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Friday, January 4, 2013, 11:41am

Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman learned a painful lesson in the regular-season finale. He lost the seventh fumble of the season from the team's running backs late in the first quarter and did not carry the ball for the remainder of the game. The seven fumbles — this was Hillman's first lost fumble of the year — from the team's backs was tied with Buffalo for most in the league by that position group. Hillman finished with 13 yards on his three carries. Hillman's playing time was already trimmed some with the arrival of Jacob Hester, and fumbles would only impact that more moving forward. He has the speed, however, the Broncos want in the offense and if he shows quality ball security in practice, he'll see action in the postseason.

Chiefs fire GM Pioli, hire Andy Reid as coach
Friday, January 4, 2013, 11:32am

Just one hour after the team announced they parted ways with general manager Scott Pioli, NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports that the Chiefs reached an agreement to make Andy Reid the team's next head coach, according to source with knowledge of contract. The contract is being reviewed.

It's not hard to see why Kansas City was attractive to Reid. The team had five Pro Bowlers despite a two-win season. They play in a weak division with a strong fan base and an ownership with a history of respect in the league. Most importantly, they can offer Reid what they offered Pioli: Control.

Reid will be able to shape the organization in his image. He is expected to bring a general manager or personnel director that he's familiar with so they can work together in lockstep. But make no mistake: Reid will be in charge.

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 8:07pm

Bengals RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (hamstring) was limited again on Thursday.

Knee surgery a possibility for Megatron
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 8:06pm

Lions WR Calvin Johnson was particularly bothered by a bad knee all season. Surgery is not on the immediate agenda but the situation will be re-examined after Johnson has had a chance to rest it.

Christian Ponder "highly limited" in Thursday's practice
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 8:03pm

Per Vikings HC Leslie Frazier, QB Christian Ponder was highly limited today. Trying to calm down elbow.

Jordy Nelson on track to play vs. Vikings
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 7:57pm

Packers WR Jordy Nelson (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday and said in the locker room afterward that he expects to play against the Minnesota Vikings Saturday night.

Fellow WR Randall Cobb (ankle) was also a full participant, which means the Packers will have their top four receivers healthy and on the field come game time.

"I feel good," Nelson said.

Asked if he had any doubts he would play, he said: "No, none whatsoever."

Giants GM believes David Wilson "can be the lead back"
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 7:51pm

Giants RB David Wilson may go from the doghouse to being the "lead dog" next season. General manager Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin discussed the state of the Giants heading into the offseason on WFAN on Thursday, and the GM believes Wilson has what it takes to start next year.

"I don’t think there’s any question that he can be that," Reese said, when asked if Wilson can be a lead back. "It’s a two- and three-back league nowadays, but do I think he can be a lead dog? I do think that."

"Because he’s not a little guy, and he has incredible balance," Reese continued. "You see guys have some big hits on him and he stays up -- he’s not an easy guy to take down. So he’s much stronger than you might think just from how he looks on the field. But he’s a sleek, well-chiseled athlete. I do believe he can be the lead back."

Perhaps that is why Ahmad Bradshaw was so uncertain about his status next year. Bradshaw is coming off a 1,000-yard season, and is under contract for the next two seasons at $3.75 and $4 million in base salary. But he Giants may ask some of their veterans to restructure their deals, including him.

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 1:25pm

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson returned to practice on Thursday, as expected.

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 1:19pm

Vikings WR Percy Harvin hasn't been at Winter Park since being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 5.

When asked about Harvin's absence, HC Leslie Frazier said this: "It's purely up to him. If he wanted to be around, he could be around. But the guys are working hard doing everything they can. I know he wants our team to do well and that's important. But we got some other guys who are on IR as well, so it doesn't concern us."

At this point, Frazier hasn't been told that Harvin will have to have surgery on the ankle.

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 1:15pm

Lions GM Martin Mayhew on RB Jahvid Best: "I am not at all inclined to rely on his return."

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 1:13pm

WR Victor Cruz remains positive that he will receive a new deal from the New York Giants.

But the wide receiver said during his weekly spot on WFAN that both sides opted to put contract talks aside during the season after "agreeing to disagree."

"It got tabled for a couple weeks, mainly because of the two sides agreeing to disagree at the same time," Cruz said. "So it had been tabled for a couple weeks, but now that the season’s over and the statistics are what they are, I think we’re going to get back and pick up the pen again and see what we can do."

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 12:52pm

Lions GM Martin Mayhew said WR Titus Young hasn't had surgery to repair knee he was placed on IR for. Waiting on doctor's decision.

No structural damage in Dez Bryant's back
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 12:41pm

Test results revealed no structural damage to the back of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

In the regular-season finale against Washington, Bryant suffered a back injury in the second half and left FedEx Field in a wheelchair. Bryant, diagnosed with back spasms, was using crutches to walk on Tuesday.

The Cowboys' leading receiver also has a fractured left index finger, suffered with three weeks to play in the regular season, and nothing has been determined as to when he'll undergo surgery.

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 12:28pm

Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck sounds content with his role as Jake Locker's backup.

“Who knows what happens next year?” said Hasselbeck, who will enter the third and final season of his contract with the Titans and count $7.5 million against the team’s salary cap. “But I like our quarterback room a lot and if I’m here, I understand where we are in Jake’s development and all that, so I guess, really, I’m OK with being a part of his maturing process if that’s the role I have to play. What also goes with that role is stepping in if he can’t go, so I knew all that coming in.

“Some guys might feel differently at the stage I am in my career or whatever. But the only thing that’s important to me that goes with that is I want to be on a team that is good and that is heading in the right direction.”

Fred Jackson wants to stay with Bills
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 12:21pm

Bills RB Fred Jackson was asked if he would rather go elsewhere if his role is lessened.

"This is where I started my career, and this is where I want to end my career," Jackson replied. "Even if I did leave here, who's to say where I go I won't be some third- or fourth-string back there?

"My thing is to go out and compete and make the most of the opportunities I do get. Whether that's here or somewhere else, I'm going to continue to show up and make plays and try and help my team win."