Welker Out Tonight – NFL Roundup For Dec. 12th

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has followed through with the plan he announced on Monday, shutting down Robert Griffin III for the rest of the season. Shanahan says it's to protect the second-year quarterback from serious injury.

Kirk Cousins will start for the 3-10 Redskins when they face Atlanta this week. Veteran Rex Grossman will serve as the backup.

Shanahan points out that Griffin has been sacked 24 times in the last five games and has taken numerous other hits.

NFL-INJURIES

Welker out, Peterson status still in question

UNDATED (AP) — Denver receiver Wes Welker won't play Thursday night against San Diego as he recovers from his second concussion in less than a month.

Welker was injured on a legal hit in Sunday's win over Tennessee. He also sustained a concussion Nov. 17 against Kansas City but played the following week at New England.

In other NFL news:

— Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson has shed the walking boot on his sprained right foot, but he wasn't ready for practice Wednesday. He probably won't participate until Friday at the earliest, leaving his status for Sunday's game against Philadelphia in doubt.