Andre Johnson back at practice, hopes to play

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 28, 2011, 2:29 PM EST

AP

The Houston Texans are locked into the AFC No. 3 seed in the playoffs, which means they could give any injured players this week off to make sure they’re healthy for the postseason. But that doesn’t appear to be the plan.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak says receiverAndre Johnson, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, was impressive on the practice field on Wednesday and should make an appearance on the field Sunday against the Titans.

Terrell Owens wants to join the 49ers, again

Posted by Mike Florio on December 28, 2011, 1:49 PM EST

AP

When Braylon Edwards joined the 49ers, he initially wore No. 81.  But Edwards was quick to point out that he wasn’t thrilled with the situation.

“I’m not trying to be known as the next [Terrell Owens] or anything related to him, and maybe not even 17,” Edwards said at the time.  “Maybe a fresh start means a fresh number, so 81 is temporary.  And when the time is right, I’ll find the number that I’ll be wearing.”

Romo to play, despite hand injury

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 28, 2011, 12:33 PM EST

Getty Images

If there was any doubt that Tony Romo would be under center for the Cowboys on Sunday night against the Giants, that doubt should be eliminated with the news that Romo is good to go for today’s practice.

Romo will be practicing today despite the bruised hand he suffered Saturday against the Eagles, Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports.

Although Romo’s hand was badly swollen after it collided with the helmet of Philadelphia’s Jason Babin, he said he would have tried to return to the game if it had meant anything to the Cowboys’ playoff hopes.

And since Sunday’s game against the Giants will determine whether Dallas wins the NFC East or sees its season end, Romo will be there.

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Report: Cardinals to keep Kevin Kolb next year

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on December 28, 2011, 11:28 AM EST

AP

The Cardinals could get out of the rest of Kevin Kolb’s contract without incurring too much damage if they wanted to.

They don’t want to.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports that the Cardinals plan to pay Kolb’s $7 million roster bonus and retain him for the 2012 season. The bonus was only guaranteed for injury, not skill.

2011 NFL Regular Season Schedule: Week 17

Week 17
Sun, Jan 01	Time (ET)	Stadium/Tickets	Network	DIRECTV	SIRIUS	Westwood One	Game Access
WAS @ PHI	1:00 PM	Lincoln Financial Field Tickets	FOX	711	139 (WAS)   92 (PHI)		Game Center Listen | Watch
TEN @ HOU	1:00 PM	Reliant Stadium Tickets	CBS	706	106 (TEN)   128 (HOU)		Game Center Listen | Watch
IND @ JAC	1:00 PM	EverBank Field Tickets	CBS	710	113 (IND)   112 (JAC)		Game Center Listen | Watch
SF @ STL	1:00 PM	Edward Jones Dome Tickets	FOX	709	137 (SF)   117 (STL)		Game Center Listen | Watch
DET @ GB	1:00 PM	Lambeau Field Tickets	FOX	712	85 (DET)   104 (GB)		Game Center Listen | Watch
NYJ @ MIA	1:00 PM	Sun Life Stadium Tickets	CBS	704	86 (NYJ)   136 (MIA)		Game Center Listen | Watch
CAR @ NO	1:00 PM	Mercedes-Benz Superdome Tickets	FOX	707	138 (CAR)   125 (NO)		Game Center Listen | Watch
BUF @ NE	1:00 PM	Gillette Stadium Tickets	CBS	705	134 (BUF)   93 (NE)		Game Center Listen | Watch
CHI @ MIN	1:00 PM	Mall of America Field Tickets	FOX	708	135 (CHI)   94 (MIN)		Game Center Listen | Watch
PIT @ CLE	4:15 PM	Cleveland Browns Stadium Tickets	CBS	716	135 (PIT)   92 (CLE)		Game Center Listen | Watch
BAL @ CIN	4:15 PM	Paul Brown Stadium Tickets	CBS	715	134 (BAL)   94 (CIN)		Game Center Listen | Watch
SEA @ ARI	4:15 PM	University of Phoenix Stadium Tickets	FOX	714	139 (SEA)   112 (ARI)		Game Center Listen | Watch
TB @ ATL	4:15 PM	Georgia Dome Tickets	FOX	713	136 (TB)   117 (ATL)		Game Center Listen | Watch
SD @ OAK	4:15 PM	O.co Coliseum Tickets	CBS	718	85 (SD)   93 (OAK)		Game Center Listen | Watch
KC @ DEN	4:15 PM	Sports Authority Field at Mile High Tickets	CBS	717	132 (KC)   86 (DEN)		Game Center Listen | Watch
DAL @ NYG	8:20 PM	MetLife Stadium Tickets	NBC		92 (DAL)   93 (NYG)	Radio	Game Center Listen | Watch

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Seahawks have five Pro Bowl alternates

Posted by Mike Florio on December 27, 2011, 9:02 PM EST

AP

The Seahawks won’t be making it back to the playoffs in 2011.  But they’ll potentially be well represented at the Pro Bowl in Honolulu.

John Boyle of the Everett (Wash.) Heraldreports that five members of the team have been named as alternates for the league’s annual all-star game.  While the information isn’t generally publicized by the NFL, the league informs each team of the players who will serve as the understudies if/when members of the main team aren’t available, due to injury, qualification for the Super Bowl, or lack of desire to attend.