NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 15.AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsDT Kyle Williams missed last Sundays game after his back locked up late in the week, and Williams did not practice Wednesday. Coach Rex Ryan said Williams is improving and that he is very hopeful Williams can play against the Browns. Williams is the Bills third-ranked defender by Pro Football Focus.?-- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsMLB Kiko Alonso said hes doing everything he can to avoid missing his second straight game due to hamstring and thumb injuries. Alonso had a limited practice Wednesday, which is promising. The hamstring is a bigger concern for Alonso than his surgically repaired thumb.?-- James WalkerNew England PatriotsCB Malcolm Butler injured his hip late in the third quarter of Mondays win over the Ravens, and he was limited in the teams first practice of the week. Butler had missed four plays in Mondays game before returning, and he walked out of the locker room on Wednesday without a noticeable limp. It also looks like WR Danny Amendola (ankle) will need at least another week until he is ready to return.?-- Mike ReissNew York JetsRB Matt Forte has a torn meniscus in his right knee, but hes still hoping to play Saturday against the Dolphins. It will be a game-time decision. Either way, look for Bilal Powell to have a significant role in the backfield. RT Brent Qvale (hamstring) is a question mark, meaning rookie Brandon Shell might have to make his first start. Hed have to block DE Cameron Wake. Its not scary, coach Todd Bowles insisted. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensCB Jimmy Smith didnt practice Wednesday after spraining his right ankle Monday night. He is one defender the Ravens could not afford to lose. The drop off at cornerback is significant after Smith. If he is sidelined, the Ravens will go with Shareece Wright, who has allowed six touchdowns in nine games, according to Pro Football Focus. --?Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsWill A.J. Green play against the Steelers? His status is up in the air, even though he practiced Wednesday. Green wasnt doing much in the open portion of practice, so Thursdays practice will tell more.?-- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsThe Browns are surprisingly healthy for this late in the season. LT Joe Thomas missed practice with a knee issue he has battled all week, but he wont miss the game. Thomas has not missed a down since he was drafted by the Browns in 2007 -- a streak of 9,737 snaps in a row. Thomas wont let that streak end unless its necessary.?-- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers are getting healthy for the stretch run. Two starting linemen who missed last week, G Ramon Foster (chest) and NT Javon Hargrave (concussion), practiced Wednesday. The biggest concern remains WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who hopes to return from a nagging midfoot injury before the season ends. The Steelers need more production from the No. 2 receiver spot and could use him.?-- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansThe Texans have two defensive starters dealing with injuries that could cause them to miss Sundays game against the Jaguars: veteran CB Johnathan Joseph (ribs) and OLB John Simon (chest). Neither practiced Wednesday, and head coach Bill OBrien said they are day-to-day with the injuries. If Joseph cannot play again, Robert Nelson will likely get increased playing time for the second straight week. On offense, TE C.J. Fiedorowicz is in the concussion protocol and didnt practice. He is also day-to-day, according to OBrien.?-- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsQB Andrew Luck missed practice Wednesday with an injured right elbow and shoulder, which was?sustained against the Texans on Sunday. Coach Chuck Pagano said his quarterback should be OK, and Luck said he absolutely plans to play against the Vikings this weekend. Luck has already missed one game, on Thanksgiving night, with a concussion. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsRB Chris Ivory has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, but the Jaguars are optimistic he will be able to play against Houston. Things arent as clear with WR Allen Hurns (hamstring), who hasnt practiced since getting injured against Buffalo on Nov. 27.?-- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansDL Jurrell Casey missed last weeks game against the Broncos with a sprained foot, but he returned to do limited work on Wednesday. Karl Klug, who replaced Casey in the starting lineup, was out Wednesday with an achilles injury. The Titans would have to rely on some talented but inexperienced players if Casey and Klug cant play. Angelo Blackson and Austin Johnson would be in line for many more snaps.?-- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosAs they prepare to host the Patriots on Sunday, the Broncos face the prospect of being without both starting inside linebackers. Todd Davis, who left last weeks loss against the Titans with a rib injury, took part in some of the teams walk through Wednesday and did not take part in the full practice. Brandon Marshall, who missed the Titans game with a hamstring injury and said this past Friday hes not close to coming back, didnt practice Wednesday. Tom Brady will almost certainly throw plenty of passes toward his backs and tight ends to isolate the Broncos linebackers in coverage. The Patriots are also the leagues No. 7 rushing team, and LeGarrette Blount is the No. 5 rusher (yards) in the NFL.?-- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsILB Derrick Johnson will be difficult if not impossible for the Chiefs to replace. Theyre merely trying to make the best of a bad situation. Johnson, who tore his Achilles tendon in last weeks win over the Raiders, rarely came out of the lineup and was equally productive on running and passing downs. In addition, he relayed the defensive signals and was responsible for making sure the front seven lined up properly pre-snap. The Chiefs have some options for replacing Johnson in Frank Zombo, a veteran who could move from the outside, and D.J. Alexander, a fifth-round pick last year. Whatever they do, the Chiefs dont expect the same level of production from that spot.?-- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersRookie SS Karl Joseph again missed practice Wednesday. Joseph sat out last Thursday nights game with a left big toe injury and was in a boot after getting hurt against the Bills on Dec. 4. He spent the rest of that week toiling about in a walking boot. That puts the first-rounders availability for Sundays win-and-theyre-in game at San Diego in serious doubt. Nate Allen should again get the start, but dont be surprised if Keith McGill gets some snaps on passing downs.?-- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersRB Melvin Gordon is probably out this week after suffering a hip strain and knee sprain early in last weeks game against the Panthers. That means Kenneth Farrow will likely get his first career start. Farrow is an undrafted rookie out of Houston, and hes a bruising runner. However, Farrows still inexperienced in the offense, and he doesnt offer the explosive playmaking ability of Gordon.?-- Eric D. WilliamsNFC EASTDallas CowboysThe Cowboys have to manage DE DeMarcus Lawrences work through practice after he suffered a recent back injury. He went through just one limited workout last week and played in 13 snaps against the Giants on Sunday. Itll be more of the same this week, which is not good news for a pass rush that needs all the help possible. When healthy, Lawrence can provide consistent pressure, but he hasnt been 100 percent this season, even after his return from a four-game suspension. The best the Cowboys can hope for, it seems, is production in spot duty down the stretch.?-- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsKeenan Robinson is a big part of the Giants defense, even if hes not technically a starter. Robinson plays more than half the snaps as a nickel linebacker, and he sat out Wednesdays practice with what coach Ben McAdoo called a chronic shoulder issue. Its unlikely Robinson misses Sundays game, but it is troubling to see him dealing with this again -- this is the same injury that derailed him with the Redskins. How hes able to perform down the stretch with the shoulder potentially bothering him could prove crucial.?-- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesVeteran RB Darren Sproles remains in concussion protocol following a vicious hit while fielding a punt return Sunday against the Redskins. Fellow RB Wendell Smallwood (knee) was recently placed on injured reserve,?so Ryan Mathews and Kenjon Barner will likely carry much of the load if Sproles is not available.?-- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsThe Redskins have a handful of injury issues that could impact Mondays game against the Panthers. One big question involves how much TE Jordan Reed can play with the shoulder injury that limited him to 10 snaps last week. Washington didnt have a full workout Wednesday, so more will be known about any increased availability later in the week. The Redskins also have two injured linebackers, Will Compton and Sua Cravens, who are considered week-to-week with a knee and elbow issue, respectively. Finally, two starting linemen were missing last week: LG Shawn Lauvao (groin) and C Spencer Long (concussion). More will be known about their status Thursday. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsThe only injury of note is NT Eddie Goldman, who missed practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Goldman has dealt with ankle problems much of the season, and he suffered another setback in Chicagos loss in Detroit on Sunday. Goldman is Chicagos best run-stopping defensive lineman and will be missed if he cannot play in Week 15 against the Packers, even though Green Bay does not have much of a ground attack. Veteran receiver Eddie Royal also continues to battle a toe injury. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsThe biggest question for the Lions is Matthew Staffords right middle finger. He wore a semi-covered glove during practice but looked fine throwing the ball and didnt seem to be too bothered by the injury. Stafford said hes planning on taking every practice rep this week and doesnt appear overly concerned. His running backs, though, might be a bigger issue. Theo Riddick didnt practice Wednesday and Zach Zenner is still in the leagues concussion protocol, practicing with a red, no-contact jersey. This leaves Detroit with two healthy backs: Dwayne Washington and Joique Bell. Also, starting C Travis Swanson (concussion) missed his fourth straight practice and DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) also sat out Wednesday.?-- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersMike McCarthy said QB Aaron Rodgers told him not to hold anything out of the game plan because of his injured right calf. But it has to be concerning that Rodgers didnt practice Wednesday, and he isnt expected to be on the field Thursday, according to McCarthy. Rodgers had been limited in practice the past two weeks because of a left hamstring injury, but his mobility didnt seem to be as bad as it was after he hurt his calf on the third play from scrimmage last Sunday against the Seahawks. Rodgers will play this Sunday at Chicago, but its worth wondering how hell be able to move, especially in whats expected to be sub-zero temperatures.?-- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsQB Sam Bradford showed up on the Vikings injury report as a limited participant with a right shoulder injury, but if the Vikings were concerned that Bradford might be at risk of not playing Sunday against the Colts, they likely would have held him out of practice Wednesday. Bradfords status will be worth monitoring this week, but hed seem like a good bet to play against Indianapolis.?-- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsWR Julio Jones status remains in limbo as coach Dan Quinn changed the definition of Jones injury from turf toe to a toe sprain. Quinn said he wasnt medically informed when he first referred to the injury as turf toe. Whatever the case, Jones did not practice Wednesday. Quinn said the injury is not a long-term issue, but it wouldnt be shocking to see the Falcons rest Jones for the second consecutive week.?-- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersMLB Luke Kuechly?is back practicing after failing to pass the final stage of the concussion protocol for Sundays game against San Diego. Hell go through the same routine this week to see if hell be cleared for Mondays game against Washington after missing three straight games. Something to keep an eye on is QB Cam Newton, who got the first rest day of his career when healthy on Wednesday. He said it was to give his body a break, but he didnt throw, so it seemed like it was?more to give his arm a break. He has completed 42.8 percent of his passes in the past four games. Newton doesnt anticipate this is anything that will impact him playing against Washington.?-- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsIts hard to keep up with the Saints injury report as they limp to the finish line in yet another non-playoff season. The good news is that three key players who missed last Sundays game all practiced on a limited basis Wednesday: WR Michael Thomas, C Max Unger and LB Craig Robertson. However, the Saints placed standout LT Terron Armstead on injured reserve with his lingering knee and quad issues, and CB Delvin Breaux and RB Mark Ingram also missed practice. Ingram still seems likely to play since he played through the same issues after missing practice time last week. LT Andrus Peat has done a nice job filling in for Armstead at times this season. Breaux seems less certain, though -- and hell be missed since he wouldve been a good matchup against Larry Fitzgerald.?-- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersS Chris Conte was a full participant in Wednesdays practice, a good sign for his return after missing two games with a chest injury. Slot receiver Adam Humphries also continues to practice, suggesting he could be soon cleared from the concussion protocol. RT Demar Dotson still hasnt returned to the field since missing last weeks game due to a concussion. Considering how the Saints defensive line overpowered the Bucs ground game at times, thats a big concern heading into Dallas.?-- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsThe Cardinals will be keeping a close eye on how S Tyrann Mathieus injured shoulder responds Thursday. If it reacts positively, his odds of playing Sunday against New Orleans go up. And with the amount of injuries in the secondary -- S Tyvon Branch was put on IR on Tuesday and CB Marcus Cooper is limited this week with a back injury -- Mathieus presence is needed. He said Wednesday that his injured shoulder is stronger and has more motion, but not being able to go to the ground or shed blocks in practice will make it tough for him to know how far he has come.?-- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsThe Rams recently had an uncommonly healthy stretch, but the quick turnaround for Thursdays game helped ruined that. S Maurice Alexander (concussion) and third-down RB Benny Cunningham (neck) are doubtful for the game, while starting DE Robert Quinn (concussion) and No. 2 CB E.J. Gaines (thigh) are doubtful. Cody Davis would step in for Alexander, and Eugene Sims will get a lot more snaps in place of Quinn. With Cunningham out, Malcolm Brown will get additional carries and Mike Thomas, who fumbled the opening kickoff Sunday, will be a major factor on special teams. Troy Hill, previously demoted to the practice squad in the wake of his DUI arrest, could start on the outside if Gaines cant go. Im trying to come out very vicious, Hill said. Ive got a chip on my shoulder. ?-- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersWhere do we begin? The Niners were hit hard by injuries last week against the Jets, but none were scarier than the concussion suffered by WR Torrey Smith when he landed hard on his head in the second half. He was taken to the locker room on a cart with a towel over his head. Smith is in the concussion protocol, so its possible hell progress enough to return this week, but its not pleasant to think about considering how bad the injury looked.?-- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksThe Seahawks are a healthy squad as they face the Rams in Thursday nights matchup. The only players who are questionable are backup linebackers Brock Coyle (foot) and Dewey McDonald (illness). The Seahawks will have 21 of their 22 regular starters available. The only exception is S Earl Thomas, who is out for the season with a fractured tibia. Steven Terrell will take his place for the second straight week.?-- Sheil Kapadia http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/T-Shirts/ . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Dj-Fluker-Jersey/ . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Olivier-Vernon-Jersey/ .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Rhett-Ellison-Jersey/ . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Sterling-Shepard-Jersey/ . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. SAN DIEGO -- Hunter Renfroe had a busy first big league start for the San Diego Padres.He got his first two hits. He learned that it is indeed a game of inches when he couldnt quite catch Joe Paniks fly ball that went for a double during a San Francisco rally in the eighth. He even got to show off his strong arm.The Padres lost 2-1 as Angel Pagans single broke a scoreless tie in the eighth and Jeff Samardzija struck out nine in seven innings for the Giants, who kept pace with the New York Mets for the NL wild-card lead.The Giants faced a Padres lineup that included five rookies, three making their first big league starts. The Giants snapped a six-game losing streak to the Padres, who have been their nemesis during their second-half skid. The Padres swept the Giants at San Francisco last week and in San Diego in the first series after the All-Star break. The Giants had swept the Padres three times in the first two months of the season.Panik, who had been in an 0-for-24 slump, doubled to right-center opening the eighth against Christian Friedrich (5-11). His fly ball ticked off the end of Renfroes glove, hit the ground and bounced over the fence. Kelby Tomlinson, pinch-hitting for Samardzija, singled to left to put runners on the corners and chase Friedrich. Brad Hand came on and induced Eduardo Nunez to hit into a force, with Panik holding at third. Pagan then hit a blooper that landed just fair and brought in Panik.Renfroe fielded Paniks hit and made a strong throw, but first baseman Wil Myers cut it off.Since there was no other play there, Wil probably wants to let that ball go, manager Andy Green said. I think hed say that right now. I dont think were accustomed to Hunter Renfroes arm yet. That is a very unique play to see a ball drop on the line like that and see a guy coming up firing like that. I dont know how far up the line it was going to be to Hedgy (catcher Austin Hedges), but I thought it was going to be close enough to be an interesting play at the plate. ... Theres some arm strength there.Hunter Pence doubled with two outs to bring in Nunez.I felt good. I felt like I did as well as I could have, honestly, said Renfroe, San Diegos first-round pick in the 2013 amateur draft. I could hhave done a little better defensively, touching the ball; just missed that reach there.dddddddddddd Positioning could have been better, I think. I could have caught it. Other than that, Im happy with myself. `Hunter Pence doubled with two outs to bring in Nunez.The Mets and Giants took a half-game lead over the idle St. Louis Cardinals in the wild-card race. New York beat Philadelphia 9-8 in 11 innings.San Francisco came in trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by six games in the NL West, with 10 to play.Padres pinch-hitter Alex Dickerson homered off Derek Law with one out in the eighth.Samardzija (12-10) allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings, and walked none.Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his second save in as many chances. Ryan Schimpf doubled with one out before Renfroe popped up to first base and fellow rookie Carlos Asuaje grounded to short to end it.Padres outfielders Renfroe and Manuel Margot, and second baseman Asuaje were making their first big league starts.Renfroe, Margot, Asuaje and catcher Hedges were called up Wednesday from Triple-A El Paso, which won the Pacific Coast League title before losing to International League champion Scranton-Wilkes-Barre in the Triple-A showdown on Tuesday night in Memphis. Renfroe and Asuaje made their big league debuts as pinch-hitters on Wednesday night while Margot made his as a pinch-runner. Hedges made his big league debut last year.Padres reliever Jose Torres made his big league debut when he started the ninth.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: Manager Bruce Bochy said RHP Johnny Cueto, who was forced out of his start Tuesday night with a strained groin, is improving and will try to throw on Friday. ... Bochy said SS Brandon Crawfords dislocated pinky on his glove hand was doing a lot better. Yesterday he had a tough day. It was really sore. Hes throwing to keep in shape.Padres: Manager Andy Green said RHP Colin Rea has begun throwing. Hes been shut down with an elbow injury.UP NEXTGiants: Rookie RHP Albert Suarez (3-4, 4.16) is scheduled to start Friday night.Padres: RHP Edwin Jackson (4-6, 6.00) gets the start Friday night. ' ' '