Latest from the NFL: Vikings defense weakens further
The latest from NFL games around the league on the 13th Sunday of the season (all times EST):
1:25 p.m.
The Minnesota Vikings were already missing starting defensive tackle Linval Joseph because of injury. Two drives into the game against Seattle, and the defense has been weakened even further.
Starting safety Harrison Smith (hamstring) and linebacker Anthony Barr (groin) had to leave the game with injuries and are questionable to return.
Joseph, Smith and Barr are arguably the Vikings' three best defensive players, and the Seahawks drove right down the field to take a 7-0 lead after Barr and Smith left.
-Jon Krawczynski reporting from Minneapolis.
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1:20 p.m.
Browns left guard Joel Bitonio has been taken to the locker room with a left ankle injury. He missed the last two games with a severely sprained left ankle. He was blocking on a running play when rookie Duke Johnson rolled up on the back of his legs. Rookie Cam Erving replaced Bitonio.
- Tom Withers reporting from Cleveland.
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12:05 p.m.
The New York Giants are starting two rookies at offensive tackle for their game against the New York Jets.
The Giants are giving Bobby Hart the start at right tackle with regular Marshall Newhouse inactive with a back injury. Top draft pick Ereck Flowers has started at left tackle all season.
The Jets are third overall on defense and first against the rush. Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson has eight sacks.
Mark Herzlich is getting the start at strong side linebacker with Devon Kennard out and Craig Dahl is starting for the injured Brandon Meriweather at safety.
Buster Skrine is starting at cornerback for the Jets with Darrelle Revis and Marcus Williams inactive with injuries.
- Tom Canavan reporting from East Rutherford, N.J.
12 p.m.
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will be missing one of his top targets as tight end Tyler Eifert, the NFL's touchdown leader, will miss their game against the Browns with a neck injury.
Eifert has 12 TD catches this season, three of them coming in Cincinnati's 31-10 win over the Browns on Nov. 5. Eifert has 46 catches for 522 yards.
Eifert had been listed as doubtful this week. He sustained a neck stinger in last Sunday's win over St. Louis. Tyler Kroft will start in place of Eifert on Sunday. Kroft has just one catch for four yards.
The Bengals (9-2) are closing in on their fifth straight playoff appearance and an AFC North title.
The Browns (2-9) decided not to activate wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, the former NFL quarterback who was signed earlier this week.
Cleveland is also missing Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden, who missed his fourth straight game with a concussion. Haden has sustained two concussions this season.
- Tom Withers reporting from Cleveland.
