NFL News & Rumors: Thursday 12/19

NFL

• Free agent CB Antoine Winfield has reportedly decided to stay retired. (NFLTR)

Bears

• HC Marc Trestman “left the door open” to possibly resting some players on Sunday depending on what happens with the Lions and Packers. (Zach Zaidman)
• WR Brandon Marshall put in a limited practice on Thursday. (Jeff Dickerson)
• Bears signed DB Sean Cattouse to their practice squad.

Bengals

•  LT Andrew Whitworth suffered a concussion during Wednesday’s practice. (Geoff Hobson)
• TE Jermaine Gresham practiced in full on Thursday.

Bills

• HC Doug Marrone said he’s “110 percent confident” rookie QB E.J. Manuel will play in Week 17. (BuffaloBills.com)
• HC Doug Marrone mentioned that RB Fred Jackson is expected to play in Week 16. (Buffalo News)

Broncos

• WR Wes Welker did not practice again on Thursday. (Mike Klis)
• WR Andre Caldwell is expected to be the Broncos’ No. 3 receiver on Sunday. (ESPN.com)
• DB Champ Bailey is practicing in full this week. (ESPN.com)

Browns

• The Browns are believed to have interest in pursuing RB Ben Tate during free agency. (NFLTR)
• TE MarQueis Gray could be in for a large workload if TE Jordan Cameron is unable to play on Sunday. (Akron Beacon-Journal)
• CB Joe Haden did not practice on Thursday. (Nate Ulrich)
• WR Davone Bess did not practice on Thursday. (Tony Grossi)
• TE Jordan Cameron did not practice on Thursday. (Nate Ulrich)

Buccaneers

• Buccaneers OC Mike Sullivan will interview for the Army HC job on Friday. (Kevin Gleason)

Cardinals

• WR Larry Fitzgerald returned to practice on Thursday. (Mike Jurecki)
• QB Carson Palmer put in a limited practice on Thursday. (Darren Urban)
• TE Rob Housler returned to practice on Thursday. (Darren Urban)

Chargers

• RB Ryan Mathews put in a full practice on Thursday. (Michael Gehlken)

Chiefs

• RB Dexter McCluster put in a limited practice on Thursday. (Adam Teicher)
• TE Anthony Fasano practiced in full on Thursday. (Adam Teicher)
• Chiefs re-signed DT Jerrell Powe.
• Chiefs waived WR Chad Hall.

Colts

• RB Donald Brown practiced on Thursday. (Mike Chappell)

Cowboys

• WR Terrance Williams did not practice on Thursday.

Eagles

• RB LeSean McCoy expects to have a large workload in Week 16. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• CB Brandon Boykin has been cleared to practice and is doing so Thursday. (Reuben Frank)

Falcons

• TE Tony Gonzalez did not practice on Thursday. (Vaughn McClure)
• RB Darius Johnson did not practice on Thursday. (Vaughn McClure)

Giants

• WR Victor Cruz is getting a second opinion on his sprained knee. (Dan Graziano)
• Giants rule out WR Victor Cruz for Week 16. (Dan Graziano)
• WR Jerrel Jernigan returned to practice on Thursday. (Jordan Raanan)
• RB Peyton Hillis did not practice on Thursday. (Ralph Vacchiano)

Jaguars

• WR Cecil Shorts underwent sports-hernia surgery Thursday. (John Oehser)
• RB Maurice Jones-Drew did not practice on Thursday.
• WR Jeremy Ebert has a high-ankle sprain. (Vito Stellino)

Jets

• WR Santonio Holmes mentioned that he’s willing to take a pay cut to remain in New York next season. (NFLTR)

Lions

• WR Calvin Johnson did not practice on Thursday. (Chris McCosky)
• TE Brandon Pettigrew did not practice on Thursday. (Chris McCosky)

Packers

• QB Aaron Rodgers took snaps from the backup center on Thursday and appears to be out for Week 16. (NFLTR)
• QB Matt Flynn took the first-team reps on Thursday. (NFLTR)
• WR Randall Cobb is unlikely to return until the playoffs, assuming that Green Bay even qualifies for the postseason. (FOX Sports Wisconsin)
• WR Randall Cobb put in an “extremely limited” practice on Thursday.
• RB Eddie Lacy did not practice on Thursday. (Rob Demovsky)
• DE Johnny Jolly sustained a significant injury. (Rob Demovsky)

Panthers

• DE Greg Hardy mentioned that he is open to offering Carolina a hometown discount. (NFLTR)

Patriots

• QB Tom Brady put in a limited practice on Thursday.
• WR Danny Amendola put in a limited practice on Thursday.
• WR Kenbrell Thompkins put in a limited practice on Thursday.
• LT Nate Solder returned to practice on Thursday. (Field Yates)
• WR Aaron Dobson expects to play in Week 16. (Mike Reiss)
• WR Josh Boyce did not practice on Thursday. (Field Yates)
• TE Michael Hoomanawanui put in a limited practice on Thursday.

Rams

• RB Zac Stacy mentioned that he feels “as good as new.” (St Louis Post-Dispatch)

Ravens

• QB Joe Flacco‘s Wednesday MRI on his knee revealed a “mild” MCL sprain. (Adam Schefter)
• QB Joe Flacco will wear a brace on the knee this weekend. (Adam Schefter)
• QB Joe Flacco put in a limited practice on Thursday.
• RB Ray Rice returned to practice on Thursday. (Aaron Wilson)

Redskins

• Redskins place TE Jordan Reed on season-ending injured reserve.
• TE Jordan Reed is meeting with concussion specialists on Thursday. (ESPN.com)

Seahawks

• Seahawks signed WR Bryan Walters to their active roster.
• Seahawks re-signed DT Michael Brooks to their practice squad.

Texans

• Texans have interviewed Lovie Smith for their vacant head coaching position. (NFLTR)
• RB Ben Tate may have played his last snap with the Texans. (NFLTR)
• TE Ryan Griffin is expected to start in place of Garrett Graham this weekend. (CSN Houston)
• TE Garrett Graham did not practice on Thursday. (John McClain)

Titans

• RB Chris Johnson returned to practice on Thursday. (Jim Wyatt)

Vikings

• RB Adrian Peterson did not practice on Thursday.  (Chip Scoggins)
• TE John Carlson did not practice on Thursday and is dealing with post-concussion symptoms. (Chip Scoggins)