Adrian Peterson injury
The Chicago Bears kept their playoff hopes alive, but may be without running back Matt Forte, who injured his right ankle in the third quarter of a 28-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. With Forte out, and Michael Bush on injured reserve, the Bears could be down to Armando Allen and Kahlil Bell in the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions, though Forte insists he’ll play. Bears safety Chris Conte suffered a hamstring injury.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin played Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles with a brace on his right knee. The No. 2 overall pick was not his usual self, carrying the ball just twice for four yards, and may be limited moving forward as his sprained knee from two weeks ago generally takes three weeks to heal and playing on the knee could slow the healing process.
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware missed most of the second half and overtime with a strained right shoulder, which has been giving him problems throughout the season. The Cowboys are facing a must-win game next Sunday against the Redskins and it would be a major surprise if Ware is not in uniform. Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins also injured his right shoulder, which he underwent surgery on last offseason.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis was knocked out of Sunday night’s 42-13 loss to the Seattle Sehawks with a concussion. Davis was attempting to haul in a pass attempt from Colin Kaepernick when he took a shoulder to the chest from Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, drawing a personal foul penalty on what NBC’s replay clearly showed was a legal hit. Davis will have to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol before he’s able to play, which puts his availability for the regular season finale against the Arizona Cardinals in jeopardy. The 49ers could also be without wide receiver Mario Manningham, who appeared to suffer a serious knee injury early in the third quarter. Adding insult to injury, the hit by linebacker Leroy Hill to his knee caused Manningham to fumble, which was recovered by the Seahawks, ending a promising 49ers’ drive in their attempt to claw back into the game. Manningham was almost immediately ruled out for the remainder of the game, which is a sign that the injury may be of the season-ending variety.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb suffered a right ankle injury during a third quarter punt return, but head coach Mike McCarthy does not believe the injury is too serious. Injuries have hit the Packers’ receiving position hard this season – Jordy Nelson remains out with a hamstring injury and Greg Jennings missed half the season with a groin injury –and the depth that Ted Thompson & the Packers’ personnel department have assembled have stepped up, but replacing Cobb would be very difficult if the injury does keep him out for the start of the post-season. Cobb leads the Packers with 80 receptions for 964 yards and his eight touchdowns are second on the team. Cobb is also averaging 9.4 yards and has one touchdown on 31 punt returns.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that there were no “major injuries” in Sunday’s AFC North-clinching 33-14 win over the New York Giants, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the shoulder injury that wide receiver Anquan Boldin sustained in the third quarter. Giants defensive tackles Chris Canty and Marvin Austin suffered knee injuries. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw is also clearly not 100 percent due to a knee injury, as well.
Miami Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith suffered a left knee injury and will undergo an MRI on Monday. Smith is in the final year of his contract and, with the Dolphins eliminated from playoff contention, Sunday’s 24-10 win over the Buffalo Bills may be the last time he plays for the Dolphins organization.
Cleveland Browns first round running back Trent Richardson (ankle) and quarterback Brandon Weeden (shoulder) were injured in the 34-12 loss to the Denver Broncos. Richardson underwent x-rays after the game, but the images revealed no breaks. Weeden was knocked out the game on a hit by Broncos linebacker Von Miller in the third quarter.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were eliminated from playoff contention and lost tight end Heath Miller to a right knee injury. Miller has 71 receptions for a career-high 816 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer suffered a rib injury in the first quarter of a 17-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers and did not return. Matt Leinart replaced Palmer as Terrelle Pryor remains relegated to spot duty.
San Diego Chargers third round safety Brandon Taylor suffered a torn ACL in his right knee and will miss the rest of the 2012 season and likely most, if not all, of the 2013 offseason program.
