2025 NFL Week 14 Buzz: Commanders Get QB Jayden Daniels Back vs. Vikings

Who's starting, who's hurt, and who's on the move? 

NFL news is nonstop, and we're breaking it all down week by week this season.

Here's the latest on what's happening around the league entering Week 14:

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will start Sunday

Daniels will start Sunday against the Vikings after missing three games with a dislocated left elbow. 

Daniels, the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, got hurt in the final minutes of Washington’s 38-14 home loss against the Seahawks on Nov. 2. Though the TV replay prompted fear of a long-term concern, subsequent tests revealed Daniels did not suffer any significant structural damage. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner returned to practice on a limited basis last week and practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. Head coach Dan Quinn said Friday that the quarterback "threw a great week of practice" and has been cleared to play.

Washington went 12-5 last year and made it to the NFC Championship Game, but this season has been a much different experience. The Commanders have lost seven in a row to drop out of contention with a 3-9 record.

Jets QB Justin Fields out again

Fields will be sidelined against the Dolphins on Sunday because of soreness in one of his knees, leaving rookie Brady Cook as the backup to starter Tyrod Taylor. 

Head coach Aaron Glenn said Fields wouldn't practice Friday after being limited Thursday. "He's going to be out for the game," Glenn said. "We'll see how he progresses going into next week for him to be ready for that."

Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal (with $30 million guaranteed) with New York in March, was the starter for most of this season until he was benched the last two games as he and the offense struggled mightily. Taylor is set to start his third game in a row in place of Fields when the Jets host the AFC East-rival Dolphins.

"He felt it in practice Wednesday," Glenn said of Fields' knee soreness. With just three games left after Sunday, there's a chance Fields could've played his last game for the Jets.

Cardinals lose QB Kyler Murray for the rest of the season

Murray will miss the remainder of the season because of a foot injury that's kept him out of the lineup since Week 6. Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters the decision before Friday's practice.

"Kyler will not play again this year," Gannon said. "He had some more tests done this week, went out of state, got another opinion on it. It's not progressing where it's going to make sense where he can go."

It's been a hugely disappointing season for both the Cardinals and Murray, who started the season with high expectations, but now have a 3-9 record and are eliminated from the playoff race. Murray, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, hurt his foot in a Week 5 loss against the Titans. The initial feeling was that the quarterback would only miss a few weeks, but it's now been more than two months since the injury. The Cardinals host the Rams (9-3) on Sunday. Veteran Jacoby Brissett will make his eighth straight start in Murray's place.

Buccaneers will be without two WRs this week

The Bucs will be without wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan on Sunday against the Saints, head coach Todd Bowles announced on Friday. While McMillan returned to practice this week, neither receiver is game-ready. Evans broke his collarbone in Week 7, while McMillan has missed the entirety of the season recovering from a neck sprain. Evans has appeared in four games in 2025, and made 14 receptions for 140 yards with a touchdown.

Lions S Brian Branch's season is over

The Lions' star safety suffered a torn Achilles in the team's Thursday night victory over the Cowboys, per ESPN. A 2024 Pro Bowler, Branch has totaled 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 75 combined tackles through 12 games this season. 

Eagles DT Jalen Carter out moving forward

The Eagles' star defensive tackle will miss the team's road game against the Chargers after having surgery on both of his shoulders, per ESPN. Carter is considered week-to-week. A 2024 Pro Bowler, Carter has recorded 2.0 sacks, 32 combined tackles and six passes defended this season. Philadelphia has lost its past two games and is now 8-4.

CB Darius Slay won't report to Bills after being waived by Steelers

Slay has put off reporting to the Bills to instead take time to consider his future, his agent confirmed on Dec. 4. "Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing," Drew Rosenhaus wrote to the AP.

The Steelers mutually agreed to part ways with Slay, his agents told ESPN on Dec. 2. A free-agent acquisition last offseason, Slay started nine of his 10 games played with the Steelers, recording 36 tackles (28 solo), three pass deflections and one fumble recovery. The 13-year veteran was a healthy scratch in the team's Week 13 loss to the Bills and previously missed Week 11 after suffering a concussion in Week 10 before returning in Week 12.

Pittsburgh also claimed wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers hours after the 13-year NFL veteran mutually parted ways with Minnesota to give him an opportunity for more playing time elsewhere down the stretch of his expected final season. Thielen had just eight catches for 69 yards for the Vikings and was a healthy scratch for their game at Seattle on Sunday, a 26-0 loss that was their first shutout in 18 years. With the Vikings struggling badly on offense, Thielen was rarely used behind the team's top three wide receivers: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor.

Ravens TE Mark Andrews gets extension

Andrews has spent the first eight years of his career in Baltimore, and now he's set to be there for the next three. The Ravens and the three-time Pro Bowl tight end agreed to a three-year extension worth $39.3 million. In his prime, Andrews was the focal point of Baltimore's offense, totaling a single-season career-high 1,361 yards in 2021. This season, he became the franchise's all-time leader in receiving yards. However, he's not as imposing of a target, but he's still invaluable to their success as a timely pass-catcher, run-blocker and leader in their locker room.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert not practicing

Herbert didn't take part in practice on Dec. 3 due to recent surgery on a broken bone in his left hand, per head coach Jim Harbaugh. He suffered the injury in the team's Week 13 win against the Raiders. Trey Lance entered the game for Herbert. The Chargers host the Eagles on Monday Night Football. Herbert has totaled 2,842 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 94.9 passer rating this season, while completing 66.9% of his passes.

Vikings simplifying things for QB J.J. McCarthy

The second-year quarterback will operate under a more simplified offense to try and improve his decision-making the next time he lines up under center.

