Friday NFL buzz: Julio Jones, Trevor Siemian may not be ready for Sunday
Check back throughout the day for all the latest quick-hit news:
Injuries threaten playoff hopes
Atlanta Falcons wideout Julio Jones, who lead the NFL with 1,253 receiving yards, may not be able to play through a turf toe injury Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. It would be a potentially major blow to a team trying to hold off the Tampa Bay Bucs' charge up the NFC South standings.
The Denver Broncos seem to be in a similar predicament, with no guarantee quarterback Trevor Siemian is ready to return from a foot injury that cost him a start in Week 13. Rookie Paxton Lynch has split two starts in place of Siemian this season but would face a challenge Sunday from the surging Tennesee Titans as Denver clings to the AFC's second wild-card slot.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow with soreness," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said of Siemian, adding the team plans to make a determination on his status Saturday. "He did everything we asked him to do yesterday. He probably did a little bit more today. We’re still repping Paxton. We’ll see if we can get there on gameday. We’ll see how (Siemian) feels.”
Clowney coming back
After missing Week 12 with elbow and wrist injuries, Houston Texans pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney vowed Friday to return for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, a contest that will leave the winner in first place in the AFC South.
Despite J.J. Watt's absence, Clowney has been effective in his third season pro season after a disappointing start to his career.
Kuechly update
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is questionable to play Sunday as his recover from a scary concussion suffered Nov. 17 continues.
Kuechly has missed the last two games.
No Green
Cincinnati Bengals wideout A.J. Green is still trying to recover from a significant hamstring injury. He won't play Sunday at Cleveland, the third game in a row he's missed since being hurt Nov. 20.
Bills still evaluating Taylor
Will Tyrod Taylor return as the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback in 2017? The team is still mulling that decision.
"He's got four more games to write this chapter," GM Doug Whaley, who must choose whether to pick up Taylor's $27.5 million option next year, said via ESPN. "Then after this season, like everybody on the team, we're going to do an evaluation and then we'll go from there."
Taylor is a big reason the Bills rank first in rushing offense but are last in passing.
Saint's suspension begins
The NFL says New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro will serve a four-game suspension, starting this Sunday at Tampa Bay, because he violated league rules pertaining to performance enhancing drug use.
The league did not specify which banned substance was found in Vaccaro’s system. The league not only bans steroids, but also diuretics that have been known to mask steroid use.
Vaccaro was in on 67 solo or assisted tackles this season. He had one sack, five tackles for losses, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and eight quarterback hits.
— The Associated Press
Jags still depleted
The struggling Jacksonville Jaguars won't have several offensive starters Sunday.
Receiver Allen Hurns (hamstring) and tight end Julius Thomas (back) remain out, while tailback Chris Ivory will be a game-time decision with his own hamstring issues.
Browns rookie suspended
Cleveland Browns rookie receiver Jordan Payton has been suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances.
The NFL announced the suspension Friday.
The fifth-round pick from UCLA has one catch for 3 yards this season.
— The Associated Press
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