And so another regular season comes to an end.
For some players, it is just a prelude to greater heights in the postseason. For others, it is one last chance to leave a good impression at the end of a disappointing season for the team. And for a final group, it won’t be anything but a chance to put on street clothes festooned with logos to watch a game from the sideline because of an injury.
This post is about that last group of players. The final injury reports for Week 17 are in and we’ve got a look at who’s been ruled out for Sunday and which players are still up in the air.
Buccaneers at Falcons
The Falcons will be without safety William Moore (hamstring) and cornerback Christopher Owens (hamstring) for their playoff tuneup. Wide receiver Roddy White (knee), defensive end Jonathan Babineaux and defensive tackle Corey Peters are all questionable. Guard Roger Allen is doubtful for Tampa with a groin injury.
Jets at Bills
The Jets ruled out cornerback Aaron Berry (hamstring) for their finale. Tight end Dustin Keller (hamstring), quarterback Greg McElroy (concussion), linebacker Bryan Thomas (chest) and wide receiver Chaz Schilens (knee) are all doubtful. 17 other Jets are probable, while the organization’s future is questionable. Defensive end Mark Anderson’s disappointing first season with the Bills will end with him still benched by a knee injury.
Ravens at Bengals
Cornerbacks Jason Allen (hamstring) and Terence Newman (groin) are questionable for the Bengals. The Ravens have seven questionable players, including wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, and are expected to rest some starters ahead of the postseason.
Bears at Lions
Safety Chris Conte (knee) and linebacker Blake Costanzo (hamstring) are out for Chicago and linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring) is doubtful after returning to practice on Friday. Running back Matt Forte (ankle) is probable. The Lions won’t have defensive tackle Sammie Hill (toe) and they listed safety Louis Delmas (knee) and cornerback Chris Houston (hamstring/hip) as questionable.
Texans at Colts
Cornerback Alan Ball (foot) remains out for the Texans. Running back Arian Foster is probable after leaving last week’s game with an irregular heartbeat. Running back Delone Carter (ankle), defensive tackle Antonio Johnson (ankle), defensive end Cory Redding (quad) and center Samson Satele (ankle) are all out for Indy.
Panthers at Saints
It feels like running back Jonathan Stewart has been questionable for the entire season with an ankle injury, so it is fitting that he’ll close out the year that way. A knee injury will keep Saints running back Pierre Thomas out of the lineup and a concussion will keep cornerback Jabari Greer out as well.
Eagles at Giants
If the Giants win on Sunday, they’ll likely do it without cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring), defensive tackle Chris Canty (knee) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (quad). The Giants are very thin at if neither Amukamara nor Hosley answers the bell. Safety Kenny Phillips (knee), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (knee) and defensive end Justin Tuck (shoulder) are all questionable. Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (concussion) and linebacker Mychal Kendricks (concussion) will miss the final game of their rookie seasons.
Browns at Steelers
The Browns ruled out cornerback Sheldon Brown (concussion/foot), tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion), quarterback Colt McCoy (shoulder), running back Trent Richardson (ankle) and quarterback Brandon Weeden (shoulder). Tackle Mike Adams (ankle), cornerback Curtis Brown (ankle), linebacker Marshall McFadden (abdomen) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (hip) will not close out the year for the Steelers.
Jaguars at Titans
Offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri (concussion) is out for the otherwise healthy Jaguars. Running back Chris Johnson (ankle) and wide receiver Kendall Wright (rib) are questionable for the Titans. Local interest is doubtful.
Chiefs at Broncos
A full third of the Chiefs roster is on the injury report, but running back Jamaal Charles (illness) is probable. He’s been the one most worth watching anyway. The Broncos ruled cornerback Tracy Porter out with a concussion and kick returner Trindon Holliday is doubtful with a sprained ankle.
Packers at Vikings
Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (shoulder) and cornerback Antoine Winfield (knee/hand) are both questionable. Running back Adrian Peterson is probable with the abdominal injury he picked up last weekend. Wide receiver Randall Cobb (ankle) is questionable after spending most of the week watching practice. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson is probable to return from a hamstring injury.
Dolphins at Patriots
Wide receiver Davone Bess (back) will miss his third straight game for the Dolphins. Defensive tackle Randy Starks missed another week of practice for non-injury reasons, but played in Week 16. Another masterpiece for Bill Belichick as the Patriots coach turns in 20 questionable players for this weekend. Cornerback Marquice Cole (finger) is actually doubtful, which may mean that finger’s never getting any better.
Raiders at Chargers
The Raiders won’t have quarterback Carson Palmer (ribs/lung) and safety Tyvon Branch (neck/ankle) is questionable. Running back Ronnie Brown (hamstring) is questionable for the home team.
Rams at Seahawks
Cornerback Walter Thurmond (hamstring) is out and cornerback Marcus Trufant is probable to return from the same injury for the Seahawks. The Rams had all players participate fully in their final practice of the year on Friday.
Cardinals at 49ers
Cardinals wide receiver Early Doucet will miss another game with a concussion. Tackle Nate Potter (ankle) is questionable to be defending Brian Hoyer’s blindside. The 49ers are listing defensive lineman Justin Smith (triceps) as doubtful and tight end Vernon Davis (concussion) is questionable.
Cowboys at Redskins
Linebacker Ernie Sims is questionable because of a concussion, but the rest of the Cowboys other than defensive tackle Jay Ratliff (sports hernia surgery) are likely to play. Redskins tackle Tyler Polumbus practiced on Friday and is questionable to return from a concussion.