THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski is active for the New England Patriots regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins after missing five games with a broken left forearm.
The tight end, who was chosen for the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, entered Sunday’s game as the Patriots’ third leading receiver with 53 catches.
Inactive for the Patriots are defensive backs Marquice Cole, Alfonzo Dennard and Nate Ebner, offensive linemen Nick McDonald and Markus Zusevics, defensive lineman Jake Bequette and wide receiver Kamar Aiken.
For the Dolphins, wide receiver Davone Bess misses his third straight game with a back injury. Miami’s other inactive players are cornerback Nolan Carroll, linebacker Josh Kaddu, tackle Patrick Brown, tight end Kyle Miller, defensive tackle Kheeston Randall and quarterback Pat Devlin.
—
Packers Cobb out vs. Vikings
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MINNEAPOLIS — Green Bay’s leading receiver Randall Cobb has been ruled out of the game at Minnesota because of ankle and knee injuries suffered last week.
Cobb was listed as questionable on the injury report. With the NFC North title already clinched the Packers decided on Sunday to rest Cobb, who doubles as their kick returner. Cobb has 954 yards and eight touchdowns receiving, plus one punt return for a score this season.
The Packers put wide receiver Jordy Nelson back in the lineup. He’s missed four games, including the previous three, with a hamstring injury.
For the Vikings, defensive end Brian Robison returns after being held out last week with a sprained right shoulder that occurred against St. Louis on Dec. 16.
—
With injured Palmer inactive, Pryor set to start at QB for Raiders vs Chargers
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN DIEGO — With Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer inactive with cracked ribs and a bruised lung, Terrelle Pryor is set to make his first career start against the San Diego Chargers.
Also inactive for the Raiders on Sunday were running back Jeremy Stewart, safety Tyvon Branch, linebacker Rolando McClain, guard Mike Brisiel, defensive lineman Brandon Bair and wide receiver Juron Criner.
Inactive for the Chargers are running back Edwin "Rock" Baker, cornerback Greg Gatson, linebackers Gary Guyton and Donald Butler, guard-tackle Stephen Schilling, wide receiver Mike Willie and tight end Ladarius Green.
—
Robinson leaves game with head injury, Abraham departs with left leg ankle
By George Henry
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons lost two key starters to injuries Sunday against Tampa Bay as cornerback Dunta Robinson suffered a head injury and defensive end John Abraham hurt his left ankle.
Robinson was injured on the Falcons’ first defensive series when his helmet hit Doug Martin’s on the running back’s 3-yard gain. He was taken to the locker room for evaluation and did not return.
Abraham, the NFL’s active sacks leader, was injured early in the fourth quarter on a sack attempt when teammate Peria Jerry fell on him as both players were trying to sack the Buccaneers’ Josh Freeman.
Abraham walked off the field with assistance, but rode to the locker room on a cart.
Another starter, cornerback Asante Samuel, hurt his right arm in the first quarter, but returned for the next series, knocking down a deep pass to Vincent Jackson and forcing a third down five plays later. Samuel picked off Freeman in the third quarter to set up Atlanta’s first touchdown.
—
TE Davis active for 49ers’ regular-season finale a week after concussion
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN FRANCISCO — Tight end Vernon Davis is active for the 49ers’ regular-season finale against Arizona on Sunday, a week after suffering a concussion in a loss at Seattle.
It’s unclear how much Davis will play after he practiced in a non-contact black jersey during the week. He was injured on a crushing hit by Kam Chancellor in the first half of the 42-13 defeat to the Seahawks.
Defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois earned his second career NFL start for the 49ers in place of the injured Justin Smith, who has a partially torn left triceps muscle that leaves his status for the playoffs uncertain.
Offensive lineman Mike Gibson is out for the Cardinals with a calf injury.
—
Seattle Seahawks LB Leroy Hill, G John Moffitt inactive for season finale vs. St. Louis
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEATTLE — Starting weak side linebacker Leroy Hill is inactive for the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday against St. Louis with a hamstring injury suffered last week against San Francisco.
