Wes Welker should make the trip to face his former teammates.
The Denver Broncos wide receiver has passed all the concussion protocol needed for him to be listed as probable, interim coach Jack Del Rio said Friday. Barring a setback before the game, Welker should be on the field Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Welker suffered a concussion during last week's 27-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He still will need to pass the final stages of concussion protocol before the game.
The probable designation is a great sign Welker will play.
Peyton Manning also is listed as probable (as if there were a question whether or not he would play). Julius Thomas (knee) and Champ Bailey (foot) are questionable for Sunday.
Here is what else you need to know from Friday's injury reports:
- Bad news for the Panthers: Coach Ron Rivera announced that defensive end Charles Johnson will miss Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins due to a knee injury he suffered after a taking a leg whip to his right leg in Carolina's 24-20 win over the Patriots on Monday night. Rivera is hopeful Johnson will only miss one game.
- Good news for the Panthers: Defensive end Greg Hardy (knee) is probable to play Sunday after returning to practice Friday. Hardy is the team's second-leading sack producer (six) behind Johnson.
- Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (illness) is doubtful to play Sunday after missing last week's game with gallbladder and kidney issues. Cornerback Dimitri Patterson (groin) also is doubtful to face the Panthers, while pass-catchers Mike Wallace (hamstring) and Rishard Matthews (back) are probable.
- Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore has been ruled out Sunday with a shoulder injury. Darren McFadden will also miss the tussle with the Tennessee Titans. The Raiders will continue to feed Rashad Jennings. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor (knee) is questionable; he could back up Matt McGloin, the announced starter.
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- Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (calf) is questionable to face the Arizona Cardinals after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. Donald Brown finally could get the bulk of the carries he's earned. Safety LaRon Landry (toe) also is questionable. Running back Stanley Havili (concussion) is out.
- Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is listed as questionable for the New York Giants, according to coach Tom Coughlin. However, Nicks has given no indications he wouldn't play. Running back Brandon Jacobs also is questionable to play versus the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is listed as questionable Sunday against the Green Bay Packers with a groin injury. However, Leslie Frazier said A.P. is ready to go.
- In other Vikings injury news, wide receiver Greg Jennings (Achilles) worked out again Friday and is questionable. Frazier said Jennings should play. Defensive end Brian Robison (neck) is questionable and will be a game-time decision. Tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) is out.
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- Pittsburgh Steelers defenders Brett Keisel (foot) and LaMarr Woodley (calf) both returned to practice Friday on a limited basis. They are questionable to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. The veteran duo missed last week's win. Emmanuel Sanders is probable.
- St. Louis Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan is listed as doubtful to play against the Chicago Bears with an eye injury.
- No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher (shoulder) is doubtful to play Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Diego Chargers. The offensive tackle didn't practice all week.
- Bears defensive tackle Stephen Paea (toe) will join quarterback Jay Cutler (groin) and linebacker Lance Briggs (shoulder) as out Sunday. On a positive note, defensive end Shea McClellin (hamstring) appears likely to play. He's listed as probable.
- Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (hamstring) is probable and a good bet to face the Giants. Also listed as probable are wide receiver Miles Austin (hamstring) and defensive linemen DeMarcus Ware (thigh), Jason Hatcher (neck) and George Selvie (shoulder).
- Houston Texans running back Ben Tate is probable for Sunday's tilt with the Jacksonville Jaguars despite battered ribs, a banged-up ankle and a tweaked toe. We expect him to play along with defensive lineman J.J. Watt, who is probable with a back injury.
- The Packers are flush with walking wounded. Linebacker Nick Perry (foot, ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's meeting with the Vikings and defensive end Johnny Jolly (groin) is doubtful. Also for Green Bay, cornerback Sam Shields (hamstring) is questionable and linebacker Clay Matthews (thumb) is probable.
- For the New York Jets, wide receivers Stephen Hill (knee), Santonio Holmes (foot, hamstring) and David Nelson (illness) are listed as probable for New York's key matchup Sunday with the Ravens.
- For Baltimore, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (knee), linebacker Daryl Smith (thigh) and cornerback Lardarius Webb (abdomen) are questionable.
*We previewed every Week 12 game in the latest "Around the League Podcast." *
