Week 12 of the NFL season is now complete, and America’s attention now turns to Thanksgiving — and football. Ahead of Thursday’s three-game slate and Friday’s Raiders-Chiefs matchup, the biggest news of the week features a player who won’t even be on the field.
After quarterback Daniel Jones was released by the Giants last week, he’s reportedly found a new home with the Vikings, who plan to sign him to their practice squad. It’s a move that makes sense for several reasons, as Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein wrote last week.
Brandon Graham out for the year with torn tricep, Darius Slay exits with concussion
The 14-year veteran defensive end was having a great game against the Rams when he exited after having moved into third place on the Eagles’ all-time sack list. After the game he said he’d been dealing with some tendonitis in his left triceps, and confirmed the tear. He’ll miss the rest of the season — one that could be his last, after signing a one-year, $4 million contract this past offseason. He’s one of just three players on the team, alongside tackle Lane Johnson and kicker Jake Elliott, who won Super Bowl LII at the end of the 2017 season.
Also on the Eagles’ defense, cornerback Darius Slay Jr. suffered a concussion and did not return to the game.
Week 13 playoff clinching scenarios
AFC
Buffalo Bills (9-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-6); Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Buffalo clinches AFC East division title with:
BUF win + MIA loss
Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9); Friday, 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with:
KC win + MIA loss or tie
KC win + DEN loss
KC win + LAC loss + DEN tie
KC tie + MIA loss
NFC
Detroit Lions (10-1) vs. Chicago Bears (4-7); Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Detroit clinches a playoff berth with:
DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie
DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + TB loss or tie
DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss
DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + WAS loss + ATL tie
DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss
DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + WAS loss + ATL tie
Note: There are additional scenarios in which Detroit can clinch a playoff spot with a tie and other outcomes that involve the Lions clinching the strength of victory tiebreaker.
Chargers’ RB J.K. Dobbins to miss time with knee sprain
Dobbins suffered a knee sprain during Monday night’s 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The injury is expected to keep him out for some time, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Dobbins will definitely miss this week against the Atlanta Falcons. His status beyond that is to be determined. Gus Edwards will likely step into the No. 1 role.
In 11 games this season, Dobbins has 766 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
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Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson out vs. Giants
Cowboys ruled out Jake Ferguson for the Thanksgiving game vs. the New York Giants due to his concussion. His replacement, once again, will be Luke Schoonmaker.
Chiefs preparing for RB Isiah Pacheco and DE Charles Omenihu to return Friday vs. Raiders
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the two will play “as long as they’re OK. We’ll check on it again today, try to take it day by day. If they’re good after today, then we’ll play them.”
Pacheco, who has led the team in rushing the past two seasons, has been out all year with a broken leg. Omenihu has not played since suffering a torn ACL in last season’s AFC Championship game.
Isiah Pacheco and Charles Omenihu will play for the Chiefs on Friday against the Raiders as long as they don’t have any setbacks, Andy Reid said.
Packers’ Romeo Doubs, Jaire Alexander, Edgerrin Cooper out for Week 13
Packers receiver Romeo Doubs is out for the Packers’ Thursday night game versus the Dolphins, via ESPN’s Adam Scheffer.
Packers ruled out WR Romeo Doubs (concussion), CB Jaire Alexander (knee) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) for Thursday night’s game vs. the Dolphins.
Doubs is still in concussion protocol. He is Green Bay’s second-leading receiver with 34 catches for 483 yards and two TDs.
Also out for the Packers is cornerback Jaire Alexander, still recovering from a torn PCL in his right knee. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper will also miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury.
49ers QB Brock Purdy practicing on Wednesday
Brock Purdy was cleared to throw and is participating, though limited, in the 49ers practice on Wednesday, reports the Mercury News’ Cam Inman. The hope is that he can play in Sunday night’s game versus the Bills but that will depend how the QB responds.
Last week at this time, Purdy only did light throwing and left Thursday’s practice before having an MRI. He was eventually ruled out of San Francisco’s 38–10 loss to the Packers.
Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey full participants in Dolphins practice
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and defensive back Jalen Ramsey were full participants in practice on Wednesday. Both are expected to be active for Thursday night’s matchup with the Packers.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is good to go, participating in a full practice Wednesday after he was away for personal reasons Tuesday.
Jalen Ramsey also all good as he’s receiving treatment on both knees this short week. https://t.co/vAvv2HxEi0
Hill and Ramsey have appeared in all 11 of the Dolphins’ games so far this season.
Raiders to start QB Aidan O’Connell vs. Chiefs
With Gardner Minshew out for the season with a broken collarbone, Aidan O’Connell will start Friday against the Chiefs, head coach Antonio Pierce announced.
O’Connell has played only four games season and not since the Raiders’ 20-15 loss to the Rams on Oct. 20.
On the season, O’Connell has thrown for 455 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions with a 63.4 completion percentage.
Giants QB Tommy DeVito questionable for Thanksgiving game vs. Cowboys
Forearm soreness has caused the Giants to list quarterback Tommy DeVito as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Cowboys.
