Player Notes

NFL Team Report - Pittsburgh SteelersPLAYER NOTES --S Sean Davis injured his quad against the Saints. He did not practice Wednesday. --LB Vince Williams, who injured his toe against the Saints, did not practice Wednesday. --RB James Conner, who has missed the past three games with a high ankle sprain, went through a full practice. It was the first time he was listed as a full practice participant ...

NFL Team Report - Pittsburgh Steelers--The Steelers are upset that two questionable pass interference penalties greatly influenced the outcome of their game against the Saints - a result that is likely to keep the team out the postseason - but head coach Mike Tomlin is not in favor of making penalties subject to review. Tomlin, a member of the league's competition committee, believes an added layer ...

NFL Team Report - Pittsburgh SteelersSteelers backs against the wall in season finale The Pittsburgh Steelers were excellent in close games last season. They were 8-2 in games decided by seven points or fewer. It's why they won 13 games and earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Steelers this season aren't nearly as good, and it's the reason they need help entering the final week of the regular ...

NFL Team Report - Miami DolphinsPLAYER NOTES --DE Evander "Ziggy" Hood is questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury. After playing his first five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he is on his fourth team in the past five years. --CB Xavien Howard is likely to miss his fourth straight game due to a knee injury. Despite all the time missed, he is still tied for the NFL lead with seven ...

NFL Team Report - Miami Dolphins--Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill: "Every position (on the team) has its faults. Start with me, and go all the way down the line." --Free safety Reshad Jones: "We put in a lot of work in the offseason. To not make the playoffs - it's tough." --Punter Matt Haack has already set a franchise record with 34 punts inside the 20. --Defensive end Cam Wake had one ...

NFL Team Report - Miami DolphinsDolphins playing for pride ... and jobs When the Miami Dolphins visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, a spot in the playoffs won't be at stake. The Dolphins (7-8) and Bills (5-10) have already been eliminated even though they started the season with legitimate optimism. Buffalo was coming off its first playoff season since 1999, and Miami was getting its quarterback, ...

NFL Team Report - New England PatriotsPLAYER NOTES --CB J.C. Jackson: Jackson continues to impress with an interception on Sunday. Jackson is a physical corner who has established himself as a strong second corner after nearly shutting down JuJu Smith-Schuster two weeks ago against Pittsburgh. Jackson has learned to use his hands in recent weeks without drawing penalties like he did earlier in the ...

NFL Team Report - New England Patriots--Safety Patrick Chung on the improvement of Sam Darnold: "He's gotten better. He's gotten better. It seems like he's calmed down a little bit. He's making the right throws, he's making good decisions, he's doing it really fast and he's athletic enough to make plays. I mean, he's definitely come along. It seems like he's grown up a little bit - not saying grown ...

NFL Team Report - New England PatriotsFirst-round bye is Patriots goal The New England Patriots are 10-5 and have clinched the AFC East. The Patriots must win Sunday to earn a first-round bye. If the Patriots have any chance of going to the Super Bowl, they likely need the bye. With a 3-5 road record this season, the Patriots will only have to play at most one road game to get to the Super Bowl if ...

NFL Team Report - Chicago BearsPLAYER NOTES --G Kyle Long (foot) is practicing with the team and the intent is to activate him for Sunday's game, barring any setbacks. Long padded up and practiced Wednesday and is in the middle of a 21-day window for evaluation for returning. He had a foot tendon injury Oct. 28 and has been on injured reserve. His return to the lineup would likely mean right guard ...