COWBOYS
Murray, Martin questionable
IRVING, Texas -- Despite DeMarco Murray's still swollen surgically-repaired left hand, Jerry Jones is "pretty positive" about the NFL's leading rusher playing Sunday against Indianapolis.
During a Friday morning radio interview, the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager gave a status update on Murray, rookie right guard Zack Martin [ankle] and veteran right tackle Doug Free [ankle]. All have missed practice time this week because of injuries suffered in Philadelphia.
Murray and Martin are listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Free is considered doubtful.
"Well, with what we did yesterday in practice, Murray and Martin, I'm pretty positive about having the ability to play them and to getting that decision," Jones said. "Both of those guys, you should be able to count on.
"Free's a little different matter. And I'm a little skeptical that we're going to have Free, but let's see what the few days bring. We may get some of Free, and that may be worth giving him an active roster spot."
Murray did not practice Wednesday, but he was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. Martin and Free did not practice this week.
CHIEFS
Bowe out with flu
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe missed his third consecutive day of practice with the flu Friday and is questionable for Sunday's pivotal game at Pittsburgh.
The Chiefs (8-6) would not be eliminated from the playoff race with a loss to the Steelers, but they would need a lot of help. Kansas City plays San Diego in the final week of the season.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday he thinks Bowe will be able to play. If he's unable to go, Frankie Hammond Jr. and Jason Avant will likely be called upon to cover Bowe's production.
Linebacker Tamba Hali also did not practice Friday, though Reid said that was mostly to rest his sore knee. Reid expects Hali to be available for the game.
JETS
Miles' emergency surgery
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets backup safety Rontez Miles had emergency leg surgery Thursday night after he was injured in practice.
The team confirmed Friday that Miles, promoted from the practice squad this week, injured his right shin area when he got tangled with a teammate. Coach Rex Ryan says it appeared to be just a bruise, but team doctors determined it was more serious as the pain increased throughout the day.
Neither Ryan nor the Jets could immediately confirm the exact nature of the injury, but the coach said the pressure in Miles' leg "kept getting worse and worse and worse." His symptoms appear similar to compartment syndrome, which usually results from bleeding or swelling after an injury and causes pressure in the injured area and impedes blood flow.
PANTHERS
QB clearance today?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera says he's awaiting final clearance from team physicians before officially naming Cam Newton the starter for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.
That clearance is expected to come today.
The fourth-year quarterback practiced Friday for the third consecutive day and Rivera says he feels "very confident and comfortable" that Newton will start Sunday, 12 days after a two-vehicle wreck left him with two lower back fractures.
Rivera says the only way Newton wouldn't play is if he suffers an unforeseen setback this weekend, but added the quarterback "has had no ill effects every morning" this week.
Newton said Thursday he feels pain-free.
The Panthers (5-8-1) are still in contention in the NFC South, one-half game behind the New Orleans Saints with two games remaining.
BILLS
RB Spiller returns
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have activated running back C.J. Spiller from injured reserve.
Spiller returned to the active roster Friday after missing the last eight weeks due to a broken collarbone. He suffered the injury against Minnesota in Week 7.
Buffalo had until 4 p.m. today to activate Spiller.
Spiller's return should be a boost for Buffalo's struggling running game. The Bills rank 24th in the league in rushing with an average of 97.5 yards per game.
The Bills (8-6) opened a roster spot for Spiller on Tuesday when they released fullback Frank Summers. Spiller is officially listed as probable for Sunday's game against Oakland (2-12).
VIKINGS
LB Barr out for season
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr will have minor surgery on his knee to address an injury that has kept him out of the last two games.
Coach Mike Zimmer said Friday that Barr won't play again this season.
The first-round draft pick from UCLA was an immediate starter at the strong side spot, finishing with 99 tackles, four sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 12 games. On Oct. 26 at Tampa Bay, Barr stripped the ball from Buccaneers tight Austin Seferian-Jenkins and returned it 27 yards on the first play from scrimmage of overtime for a 19-13 victory by the Vikings.
Barr was initially hurt Nov. 16 at Chicago. He played through it the next two games before being held out.
BROWNS
CB Haden questionable
BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns star cornerback Joe Haden returned to practice but is questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina.
Haden injured his right shoulder last week when he fell hard while trying to make an interception in a loss to Cincinnati. He didn't practice two days this week and was limited Friday. Browns coach Mike Pettine says Haden is sore and it's a "timing thing" if he plays.
Browns leading receiver Andrew Hawkins returned to practice after missing one day with an unspecified illness. Safety Tashaun Gipson will miss his fourth consecutive game with a knee injury. Gipson still leads the AFC with six interceptions.
Linebacker Karlos Dansby is questionable with a knee injury that has sidelined him for four consecutive games with a knee injury. Rookie cornerback K'Waun Williams has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
STEELERS
Shazier looks for work
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier is hoping for a heavier workload on Sunday against Kansas City.
Shazier has been limited mostly to work on special teams each of the last two weeks after missing seven of Pittsburgh's first 12 games due to separate leg injuries. Shazier says he's back to 100 percent and hopes to be a bigger part of the game plan.
Pittsburgh (9-5) can lock down a playoff berth with a victory over the Chiefs (8-6).
Right tackle Marcus Gilbert practiced Friday and could return from an ankle injury that has forced him to sit out the last three games.
Safety Troy Polamalu is doubtful with a knee injury.
Sports on 12/20/2014