Achilles. Cornerback Levar Glover was upgraded from questionable to probable with a hamstring. Cornerback Artrell Hawkins resolved questions about his availability by practicing Friday. He has been listed as probable with an ankle injury. The Bengals play the Bills Sunday.
The Browns will wait until game time Sunday to determine whether or not wide receiver Dennis Northcutt can try to play on his injured knee. Northcutt was only able to do limited work Friday. He remains questionable. All week, he has been limited. Northcutt says the knee feels better, but coach Butch Davis won't make a decision until game time. Safety Devin Bush, listed as probable with a hamstring injury, was limited in practice Friday and may be able to play.
The Steelers upgraded quarterback Tommy Maddox (ankle) and safety Mike Logan (back) from questionable to probable after they have been practicing, but halfback Jerome Bettis is in question. Bettis didn't practice Friday. He has a knee injury. It might be a game time decision whether or not he will play. The fact that he missed a Friday practice probably isn't good. Amos Zereoue would get the start if Bettis can't play. The Steelers play the Ravens.

AFC South
Team Comment
Texans wide receiver Jermaine Lewis practiced Friday, but he remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans. He's been sidelined with an ankle injury. The rest of the report is possible. Four probables, including defensive end Gary Walker (thumb and elbow) and right tackle Ryan Young (knee), practiced and should be able to play.
The Colts won't have outside linebacker Marcus Washington because of a sore knee that kept him out of Friday's practice. Sam Sword will be the likely starter for him. Also out is fullback Jim Finn with an ankle injury. Halfback Ricky Williams is doubtful with an ankle injury. Edgerrin James, probable with an ankle injury, had one of most extensive weeks of practice and will be fine for the game against the Jaguars. Cornerback Walt Harris rested Friday to give time for his sore knee to recover. If he can't play, Nicholas Harper will get the start. Wide receiver Qadry Ismail is doubtful with a concussion and will probably be replaced by Reggie Wayne.
Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell didn't practice Friday and doesn't look as though he will be a go for Sunday's game against the Colts. David Garrard took the snaps all week, and the rookie may have the chance to start. Coach Tom Coughlin will wait until game time to make a decision. The rest of the report is good. Wide receiver Jimmy Smith will be okay with the shoulder injury that has him listed as probable.
The Titans won't have left guard Zach Piller because of his calf injury, but there is an outside shot that left tackle Brad Hopkins may be available. Hopkins rested his knee injury again Friday, but he is making progress. If needed, Hopkins could be called up. If not, Jason Matthews will be starting. Tom Ackerman starts for Piller. Steve McNair only did work on the side, doing individual drop backs. He's listed as questionable with multiple injuries. Defensive tackle John Thornton didn't practice Friday because of his ankle injury and remains questionable. The Titans play the Texans.

AFC West
Team Comment
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan cleared up any questions involving his team by saying Thursday that Brian Griese will be the backup barring any setback of his sore knee. Because there was no setback Friday, Griese will backup Steve Beuerlein. The Broncos play the Cardinals.
The Chiefs will be without halfback Priest Holmes (hip) and safety Greg Wesley (hamstring), but they should have wide receiver Johnnie Morton for Saturday's game against the Raiders. Morton has missed two games with a back injury, and his return would give the Chiefs the healthiest receiving corps that they've had in weeks. Guard Donald Willis was downgraded from probable to questionable because of a quad injury.
Cornerback Tory James has practiced for the past two days on his broken leg and should be a go for Saturday's game against the Chiefs. He missed two games after having surgery to insert a plate to help heal a fractured fibula. Cornerback Charles Woodson underwent the same operation earlier this week and hopes to return within two weeks. James' return gives the Raiders three cornerbacks to counter the Chiefs offense; last Sunday against the Broncos, the Raiders got by with two cornerbacks, Clarence Love and Terrance Shaw, and three safeties in nickel situations. Defensive end Trace Armstrong is very questionable with a groin pull that has sidelined him all week. Tight end Roland Williams remains questionable with a turf toe and didn't practice Thursday. Safety Derrick Gibson has been practicing on his sore ankle.

NFC East
Team Comment
The Cowboys won't have right tackle Solomon Page for their season finale against the Redskins because of a knee injury. Page didn't practice Friday and is listed as doubtful. Javiar Collins will start for him against the Redskins. Cornerback Derek Ross didn't practice Friday and is expected to be replaced by Pete Hunter. Ross has a hip injury and is listed as questionable. Cornerback Mario Edwards (neck) and tight end James Whalen (rib) practiced Friday and will be available.
Giants wide receiver Jeremy Shockey returned to practice Friday after being sent home Thursday with the 24-hour flu. Shockey will play Saturday against the Eagles. Cornerback William Peterson did a little more work Friday than he did on Thursday, but he remains questionable.
Eagles wide receiver Todd Pinkston "will struggle'' to play Saturday's game against the Giants, according to coach Andy Reid. The swelling in his turf toe injury went down a little bit Thursday, but Pinkston wasn't able to practice. Pinkston is listed as questionable, but could be a late scratch for the game against the Giants. Linebacker Keith Adams had to undergo an MRI for his quad injury. Safety Blaine Bishop remains questionable because of the groin injury that has sidelined him the past couple of games. Defensive end Derrick Burgess (foot) and quarterback Donovan McNabb (ankle) are out.
The Redskins have very few injury questions for their game against the Cowboys. Halfback Stephen Davis is out with his dislocated shoulder. Quarterback Danny Wuerffel isn't expected to be available because of his shoulder injury, but he would be only the third quarterback if he could play. Patrick Ramsey will start.

