Florio already wrote the definitive PFT Christmas Eve post, so it now feels awkward to put another post on the site.
Still, the impending arrival of Santa Claus didn’t stop the NFL from practicing Friday. So it won’t prevent me from listing our weekly roundup of stories about the injury report.
(Who are we kidding anyway? My last name is Rosenthal.)
1. Despite missing some practice this week, Browns running back Peyton Hillis is probable. He’ll get a chance to prove Ray Lewis wrong on Sunday. Quarterback Colt McCoy missed practice Wednesday with an illness, but worked the rest of the week and will start.
2. Ravens tight end Todd Heap is questionable after being limited in practice all week.
3. The Chargers listed Antonio Gates as out, and wide receivers Patrick Crayton and Malcom Floyd as doubtful for Sunday in Cincinnati. Legedu Naanee will likely start in place of Floyd.
4. Rams defensive end Chris Long (thigh) and tackle Jason Smith (ankle) are both questionable after being limited in practice all week. Long is expected to play.
5. Both Mark Sanchez (shoulder) and Santonio Holmes (toe) are probable for the Jets. Tackle Damien Woody (knee) remains out.
6. Reigning AFC special teams player of the week Dan Connolly is doubtful to play after suffering a concussion last week. (It didn’t happen on his record return.) The Patriots have eight questionable players, including four defensive linemen and pass rusher Tully Banta-Cain.
7. The Bears are fully healthy. They have two players listed as probable and no one else is hurt. That’s been a big key to their success this season.
8. The Colts list 15 players on their injury report, with nine coming in at questionable. It looks like running back Joseph Addai will return after practicing fully all week. Backup running back Mike Hart is less certain. Cornerback Kelvin Hayden and tackle Charlie Johnson didn’t practice all week, but are in the questionable posse.
9. Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is probable despite being limited in practice earlier in the week. Defensive lineman Richard Seymour didn’t practice all week and is questionable. Punter Shane Lechler also missed practice twice this week, but returned for a limited practice Friday.
10. More bad news for the Redskins defense. (Other than, you know, being the Redskins defense.) Their best player linebacker Brian Orakpo is out with a hamstring injury.
11. The Jaguars will likely be without Maurice Jones-Drew, but they did get wideout Mike Sims-Walker back at practice Friday. He’s questionable.
12. Chad Ochocinco is questionable after returning for a limited practice Friday. There’s some thought he could sit out.
13. Lions quarterbacks Shaun Hill (finger) and Drew Stanton (shoulder) are both listed as questionable. Both players should be available Sunday in Miami. Hill is tentatively expected to start.
14. Cowboys running back Marion Barber will be back in the mix this weekend. He’s probable with a calf injury after practicing all week. He hasn’t had a carry since Thanksgiving. Felix Jones wasn’t a full participant in practice during a short week, but is listed as probable.
Jones has 1,085 yards from scrimmage and Barber has 362. Barber may be playing his final days with the organization.
15. Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson’s mom is not going to be happy. Her son is doubtful to play this week because of a knee injury.
16. My father asked me an hour ago if anyone really read PFT on Christmas Eve. I checked and told him traffic is very low.
“My faith in humanity is restored,” he said.
Thanks, as always, for your support. And Merry Christmas.