If Case Keenum's thumb is healthy enough to play at Tennessee on Sunday, it's likely that quarterback Matt Schaub has thrown his last pass with the Houston Texans.
Keenum threw his "normal amount" of passes in Thursday's practices, according to interim coach Wade Phillips.
"We'll see how he feels tomorrow," Phillips said, via the Houston Chronicle. "He'll start if he's healthy."
If Keenum does return to the lineup, he can't expect much help from the running game. Jonathan Grimes, signed off the street last week, will start in the backfield. Ray Graham, signed off the street this week, will be his backup.
Here are the rest of the injury updates from around the league:
- Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced that Aaron Rodgerswill start for the first time since fracturing his collarbone two months ago. Rodgers could be joined by Randall Cobb, who made cuts on his broken leg for the first time Thursday. McCarthy sounded optimistic that Cobb will play in Sunday's season finale. Running back Eddie Lacy is fully expected to play after missing another practice to rest his sprained ankle.
- The Dallas Cowboys continue to take a wait-and-see approach with quarterback Tony Romo's herniated disk. After tweaking his own back in Wednesday's practice, wide receiver Dez Bryant said Thursday that there's "no doubt" he will play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
- Wide receiver Wes Welker (concussion) was limited for a second straight practice. The Denver Broncos have yet to clarify whether he's cleared for game action for the Week 17 game against the Oakland Raiders.
- Calvin Johnson missed practice again with a nagging knee injury. Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz has said he wants Megatron in the lineup Sunday versus the Minnesota Vikings as long as the wide receiver gains clearance from the medical staff.
- New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was upgraded to full participation after a knee bruise limited him in Wednesday's practice ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is in danger of missing the Kansas City Chiefs' final regular-season game against the San Diego Chargers after missing Thursday's practice with a concussion.
- San Diego running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) was sidelined again Thursday. The Chargers have said they expect him to play in the must-win game versus the Chiefs.
- Cincinnati Bengals tight ends Tyler Eifert (stinger) and Jermaine Gresham (abdomen) were both held out of practice Thursday, as was leading tacklerVontaze Burfict (concussion). We won't have a good read on this valuable trio for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens until after Friday's practice.
- New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen was limited again with a groin injury Thursday. The back-to-back practices bode well for his chances of playing versus the Buffalo Bills.
- Ageless Arizona Cardinals pass rusher John Abraham (groin) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game versus the San Francisco 49ers.
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) was held out again Thursday. He's shaping up as a game-time decision for Sunday's tilt against the Cleveland Browns.
- Browns tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion) and star cornerback Joe Haden (hip) have yet to be cleared for practice, a bad sign for their chances of playing against the Steelers.
- Returning from concussions, New York Giants running backs Andre Brown and Peyton Hillis both were full participants Thursday ahead of Sunday's clash with the Washington Redskins. Wide receiver Rueben Randlevows to play through a swollen knee that kept him out of practice.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" delivered a Christmas gift, analyzing the chaotic playoff picture in both conferences.
