TRAE WAYNES

The 29-year-old former Michigan State cornerback who spent the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals told the Geary & Stein Sports Show he’s likely retiring after seven years in the NFL. “It’s open, but I’m not really exploring anything, to be honest with you,” Waynes said. Although Waynes reached the Super Bowl with the Bengals last season, it was another year dealing with injuries. It’s bittersweet but I know at the end of the day it’s probably the right decision.”Waynes spent four years at Michigan State and left for the NFL after being named a second team All-American during his redshirt junior season. Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State football opponents: Michigan regrouping after major losses on defenseMichigan State football pushing through scorching summer strength and conditioning program4-star OL Clay Wedin commits to Michigan State4-star CB Jaylon Braxton commits to Michigan StateMichigan State TE Maliq Carr joins WWE’s NIL program

Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota VikingsCousins returned from the COVID-19 list to go 14-for-22 for 250 yards with three touchdowns in the Vikings’ season-ending win over the Bears. Andrew Dowell, LB, New Orleans SaintsDowell played 18 special teams snaps in the Saints’ season-ending 30-20 win over the Falcons. Brian Hoyer, QB, New England PatriotsHoyer did not appear in the Patriots’ season-ending loss to the Dolphins. Malik McDowell, DT, Cleveland BrownsMcDowell had one tackle in 39 defensive spans in his team’s win over Cincinnati. Willis had 63 tackles, two interceptions, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in 11 games in his third NFL season.

Dallas star rookie linebacker Micah Parsons and Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon were the latest big-name players added to the COVID-19 reserve list.

It marked only the second game he’s missed since 2015, when he became a full-time starter in Washington. Justin Layne, CB, Pittsburgh SteelersLayne had two tackles on 20 special teams plays in the Steelers’ Week 17 win over the Browns on Monday night. Taybor Pepper, LS, San Francisco 49ersPepper made nine long snaps in the 49ers’ 23-7 win over the Texans. Josiah Scott, CB, Philadelphia EaglesA week after seeing significant time on the Eagles’ defense, Scott returned to his role as a special teams player, with 14 special teams plays in the Eagles’ 20-16 win over Washington. Cody White, WR, Pittsburgh SteelersWhite’s role was limited to 10 special teams snaps and none on offense in the Steelers’ win over the Browns on Monday night.

He also left the Rams’ Dec. 5 game due to a knee injury but played the team’s entire Dec. 21 game against the Seahawks. The game was his sixth this season with 300 yards or more passing, and came after he recorded just 87 yards last week against the Bears. William Gholston, DL, Tampa Bay BuccaneersGholston recorded 2.5 sacks in the, marking a new single-game career-high in his ninth NFL season. He did it in a game when the Buccaneers won the NFC South with a 32-6 win over the Panthers. Josiah Scott, CB, Philadelphia EaglesScott saw 25 defensive snaps, his highest total of the season, plus 17 special teams snaps in the Eagles’ 34-10 win over the Giants.

Joe Bachie, Cincinnati BengalsBachie tore his ACL in the Bengals’ 15-10 win over the Broncos, ending his second NFL season. Bachie had made his second straight start amid injuries to Cincinnati’s defense and had recorded six tackles on 30 plays before suffering the injury. William Gholston, DL, Tampa Bay BuccaneersGholston recorded six tackles, tied for his season-high, in the Buccaneers’ loss to the Saints. Justin Layne, CB, Pittsburgh SteelersLayne saw action on 14 special teams plays in the Steelers’ 19-13 win over the Titans. Cody White, WR, Pittsburgh SteelersWhite did not record a statistic while playing on eight special teas plays in the Steelers’ win over the Titans.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow says his injured pinky finger on his throwing hand won’t keep him out of Sunday's game against San Francisco.

The Minnesota Vikings say defensive end Everson Griffen has emerged from his home without incident and is receiving care for his mental health.

The injury bug has come for a former Michigan State star. The Cinnicanti Bengals placed cornerback Trae Waynes on the Reserve/Injured list on Tuesday. Waynes, a seventh-year player, suffered a right hamstring injury in the Bengals’ wild overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 10. Waynes, drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors at Michigan State in 2014. He was a Big Ten Champion in 2013, Rose Bowl Champion in 2014 and Cotton Bowl Champion in 2015.

Jack Conklin, OT, Cleveland BrownsConklin left Sunday’s game during the fourth quarter and didn’t return due to a knee injury. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota VikingsCousins went 25-for-34 for 275 yards with a touchdown and interception in the Vikings’ home win over the Lions. Andrew Dowell, LB, New Orleans SaintsDowell played on 24 special teams plays and recorded one tackle in the Saints’ 33-22 in over Washington. Justin Layne, CB, Pittsburgh SteelersLayne played on 12 special teams plays and was flagged once for an illegal block in the Steelers’ 27-19 win over the Broncos. His role, though, was significantly reduced, with only 19 snaps on defense and six on special teams.

EAST LANSING – After a September spent off of an active roster, former first-team All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell was back in uniform on Sunday. Bell played his first game with the Ravens on Sunday after being called up from the practice squad the day before. Andrew Dowell, LB, New Orleans SaintsDowell played in 20 special teams plays in the Saints’ 27-21 overtime loss to the Giants. Justin Layne, CB, Pittsburgh SteelersLayne played 10 special teams plays in the Steelers’ loss to the Packers. He saw action on 13 special teams plays in his season debut.

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Kirk Cousins danced in the end zone after running for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Vikings went on to celebrate the end of a disappointing season with a 37-35 win over the lowly Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Vikings (7-9) failed for the fourth time in a decade to make two straight trips to the playoffs. The Lions (5-11) lost their last four games eight of 10 after going into November with a .500 record under former coach Matt Patricia. In a matchup without postseason implications, the Vikings and Lions combined to play a closely contested game with a lot of highlights and lowlights. Alexander Mattison ran for 16 yards to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Lions 25 with 2:28 left, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock to seal the win.

Two former Michigan State players saw their names added to the league’s COVID-19 reserve list – although being there had little effect on what either of the did on Sunday. He spent time on the team’s COVID-19 reserve list during the week but tested negative multiple times and was activated on Sunday to play the Saints. Waynes, meanwhile, was placed on the list while he’s on injured reserve for a torn pectoral suffered in training camp. His return from IR was not thought to be imminent, but Waynes would not be allowed back in team facilities while on the COVID-19 list. Khari Willis, S, Indianapolis ColtsWillis recorded nine tackles, including eight solo tackles, in the Colts' 24-10 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Davante Adams was predictably the biggest beneficiary, with a career-high, franchise-record-tying 14 catches for 156 yards and two scores. Aaron Jones rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown for the Packers, who posted their highest score against the Vikings since a 44-31 victory at the Metrodome on Oct. 27, 2013. Jaire Alexander, who also recorded a safety on an untouched cornerback blitz in the second quarter, made the bobbling interception. When LG Lucas Patrick (shoulder) was forced out in the second quarter, Jenkins moved back to his original spot and free agent addition Rick Wagner entered at RT. ... DT Kenny Clark (groin) was hurt in the second quarter during Alexander's interception and didn't return.

I think theres a lot of teams in the league right now that are dealing with all kinds of injuries.He's right. Teams all over the league were sent scrambling during camp. Certainly not during training camp when players are going hard to make the roster as the start of the regular season rolls closer. It's the soft tissue injuries and those things that you are trying to prevent with the ramp-up period," Bitonio said. That will certainly be something to monitor as the regular season begins and teams deal with injuries and potential replacements.