National Football League roundup
Dec 16 (The Sports Xchange) - The Green Bay Packers officially activated quarterback Aaron Rodgers off injured reserve Saturday ahead of the team traveling for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
Rodgers is officially cleared to make his much-anticipated return as the Packers (7-6) cling to playoff hopes in a test against the Panthers (9-4).
To clear a spot on the roster, the Packers reportedly released third-string quarterback Joe Callahan, who had been backing up Brett Hundley while Rodgers was on IR with a broken right collarbone.
Rodgers missed seven games and underwent surgery to repair his broken right clavicle in a Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Packers went 3-4 in Rodgers' absence with Brett Hundley serving as the quarterback.
- - -
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is the most popular player among fans in the NFL's Pro Bowl voting.
The NFL announced on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football Weekend" the top five fan vote-getters for the 2018 Pro Bowl, with Bell receiving 855,539 fan votes ending Thursday.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady received 833,481 votes, followed by Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (832,446), Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (829,174) and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (743,355).
The 2018 Pro Bowl is set to take place Jan. 28 in Orlando, Fla
- - -
Running back Reggie Bush, who has not played since last season, said "I'm done" after 11 NFL seasons and wants to retire as a New Orleans Saints player.
Prior to the 2017 season, Bush indicated he wanted one more chance to play in the NFL and felt he still had "a lot left to give" on the field.
Bush, who turns 33 in March, told NFL Network's Dan Hellie and Maurice Jones-Drew on Friday that his career has come to an end.
- - -
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman was ruled out for Monday night's game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a concussion, the team announced.
Coleman sustained the concussion during the Falcons' 20-17 win over the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 7.
He has rushed for 593 yards with 245 receiving yards this season.
Coach Dan Quinn also ruled out starting left guard Andy Levitre, who is recovering from a left triceps injury.
- - -
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ruled out defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III for Monday night's game against the Falcons, coach Dirk Koetter said.
Linebacker Lavonte David also was ruled out due to a hamstring injury suffered last week.
- - -
The Cincinnati Bengals placed center T.J. Johnson on the injured reserve due to a chest muscle injury.
To take his spot on the roster, the Bengals signed running back Jarveon Williams off the team's practice squad.
- - -
The Arizona Cardinals promoted tight end Gabe Holmes to the active roster from the practice squad on and released running back Bronson Hill.
