NFL Roundup: Gronkowski cleared but still questionable

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is finally cleared to play, although his status for Sunday's game at the New York Jets remains the same as it has been throughout the season -- questionable.

Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, sent a text message to media outlets Friday, writing: "Rob has now been cleared by all his doctors to play Sunday in the Jets game."

Gronkowski, who has had offseason back surgery and four operations to repair a broken forearm, has been practicing for several weeks but has not played in a game this season because he was waiting to get clearance from doctors to play.

Wide receiver Danny Amendola (groin/concussion) and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly were ruled out for Sunday's game. Cornerback Aqib Talib (hip) was listed as doubtful and is not expected to play against the Jets, although he was seen practicing in shells Friday morning.

---Michael Vick was officially listed as questionable on Friday, a day after the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback said he would miss Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys with a hamstring injury.

Coach Chip Kelly said before Thursday's practice that he had not ruled Vick out, and that remained the team's official stance Friday, although second-year quarterback Nick Foles will start against the Cowboys.

---Wide receiver Roddy White will miss Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ending a streak of 133 consecutive games played.

White, second to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (188), continues to be hindered by a high-ankle sprain suffered in the preseason and hurt his hamstring in Atlanta's 30-28 loss to the New York Jets in Week 5. White said he last missed a game as a freshman at UAB in 2001.

The Falcons are also without Julio Jones, their leading receiver, who is out for the season with a foot injury. Jones was also hurt against the Jets.

---New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes will miss his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury as he was officially ruled out of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

With Clyde Gates going on injured reserve, the team this week signed free agent Josh Cribbs and signed Greg Salas off the Eagles' practice roster.

---Denver Broncos pass rusher Von Miller practiced again Friday, his third day of on-field work since a six-game substance-abuse suspension ended this week.

Coach John Fox said the team has a plan for Miller, whose presence will have an immediate impact at Indianapolis on Sunday for a defense that leads the league against the run but is ranked dead last against the pass.

"I think it's probably fair to say he's going to start," Fox said.

Offensive tackle Orlando Franklin did not practice Friday and is expected to miss one to two weeks with knee and ankle sprains.

---Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak said Friday that the team will likely decide by Saturday morning who will start at quarterback for Sunday's game against the visiting San Francisco 49ers.

Quarterback Jake Locker and running back Shonn Greene are list on the team's injury report as questionable.

Locker returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since injuring his right knee and hip against the New York Jets on Sept. 29. He was wearing a brace and was moving with a noticeable limp while taking snaps and throwing. Ryan Fitzpatrick is also being considered as a starter for Sunday.

Greene also returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last five games with a knee injury.

---Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer had successful surgery on his right knee Friday, the team announced.

Hoyer had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament at Cleveland Clinic. A team spokesman said the surgery went well and he is expected to fully recovery.

Hoyer helped the Browns win two games after replacing injured starter Brandon Weeden. Hoyer was injured when he slid awkwardly at the end of a run against the Buffalo Bills Oct. 3.

---Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones backed off statements he made to Sports Business Daily about the NFL discussing playing two games on Thursdays.

Jones, who also chairs the NFL Network Committee, told Sports Business Daily on Friday that he was only speaking for himself.

"The league has not been in discussions about a Thursday night doubleheader package," he said. "Those were my thoughts. We are focused on further building Thursday night as a night for NFL football, but it has not involved the concept of a doubleheader package."

Jones' stance was different earlier Friday when he said, "We could easily have a doubleheader on Thursday. I don't think that is out of the realm of thought; we haven't set up how we will do it."

---Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Josh Bynes is out for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after having surgery on an infected finger.

Bynes did not practice this week. The finger was being treated with antibiotics, but the treatment was not working. Arthur Brown will replace Bynes in the starting lineup.

---The Minnesota Vikings placed safety Harrison Smith on injured reserve/designated to return and signed cornerback Jacob Lacey on Friday.

Smith, who has a turf toe injury, can return to practice in six weeks and be activated in eight weeks. Smith was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers.

---Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts are questionable for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers.

Blackmon missed practice Wednesday and Friday with a hamstring injury and Shorts has been limited the last two days with a shoulder sprain.

The Florida Times Union reported that Blackmon definitely plans to play and Shorts said he will play "and deal with pain."

---Offensive coordinator Greg Roman and the San Francisco 49ers are lining up the gravy train, the meal ticket is back on the field.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree was on the field at the 49ers' practice facility catching passes Friday, increasing the likelihood that he returns this season from a torn Achilles.

Crabtree led the 49ers with 85 receptions in 2012.

---The Green Bay Packers claimed wide receiver Chris Harper off waivers Friday, according to ESPN.com.

The rookie was waived Thursday by the San Francisco 49ers. Harper was selected in the fourth round of this year's draft by the Seattle Seahawks out of Kansas State. Seattle released Harper on Aug. 31 and signed by San Francisco on Sept. 2. He was inactive for the first six weeks of the regular season.

Green Bay is in need of wide receiver help with Randall Cobb and James Jones injured.