defense again, with two fourth-quarter comebacks, but also with a

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers will have two players line up at inside linebacker Sunday against the Houston Texans.Who theyll be is anyones guess.The good news at least for Green Bay is that two starters are getting closer to returning at a position where injuries have sapped depth and weakened the run defense.Second-year starter Jake Ryan hasnt played a snap on defense the last three weeks after injuring an ankle on a first-series punt at Tennessee on Nov. 13. Rookie starter Blake Martinez sustained a knee sprain late in the game at Washington on Nov. 20 and didnt play on Monday night at Philadelphia.With both players inactive against the Eagles, Clay Matthews was moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and started alongside Joe Thomas. Matthews, however, sustained an injured shoulder on the opening series when he was leveled by Eagles right tackle Allen Barbre on an end-around. Matthews played most of the game after going to the locker room for a painkilling injection.All three players were listed as limited participation on Thursday.You prepare for the worst and, if you get good news, then youre happy about that, defensive coordinator Dom Capers said after practice Thursday evening about the uncertainty.Even while essentially missing the last three games, Ryan is the teams leading tackler. Without him, a run defense that led the league just a few weeks ago gave up a 75-yard touchdown run by DeMarco Murray to open the game at Tennessee, a 66-yard run by Rob Kelley that sealed the Packers fate at Washington and 4.5 yards per carry against the Eagles.When Martinez was injured, he said he immediately feared the worst. He sat out practice last week and felt his return on Thursday was a step in the right direction.Meanwhile, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was listed as limited participation as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained during the third quarter on Monday night. He is coming off what quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt called his best performance of the season in the 27-13 victory.Rodgers was 30 of 39 for 313 yards and two touchdowns.I thought he was locked in, Van Pelt said. Even had some throwaways and a couple potential drops, so he was almost perfect with the ball.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLAir Max Pas Cher Livraison Rapide . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Chaussure Air Max Pas Cher Chine .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. http://www.pascherairmaxchine.fr/ . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Site Air Max Pas Cher Chine . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Air Max Chine Pas Cher . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams.The NFL has never gone this long without a repeat Super Bowl champion: 12 years since the 2003-04 Patriots. Denver seemed like a most unlikely candidate to repeat, given the loss of two quarterbacks in Peyton Manning (retired) and Brock Osweiler (Texans), and a couple of good starters from the No. 1 defense in Malik Jackson (Jaguars) and Danny Trevathan (Bears).Yet here the Broncos are at 3-0 in 2016. They are doing it with defense again, with two fourth-quarter comebacks, but also with an offense that has been surprisingly competent behind 2015 seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian. Last year, the Broncos were just 25th in offensive DVOA, the lowest ranking ever for a Super Bowl winner since 1989. Through Week 3, thhe Broncos rank 10th in offensive DVOA, which is shockingly one spot higher than the defenses rank (11th).dddddddddddd DVOA for 2016 doesnt yet include opponent adjustments because its so early in the season, but those adjustments would likely boost the offense further, since Denver has played strong defenses in Carolina and Cincinnati.Overall, the Broncos are seventh in DVOA after having finished eighth in 2015. While the start of this season has had an undeniable resemblance to last year, something does feel a little different about these Broncos. But is this a better football team? ' ' '