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National Football League roundup

[January 02, 2017] Jan 1 (The Sports Xchange) - Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is likely to step down sometime after Sunday's regular-season finale because of health concerns, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

The news would come 11 months after Kubiak led the Broncos to a Super Bowl title in his first season.

This season, however, has taken a toll on the 55-year-old coach and his family, according to Schefter.

The Broncos (9-7) were eliminated from playoff contention last week and ended their season Sunday at home with a 24-7 win over the Oakland Raiders.

Kubiak's decision will be finalized this week based on his family wanting him to leave coaching and move to their retirement ranch in Texas, according to Schefter.

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Chicago Bears coach John Fox is expected to get another chance to turn around the team in 2017 despite only three wins this season.

Fox will get the opportunity to make his mark in the third season with the Bears, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. The Bears are just 9-23 in his first two seasons.

The jobs of Fox and general manager Ryan Pace appear to be safe and the team is not expected to be making any significant coaching changes, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Fox, hired by Chicago after going 46-18 in four seasons with the Denver Broncos, is in the second year of a four-year deal he signed with the Bears in 2015.

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Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl running back David Johnson suffered a gruesome knee injury in the first half of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Johnson was hurt when he attempted to cut back on a running play and had his left leg bent at an awkward angle as two Rams defenders tackled him.

Johnson ran for 1,239 yards and rushed for a franchise-record 20 touchdowns. He also caught 80 passes for 879 yards.

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo took his first snaps of the regular season when he entered Sunday's game in the second quarter for Dak Prescott.

In his first regular-season action since Thanksgiving 2015, Romo completed 3 of 4 passes for 29 yards and capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams. Romo was replaced as signal caller on the next drive by Mark Sanchez.

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Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin left Sunday's game at Denver late in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.

He was starting in place of Derek Carr, who is out indefinitely after breaking his right leg during Oakland's win over Indianapolis last week. It was McGloin's first start since 2013.

McGloin was replaced by rookie Connor Cook.

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Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return to Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

McCoy had five carries for 10 yards along with one catch for six yards Sunday. He finished the season with 1,267 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns as well as 350 yards receiving.

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San Francisco 49ers backup tight end Je'Ron Hamm sustained a serious injury to his left leg during warmups and was ruled out for the game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Hamm was carted off the field and had an air cast on his left leg.

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Kansas City Chiefs rookie linebacker Dadi Nicolas hurt his knee in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers and exited the game on a cart.

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New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall, slowed by hip and shoulder injuries, was declared inactive for Sunday's season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

Marshall, 32, was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report and practiced on a limited basis.

Marshall is signed for 2017 at $7.5 million but there has been speculation about his future as he could be a cap casualty. He finished a disappointing season with 59 catches for 788 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games.

(Editing by Larry Fine) ))

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