NFL-National Football League roundup

Dec 23 (The Sports Xchange) - The Minnesota Vikings ruled out running back Adrian Peterson for Saturday's road game against the Green Bay Packers. Peterson returned for last Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts after missing 11 games with a torn meniscus. He was limited to six carries for 22 yards and fumbled on his game-long 13-yard run in the 34-6 defeat, and apparently aggravated a groin injury against the Colts. Peterson did not practice all week and was listed on Friday's injury report as having knee and groin injuries. Peterson likely will not play in the Vikings' season finale on Jan. 1 against the Chicago Bears if the team has been eliminated from the playoff race. He has only 72 yards on 37 carries in three games this season. - - - Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews is done for the season after suffering a neck injury in Thursday's game that coach Doug Pederson termed a "significant" injury. Pederson said Friday that Mathews may need to undergo surgery to repair a herniated disk in the neck. Pederson said he doesn't believe the injury is career-threatening. - - - With Rex Ryan facing questions about his job security, general manager Doug Whaley declined to give the Buffalo Bills' head coach a vote of confidence. Ryan's future employment in Buffalo is in doubt as the Bills likely will end their 17th straight season without a playoff appearance. Buffalo has not made the playoffs since 1999 -- the longest active postseason drought in the NFL. Ryan is in the second year of a five-year deal for his second head-coaching job after being fired by the New York Jets following the 2014 season. The Bills are 15-15 in two seasons under Ryan. - - - New York Jets coach Todd Bowles was admitted to a hospital with an undisclosed illness on Friday and did not accompany the team to Foxborough, Mass., for Saturday's game against New England, the team announced. Bowles is listed in stable condition, although his availability to be on the sideline is uncertain as the Jets (4-10) visit the AFC East-rival Patriots (12-2). Should the 53-year-old Bowles miss the game, assistant head coach/linebackers coach Mike Caldwell will assume the head-coaching responsibilities, the team said in a statement. - - - Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was not fined by the NFL for jumping into an oversized Salvation Army red kettle in the end zone after a touchdown run, says the NFL needs to loosen the celebration rules. Elliott proposes the NFL should allow for touchdowns to be celebrated instead of taking some fun out of the game. Elliott celebrated a 2-yard TD run during the second quarter of the Cowboys' 26-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last Sunday night's game -- quickly hiding from everybody in the large kettle before popping out. He was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. - - - San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was ruled out for a second straight week. Gordon, who is three yards shy of rushing for 1,000 for the season, is dealing with hip and knee injuries that will sideline him for Sunday's matchup at the winless Cleveland Browns. - - - The Arizona Cardinals placed safety Tyrann Mathieu on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, marking the third time in four NFL seasons that he will finish on the injured reserve list. Mathieu never could fully get past his 2015 ACL tear and then suffered a shoulder injury this season. - - - The Tennessee Titans ruled out cornerback Jason McCourty for Saturday's road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. McCourty did not practice this week after suffering shoulder and chest injuries last Sunday. Linebacker Sean Spence is listed as questionable on Friday's injury report with an ankle injury - - - The Denver Broncos will be missing four players for the Christmas road game against the Kansas City Chiefs, including safety T.J. Ward, tight end A.J. Derby and tight end Virgil Green out due to concussions. Linebacker Brandon Marshall (hamstring) also was ruled out for the Sunday night game at Arrowhead Stadium. Ward, Derby and Green have been in the NFL concussion protocol this week after suffering head injuries last Sunday. - - - Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (concussion) and wide receiver Sammie Coates (hamstring) are both listed as doubtful for the Christmas Day contest against the Baltimore Ravens. - - - Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith will miss his second straight game after being ruled out of Sunday's AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shareece Wright is expected to draw into the starting lineup in place of Smith, who has a right ankle sprain. Wide receiver Steve Smith is listed as questionable to play due to a thigh injury that occurred during the week. - - - The Oakland Raiders activated defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. from injured reserve to the team's 53-man roster, making him eligible to play in Saturday's home game versus the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie outside linebacker Shilique Calhoun (knee) was placed on season-ending injured reserve to make room for Edwards, who injured his hip in preseason. Edwards was placed on injured reserve Sept. 5 by Oakland. - - - The San Francisco 49ers placed wide receiver Torrey Smith on injured reserve due to a concussion suffered two weeks ago. (Editing by Andrew Both)