NFL News & Rumors: Tuesday 12/18

49ers

• Head coach Jim Harbaugh would not reveal the results of yesterday’s MRI for DL Justin Smith. (Matt Maiocco)
• Head coach Jim Harbaugh is not planning on changing kickers “at this time“. (Rob Kroichick)
• DL Justin Smith is expected to practice this week after sustaining an elbow injury. (Matt Borrows)

Bears

• RB Kahlil Bell will be re-signed. (Sean Jenson)
• WR Earl Bennett is expected to be available for week 16 after dealing with a concussion. (Sean Jenson)
• RB Michael Bush has been placed on the injured/reserved list. (NFLTR)

Bengals

• PK Mike Nugent is questionable for week 16 due to a calf injury. (Geoff Hobson)

Bills

• OL Kraig Urbik has been resigned to a four-year deal worth $15 million. (NFLTR)
• WR Marcus Easley is out for week 16 due to a hamstring injury. (Chris Brown)
• WR Donald Jones has been placed on the non-football/illness list which will end his season.
• WR Chris Hogan has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
• LB Greg Lloyd has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.

Broncos

• There are not plans to rest QB Peyton Manning down the stretch. (NFLTR)
• DB Tracy Porter could return to his backup role for week 16. (Mike Klis)

Browns

• DB T.J. Ward will be placed on the injured/reserved list due to a bone bruise in his knee. (NFLTR)
• Next team president will be Cowboys senior VP Alec Scheiner. (NFLTR)

Cardinals

• The team may cut ties with QB Kevin Kolb following the end of the season. (NFLTR)

Chargers

• WR Malcom Floyd is dealing with an ankle injury. (Michael Gehlken)

Cowboys

• TE Jason Witten is just six catches away from setting the single-season record for catches by a tightend. (Rainer Sabin)

Dolphins

• TE Charles Clay is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his knee in the team’s week 15 game. (Omar Kelly)

Eagles

• TE Clay Harbor has been placed on the injured/reserved list due to a back injury.

Giants

• RB Andre Brown mentions that he is on pace to be ready for the Super Bowl since suffering a broken leg. (Ebenezer Samuel)
• Head coach Tom Coughlin would not commit to RB Ahmad Bradshaw‘s availability for week 16. (Ebenezer Samuel)
• OL Selvish Capers has been re-signed by the team. (Ralph Vacchiano)
• DB Kenny Phillips is confident he will return to game action week 16. (Paul Schwartz)
• RB Ahmad Bradshaw does not have medical clearance to play week 16. (NFLTR)

Jaguars

• RB Rashad Jennings is set to take a concussion test today. (Ryan O’Halloran)
• RB Jordan Todman has been placed on the injured/reserved list due to a calf injury.
• DL Andre Branch has bee placed on the injured/reserved list due to a groin injury.
• WR Mike Brown has promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
• TE Isaiah Stanback has promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
• LB Brandon Marshall has promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.

Jets

• QB Greg McElroy will start week 16. (NFLTR)

Packers

• WR Greg Jennings is not open to returning to the team under the franchise tag. (NFLTR)
• WR Greg Jennings‘ “educated guess” is that he will not return with the team in 2013. (NFLTR)
• QB Aaron Rodgers mentioned his tweaked ankle will not stop him from playing week 16. (Jason Wilde)

Panthers

• OL Zack Williams has been placed on the injured/reserved listed due to a torn ACL.

Raiders

• WR Juron Criner suffered a hip injury during the team’s week 15 game. (Jerry McDonald)

Ravens

• DB Jimmy Smith could only play one half of football week 15 due to a sports hernia. (Matt Zenitz)

Redskins

• QB Robert Griffin III is considered day to day due to a knee injury. (Mark Maske)

Seahawks

• TE Sean McGrath has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. (Curtis Crabtree)
• TE Evan Moore has been waived. (John Clayton)

Steelers

• DB Justin King has been signed. (Ed Bouchette)
• DB Troy Polamalu is playing through the pain of a calf injury. (Alan Robinson)
• DB Ike Taylor is out for week 16 due to a leg injury. (Ed Bouchette)
• Head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t know if WR Emmanuel Sanders will be able to play week 16. (Ed Bouchette)
• DB Demarcus Van Dyke has been placed on the injured/reserved list due to a shoulder injury.
• RB Jonathan Dwyer will remain as the starting runningback for week 16. (Ed Bouchette)
• OL Willie Colon has been placed on the injured/reserved list due to knee surgery.

Texans

• WR Andre Johnson contributes his slow start in 2012 due to a groin injury sustained in training camp. (John McClain)

Titans

• WR Kendall Wright suffered at least one cracked rib during the team’s week 15 game. (John Glennon)
• OL Kevin Matthews is done for the season with a high ankle sprain. (Jim Wyatt)

Vikings

• Vikings seem unlikely to bring back WR Jerome Simpson. (NFLTR)