NFC North
Team Comment
After practicing for two days with his concussion, Bears quarterback Chris Chandler was ruled out of Sunday night's game against the Bucs. Chandler hasn't been available to the media since Monday when he appeared to show signs of lingering problems from the concussion. On Thursday night, the team determined that it would be safer to keep Chandler on the sidelines. Henry Burris will start and Cory Sauter, who hadn't taken many snaps other than with the scout team, will be the backup. Joining Chandler on the sidelines are tight end John Davis (back), linebacker Bryan Knight (knee) and defensive tackle Christian Peter (calf). The Bears added defensive end Alex Brown to the list as questionable with a calf injury suffered late in the week. Cornerback R.W. McQuarters has practiced and should be able to return. Safety Damon Moore has been able to practice limited on his sore knee and remains questionable.
The Lions may not have wide receiver Germane Crowell, who sat out Friday's practice with a sore knee. Tight end Mikhael Rick is out with a knee injury and will be replaced by John Owens. Right tackle Stockar McDougle is doubtful because of a toe injury and is expected to be replaced by Matt Joyce. Expect Scotty Anderson, who started at receiver last week, to get his second start of the season. The Lions play the Vikings.
Right tackle Earl Dotson worked with the scout team Friday and may be able to be available for backup duty Sunday against the Jets. He has missed two games with his sore back. Rookie Kevin Barry has started for him. The swelling on the right knee of safety Darren Sharper is down, but coach Mike Sherman won't know until game time whether or not he can play. Sharper just received his knee brace Friday. He may be able to test out the brace Saturday. Still, he remains very questionable for the Jets game. Defensive end Keith McKenzie didn't practice because of a hamstring injury and isn't expected to play. The Packers expected to have defensive tackle Gilbert Brown (foot), quarterback Brett Favre (knee-ankle) and cornerback Todd McBride (groin) available. Each is listed as probable and practiced Friday. Fullback Tony Carter didn't practice Friday and may not be able to go because of a shoulder injury.
Tight end Byron Chamberlain is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Lions because of an ankle injury that sidelined him from practice all week. Chamberlain didn't practice Friday.. Wide receiver Kelly Campbell, despite being listed as questionable, practiced on Friday and may be able to play. He has a toe injury. Kicker Hayden Epstein is out with a knee injury, so Gary Anderson will handle kickoffs. The Vikings play the Lions.

NFC South
Team Comment
Falcons coach Dan Reeves' biggest decision will be whether to start Juran Bolden or Ray Buchanan at cornerback Sunday against the Browns. Bolden started the week as doubtful with a calf injury, but he has practiced the past couple of days and was upgraded to questionable. He should be able to play. Buchanan was the third cornerback last Sunday behind Bolden because he's been struggling with an addomen injury. He feels better and will be able to play. Linebacker John Holecek will be out with a knee injury and a broken forearm. Chris Draft will start for him at inside linebacker. Safety Gerald McBurrows will return after missing one game with a neck injury. The Falcons will be without fullback Bob Christian (concussion) and offensive lineman Roberto Garza (knee). George Layne takes over at fullback.
Panthers halfback Dee Brown took part in a portion of Friday's practice, and, despite being listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, should be able to play Sunday against the Saints. Coach John Fox said it would be a game time decision whether or not Brown plays. They need to have him on the field because backup halfback Joe Montgomery was downgraded from questionable to doubtful. Nick Goings may end up being the backup, but the team has the option of using recently signed Skip Hicks. He has an ankle injury. Tight end Wesley Walls may be able to take a snap or two Sunday against the Saints. His foot has been bothering him all week. Last week, he participated in a few plays in the game and caught a touchdown pass.
Saints wide receiver Jerome Pathon was limited during in Friday's practice and has a slight chance of playing Sunday against the Panthers. Pathon missed last Sunday's game against the Bengal with a knee injury. Donte' Stallworth started for him and may get a chance to start again. The only Saint who will definitely miss the game is safety Steve Gleason, who hasn't practiced all week because of knee injury. Left tackle Kyle Turley practiced Friday after being limited Thursday with a sore back. Listed as questionable, Turley should be able to start. The Saints removed guard LeCharles Bentley (ankle), halfback Deuce McAllister (ankle) and cornerback Fred Thomas (shoulder) from the injury report. Each practiced Friday.
The Bucs will start Rob Johnson Sunday against the Bears because of Brad Johnson's back problems. Shaun King will be the backup. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp practiced Friday on his sore knee and says he will be able to play.

John Clayton Archive

NFC West
Team Comment
The Cardinals will take cornerback David Barrett (groin) and safety Adrian Wilson (hamstring) on the trip to Denver even though they aren't sure if he's going to play. Don't expect them to play. Each is listed as questionable. If they can't start, Justin Lucas will be at safety and Renaldo Hill at cornerback. The Cardinals will place wide receiver Frank Sanders and guard Pete Kendall on the injured reserve list to bring up two players from the practice squad, kicker Tim Duncan and defensive back Nijrell Eason.
49ers coach Steve Mariucci announced the Jeff Garcia will start Monday night against the Rams. Wide receiver Terrell Owens practiced Friday in a little bit of a surprise but it uncertain whether Mariucci will use him. Owens has a groin injury that has him listed as questionable. It's starting to look at though the 49ers might not use two starting offensive linemen. Left tackle Derrick Deese didn't practice Friday because of his high ankle sprain. Right guard Ron Stone also missed practice with an ankle injury. Both players are listed as questionable. Three players who are listed as doubtful -- safety Zack Bronson (foot) and linebackers Saleem Rasheed (thight) and Jamie Winborn (knee) -- practiced Friday but Mariucci may not play them. The 49ers visit the Rams Monday night.

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