Commanders' Jayden Daniels Ruled Out for Week 15
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss Sunday's game against the New York Giants, according to ESPN. The rookie QB, who left last week's game against the Vikings, continues to deal with a left elbow injury. Despite participating in individual drills at Wednesday's practice, the team has decided to exercise caution with their franchise cornerstone.
The good news? Daniels could potentially return in Week 16 for the crucial divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. His absence comes at a challenging time for Washington as they push for playoff positioning in the competitive NFC East.
Raiders Face Quarterback Shuffle with Geno Smith Injury
The Las Vegas Raiders are facing their own QB crisis. According to Pro Football Talk, Geno Smith is unlikely to play Sunday due to a shoulder injury. Smith did not practice Wednesday, paving the way for Kenny Pickett to take over as the starting quarterback.
This marks another setback for a Raiders team already struggling this season. Pickett, acquired in the offseason, will get his opportunity to prove he can be the long-term answer under center.
Jets in Quarterback Chaos
Perhaps no team faces more uncertainty at the QB position than the New York Jets. According to PFT, neither Tyrod Taylor (groin) nor Justin Fields (knee) practiced Wednesday, leaving rookie undrafted free agent Brady Cook as the first-team quarterback in practice.
Cook's NFL debut against the Dolphins was rough, completing just 14 of 30 passes for 163 yards and throwing two interceptions. If both Taylor and Fields remain sidelined, the Jets will be forced to roll with the inexperienced rookie in a must-win situation.
Lamar Jackson Misses Another Practice
Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson missed Wednesday's practice for the fourth consecutive week, per PFT. Despite the concerning pattern of absences, Jackson has managed to suit up and play in all the games so far. The Ravens will continue to monitor their franchise quarterback's status as they gear up for the playoff push.
Buccaneers Get Major Boost with Receiver Returns
Tampa Bay received excellent news as both Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan were activated to the main roster, according to PFT. Evans has been sidelined with a collarbone injury while McMillan dealt with a neck issue.
While both receivers are currently listed as questionable for Sunday's crucial NFC South showdown against Atlanta, there's strong optimism they'll be able to play. Their return would provide a massive boost to a struggling Buccaneers offense that desperately needs playmakers.
Panthers' Jaycee Horn Returns to Limited Practice
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, marking his first on-field work since suffering a concussion in Week 13. According to PFT, Horn remains in the concussion protocol but his presence at practice is an encouraging sign for a Panthers defense that has missed his coverage skills.
Colts Make Multiple Roster Moves
The Indianapolis Colts have been busy with roster management. The team placed cornerback Charvarius Ward on injured reserve after suffering his third concussion of the season, effectively ending his campaign.
On the positive side, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was activated from the injured list. Buckner has been out since early November with a neck injury and his return should bolster a Colts defensive line that has struggled in his absence.
The quarterback situation in Indianapolis remains fluid with the surprising addition of veteran Philip Rivers to the practice squad. The Colts have activated Brett Rypien to the main roster alongside Riley Leonard, though everything could change before Sunday. Could we see Rivers wearing number 17 again?
Cardinals' Trey Benson Out for Season
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson will not return this season. Despite being designated for return from injured reserve 21 days ago, the team decided not to activate him. Coach Jonathan Gannon stated that Benson hasn't sufficiently recovered from the knee injury that landed him on IR on October 1st.
Bengals' Shemar Stewart Returns from IR
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart has been removed from injured reserve after missing time since November 15 with a knee injury. He now has a 21-day window to be activated to the main roster, potentially providing a boost to the Bengals' pass rush down the stretch.
NFL to Launch Professional Flag Football League
In a groundbreaking announcement, NFL team owners agreed Wednesday to create and finance a professional flag football league. The initiative will receive $32 million in funding—$1 million from each of the 32 teams—and will feature both men's and women's leagues.
This move underscores the NFL's growing interest in flag football, which will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The league sees this as an opportunity to expand the sport's reach while developing talent for the international stage.
NFL Draft Gets Faster
Good news for draft enthusiasts: the NFL has decided to reduce the time allotted between first-round picks. According to PFT, teams will now have eight minutes to make their selections instead of the previous ten minutes. This change should make the first round move more quickly while still giving teams adequate time to make their decisions.
As Week 15 approaches, these developments will significantly impact Sunday's slate of games. From quarterback uncertainties to key player returns, teams across the league are navigating injuries and roster decisions in the critical final stretch of the season.