Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday night that Peyton Manning has hit a plateau in his recovery from neck surgery and might not be able to play football again, citing two sources. The vertebrae in Manning's neck have healed as expected, but the nerves in his arm aren't progressing enough to indicate that he will play again. The Yahoo! story also quoted two doctors with experience in spinal fusion surgery who said it could take up to one year before Manning will even know if he can return.

The Giants are trying to heal all their wounds leading up to next weekend's Super Bowl. Rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams (sprained foot) and receiver Hakeem Nicks (sprained shoulder) have both been sitting out practice. In addition, Cornerback Corey Webster rested his hamstring injury and cornerback Will Blackmon sat with a knee injury. Tom Coughlin has said the team is being careful with all injuries and making sure everybody will be ready for the Super Bowl.

The father of Rob Gronkowski says his son has a high ankle sprain, but that he will certainly play in next Sunday's Super Bowl. Gronkowski didn't practice Thursday or Friday. The tight end injured the ankle in the third quarter of Sunday's AFC Championship Game win over the Ravens. He limped off the field but returned to the game about five minutes later. He said after the game that his ankle was "good."

Sidney Rice missed the final five games of the season because of a concussion, but he apparently had a number of health issues. The Seahawks wide receiver reportedly had surgery on both his shoulders this offseason. One was for a torn labrum and the other one remains unclear.

Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke considered going through neck surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation in hopes of coming back for a 12th season. Instead, he opted for retirement, thinking the danger of re-injury wouldn’t be fair to his family, according to an Associated Press report on Thursday.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was listed as unable to practice on Wednesday on the team’s first injury report since he injured his left ankle in the AFC title game against the Ravens, according to an Associated Press report.

A tournament official confirmed to ESPN.com on Wednesday that Tim Tebow will not be playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, scheduled for Feb. 9-12, because of an injury he suffered in the Broncos' playoff loss to the Patriots. Tournament director Steve Worthy had told the Monterey Herald on Tuesday that Tebow would not be playing in the tournament. "Due to the injuries, it looks like he's a no-go," Worthy said.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has downplayed any concern about him sitting out Wednesday's practice with what the team classified as a left shoulder ailment. Brady was a full participant in Thursday's practice. "I'll be out there [Thursday], you don't have to worry about that," said Brady before practice, hinting that the coaching staff felt it was best for him to take an additional day of rest. "It's not the first practice I've missed over the years," Brady said. "Coming off a game on Saturday or Sunday, you're just doing everything you can to be prepared. When Coach [Bill Belichick] feels it's best to do other things to get yourself ready, that's what you do. You can still use all that time very wisely. You're not lounging around taking naps or anything like that. You're just putting in extra work and make sure you're getting prepared."

Bears running back Matt Forte has been cleared to participate in the upcoming Pro Bowl after his injured knee checked out OK during a team administered physical, the club announced on Thursday.

Tom Brady downplayed any concern about him sitting out Wednesday's practice with what the team classified as a left shoulder ailment and said he'll be on the field Thursday. "I'll be out there today, you don't have to worry about that," said Brady, who hinted that the coaching staff felt it was best for him to take an additional day of rest, but he still found ways to ready himself for Sunday's game against the Ravens.