"It’s purely about decision making," Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Dec. 3. "I want him to have a clear head and a clear mind to just go play, but play with an understanding of the decisions that [he makes] ... have to be of the utmost importance, because we learned our turnover number is where it is. It’s not a winning formula. I don’t want him overthinking or worrying about if the fundamentals need to be changed. Let’s just make the throws. Let’s just throw and catch. Let’s just play with great rhythm and understanding of the plan."

McCarthy has struggled in his first full season as the Vikings' starter. He has thrown for 929 yards, six touchdowns and 10 interceptions, playing in just six games due to injury. After missing the Week 13 loss to the Seahawks, though, McCarthy is expected to play against the Commanders on Sunday; he was a full participant at practice on Dec. 3. 

Chiefs OT Josh Simmons undergoes wrist surgery, lands on IR

The Chiefs placed first-round pick Simmons on IR on Dec. 3 following his surgery to repair a fractured and dislocated left wrist, leaving them without their starting left tackle as they try to claw back into the postseason picture. The Chiefs are 6-6 and 10th in the AFC race heading into Sunday night's game against the Texans. Simmons started the first five games of the season then missed the next four while dealing with a family matter. He returned to start in two games before getting hurt in last week's Thanksgiving Day loss. 

"The kid loves to play football," head coach Andy Reid said. "He's down about that part, but he's upbeat. The surgery went well, which is a real positive, so he feels good about that. And then it's just a matter of coming back. … Whatever he can do to rehab it, he's going to do. That's how he rolls."

Chiefs T Jawaan Taylor, G Trey Smith miss practice

Along with losing Simmons, the Chiefs are missing right guard Smith (ankle) and right tackle  Taylor (triceps). Both missed practice on Dec. 3, and it appears likely that they will enter their game against the Texans with three replacements along the offensive line. Mike Caliendo will slide into the lineup for Smith at guard, while Jaylon Moore will fill in for Taylor at right tackle.

"For us, whoever is going to be in the game is going to be ready to go," Chiefs center Creed Humphrey said. "It's just making sure that communication is good, everyone is on the same page and everyone is ready to play."

Browns QB Deshaun Watson nearing return

The Browns designated Watson to return to practice from the physically unable to perform list on Dec. 3, beginning his 21-day window to return to being on the active roster. Watson hasn't played this season due to a torn Achilles, which he suffered in October 2024 and reaggravated in the offseason. The 30-year-old Watson has one season remaining on a five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns. Watson has started just 19 games for the Browns since being acquired from the Texans in 2022 due to an 11-game suspension in 2022, a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 and the torn Achilles in 2024. At present, rookie Shedeur Sanders is under center for Cleveland. 

Bills EDGE Joey Bosa is week-to-week

Bosa is considered week-to-week with a hamstring issue that will further impact Buffalo’s already injury-depleted defense. There's no definitive timeline for his return. The 10th-year player was hurt in the second half of the Bills' win against the Steelers on Sunday. It was a game in which Bosa helped turn the tide with a strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers. 

Bosa's injury leaves the Bills short-handed in preparing to host the Bengals on Sunday. The Bills’ defensive front is already missing starting tackle Ed Oliver (bicep) and edge rushers Michael Hoecht (Achilles tendon) and Landon Jackson (knee). Meanwhile, starting linebacker Terrel Bernard’s status remains uncertain because of an elbow injury, while safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin are on IR.

Colts bring on K Blake Grupe

Indianapolis signed Grupe to its practice squad on Dec. 3, one day after the team waived Michael Badgley, and he's expected to make his debut for the Colts in Sunday's key AFC South game against the Jaguars. Grupe was part of a three-player tryout Tuesday that also featured ex-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. 

Grupe lost his job with the Saints after making just 18 of 26 field goals this season, though he did convert all 15 of his extra-point attempts, which was a key factor in Indy's decision to go with its third kicker this season. He made 75 of 94 field goals and 86 of 88 extra points in 45 games with the Saints between 2023-25 and also worked with Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason when the two were at Notre Dame in 2022.

Colts CB Sauce Gardner dealing with calf injury

Head coach Shane Steichen said Monday that the Colts' starting cornerback is expected to miss "some time" after injuring his left calf during Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Texans, though Gardner avoided hurting his Achilles tendon. Steichen didn't provide details on how much time the two-time All-Pro might miss but said he believed Gardner would return this season and that he's not expected to go on IR. Gardner was hurt on the Texans' second offensive play of the game while in coverage, but he did not appear to get hit when he went down. He stayed on the field for several minutes before he was helped off the field and taken to the locker room.

The Colts envisioned pairing Gardner with two other Pro Bowlers, Charvarius Ward and Kenny Moore II, to create one of the league's top secondaries when they acquired him in a trade-deadline deal that included sending two first-round picks to the Jets. So far, those plans haven't worked ou; Gardner, Moore and Ward have played one full game together.

Colts move on from K Michael Badgley

The Colts announced on Dec. 2 that Badgley has been waived after seven games. Badgley, 30, signed with the Colts for a third stint on Oct. 7 after starter Spencer Shrader suffered a season-ending injury. He went on to convert 18-of-21 extra-point tries and 10 of his 11 field goal attempts.

Browns lose DT Maliek Collins for rest of season

Collins will be lost for the rest of the season after suffering a quad injury in Sunday's 26-8 loss to the 49ers. Head coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement Monday that Collins will have to undergo season-ending surgery. 

The 10-year veteran defensive lineman sustained the non-contact injury during the third quarter. Collins' injury set off a fracas between some of the Browns defensive linemen and Niners wide receiver Jauan Jennings. He was second on the team with 6.5 sacks along with 28 quarterback pressures. Collins is also a key reason why All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett needs four sacks to break the league's single-season record of 22.5.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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