Bills’ quarterback EJ Manuel will miss the game with a knee injury sustained in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Backup Thad Lewis is back in the starting lineup to replace Manuel.

That would appear to be a big lift as the Dolphins are battling the Ravens for a playoff spot. The Ravens, who needed six Justin Tucker field goals to counter no touchdowns in a Monday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions, play hosts to the New England Patriots.

So, not only do the Ravens have a short week, they face a team the Dolphins just beat. The Dolphins are on the road at Buffalo, but face a backup quarterback. Still, it was Lewis who beat Miami already in October, as Manuel was then out with a knee injury as well.

Coach Doug Marrone said that Manuel was limited in practice, but couldn’t move around well enough to play. Marrone said he does expect Manuel to return next week, but until then, the Dolphins have a chance to make the most of what appears to be an advantageous situation.


HIT ON HUBER WAS ILLEGAL


The smashing block by Steelers linebacker Terence Garvin on Bengals punter Kevin Huber was illegal, the NFL said on Tuesday.

“This is an illegal block. It should have been a flag for a 15-yard penalty,” said Dean Blandino, the vice president of officiating. “You’ll see the close up where you can see the contact to the head or neck area. So this will certainly be a point of emphasis this week, especially with our referees who are responsible for the punter on plays like this.”

On an Antonio Brown punt return, Garvin caught an unsuspecting Huber under the chin with the crown of his helmet. The result: a broken jaw and one cracked vertebra. Huber will have surgery on his jaw on Friday.

“We have to watch the punter, he’s defenseless,” Blandino said.

In this case, Huber was actually trying to make a play and stop the return. It’s not as if he was standing idol and out of the play. He quite possibly could have tripped Brown up had Garvin not intervened. Still, the placement of Garvin’s hit was vicious and caused a lot of damage. Huber is out the rest of the season.

“We want to flag hits like that,” Blandino said.

The NFL fined Garvin $25,000 for the hit.


RODGERS WANTS IN


Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is getting antsy. He wants desperately to get back onto the field after more than a six-week hiatus due to a broken collarbone.

Dr. Pat McKenzie did not clear Rodgers on Wednesday. But with time running out, Rodgers appears more inclined to force the issue — whether he wins or not.

“I think there has to be on some level a risk-reward conversation,” Rodgers said on his weekly radio show on ESPNMilwaukee. “You have to base that on the evidence you see on the scan, but also how I’m feeling and if I’m able to do normal football movements without pain. That obviously goes into the equation.”

Remember the last time we saw a prominent quarterback in a push-and-pull situation over an injury. It didn’t turn out well. Robert Griffin III insisted on playing the Seahawks in a playoff last season with a knee that was held together on an already flimsy ligament. It didn’t take a whole game before he finished the job, tearing his ACL.

He spent the whole offseason lobbying to play in the season opener, seemingly forcing his will more upon coach Mike Shanahan than team physician, Dr. James Andrews. What we saw was someone out there who was only half the player he showed that he really is. Now, RG3 is on the bench sulking, Shanahan is sticking out his chin and the media is stirring the pot.

Over in Green Bay, coach Mike McCarthy seems to be in lock step with the process, but he’s surely getting a little anxious, too. It doesn’t look like McKenzie is going to relent until he’s comfortable than the broken bone is healed and Rodgers isn’t at great risk. In this case, Rodgers may just have to take his medicine.

“Sometimes those guys have to save you from yourself,” Rodgers said. “Doc and I always have had a close relationship and an honest relationship. I think he trusts me on how I’m feeling. It doesn’t mean I’m not going to battle with him.”


CRUZ MAY BE DONE FOR YEAR


Not that the Giants are going anywhere, but maintaining the momentum they built in the second half of the season will be even harder if receiver Victor Cruz is unable to play.

Cruz sustained a concussion and sprained knee against Seattle last week. Coach Tom Coughlin said it would keep him out of practice on Wednesday.

Cruz, who also had a foot injury in the preseason, isn’t an asset the Giants would want to risk losing. With nothing to play for, putting him in position to further hurt himself would be senseless. Cruz just signed a new contract, so they need to protect him.

The Giants have called up receiver Julian Talley from the practice squad, which could be an indication that Cruz will hang ‘em up for the season. To make room for Talley, cornerback Corey Webster was played on season-ending injured reserve with hamstring and ankle injuries.

Cruz has 73 catches for 998 yards and four touchdowns this season.


FLETCHER MAY RETIRE


Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, one of the most durable players in NFL history, says there's a "99 percent" chance he'll retire at the end of the season.

Fletcher announced Wednesday that Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys will almost certainly be his final home game in the NFL.

He held out a one percent chance that he'll return next year — just in case he has a change of heart.

The 38-year-old undrafted player from Division III John Carroll has never missed a game in the NFL. He has played in 254 consecutive games, the longest streak by a defensive player since the 1970 merger. He's also started 213 in a row, the all-time mark for a linebacker.

Contributors: Rana L. Cash, The Associated Press