EAST RUTHERFORD Patrick Omameh Jersey , N.J. (AP) — When the New York Giants started playing games in the preseason, it seemed linebacker 0livier Vernon was going to have a monster season in coordinator James Bettcher’s new 3-4 defensive scheme.Every time the ball was snapped Vernon disrupted plays. He stopped runs and got sacks and pressures on opposing quarterbacks.A couple of days before the preseason finale against New England, Vernon suffered a high sprain to his left ankle, and his season has turned into a major disappointment.The seven-year veteran missed the first five regular-season games and didn’t return to action until a start against the Eagles on Nov. 11. The Giants were 1-4 at that point and things only got worse as New York dropped the next three games heading into its bye.While Vernon played well against the Eagles, he has not done much statistically this season. He has one sack, 10 tackles and six quarterback hits in six games. Against Tampa Bay on Nov. 18, he was flagged for three penalties in a span of one snap: two neutral zone violations and a roughing the passer.It’s not what is expected of a player making $17 million this season, the second-highest salary on the team.“You work hard before every season coming up and it’s just one little bump in the road, and all I can do right now is just the normal game plan, be out there for my team and make the plays that come to me,” Vernon said Friday after the Giants (3-8) practiced for Sunday’s game against the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears (8-3).Vernon insists he is 100 percent healthy Womens Dalvin Tomlinson Jersey , although he said getting back into football shape has taken time. He was able to do some cardio work while hurt, but it took time to get his legs back.The Giants have missed him in the pass rush. They have 14 sacks this season, second lowest in the league. Vernon’s one sack is on pace to be a career low. He had 3 1/2 in his rookie season of 2012 with Miami. In his previous two seasons with the Giants he had 15, including 6 ½ last year despite missing four games with another ankle injury.“He’s just like every player on our team,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “Just keep battling, keep playing to make a difference. He can be a disruptive force, we all know that.”Shurmur said Vernon has been making plays. He is just not getting the sacks.Vernon notes that Sunday will be a test because the Bears are playing well. They are not making mistakes and are forcing turnovers. They even won last week with veteran quarterback Chase Daniel starting for Mitchell Trubisky, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury.Trubisky was limited at practice this week and is doubtful for Sunday. Daniel is expected to start at MetLife Stadium.“One thing is you just have to get back there, you have to make him feel the pressure and kind of force them into making errors,” Vernon said. “We know he can make plays with his arm, and he can also make plays with his feet as well. They have a lot of fast Phil McConkey Jersey , skilled guys out there that just can make plays when it’s needed.”If Vernon does not start making big plays, the Giants might consider releasing him. He signed a five-year, $85 million contract in 2016 with $52 million guaranteed. He will carry a cap hit of $19.5 million in each of his final two seasons.“Right now I’m focusing on the Bears and whatever happens, happens,” he said. “All I can do is focus on what I have to do.”NOTES: TE Evan Engram (hamstring) and LB B.J. Goodson (neck) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Rookie LB Lorenzo Carter (hip) is questionable. The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ push for a playoff berth will go on without wide receiver Antonio Brown.The perennial Pro Bowler will sit out the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals with a knee injury. Pittsburgh will also be without starting inside linebacker Vince Williams (toe) and safety Sean Davis, who is dealing with a quadriceps injury.Kicker Matt McCrane will make his debut for Pittsburgh after Chris Boswell was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.The Steelers need to win and hope the Ravens lose to Cleveland to capture the AFC North. Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot with a victory over the Bengals and a tie between Indianapolis and Tennessee on Sunday night.Cincinnati will play without linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who was diagnosed with a concussion last week. Hardy Nickerson will start in place of Burfict.Cody Core will start at wide receiver for the Bengals, with linebacker Vincent Rey at outside linebacker and Darqueze Dennard at cornerback.The Ravens will face the Browns without offensive lineman Alex Lewis, who will miss a fourth straight game with a shoulder injury.Lewis has been placed in the inactive list in a game the Ravens likely need to win to clinch the AFC North title.Lewis last started on Dec. 2 against Atlanta, when he helped the Ravens compiled 207 yards rushing in a 26-16 victory.Baltimore also placed running back Javorius Allen and quarterback Robert Griffin III on the inactive list.Cleveland’s inactives include quarterback Drew Stanton and defensive linemen Chad Thomas and Carl Davis.The Chiefs are missing running back Spencer Ware because of a hamstring injury and star safety Eric Berry because of a recurrence of his heel problem as they try to clinch the AFC West and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs against Oakland.Damien Williams will get the start at running back for Kansas City. Darrel Williams, who also has been dealing with a hamstring issue http://www.giantslockerroom.com/authentic-andrew-adams-jersey , will back him up along with Charcandrick West.Top cornerback Kendall Fuller returned after missing the Chiefs’ previous game with a broken hand. He was still wearing a cast, but planned to start opposite Steven Nelson against the Raiders.Todd Gurley is skipping the Los Angeles Rams‘ last game of the regular season to rest his sore knee for the playoffs.Gurley entered the finale leading the NFL with 21 touchdowns, but he will miss the Rams’ final two games of the regular season. The Rams also faced San Francisco without starting safety Lamarcus Joyner.The 49ers wrapped up their fifth straight non-winning season without running back Matt Breida and receivers Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin. Breida and Pettis were placed on injured reserve.The Seahawks will be without starting safety Tedric Thompson for the second straight game because of a chest injury. The Seahawks are also down starting left guard J.R. Sweezy because of a sprained foot. Sweezy was injured last week against Kansas City, but is hoping to play in the opening round of the playoffs.Newly acquired safety D.J. Swearinger is inactive for Arizona, along with starting defensive end Markus Golden and backup Benson Mayowa. Swearinger was claimed off waivers this week after his release by Washington.With rookie running back Phillip Lindsay on IR after injuring his right wrist last week, eight Broncos who started multiple games on offense aren’t in uniform for the finale against the Chargers.For the third straight week, safety Su’a Cravens and outside linebacker Shane Ray are healthy scratches for Denver.Here are the inactives for Sunday’s games:CINCINNATI-PITTSBURGHBengals: WR Hunter Sharp, CB Tony McRae, LB Vontaze Burfict, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, TE Jordan Franks Wayne Gallman Jersey , RB Quinton Flowers, OT Kent PerkinsSteelers:WR Antonio Brown (knee), LB Vince Williams (toe), S Sean Davis (quadriceps), QB Mason Rudolph, OT Zach Banner, DE L.T. Walton, OLB Ola Adeniyi (edited)