LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[January 07, 2017] Jan 6 (The Sports Xchange) - The Indianapolis Colts are bringing back head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson for the 2017 season, according to multiple reports.

Colts owner Jim Irsay decided to keep the coach-GM duo despite the Colts missing the playoffs for a second straight year. The Colts finished with back-to-back 8-8 seasons.

Pagano, who has a 49-31 record in five seasons with the Colts, convinced Irsay a year ago that he deserved a four-year extension. Grigson received a three-year extension after the 2015 season and both are currently under contract through the 2019 season.

Pagano led the Colts to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, including reaching the AFC Championship Game in the 2014 season.

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The Houston Texans officially ruled out quarterback Tom Savage with a concussion for Saturday's AFC wild-card playoff game against the Oakland Raiders.

Outside linebacker John Simon (chest) also was ruled out on Friday's injury report for the Texans (9-7). Houston is expected to again use Akeem Dent at outside linebacker in place of Simon, who originally was injured in a Week 11 loss to the Raiders in Mexico City on Nov. 21.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien earlier this week named Brock Osweiler as the starter over Savage, who sustained a concussion in last Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans. Savage has not yet cleared the NFL's concussion protocol.

For the Raiders (12-4), left tackle Donald Penn (knee) and Nate Allen (concussion) were officially ruled out.

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Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy was listed as questionable for Saturday's NFC wild-card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Levy missed 11 games this year with various injuries before returning for the final four games of the season. He was limited in practice this week with a knee injury.

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Center Travis Swanson (concussion), offensive tackle Riley Reiff (hip) and returner/wide receiver Andre Roberts (shoulder) also were listed as questionable for the Lions (9-7). They were limited participants in Friday's practice.

For the Seahawks (10-5-1), running back C.J. Prosise (shoulder) and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (concussion) were officially ruled out.

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and is questionable for Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Miami Dolphins.

Green, who suffered the concussion during the Week 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 18, missed Friday's practice for the AFC North champion Steelers (11-5).

Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo (ankle) and defensive end Ricardo Mathews (ankle) were both ruled out for the game on Friday's injury report. Linebacker Vince Williams (shoulder) and safety Robert Golden (ankle) were listed as questionable.

For the Dolphins, cornerback Byron Maxwell did not practice Friday and was listed as doubtful with an ankle injury. He missed the last two regular-season games.

(Editing by Andrew Both)

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