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The biggest injuries of NFL Week 16

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Sherman's ejection more about protecting his teammate (1:29)

Ryan Clark and Jeff Saturday side with Richard Sherman defending his teammate and says thats what fights in the NFL are always about. (1:29)

Here's the latest on all the major injuries from our NFL Nation reporters, including the prognosis on each player for the rest of the season:


Eric Ebron, TE, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts could be down to just two healthy tight ends -- Mo Alie-Cox and Ryan Hewitt -- for their key Week 17 game at Tennessee if Pro Bowler Eric Ebron does not clear concussion protocol in time. Ebron suffered a concussion in the second quarter of Sunday's victory over the Giants. Tight end was a deep position for the Colts earlier in the season, but Jack Doyle (kidney) went on injured reserve after the Week 12 game against Miami, and Erik Swoope was released on Dec. 11. -- Mike Wells

Terron Armstead, OT, New Orleans Saints

Pro Bowl LT Terron Armstead had to leave Sunday's game early after aggravating the same pectoral injury that had sidelined him for the past five games. Armstead said he thought it was good enough to go, but it wasn't. And he plans to keep working in the hopes of being back for the playoffs. -- Mike Triplett

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans

Mariota didn't finish on Saturday due to a stinger injury on his throwing arm. Mike Vrabel said Mariota got further evaluation for the stinger but wouldn't say if it was related to a previous injury that impacted his grip on the football. -- Turron Davenport

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR, New England Patriots

Patterson left Sunday's game with a knee injury in the third quarter and didn't return, watching the remainder of the game from the sideline. Patterson has been productive as a niche player on offense (including four rushes for 66 yards vs. the Bills on Sunday), as his presence took on some added importance with the Patriots playing without Josh Gordon due to indefinite suspension by the NFL. -- Mike Reiss

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Houston Texans

Thomas was carted off the field after suffering an Achilles tendon injury and didn't return. Thomas was replaced by reserve wideout Vyncint Smith, who hauled in a 35-yard touchdown against Philadelphia. Head coach Bill O'Brien didn't give a diagnosis for Thomas but said, "It didn't look good." -- Turron Davenport

Tyrone Crawford, DL, Dallas Cowboys

Coach Jason Garrett said Crawford was heading home after going to the hospital for a neck injury the occurred on the second play of Sunday's win against Tampa Bay. Garrett said the scans and MRI came back negative. "Obviously, a very scary thing," Garrett said. "One of the most well-respected guys I've been around, and so our thoughts are with him, but the news has been good initially." -- Todd Archer

Jurrell Casey, DT, Tennessee Titans

Casey suffered what appeared to be a left leg injury in the fourth quarter. The training staff examined Casey on the sideline, and he took off his pads and watched the final series on defense. He was replaced by Darius Kilgo. -- Turron Davenport

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Rhodes' string of nagging injuries continued against the Lions, as he hurt his groin toward the tail end of the game, sidelining him. The Vikings also lost CB Marcus Sherels in the game due to a foot injury. -- Courtney Cronin

Taylor Heinicke, QB, Carolina Panthers

Heinicke suffered an elbow injury in the first half and returned, but he left uncertainty as to whether he will be able to play in the regular-season finale at New Orleans. If not, Kyle Allen would be up. There's no need to risk Cam Newton, who remains on the active roster, with no chance to make the playoffs. -- David Newton

Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns

Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward left the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion, interim coach Gregg Williams said. This has to be scary for the Browns; Ward missed the previous two games with a concussion. -- Pat McManamon

Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said the initial diagnosis on Pettis' left knee injury was that it was an MCL issue. Shanahan said he hadn't been informed of any damage to the ACL, though Pettis will miss the regular-season finale against the Rams. -- Nick Wagoner

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

Burfict left the game with his second concussion of the season and seventh of his career. Burfict's multiple concussions should be a concern that lasts beyond this season. -- Katherine Terrell

Deonte Thompson, WR, Buffalo Bills

Thompson was carted to the locker room in the third quarter with a toe injury and did not return. Thompson is the only receiver of the seven on the Bills' roster who is not a rookie or second-year player. Expect the Bills to use a combination of their young receivers if Thompson cannot play in next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Dolphins. -- Mike Rodak

Josh Wells, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars' already beat-up offensive line lost another player on Sunday when RT Josh Wells, who had just come off injured reserve with a groin injury, suffered a concussion. When he went out, the Jaguars shuffled Patrick Omameh from left guard to right tackle and put reserve Chris Reed at left guard, which likely would be the lineup next week if Wells cannot play. -- Michael DiRocco

Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers

Alexander, the Packers' first-round pick and one of their best defensive players, couldn't get through the game because of a groin injury. He dropped out in the first half. He missed two games in October because of the same injury. -- Rob Demovsky