Coming out of Week 14, the playoff picture is coming together, along with multiple big injuries that could affect the stretch run of the season.
The Indianapolis Colts suffered a huge blow when quarterback Daniel Jones went down with an Achilles injury during their 36-19 loss to Jacksonville. Backup Riley Leonard was forced to finish the game as the only available quarterback, as Anthony Richardson remains out on injured reserve with an orbital fracture. Indy has lost three in a row, and the Jaguars are now in first place in the AFC South, with Jones’ injury the latest hit to the team’s hopes of a Super Bowl run.
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Washington was also hit big time with the injury bug, losing Jayden Daniels once again to an elbow injury after he’d just returned in Week 14 from a dislocated elbow suffered in Week 9. Daniels has dealt with injuries all season, which have limited him to just seven games this season.
Commanders tight end Zach Ertz, 35, also left the game after suffering a leg injury on a low hit while jumping for a pass, feared to have torn an ACL, which would put an end to his season. Ertz was averaging 41.1 receiving yards per game heading into Week 14 — his highest average since his last Pro Bowl campaign in 2019 with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Miami is barely hanging on at 6-7 after demolishing the Jets 34-10. The Dolphins got some bad news in the win as running back De’Von Achane left the game after injuring his ribs. Achane rushed for 92 yards on seven carries and scored a touchdown before leaving the game. Head coach Mike McDaniel shared that Achane could have returned in an emergency, reiterating his potential availability for Week 15, saying, “I promise you, he’ll be in there if he’s ready,” McDaniel said, via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques.
The Dolphins are still alive in the wild-card race, but cannot lose another game.
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In other action, the Denver Broncos improved to 11-2 after beating the Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 and sit atop the AFC tied with the New England Patriots, who were on a Week 14 bye. The Seahawks and Rams became the first NFC teams to win 10 games this season with victories on Sunday. Los Angeles holds possession of first place in the NFC West and the conference overall.
Green Bay jumped into first place in the NFC ahead of Chicago after beating the Bears, 28-21. They’ll face off again in Week 16. Buffalo all but ended Cincinnati’s slim hopes of a playoff run, beating the Bengals 39-34 in a game that came down to the end.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news and injury updates coming out of Week 14.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer gave an update on player injuries after the Week 14 loss to Detroit. Coach said wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is “progressing nicely” as he works through mandatory concussion protocol benchmarks.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs will be good to go at practice this week, as his 21-day window is open for him to return from a knee injury and a concussion. Schottenheimer said the team will know more about tackle Tyler Guyton (knee) and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring) in the next 24-48 hours.
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The Los Angeles Chargers have waived veteran nose tackle Naquan Jones, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. LA needs to clear roster space with multiple players eligible to return from injured reserve, including rookie running back Omarion Hampton.
Jones played in eight games with the Chargers this season, posting 10 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass defended.
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Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan may be out for the 2025 NFL season, but the team wants to keep him around. With Jordan set to hit free agency at the end of the year, the Texans opted to sign him to a one-year extension, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The move ensures Jordan will return to the Texans when he’s fully healthy next season.
Jordan, 25, has been a solid backup most of his career. In four seasons in the NFL, he has 53 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns.
The fact that the Texans wanted to bring Jordan back despite the injury suggests the team still likes his potential and could envision a more stable role for Jordan next season.
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It’s been a disaster season for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. The second-year pro has been injured multiple times this year, starting just seven games for the Commanders in between ailments.
Sunday’s contest against the Minnesota Vikings added yet another reason for concern to Daniels’ season. Daniels had to be taken out of the game after landing on his already injured left elbow.
While the move was precautionary, it sounds like Daniels could be looking at more missed time depending on what happens throughout the week, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
It’s unclear whether Daniels sustained additional injuries or whether the 3-10 Commanders will just shut down the quarterback with the season essentially over.
Through seven games, Daniels has thrown eight touchdowns against three interceptions.
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The Kansas City Chiefs suffered another big-time loss on the offensive line on Sunday night, as left tackle Wanya Morris suffered a knee injury on the first play from scrimmage.
The team was already without starting left tackle Josh Simmons, who was placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury this week. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kansas City was also missing starting right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor in Week 14. Neither practiced with their respective injuries ahead of Sunday night’s matchup with the Texans.
Morris was replaced by rookie UDFA Esa Pole at left tackle, who took the first offensive snaps of his career and is presumably the next man up should Morris miss more time.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers took command of the AFC North on Sunday, but it may have come at a cost. Following the contest, the team sent wideout DK Metcalf to a local hospital in Baltimore due to stomach pain, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Metcalf reportedly complained of pain before the team left Maryland. The Steelers opted to send him to a hospital to check for internal injuries. He’s expected to fly back to Pittsburgh on Monday.
Metcalf’s status for Week 15 will be monitored. The Steelers don’t play until Monday night, so he’ll have an extra day to recover. Metcalf led the Steelers with seven receptions for 148 yards in the 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14.