Hill was listed as questionable on the final injury report Friday and coach Pete Carroll said they would need to see if Hill made it through a pregame workout before deciding on his availability. Second-year linebacker Malcolm Smith makes his third start of the season in Hill’s place.
Seattle also has guard John Moffitt inactive as a healthy scratch, leaving rookie J.R. Sweezy to make his second straight start at right guard.
St. Louis has no scratches due to injury. The Rams had six players listed as probable and all are active.
—
Broncos without kick returner Trindon Holliday for game against Chiefs
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENVER — Right guard Chris Kuper is active for the Denver Broncos’ game against Kansas City. He hasn’t played since Dec. 2 because of a left ankle sprain.
Kuper, who also was dealing with migraine headaches, has played in six games this season. He missed the first month with a broken forearm and five of the last seven with problems in his left ankle.
Kick returner Trindon Holliday (ankle) and cornerback Tracy Porter (concussion) are among the Broncos’ inactives.
Tackle Branden Albert (back) is being replaced by Donald Stephenson in the Chiefs’ starting lineup, and end Tyson Jackson (foot) is being replaced by Shaun Smith.
—
Dunta Robinson out of game after suffering head injury on tackle
By George Henry
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson left Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay with a head injury.
The team announced he will not return.
Robinson was injured on the Falcons’ first defensive series when his helmet hit Doug Martin’s on the running back’s 3-yard gain. He was taken to the locker room for evaluation.
Asante Samuel was injured on the next play with an apparent right arm injury, but returned for the next series, knocking down a deep pass to Vincent Jackson and forcing a third down five plays later.
Dominique Franks replaced Robinson.
—
Panthers scratch DE and sack leader Hardy; LB Shanle inactive for Saints
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW ORLEANS — Carolina has scratched defensive end Greg Hardy from Sunday’s season finale against New Orleans.
Hardy leads the Panthers with 11 sacks. He was not injured but excused from practices during the week for a family matter and was listed as questionable.
The Saints deactivated linebacker Scott Shanle, who concludes his seventh season with the club as a healthy scratch for the eighth straight game.
New Orleans’ other inactives include starting cornerback Jabari Greer, who was ruled out Friday with a concussion, and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, who has a left knee injury.
Most of the Panthers’ scratches are injured, including running back Jonathan Stewart with a left ankle injury, and centre Geoff Hangartner with a foot injury.
—
Falcons hold out DBs William Moore, Christopher Owens, but Roddy White starting against Bucs
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA — William Moore is missing his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury, and the Falcons’ secondary also is without cornerback Christopher Owens against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Chris Hope is starting for Moore. Owens also has a hamstring injury.
Wide receiver Roddy White, held out of practice this week with a knee injury, is starting. White continues his streak of not missing a game through eight seasons.
Centre Joe Hawley, who returned to the team last week from a four-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, also is inactive for Atlanta.
Backup offensive guard Roger Allen (groin) is inactive for Tampa Bay. Tight end Dallas Clark, who had been on the injury report with an illness, is starting.
—
Jaguars start Toston against Titans with Owens out, their 5th different RB this season
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NASHVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars have deactivated Montell Owens and are going with Keith Toston at running back against Tennessee on Sunday, their fifth running back to start this season.
The Jaguars put Maurice Jones-Drew on injured reserve Friday, and Owens had started the previous three games. Owens wasn’t on the injury report as the Jaguars went with Toston, whose last game running the ball was Dec. 12, 2010, when he had five carries for 22 yards for the Rams at New Orleans.
The Jaguars also have deactivated offensive linemen Eben Britton and Uche Nwaneri (concussion) with Steve Vallos starting at right guard for Nwaneri.
The Titans will start Byron Stingily at right tackle instead of Mike Otto. with fullback Quinn Johnson starting with tight end Craig Stevens (concussion) out.
