THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Steelers QB Roethlisberger ruled out for Ravens game; Pittsburgh goes back to Batch
PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger will not play Sunday in Baltimore, meaning Charlie Batch will make his second consecutive start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Roethlisberger threw briefly early in practice Friday but was in a sweat suit watching by the time practice ended. He will miss a third consecutive game since sustaining a sprained right shoulder and a dislocated rib in a 16-13 win against Kansas City Nov. 12.
The Steelers (6-5) lost each of the first two games Roethlisberger missed, including two weeks ago at home to the rival Ravens (9-2). Batch, 37, then threw three interceptions in a 20-14 loss in Cleveland.
Also ruled out for the Ravens game is linebacker LaMarr Woodley. Guard Willie Colon is listed as questionable, but the Steelers will welcome back receiver Antonio Brown and safety Troy Polamalu. The Pro Bowl standouts practiced all week and are officially listed as probable.
QB Mike Vick, RB LeSean McCoy remain sidelined by concussions for last-place Eagles
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles will again be without Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy when they play at Dallas on Sunday night.
Vick, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, and McCoy, the All-Pro running back, have been ruled out because of concussions. Vick is missing his third straight game and McCoy his second in a row. Neither has even been cleared to begin practicing since getting hurt.
Vick remains in stage four of five in his recovery and McCoy is in stage two, according to head athletic trainer Rich Burkholder.
The Eagles (3-8) have a seven-game losing streak entering their divisional rematch against the Cowboys (5-6) in Dallas.
Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson (ribs) is out for the rest of the season. Starting centre Dallas Reynolds (ankle) and rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (tailbone) are questionable
Jets QB Tim Tebow could be inactive against Cardinals because of rib injury
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Rex Ryan says the New York Jets are "looking into" Tim Tebow’s availability and he could be inactive for the team’s game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals because of two broken ribs that have limited the backup quarterback the last few weeks.
Ryan says Friday that the team has not made a final decision to not play him — contrary to an ESPN report.
Tebow was injured at Seattle on Nov. 11, played three offensive snaps the following week at St. Louis and was active but didn’t play last Thursday against New England. Greg McElroy would be the backup to Mark Sanchez. Tebow says he didn’t do much during practice all week, and throwing still bothers his ribs. Ryan was criticized last week for keeping Tebow active rather than McElroy.
Bills WR Jones may miss Buffalo’s home game vs. Jacksonville with lingering calf issue
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills may be without wide receiver Donald Jones, who is listed as questionable for Sunday’s home game against Jacksonville (2-9) after missing significant practice time this week.
"Donald Jones has had some tightness in his calf," coach Chan Gailey said on Friday, "and we keep trying to get it out but we haven’t been able to do that yet. So he didn’t practice."
Jones is second on the Bills (4-7) in receptions (38), yards receiving (410) and touchdown catches (4).
Gailey said Jones had missed parts of two practices before not participating at all on Friday. He said he’s neither pessimistic nor optimistic about his receiver, but that missing practices wouldn’t hurt Jones’ mental preparation for Sunday.
Justin Rogers did more in practice after a foot injury limited him Thursday. The cornerback is questionable, as is defensive tackle Spencer Johnson. Johnson missed Thursday with an illness but was back on the field Friday.
Vikings list Harvin as doubtful to play Packers after star receiver held out of practice again
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin has been listed as doubtful to play the rival Packers on Sunday because of a sprained left ankle.
Harvin did some drills on Friday but did not participate in practice again. Coach Leslie Frazier said he wasn’t sure yet whether Harvin would travel with the team to Green Bay. He hasn’t been at the stadium with the Vikings since Nov. 4 at Seattle, when he suffered the injury. Harvin has been told to stay home and rest the last two Sundays the Vikings have played.
The team expected Harvin to return after their Nov. 18 bye, but he hasn’t improved enough to be able to cut and push off his foot at full strength.
Titans middle LB Colin McCarthy not cleared after concussion, will sit out against Texans
NASHVILLE — Tennessee middle linebacker Colin McCarthy will not play Sunday against the Houston Texans due to a concussion.
McCarthy has not practiced since suffering a concussion in last week’s loss at Jacksonville. He has missed four games previously this season with a high right ankle sprain hurt in the season opener against New England. Tim Shaw will replace McCarthy in the base defence with Will Witherspoon in passing situations.
Coach Mike Munchak said Friday McCarthy is not quite ready, so they won’t play him.
Receiver Damian Williams returned to practice and is questionable with a hamstring injury. Running back Jamie Harper (ankle) and defensive end Derrick Morgan (knee) did not practice Friday and are questionable. Tight end Craig Stevens (hamstring), and receiver Kenny Britt (knee) are probable after practicing all week.
Injuries mounting for Texans; CB Joseph, LB James to sit
HOUSTON — Texans coach Gary Kubiak says cornerback Johnathan Joseph, linebacker Bradie James and offensive linemen Derek Newton and Antoine Caldwell will miss Sunday’s game at Tennessee.
All of those players sat out Friday’s workout, as did cornerback Alan Ball, who has a sore foot. Kubiak had already ruled out linebacker Brooks Reed, who’s sidelined indefinitely with a groin injury.
The Texans (10-1) can clinch a playoff spot with win in Tennessee (4-7).
Joseph (hamstring), Caldwell (hamstring), Newton (right knee) and James (hamstring) have sat out practices all week. Ball will be a game-time decision.
Zbikowski will not make trip with Colts to Detroit, Davis expected to start
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, who has missed the last four games with an injured left knee, is expected to start Sunday at Detroit.
Interim coach Bruce Arians says safety Tom Zbikowski will not make the trip because of a right knee injury. Sergio Brown will likely replace Zbikowski in the starting lineup, and Brown will split time with backup Joe Lefeged.
Arians also says coach Chuck Pagano is starting his third and final round of chemotherapy Friday. Pagano has been on leave from the Colts (7-4) since being diagnosed with leukemia Sept. 26
Arians says his close friend is doing "very well" and that after this next round of treatment, doctors will monitor Pagano’s white blood-cell count.