The defense of the Carolina Panthers will be fully operational for Sunday night's pivotal NFC South meeting with the New Orleans Saints.
Pass rusher Charles Johnson tweeted Sunday that he'll be ready to play after missing the past two games with the sprained right MCL he sustained against the New England Patriots in Week 11:
Johnson's injury forced Carolina to field a rotation of Mario Addison and Frank Alexander at defensive end. The Panthers won two games without their leading sack artist, but Johnson's presence will be critical for a team angling to put the heat on Drew Brees.
Other injuries we're monitoring heading into Week 14:
- Cleveland's quarterback room officially has devolved into madness. Brandon Weeden was sent home Monday with a concussion he suffered in Sunday's ugly loss to the Jaguars, Browns coach Rob Chudzinski told reporters. Meanwhile, the also-concussed Jason Campbell has been cleared for team activities but not for practice. If Campbell improves in time for Wednesday's session, he'll be your starter for Week 14. If not, it's possible that YouTube luminaryAlex Tanney or some hobby horse off the street suits up for Sunday's increasingly ominous meeting with the Patriots.
- NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Seattle Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin had cortisone shots on his ailing hip Saturday, per a source informed of his health. Harvin views himself as "out" for Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints.
- Trindon Holliday left Denver's win over the Kansas City Chiefs with a shoulder injury, but a source who spoke to the Broncos return man told Rapoport that it's not serious. Holliday's a fair bet to play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
- Packers coach Mike McCarthy was scheduled to speak with reporters Monday at 4:45 p.m. CT, but that meet-and-greet has been postponed to Tuesday afternoon, per the team. We mention this because McCarthy was expected to weigh in on the potential return of Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback, sidelined with a fractured collarbone, expects to return this season. Rodgers will have more tests Tuesday to help determine if his left collarbone has healed enough to allow him to play, Rapoport reported, per a source with knowledge of the quarterback's injury.
- The wait continues for Justin Houston and his dislocated elbow. Chiefs coach Andy Reiddidn't express optimism Monday when asked if the pass rusher would be ready for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, per ESPN.com's Adam Teicher. On the Branden Albert front, Reid confirmed the offensive tackle suffered a hyperextended knee against Denver and remains day to day.
- As expected, Broncos coach John Fox returned to team headquarters Monday after undergoing heart valve replacement surgery that kept him out of action for the past four games.
- Positive news for the Bengals, who will welcome back into the fold right guard Kevin Zeitler (foot)Â for Cincinnati's critical Week 14 tilt with the Indianapolis Colts. Zeitler hasn't played since Week 10.
- Darrelle Revis left Sunday's loss to the Panthers with a chest/shoulder injury, but coach Greg Schiano told reporters that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback isn't believed to be seriously hurt.
- Jay Cutler still is recovering from a high-ankle sprain. Coach Marc Trestman said Monday that the Chicago Bears quarterback is "week to week," and the team will re-evaluate the passer's injury on Thursday. Cutler on Monday told WMVP-AM that he likely will have to practice this week in order to have a shot of playing Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin is out for the team's matchup with the New Orleans Saints on Monday night after his surgically-repaired hip flared up. Harvin visited doctors and received a cortisone shot. The Seahawks will wait to see how Harvin responds to the injections and the team may shut him down for the rest of the regular season in hopes he returns for the playoffs.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" recapped every Week 13 game.
