New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is inactive against the Los Angeles Chargers after being benched at New Orleans last Sunday for being late to a team meeting.
Wilkerson practiced with the team all week, and coach Todd Bowles insisted the veteran “served his sentence” when asked if further discipline might be used.
The Jets did not provide an immediate reason for Wilkerson not playing Sunday, but his contract situation could play a role.
Wilkerson’s $16.75 million salary for next season would become fully guaranteed if he remains on New York’s roster by the third day of the league’s new year in March, so it would appear likely that the Jets will cut him during the offseason.
That money is also fully guaranteed against a serious injury — so if he gets hurt during a game or practice and the injury sidelines him all of next season, New York would be on the hook for the money.
Falcons guard Andy Levitre practiced on a limited basis this week and was questionable, but he’ll miss his third consecutive game after playing in 140 straight.
Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is active after being added to the injury report Saturday and listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.
Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan is out for the sixth time in seven games. Running back Mike Gillislee is active for the first time in six games with James White (ankle) and Rex Burkhead (knee) both out against Buffalo.
The Dolphins put tight end Julius Thomas and right guard Jermon Bushrod on injured reserve this week, while defensive end Andre Branch is active despite a knee injury. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston is also active after missing practice on Thursday and Friday with an illness.
The Titans will be without starting cornerback Logan Ryan against the high-scoring Rams. Brice McCain is starting in place of Ryan, who hurt an ankle in the first half of last week’s loss in San Francisco
Bears guard Josh Sitton is out against Cleveland with an ankle injury and tight end Adam Shaheen is missing his second straight game with a chest injury.
___
DETROIT-CINCINNATI
Lions: WR Bradley Marquez, RB Zach Zenner, RB Dwayne Washington, C Travis Swanson, T Rick Wagner, G T.J. Lang, DT Rodney Coe.
Bengals: WR Cody Core, CB KeiVarae Russell, RB Jarveon Williams, DT Josh Tupou, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Justin Murray, DT Andrew Billings.
___
DENVER-WASHINGTON
Broncos: RB Jamaal Charles, WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), WR Cody Latimer (thigh), OL J.J. Dielman, OL Elijah Wilkinson, DB Brendan Langley, DB Michael Hunter.
Redskins: RB Kenny Hilliard, WR Maurice Harris (back), G Kyle Kalis, C Demetrius Rhaney, LB Zach Brown (Achilles tendon, toe, hip), LB Ryan Anderson (knee), S DeAngelo Hall.
___
TAMPA BAY-CAROLINA
Buccaneers: QB Ryan Griffin, WR DeSean Jackson, CB Ryan Smith, LB Nigel Harris, OL Adam Gettis, DE Patrick O’Connor, DE Robert Ayers Jr.
Panthers: WR Russell Shepard, OL Trai Turner, QB Garrett Gilbert, CB LaDarius Gunter, FB Alex Armah, OL Greg Van Roten, DE Zach Moore.
___
BUFFALO-NEW ENGLAND
Bills: WR Andre Holmes (neck), TE EJ Gaines (knee), OG John Miller (ankle), CB Breon Borders, OT Conor McDermott, WR Brandon Reilly, TE Logan Thomas
Patriots: LB Kyle Van Noy, DL Alan Branch (knee), WR Chris Hogan, RB James White (ankle), RB Rex Burkhead (knee), OL Cole Croston, LB Trevor Reilly
___
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS-NEW YORK JETS
Chargers: LT Russell Okung, DE Corey Liuget, QB Cardale Jones, WR Geremy Davis, LB Denzel Perryman, TE Sean Culkin, DE Jerry Attaochu
Jets: DE Muhammad Wilkerson, RG Brian Winters, OL Ben Ijalana, CB Rashard Robinson, CB Jeremy Clark, LB Freddie Bishop, RB Akeem Judd.
___
ATLANTA-NEW ORLEANS
Falcons: G Andy Levitre (triceps), LB Sean Weatherspoon, WR Nick Williams, CB Deji Olatoye, CB Leon McFadden, G Sean Harlow, TE Eric Saubert
Saints: C Cameron Tom, WR Austin Carr, TE Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion), DE Trey Hendrickson (ankle), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Garrett Griffin (foot), RB Jonathan Williams.
___
LOS ANGELES RAMS-TENNESSEE
Rams: RB Lance Dunbar, LB Mark Barron, DB Isaiah Johnson, RB Justin Davis, OT Cornelius Lucas, OLB Matt Longacre, OLB Kasim Edebali.
Titans: QB Brandon Weeden, CB Logan Ryan, OLB Josh Carraway, G/C Corey Levin, WR Harry Douglas, DE David King.
___
MIAMI-KANSAS CITY
Dolphins: RB Damien Williams (shoulder), RG Isaac Asiata, TE Thomas Duarte, OT Eric Smith, S Michael Thomas (knee), CB Cordrea Tankersley (ankle), QB Matt Moore (foot).
Chiefs: OG Parker Ehinger, DT Justin Hamilton, S Leon McQuay, CB Keith Reaser, CB Phillip Gaines, LB Ramik Wilson, QB Tyler Bray.
___
CLEVELAND-CHICAGO
Browns: QB Cody Kessler, DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DB B.W. Webb, LB Jeremy Cash, OL Marcus Martin, OL Geoff Gray, WR Matt Hazel.
Bears: QB Mark Sanchez, DB DeAndre Hall, RB Taquan Mizzell, DL Rashaad Coward, OL Josh Sitton, OL Tom Compton, TE Adam Shaheen.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.