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Pettigrew surprisingly active for finale

Brandon Pettigrew (ankle) is active for Week 17 against the Bears.

Pettigrew is taking the rare step of playing through a "doubtful" tag after sitting out in Weeks 15 and 16. Per DetroitLions.com, his ankle has "responded well to treatment" the past two days, but it's still hard to see him being anything more than a decoy against the Bears. Nevertheless, even that should be a big help for a Lions offense that's seen nearly all of its viable pass catchers land on the shelf. Inactive for the Lions are CB Drayton Florence, RB Kevin Smith, S Ricardo Silva, OT Jason Fox, OT Corey Hilliard, QB Kellen Moore and DE Ronnell Lewis.

Sun, Dec 30, 2012 11:33:00 AM

Ryan Williams: I was scared to run the ball

Cardinals RB Ryan Williams said he was "scared all last year to get the ball in my hands."

Williams was coming off a torn patella tendon sustained during the 2011 preseason. "It was something where I was trying to protect my leg instead of trying to protect the football," he admitted. "It's a scary sight being a running back and being scared to run the ball. That's something that no running back should feel." Williams averaged a pathetic 2.82 YPC before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5. He says the fear is now gone, but he'll have to prove it with the pads on in order to earn carries in Arizona. Rashard Mendenhall, Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington are all in the mix as well.

Source: Arizona Republic

May 23 - 10:44 AM

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers talking contract

Emmanuel Sanders said he is engaged in contract conversations with the Steelers "right now."

Sanders is currently operating on a one-year, $2.5M contract after the Steelers matched a restricted free agent tender from the Patriots. Finally getting a chance to run with the No. 2 wideout job, Sanders may think he can have a breakout season and then hit the unrestricted free agency market as a hot commodity. It's a dicey negotiation for the Steelers as Sanders has totaled just 94 catches, 1,290 yards and five touchdowns through three NFL seasons. They won't overpay.

Source: CBS Pittsburgh

May 23 - 10:29 AM

Marshawn Lynch's DUI proceedings delayed

Marshawn Lynch's motion to suppress evidence hearing stemming from his 2012 DUI has been delayed until July 5.

The motion was originally expected to be heard yesterday and a jury trial was scheduled for June 21. Now the entire case has been pushed back and there's no trial date set, making it possible that this bleeds into training camp. It creates a hairy situation for fantasy owners, as Lynch could be facing a suspension from the league if he's found guilty. Robert Turbin and Christine Michael are taking the reps at OTAs this week as Lynch trains on his own.

Source: Tacoma News Tribune

May 23 - 8:25 AM

Wes Welker expects reception total to dwindle

Wes Welker admitted that he expects his reception totals to drop significantly in Denver.

Welker averaged a mind-blowing 112.0 catches per season during his six-year stint with the Patriots. That's not going to happen in a Broncos scheme that not only emphasizes its talented outside receivers more so than the slot, but will be more balanced than the offenses in New England. "If I have to catch 112 balls," Welker acknowledged, "that probably means we're in trouble."

Source: Denver Post

May 23 - 8:19 AM

Vernon Davis to pick up slack for Crabtree?

CSN Bay Area considers Vernon Davis the "strongest candidate" to pick up the slack in the 49ers' passing game.

Over the final nine games of last season (including playoffs), Davis saw just 31 targets. Michael Crabtree, the apple of Colin Kaepernick's eye, saw 89 passes during that span. Now that Crabtree (Achilles') is out until at least Week 12 -- and possibly longer -- the Niners could build a tight end-heavy passing scheme centered around the freakishly talented Davis. They used a second-round pick on Rice TE Vance McDonald last month.

Source: CSN Bay Area

May 23 - 7:22 AM

49ers confident WR Crabtree will play in '13

Coach Jim Harbaugh insists Michael Crabtree's Achilles' tendon tear is not a season-ending injury.

The Niners aren't giving any firm timetable, but the rehab process typically takes at least six months. If Crabtree is back in exactly six months, he'd return for a Monday night game against the Redskins in Week 12. However, he'll almost certainly be eased back in slowly as the Niners target a potential impact in the playoffs. Owners in standard re-draft formats can cross Crabtree off draft boards.

Source: CSN Bay Area

May 23 - 7:06 AM

Report: Hakeem Nicks unhappy with contract

Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole reports Hakeem Nicks is unhappy with his contract, which is why he didn't show up to OTAs on Wednesday.

The Giants now have a double dose of financially unhappy receivers in Nicks and restricted free agent Victor Cruz. Coach Tom Coughlin was noticeably irritated that Nicks was a no-show for "voluntary" OTAs, saying that the receiver "should be here." With Cruz seeking $8-10 million annually on a long-term deal, Cole expects Nicks to seek "closer to the range" of $10 million per year and possibly more. Nicks is expected to show up to the facility sometime this week, and we really wouldn't expect a long-term contract worked out before training camp.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

May 22 - 9:12 PM

Crabtree (Achilles') underwent surgery Weds.

Michael Crabtree underwent surgery on his torn Achilles' Wednesday, and is expected to be sidelined a minimum of six months.

The 49ers aren't messing around with their No. 1 receiver. Many have pointed to Terrell Suggs and Da'Quan Bowers' 2012 mid-season returns from spring Achilles' injuries as hope for Crabtree's 2013, but they are pass rushers required to do far less cutting than Crabtree does as a receiver. In a best-case scenario, Crabtree will likely begin the year on PUP with an eye toward returning in the playoffs. It's almost certainly going to be a lost year for a player coming off a breakout campaign.

Source: Chris Mortensen on Twitter

May 22 - 4:04 PM

Ravens rookie LB Brown has hernia surgery

Ravens second-round LB Arthur Brown is recovering from sports-hernia surgery, and will be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

It means Brown should miss next month's minicamp, and is questionable for the start of training camp. It's a minor blow to the Ravens' inside linebacker corps on the heels of Rolando McClain's retirement as they look to replace Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe. The good news is, Brown is in no danger of missing regular-season games, and should get plenty of reps in the preseason. He's just losing some helpful development time. Brown is still going to start as a rookie.

Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 22 - 2:16 PM

Brian Urlacher announces his retirement

Free agent MLB Brian Urlacher has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons.

Urlacher, 35 in three days, spent his entire career with the Bears. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards," Urlacher wrote in a statement. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear." It's hard to see Urlacher forced out of the game like this, but no team was willing to sign him after his skills declined sharply last season. An injury to a middle linebacker around the league could give Urlacher an opportunity, and he could change his mind. But at this moment, he finishes his career with 1,229 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and eight Pro Bowl selections. He's a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

Source: Brian Urlacher on Twitter

May 22 - 11:08 AM

Raiders reunite with Woodson on one-year deal

Raiders agreed to terms with DB Charles Woodson on a one-year, $1.8 million contract.

The deal includes a $700,000 signing bonus, and is worth a "maximum" of $4.3 million, likely through hard-to-achieve incentives. Woodson is returning to the team that made him the No. 4 pick of the 1998 draft. Woodson spent the first eight years of his career in Oakland before defecting to Green Bay. He's chosen the Raiders over the Broncos despite the fact that Denver is on the cusp of the Super Bowl, and Oakland is one of the worst teams in the league. However Woodson spins it, money was almost certainly the determining factor. Going on 37, Woodson has lost multiple steps the past few seasons, but will still likely be a better option than Usama Young opposite Tyvon Branch at safety. It's possible he won't be a 1,000-snap player, instead playing somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-750.

Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter

May 21 - 9:50 PM