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NFL notes: Aaron Rogers unlikely to play Thursday

Aaron Rodgers has not played since he broke his left collarbone Nov. 4 against Chicago.Getty Images/File

Packers coach Mike McCarthy says the chances of quarterback Aaron Rodgers playing Thursday at Detroit are ‘‘slim to none.’’

McCarthy said Monday he isn’t sure whether he will go with Matt Flynn, who rallied the team from a 16-point deficit to a 26-26 tie with the Minnesota Vikings, or Scott Tolzien, who started the past two games but was benched with 8:22 left in the third quarter Sunday.

Rodgers has not played since he broke his left collarbone Nov. 4 against Chicago.

McCarthy says Rodgers needs to practice and that ‘‘it would be a huge stretch for him to play’’ against the Lions.

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Minor injuries

The Broncos said that MRIs revealed running back Knowshon Moreno’s sprained right ankle and defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s jammed right shoulder are ‘‘not significant’’ injuries. Interim coach Jack Del Rio said both players are day-to-day and should practice this week. Moreno left Gillette Stadium in a walking boot Sunday night. Rodgers-Cromartie was hurt on the final play of the first half, and his absence helped the Patriots overcome a 24-0 halftime deficit. Del Rio also said he expects cornerback Champ Bailey (foot) and tight end Julius Thomas (knee) to play Sunday at Kansas City . . . Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas is expected to miss several games because of a left ankle injury suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Marcus Thigpen and rookie Mike Gillislee will replace Thomas, who handled short-yardage situations and was averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Cutler still hobbled

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will likely miss at least another game because of a high left ankle sprain. Coach Marc Trestman says he expects Cutler to sit out his third straight game when the Bears visit Minnesota. He is also ‘‘totally confident’’ his quarterback will return this season. Cutler tore his left groin muscle against Washington Oct. 20 and missed the next game at Green Bay two weeks later. He returned earlier than expected against Detroit Nov. 10, only to injure his ankle. Josh McCown has played well in his place . . . The Browns’ quarterback situation remains murky. With Jason Campbell being treated for a concussion, Brandon Weeden, twice benched this season and a lightning rod for fan anger, will likely start this week against Jacksonville. Coach Rob Chudzinski said Campbell is following the NFL’s protocol on head injuries after he was hurt in Sunday’s 27-11 loss to Pittsburgh. Campbell was knocked to the ground by blitzing Steelers cornerback William Gay, who came unblocked off the edge and delivered a blow to the quarterback’s face mask with his left hand. The obvious penalty was not caught by referee Terry McAulay or anyone in his crew. Chudzinski, who plans to submit the play to the league office for review, said he was told by officials during the game that they thought Campbell was struck in the shoulder. Campbell has not been ruled out of Sunday’s game, but Chudzinski said ‘‘chances are’’ Weeden, who began the season as Cleveland’s starter, will get the nod.

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Griffin suspended

Titans safety Michael Griffin is appealing a one-game suspension without pay after being labeled by the NFL as a repeat offender of the rules prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players. The league announced the penalty Monday for Griffin’s hit on Oakland tight end Mychal Rivera. The punishment came from Merton Hanks, the NFL’s vice president of football operations . . . The Vikings released reserve cornerback A.J. Jefferson, a few hours after he was arrested and jailed on a domestic assault complaint. According to Hennepin (Minn.) County records, Jefferson was being held without bail. According to police spokeswoman Joyce Lorenz, Jefferson was arrested at his home in Eden Prairie after a 23-year-old woman reported about 4:30 a.m. that she was a victim of domestic assault. The alleged victim and Jefferson were in a relationship, Lorenz said.

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Philbin defended

Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle defended the management style of coach Joe Philbin in the wake of the team’s bullying scandal. Coyle said he was happy to talk with an NFL special investigator who spent last week questioning coaches, players, and others in the organization. ‘‘When you know what you’re doing is right, and how you’re doing it is as good as what I believe anybody in this league does — and I believe that’s how we do things here and how we operate here — then there’s no reason not to be able to tell whoever exactly what you’re all about, and what the organization is all about,’’ Coyle said. ‘‘I'm happy to talk to anybody, because I think Coach Philbin and we do things better than most people in any sport.’’ Attorney Ted Wells is investigating allegations by tackle Jonathan Martin that he was harassed daily by teammates, including guard Richie Incognito. Wells will determine the role of Philbin, his staff, and management in the scandal . . . The Fritz Pollard Alliance, an advocacy group that promotes diversity in the NFL, sent a letter to the league calling for a 15-yard penalty on players who use abusive language on the field. The letter, sent to league general counsel Jeff Pash, specifically noted the use of racial epithets. On Friday, the league suspended umpire Roy Ellison as punishment for words directed at left tackle Trent Williams in the Redskins’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles the previous Sunday . . . Former supervisor of officials Jerry Seeman, who worked as the chief referee in two Super Bowls, died after a long bout with cancer at age 77. He died Sunday night at his home in Blaine, Minn. Obituary, Page B11.

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