Week 17 Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Friday

Dec 26, 2014

Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (foot, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 17. Bortles should be fine to face a tough Houston defense.

Patriots QB Tom Brady (ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 17. Brady’s ankle won’t be the limiting factor this week. He may only play a few series against the Bills, though we’re expecting 2-3 quarters from most of the Patriot starters.

Raiders QB Derek Carr (illness) was removed from the injury report Friday after taking full practice reps Thursday.

Bears QB Jimmy Clausen (concussion, out) has been ruled out for Week 17. Jay Cutler will get the start in what should be an awkward (and likely final) game with HC Marc Trestman.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton (illness) was removed from the injury report Friday after taking full practice reps Thursday. Dalton will be fine for a big game against Pittsburgh.

Eagles QB Nick Foles (collarbone, out) has been ruled out for Week 17. Mark Sanchez will get another start.

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (right shoulder, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 17. Griffin is expected to start despite the shoulder injury.

Browns QB Brian Hoyer (right shoulder, right biceps, doubtful) missed practice all week and is doubtful for Week 17. Hoyer is out, so Connor Shaw is expected to get the start against Baltimore. It’s unlikely to be pretty.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning (thigh, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 17. Manning is fully expected to play since Denver needs a win to secure a first round bye.

Browns QB Johnny Manziel (hamstring, out) has been ruled out for Week 17.

Titans QB Zach Mettenberger (right shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 17. Charlie Whitehurst is expected to start against Indianapolis this week.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers (chest, back, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 17. Rivers will be fine to face Kansas City in what amounts to a must-win game.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (calf, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 17. Rodgers may be somewhat limited by the calf injury, but he’s not going to miss a showdown with Detroit for the division title. For what it’s worth, QB coach Alex Van Pelt said that he’s expecting a “healthy guy” and says the team is going in “fully loaded” for Sunday’s game.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 17. Romo should play, but may not finish the game despite the team’s insistence that the starters will play a lot against Washington.

Texans QB Tom Savage (knee, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 17. Case Keenum will get the start against Jacksonville.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith (spleen, out) missed practice Friday and is out for Week 17. Chase Daniel gets the start. In his only start last season (also against San Diego), Daniel completed 21 of 30 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed seven times for 59 yards and was the #13 QB on the week.

Cardinals QB Drew Stanton (knee, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 17. Ryan Lindley will reportedly start against San Francisco.