NFL Player News

The NFL announced Friday the rosters for the 2014 Pro Bowl, which will be held on Jan. 26 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The league will hold a draft on Jan. 22 where Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will select their respective squads for the annual all-star game.

Quarterback: Tom Brady, Patriots; Drew Brees, Saints; Peyton Manning, Broncos; Cam Newton, Panthers; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Russell Wilson, Seahawks.

Running back: Jamaal Charles, Chiefs; Matt Forte, Bears; Frank Gore, 49ers; Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; Adrian Peterson, Vikings.

Fullback: Marcel Reece, Raiders; Mike Tolbert, Panthers.

Wide receiver: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dez Bryant, Cowboys; Josh Gordon, Browns; A.J. Green, Bengals; Andre Johnson, Texans; Calvin Johnson, Lions; Brandon Marshall, Bears; Demaryius Thomas Broncos.

Tight end: Jordan Cameron, Browns; Vernon Davis, 49ers; Jimmy Graham, Saints; Julius Thomas, Broncos.

Guard: Jahri Evans, Saints; Ben Grubbs, Saints; Mike Iupati, 49ers; Logan Mankins, Patriots; Louis Vasquez, Broncos; Marshal Yanda, Ravens.

Center: Ryan Kalil, Panthers; Alex Mack, Browns; Mike Pouncey, Dolphins; Max Unger, Seahawks.

Packers DE Mike Neal, LB Nick Perry, DT Ryan Pickett, TE Andrew Quarless and TE Ryan Taylor are probable Week 17.

Ryan is dealing with an illness, and did not practice Thursday. The other four players were able to put in limited practice Thursday.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham did not practice Thursday and has been ruled out for the Sunday game at Tennessee with a hamstring injury. He will end the season with three straight inactives.

Thanks partly to an injury to starter Owen Daniels, Graham recorded career-highs in 2013 in catches (49), receiving yards (545) and touchdowns (5).

Some statistics are inexplicable. Take Saints prolific tight end Jimmy Graham, who leads the NFL in all statistical categories at his position. The New Orleans offense has been far superior at home this season than on the road, yet the opposite has been the case with his production.

Graham has had four of his five best games this season in away games. He has 46 catches for 670 yards on the road and four for 474 yards at home. His touchdowns have been pretty much evenly split. He is also on an uncharacteristically poor run in which he has failed to gain more than 73 yards in any of his last four games, during which he has just 16 catches for 198 yards.

He does have three scores in those games, however, giving him 15 for the season. Visiting Week 17 opponent Tampa Bay ranks a middle-of-the-road 16th against opposing tight ends, but it really doesn't matter in the case of Graham. Despite his recent struggles, he remains a top-of-the-line Fantasy option in all leagues.

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis is on a hot streak, but is facing a poor matchup Week 17.

The Colts do a great job limiting tight ends, allowing them to average just 5.60 Fantasy points per game. Indianapolis has only allowed 20 passing touchdowns through 15 games this season. Only three have gone to opposing tight ends. The team also does a good job limiting yardage, holding tight ends below 50 yards this season.

Lewis has become a main target of Chad Henne. With Justin Blackmon suspended and Cecil Shorts out, Lewis has become the team's only reliable target in the passing game. He's now scored in four straight games, and will look to make it five against the Colts. Lewis was limited earlier in the year by an injury, and may have finally gotten over his issues in the past month or so. The team has specifically drawn up plays for him in the red zone over the past few games. It's a tough matchup, but if anyone is going to catch a passing touchdown for Jacksonville, it's going to be Lewis.

The Lions placed tight end Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve Wednesday. He suffered an ankle injury Week 15 and was not able to play last week vs. the Giants.

An unrestricted free agent, Pettigrew finishes the year with 41 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns.

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who hurt his ankle Week 15 vs. Baltimore, was unable to practice Wednesday after sitting out last week's loss to the Giants. Detroit visits Minnesota on Sunday.

The Eagles received many offensive contributions in their 54-11 win over Chicago. Among those, running back Chris Polk ran twice for 12 yards and a touchdown and had an 8-yard reception. It was Polk's second score in the past three weeks.

Tight end Zach Ertz caught a 27-yard pass, while receiver Jason Avant hauled in all three of his targets for 26 yards. Wideout Brad Smith had a 2-yard carry. They'll all visit Dallas in Week 17.

A few Cardinals made small offensive contributions Week 16. Andre Roberts was limited to only two catches for 25 yards while Brittan Golden caught a 63-yard pass from Carson Palmer in the opening drive of the game for his only catch.

Jim Dray led all tight ends in receptions with three for 16 yards. Jake Ballard caught one of three targets for 17 yards. Rob Housler was targeted twice but held without a grab in a 17-10 victory.

A few Giants made small offensive contributions Week 15. Louis Murphy caught both of his targets for 10 yards. Michael Cox had two carries for 1 yard, while Bear Pascoe rushed for two yards on one carry and caught one of his two targets for 7 yards.

The Giants will end the season at home against Washington.