NFL-National Football League roundup

Dec 25 (The Sports Xchange) - Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins will be able to play Monday night with a medical condition exacerbated by the high altitude in Denver. The 27-year-old Atkins has sickle cell trait, which is a genetic abnormality that affects red blood cells and can cause dehydration or breathing difficulties. The same condition forced former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark to miss a playoff game in Denver in 2011. But the Bengals expect Atkins to be available to make it through a full game. He played against the Broncos in Denver in 2011 without any difficulties in his second career start. - - - Former Indianapolis Colts running back Zurlon Tipton was arrested early Friday and charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. Tipton, released by the Colts earlier this week, allegedly fired an assault rifle and was apprehended about 1 a.m. in suburban Indianapolis after police responded to calls about gunshots, the Indianapolis Star reported. He fled the scene in a Jeep before police caught up to him several blocks away. After Tipton, 26, was taken to jail, he was released on a $3,000 bond. Police said Tipton has a valid Michigan handgun license. - - - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck practiced Friday and was listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. The 40-year-old Hasselbeck has been banged up and dealing with rib and back injuries and was restricted to a liquid diet this week. Quarterback Andrew Luck earlier in the week was ruled out of Sunday's game as he continues to recover from a lacerated kidney and a torn abdominal muscle. The Colts were 4-0 in Hasselbeck's first four starts, but they have lost three straight. - - - Wide receiver Anquan Boldin is interested in returning to the San Francisco 49ers next season. The 35-year-old veteran wants to continue playing next season and possibly beyond and is not yet thinking about retirement. Though he'll become a free agent in March, he would like to remain with the 49ers despite the team's struggles in 2015. Boldin could reach a milestone on Sunday. He enters the game against the Detroit Lions with 999 career catches. One reception will make him the 13th player in NFL history to reach 1,000. - - - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is considered the frontrunner for the NFL's MVP award this season, but he's not focused on postseason accolades with more games still to play. "It's irrelevant to me right now," Newton told the Panthers' website. Instead, Newton paid tribute to his teammates for helping him pass for 3,402 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 14 games. He also has rushed for 580 yards and seven touchdowns and directed game-winning drives against the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants. The 40 combined touchdowns lead the NFL. (Editing by Andrew Both)