Philip Rivers finished fourth in the voting for Offensive Player of the Year behind winner Drew Brees, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Analysis:Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson tied for second, and Rivers was fourth with six of 50 votes. Rivers led the NFL with a 105.5 efficiency rating, while breaking out with 4,009 passing yards and 34 scoring strikes. He will be aiming to lead the Chargers to the AFC Championship this Sunday against the Steelers at Heinz Field.

Justin Smiley will shed the cast from his broken right leg Monday, according to the Miami Herald.

Analysis:He will then advance to a protective walking boot. He will also undergo a clean-up operation to his right shoulder that he believes will allow him to play pain-free next season.

Amon Gordon has been released by the Titans, according to the Nashville City Paper. Kevin Vickerson is back with the team after serving his four-game suspension for violating the banned substance policy.

Analysis:Gordon provided depth at defensive tackle while Albert Haynesworth (knee) was out, but is now expendable with Haynesworth expected to play Saturday against the Ravens.

Steelers' coach Mike Tomlin expects LaDainian Tomlinson to play in Sunday's playoff game at Heinz Field despite a severely strained groin, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Tomlin said, "Guys like him defy the odds. That's why he is who he is."

Analysis:The Steelers are preparing as if Tomlinson will play, but the Chargers are yet to make a decision on the elite running back.

Cardinals' teammate Karlos Dansby believes Anquan Boldin (strained hamstring) will be fine for Saturday's playoff game at Carolina, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Dansby said, "Heýs a warrior, man. Heýs going to be fine. Like they said, he just tweaked it a little bit. I told him the today when I saw him in the training room, I was laughing, I said, ýMan, thatýs the fastest Iýve ever seen you run.ý In my five years being here thatýs the fastest Iýve ever seen him run. I get the opportunity to check him every Wednesday in practice and he tries to run the seam route on me every time and he donýt run that fast, you know what Iým saying? He said heýs going to be fine and heýs going to be ready to go."

Analysis:This is encouraging news, but the Cardinals are yet to officially update the elite receiver's status for Saturday.

Isaiah Stanback underwent shoulder surgery last week, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Analysis:Stanback underwent the same procedure last year but re-injured his shoulder in the preseason and dealt with it popping in and out through most of the season.

Cornerback Terence Newman is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle on Tuesday, the Dallas Morning News notes. He is expected to be ready for the offseason programs.

Analysis:Previous reports in the same paper pointed to the right ankle, but, really, who bothers with such details, huh? Newman underwent hernia surgery earlier in 2008 and had a notable Achilles injury in 2007. He is a very talented cornerback, but these ailments are an issue for that secondary.