NFL news roundup: Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler out for Week 13

Three teams remain in the NFC North race and two will be without their starting quarterbacks for at least another week.

By Mark Sandritter Nov 25, 2013, 5:42pm EST

Playoff races around the NFL are heating up, and the NFC North remains one of the tightest division races. None of the four teams in the division won on Sunday and now two of the teams will have to play at least another week without their starting quarterback.

The Lions and Packers will play on Thanksgiving and there was some optimism Aaron Rodgers would return for Green Bay. It appears that won't happen as head coach Mike McCarty said Rodgers was likely to miss the game due to his collarbone injury. Green Bay has struggled in the three games without him. The Packers lost to Philadelphia and New York before playing Minnesota to a 26-26 tie on Sunday.

Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn have all played with Rodgers out of the lineup. Flynn came on in relief duty against Minnesota and is expected to start on Thursday against the Lions.

Josh McCown will start at least one more game for Chicago, with Jay Cutler still out with an ankle injury. Cutler suffered a high ankle sprain three weeks ago. Although he won't play this week against Minnesota, Chicago head coach Marc Trestman said he still expects Cutler to return at some point this season.

McCown has played well in Cutler's absence and Chicago may be forced to rely on him even more this week. Starting running back Matt Forte hyper-extended his knee during the team's 42-21 loss on Sunday. Forte has been a huge contributor this season, both as a runner and receiver. His eight touchdowns are second on the team. Despite the injury, Trestman said he is optimistic about Forte's status.

Knowshon Moreno questionable with bone bruise

Moreno is coming off the best game of his career, but is now questionable for the game at Kansas City on Sunday. He rushed for a career-high 224 yards During Denver's loss to New England, but suffered a significant bone bruise in his right foot during the game.

While the Broncos have some depth at running back with Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, Moreno had established himself as the clear-cut No. 1 back on the depth chart. His performance against New England was a big reason the Broncos were able to jump out to a big lead and his absence late in the game was also a factor in the loss.

Denver and Kansas City are both 9-2 with the game on Sunday possibly deciding the AFC winner while also going a long way in the race for home-field advantage.

Tamba Hali has a "slight" ankle sprain

Moreno isn't the only player battling injury heading into the the showdown in Kansas City. Hali injured his ankle against San Diego, although the Chiefs got some good news with Andy Reid calling the injury a "slight" ankle sprain.

Hali had to be helped off the field and was spotted using crutches after the game, so the escaping with what appears to be a minor injury is a fortunate result for Kansas City. Fellow defensive end Justin Houston was also injured during the game and his status is less clear than Hali's.

Houston suffered a subluxed elbow and Reid said there was still too much swelling for the medical staff to conduct a MRI. The pair have combined to form the most-dominant pass rush duo in the NFL. Their status for the game against Denver will be something to watch all week.

Antoine Winfield, Seahawks talking

At 10-1 the Seahawks have the best record in the NFL, but an injury and a recent suspension have them scrambling at corner. With Brandon Browner out with a groin injury and Walter Thurmond suspended for four games, the Seahawks have reportedly reached out to retired cornerback Antoine Winfield.

Winfield spent training camp with Seattle before opting to retire. He has reportedly stayed in shape and could provide depth for Seattle while it attempts to withstand the recent losses. Winfield was expected to play a significant role for Seattle before losing the nickel cornerback job to Thurmond then deciding to retire.