Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has an ailing hip and a non-injury-related issue, but Beast Mode is active for Sunday.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport had said on NFL Network on Sunday morning that Lynch is expected to start against Tennessee and anchor a backfield churning out 159 yards per week, second only to the run-heavy Philadelphia Eagles. The team later announced Lynch will play.
Here's the rest of Sunday's injury news:
- Rapoport said on "NFL GameDay Morning" that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is expected to play against the Carolina Panthers following the tragic death of one of his sons on Friday.
- NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Saturday night that Rob Gronkowski has yet to be cleared, and is unlikely to play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, according to a source informed of the situation. Dr. James Andrews has met with Gronk over the past five months about his surgically repaired forearm and encouraged the New England Patriots tight end to sit out one more week, according to Breer.
Rapoport reported Sunday that Patriots doctors believe Gronkowski is healthy enough to play, but they want him to be fully comfortable with his return to field.
- C.J. Spiller is questionable with an ankle injury, but a source who spoke with the Buffalo Bills running back told Rapoport that Spiller will play against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Silver: Cincy's Magic Mike
- Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is active and will start against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, the team announced. Megatron's banged-up knee looked fine in pregame warmups, meaning Joe Haden could be in for a long afternoon.
- Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson will play against the St. Louis Rams. He's been dealing with a shin injury for weeks, but Rapoport was told swelling on the leg has subsided.
- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is active but not expected to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rapoport reported Sunday. Nick Foles will start for Vick, who suffered a hamstring injury against the New York Giants last weekend. There's concern Vick also could miss next week's tilt, per Rapoport.
- Rapoport reported Sunday that Johnthan Banks will play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a specialist inspected the team's facilities and ruled that the rookie cornerback "does not pose a risk of (MRSA) transmission to other players." The news is less promising for Bucs guard Carl Nicks, who also is battling MRSA and is not expected to play Sunday against the Eagles, per Rapoport.
- Also out for the Bucs, receiver Mike Williams is inactive after missing Friday's practice with a hamstring injury.
- Bengals pass rusher Michael Johnson (concussion) and cornerback Leon Hall (hamstring) will be ready to go against the Buffalo Bills, a source told Rapoport.
- Quarterback Josh Freeman is inactive for the Vikings. Rapoport reported Minnesota plans to give him another week to acclimate and learn the playbook.
- New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the winless Pittsburgh Steelers and "good to go," per NFL Media's Randy Moss.
- A Raiders source told NFL Media's Stacey Dales that running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings -- both battling hamstring injuries -- will play for Oakland against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. On defense, run-stuffing linebacker Kaluka Maiava will be inactive, Dales reported.
- The Chiefs announced that cornerback Brandon Flowers is inactive with a knee injury. A team source told Dales that Flowers was hurt during Friday's practice.
- Ravens receiver Jacoby Jones (knee) is active for the first time since Baltimore's season opener. The team also announced that Eugene Monroe will start at left tackle and Bryant McKinnie will be deactivated.
- Here's a weird one: The Steelersdeactivated left tackle Mike Adams in favor of the newly acquired Levi Brown -- who, it turns out, won't play against the Jets. Brown suffered a triceps injury in pregame warmups, paving the way for Guy Whimper to see action, per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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