Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly has continued to hold out hope that he could play again this season, possibly even Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, 29, is retiring from the NFL, his agent confirmed to ESPN. Mayo wrote in a message on Instagram earlier Tuesday that he was "retiring a Patriot."
Mike Vrabel will return to the Texans for a third season after turning down an offer to become the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.
Veteran LB Jerod Mayo has been placed on injured reserve by the Patriots with a shoulder injury, according to a league source.
Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee is likely to miss out on a $2 million raise after being listed as inactive for the final regular-season game.
Aldon Smith, who in September pleaded not guilty to hit-and-run, drunken driving and vandalism, will be banned by the NFL for one year.
