NFL Injury News: Latest Buzz on League's Banged Up Big Names

To be injury free by the postseason is news every NFL coach dreams of.

No football team will ever achieve such a thing, but several key players on playoff contenders are finally getting their health back for the stretch run.

Here’s the latest injury news surrounding the league’s household names:

Robert Griffin III

Brian Tinsman of Redskins.com reported Mike Shanahan's comments on RGIII being listed as probable for Sunday:

"

There is a very, very good chance he is going to play. There doesn’t look like there are any setbacks with him but if something crazy happens, obviously, we will know before the game but talking to him after practice—he’s fine.

"

According to Odds Shark, the opening line favored the Philadelphia Eagles by three points. Now that Griffin has been ruled good to go, 5Dimes has the Washington Redskins at -7.

Apparently Las Vegas believes Griffin isn’t just worth 10 points by himself, he’s worth 10 points more than Kirk Cousins.

Ray Lewis

According to the Baltimore Ravens’ official website, John Harbaugh said of Lewis’ progress on Friday, “Coming along, coming along. Yes, he is coming along.”

Harbaugh saying the same thing three times in two different breaths isn’t the most groundbreaking injury news that’s ever been revealed in the NFL. But at least he didn’t say, “Not coming along, not coming along. No, he is not coming along.”

Rob Gronkowski

Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reported Gronkowski’s updated injury status on Friday morning.

"

Rob Gronkowski will not play on Sunday in Jacksonville, according to a league source

— shalise manza young (@shalisemyoung) December 21, 2012"

New England is 3-1 without Gronkowski so it doesn’t need the All-Pro tight end to defeat the 2-12 Jacksonville Jaguars this week.

 

Charles Woodson

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reported that Woodson is itching to play after being ruled out for Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. When asked about his best-case scenario, the safety said:

"Just to play. I don’t think there’s any ideal situation. I just want to get in a game. It’s been way too long. I’ve been watching too much football from the sideline. Even though they’re great seats, I much rather be playing."

The 36-year old Woodson will miss his eighth straight game due to injury on Sunday.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels