Ravens, Texans, Vikings Taking the Week Off

Every Sunday morning, the NFL’s national reporters unload injury news and other tidbits to inform our gambling decisions. Here are some of the top news items and what they mean.

PLAYERS RULED OUT

Players out Sunday include Zach Ertz, Nelson Agholor, Terry McLaurin, Chris Godwin, D.J. Moore, Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Taylor Gabriel, Akiem Hicks, Jordan Wilkins, James Conner, Maurkice Pouncey, Mark Ingram, Lamar Jackson, Josh Jacobs, Jalen Ramsey, Dee Ford, Duane Brown.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2019

This list could obviously be much longer considering how many teams are resting starters, but Schefter shares some of the biggest names.

Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook are out since the Vikings are the NFC’s sixth seed regardless of what happens today.

Mark Ingram is actually injured and likely wouldn’t play even if the Ravens needed him. Lamar Jackson will also sit, giving him plenty of time to rest up for Baltimore’s home game in two weeks.

James Conner’s return turned out to be short-lived. Though the Steelers are in a must-win situation, he’ll return to the bench with a quad injury. He had 26 touches in Week 8 against Miami and has 24 total touches since.

Speaking of short-lived returns, Josh Jacobs is expected to miss another game. The Raiders have an outside shot of making the playoffs and it’s unclear if Jacobs will be available if they do.

Zach Ertz broke a rib in the first quarter of last week’s win over Dallas. He returned to that game but didn’t practice all week. He will be sorely missed as the Eagles try to secure the NFC East.

VIKINGS AND TEXANS PLAN TO REST STARTERS

One note for Sunday: The #Vikings are planning to rest their key starters and the #Texans won’t take any chances, either. Expect both to have several starters on the sidelines even if they aren’t inactive. Smart with little or nothing to play for.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2019

We already mentioned Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram. It appears Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown are out as well. They’ll join Earl Thomas and Marshal Yanda on the sideline.

No specific Texans were mentioned in the tweet, but another reporter has that information.

WATSON, HOPKINS, TUNSIL, ROBY AMONG TEXANS LIKELY TO SIT

Texans expected to rest multiple starters against Titans in advance of likely playoff game next Saturday, currently slated to host Bills. Among key players who could be rested: Deshaun Watson, Laremy Tunsil, Bradley Roby, DeAndre Hopkins. A.J. McCarron would step in for Watson

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 29, 2019

As it stands, the Texans are the fourth seed and will host the Bills next week. They could earn the third seed this week with a win and a Kansas City loss, meaning they would host Tennessee, Pittsburgh or Oakland.

Apparently, Houston is just fine with the Bills. They’re facing an opponent in a must-win situation (Tennessee) and are rolling with their backups. Though Buffalo could very well rest their starters too, so this could be seen as leveling the playing field.

KYLER MURRAY (AZ) A GAME-TIME DECISION

#AZCardinals QB Kyler Murray (hamstring) is a true game-time decision today vs the #Rams, source said. Despite AZ promoting QB Drew Anderson, the team has not shut Murray down in Week 17 even with the injury.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2019

Murray couldn’t finish Week 16, giving Brett Hundley the chance to lead the Cardinals to victory. It would be a puzzling decision to play Murray if he’s not 100 percent in a meaningless Week 17 game, but that is apparently in the cards.

ODELL BECKHAM (CLE) DEALING WITH FOOD POISONING

#Browns WR Odell Beckham (groin, illness) is listed as questionable because of food poisoning in the last few days, but the belief is his condition has improved enough so he can be on the field today, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2019

Beckham is 46 yards away from his fifth 1,000-yard season. However, his 63.6 yards per game are the fewest of his career by far. His three touchdowns are tied with the career-low he set in 2017. He played in four games that season.

TYRON SMITH (DAL) UNLIKELY TO PLAY

#Cowboys LT Tyron Smith is not expected to play today per sources. He missed 3 days of practice with a back injury. They’re still going to test it and have him go through drills in warmups similar to the approach for NY Jets game but remember he didn’t end up playing in that one

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) December 29, 2019

It would be Smith’s third missed game of the season. The timing is not ideal, seeing as the Cowboys need to win to have any chance at making the playoffs.

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