Wednesday NFL buzz: Broncos to play Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch on Sunday
USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes looks at the three biggest story lines heading into Week 17 of the NFL season. USA TODAY Sports
Check back throughout the day for all the latest quick-hit news from around the league:
Report: Broncos' Week 17 QB plan
Trevor Siemian has been the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback, he earned it, and therefore he will start Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, according to KUSA in Denver, which also reports first-round rookie Paxton Lynch will play in the game.
This decision proves first that coach Gary Kubiak has not given up on Siemian and is not quite ready to make the move to Lynch.
Lynch has started two games this season, but each time Siemian was injured and didn't dress. Lynch started against the Atlanta Falcons when Siemian was out with a left shoulder injury, and at Jacksonville when Siemian was down with a left foot injury. Lynch also came off the bench to play at Tampa Bay. In those three games, Lynch completed 49 of 83 passes (59.0%) for 497 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for a 79.2 passer rating. The Broncos went 1-1 in his two starts.
— Mike Klis, KUSA
Mariota has surgery
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has had surgery for his broken right leg, and team officials say the procedure is "considered a success."
Mariota had surgery late Wednesday afternoon in Charlotte to place a plate over his broken right fibula.
The Titans confirmed Wednesday night that Mariota was out of surgery.
The second-year quarterback broke his leg Dec. 24 in a 38-17 loss to Jacksonville and was carted off. The Titans placed him on injured reserve Tuesday, and Mariota will need four to five months of rehabilitation.
— The Associated Press
Bad news for Ware
DeMarcus Ware needs season-ending back surgery that could spell the end of his NFL career.
The Denver Broncos placed Ware on injured reserve Wednesday along with cornerback Kayvon Webster, who sustained a concussion last weekend at Kansas City.
Ware took a big pay cut to return to the Broncos after winning his first Super Bowl ring, but he missed almost all of the offseason with back troubles. He broke his left forearm Sept. 18.
The 12-year veteran had four sacks in 10 games, giving him 138½ for his career, sixth best all-time.
— The Associated Press
Panthers shut down Kuechly
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he will not play three-time all-pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly in the team's season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the Panthers out of playoff contention and his star defender recovering from a concussion.
Kuechly was cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol three weeks, but Rivera has elected not to play him as a precautionary measure.
Rivera said the decision about what is best for the long-term future of the team.
Kuechly has not played since suffering his second concussion on Nov. 17 against the New Orleans Saints.
— The Associated Press
A.J. Green done
Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Green nearly returned from his hamstring injury Saturday but was shelved instead to protect him from further injury.
That plan will remain in place for the regular-season finale after coach Marvin Lewis announced Wednesday that Green won't be active against the Baltimore Ravens in a game that has no implications for either team.
RG3 sidelined
After notching his first win for the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Robert Griffin III may not pursue another this season.
RG3 missed practice Wednesday as he goes through the concussion protocol.
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