—
Ravens rest Boldin, Ngata, Suggs for insignificant game vs Bengals, who are missing CB Newman
By Joe Kay
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Ravens are resting receiver Anquan Boldin, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and linebacker Terrell Suggs against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday for a game that meant little to either team.
The Ravens already had won the AFC North and the Bengals had clinched the final wild card berth.
Boldin is inactive for the first time this season because of a bruised shoulder suffered during a win over the Giants. Ngata missed practice all week with a sore knee. Suggs returned from a torn right biceps and started the last two games. Safety Bernard Pollard misses a third straight game with an injured chest.
Cornerback Terence Newman is out for the Bengals because of a groin injury. Nate Clements takes his spot opposite Leon Hall.
—
Giants without Canty, Hosley; Eagles without Kendricks, Cox
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Defensive tackle Chris Canty and rookie cornerback Jayron Hosley are not active for the New York Giants must-win game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Canty sprained a knee last week and Hosley, who would have started with Prince Amukamara battling a hamstring injury, has a quadripcep injury. Rocky Bernard started for Canty.
Receiver Ramses Barden also is inactive for the Giants, who needed to win, have Chicago and Minnesota lose and Dallas tie or lose to make the playoffs.
The Eagles are without defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and linebacker Mychal Kendricks, both sidelined with concussions in what might be Andy Reid’s final game as Philadelphia’s coach.
Derek Landri starts for Cox and Akeem Jordan is in for Kendricks.
—
Redding, Satele among 4 Indianapolis starters on inactive list for Texans game
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — Four Indianapolis Colts starters will be inactive for Sunday’s game against Houston.
Defensive linemen Antonio Johnson and Cory Redding, centre Samson Satele and safety Tom Zbikowski are out with injuries.
Coach Chuck Pagano has said all week that starters who are healthy will play. Those who are injured will sit out because Sunday’s result has no bearing on Indianapolis’ playoff position. Indy (10-5) is locked into the No. 5 seed.
Houston (12-3) can clinch the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye with a win.
Indy’s other inactive players are running back Delone Carter, offensive tackle Tony Hills and receiver Nathan Palmer.
Houston’s inactives are linebacker Brooks Reed; cornerbacks Alan Ball and Stanford Routt; offensive linemen Antoine Caldwell, Andrew Gardner and Cody White; and nose tackle Terrell McClain.
—
Rookies Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson inactive for Browns in finale against Steelers
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PITTSBURGH — Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson will end their rookie seasons on the sideline.
The Browns have Weeden and Richardson inactive for Sunday’s finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Weeden is dealing with a right (throwing) shoulder injury, while Richardson sprained his left ankle in last week’s loss to Denver. The Browns also have made backup quarterback Colt McCoy inactive as he battles his own shoulder issues. Thad Lewis will make his first NFL start in place of Weeden and McCoy. Montario Hardesty will start at running back.
Cornerback Sheldon Brown, linebacker Adrian Moten, offensive lineman Jarrod Shaw and tight end Jordan Cameron are also inactive for Cleveland.
The Steelers have made quarterback Byron Leftwich, cornerbacks Curtis Brown and Justin King, linebacker Marshall McFadden, wide receiver David Gilreath and nose tackles Alameda Ta’amu and Hebron Vangupo inactive.
—
Bengals RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis hurts hamstring during pregame warm-up vs Ravens
By Joe Kay
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis hurt a hamstring during pregame warm-ups on Sunday and wasn’t expected to play against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals had hoped to get their running game moving after managing only 14 yards during a 13-10 win in Pittsburgh last week. The loss of Green-Ellis left them with Brian Leonard, Cedric Peerman and Daniel Herron as running backs for a game that had little significance for either playoff-bound team.
Green-Ellis missed practice time during the week because of illness. He had been listed as probable for the game and warmed up with the rest of the team. The Bengals announced shortly before the kickoff that he’d hurt his hamstring and wasn’t expected to play.