DeVito also will not travel with the team to Dallas but will instead arrive later Wednesday night as he is undergoing further evaluation.
On Tuesday, head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that he’s “hopeful” that DeVito will be able to play, but that it’s “not 100%.” Later that day, DeVito said “the plan is to play.”
“Quarterback Tommy DeVito (right forearm), offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor (quad), and defensive lineman Armon Watts (shoulder) will not accompany the team to Dallas. DeVito is anticipated to arrive in Dallas later today. Eluemunor and Watts were ruled out…
Daniel Jones will reportedly sign with Vikings after release from Giants
Daniel Jones has found his new team.
The former New York Giants quarterback is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network. The move came shortly after Jones requested his release from the Giants after losing his starting job earlier this month. According to ESPN, the Vikings will pay him $375,000 for the rest of the season while the Giants will pay him $11.8 million.
Jones will reportedly sign with Minnesota’s practice squad, which would give him the opportunity to work with a non-Giants NFL coaching staff for the very first time in his career. And considering starting QB Sam Darnold’s impressive turnaround with the Vikings this season, there may not be a better place for a struggling quarterback to land.
Read the full story here.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence returning to practice on Wednesday
Lawrence last played on Nov. 3 and has been dealing with a shoulder injury. Surgery was reportedly an option the Jaguars quarterback was considering, but getting back on the field this week is an encouraging sign for his status for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) will practice today, HC Doug Pederson said. Will get majority of first-team reps. Encouraging sign of him playing Sunday, Pederson said.
Commanders place K Austin Seibert on injured reserve
The Commanders have placed Seibert on IR and will likely bring up Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Seibert missed two extra points during their loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Prior to Week 12 he had been perfect on extra points this season — 22 for 22.
He has already missed two games this season with a hip injury.
We have made the following roster moves: — Signed RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. — Placed K Austin Seibert on the Reserve/Injured List — Signed DT Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad — Released G Marquis Hayes from the practice squad pic.twitter.com/G73QnCLy0P
Vikings sign LB, former Commanders 1st-round pick Jamin Davis
The Minnesota Vikings announced Tuesday that they have signed ex-Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis to their 53-man roster.
Davis was a first-round pick (19th overall) by the Commanders in the 2021 NFL draft. The Commanders released Davis in October. Davis played 50 games including 36 starts in Washington in three-plus seasons.
Davis tallied 282 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and seven sacks during his tenure with the team. He saw limited action in five games off the bench this season while posting 13 tackles and zero sacks.
Davis initially signed with the Packers practice squad following his release before the Vikings signed him to their active roster on Tuesday.
Giants placing pass rusher Azeez Ojulari on injured reserve
The New York Giants are placing pass rusher Azeez Ojulari on injured reserve with a toe injury, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. The injury will not require surgery but is expected to take multiple weeks to heal, per the report.
Details of the injury and a return date aren’t clear. Ojulari will miss a minimum of four games on injured reserve. Ojulari has six sacks and 10 quarterback hits this season in 11 games including five starts.
The #Giants are placing pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari on Injured Reserve because of his toe injury, source said. No surgery is required and not major, but the injury will take a few weeks to heal.
The team will exercise caution, as Ojulari remains in a boot while the ailment heals. pic.twitter.com/C8KabVXTsw
Giants QB Tommy DeVito ‘not 100%’ to play on Thanksgiving vs. Cowboys
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito is dealing with forearm soreness on his throwing arm that could sideline him for Thursday’s Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys.
This is according to head coach Brian Daboll, who told reporters on Tuesday that he’s “hopeful” that DeVito will be able to play, but that it’s “not 100%” that he will. Backup Drew Lock will get reps at practice with Giants starters on Tuesday.
Full details are here.
Buc S Jordan Whitehead to be sidelined with pec injury
Starting Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead has a torn pec from Sunday’s win over the New York Giants that will cost him multiple weeks, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. The injury won’t require surgery and isn’t necessarily season-ending, per the report. There’s a chance he could return this season or for a potential run in the playoffs.
#Buccaneers S Jordan Whitehead is going to miss time with a pec injury suffered Sunday, though there’s a chance he could return this season, sources say. It’ll depend on the healing and if TB makes a playoff run. But no surgery scheduled and not definitively out for the year. pic.twitter.com/Q4sGRppLGu
Brandon Graham gets emotional about his season-ending injury
Brandon Graham isn’t afraid to share his deep emotions about his torn triceps with reporters or fans. In an interview with 94.1 WIP, the 15-year Eagles veteran openly cried when discussing the injury, but his resolve to get healthy — and be of service to his teammates for the rest of the season — is undeniable.
Retired LB Shaq Barrett applies for reinstatement, wants to play again
It looks like retirement may not have been the best fit for Shaq Barrett. The former linebacker, who hung up his cleats at the end of last season, has reportedly applied for reinstatement. He wants back in the NFL.
QB Aidan O’Connell returns to Raiders practice
A day after Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending injury, his quarterback counterpart Aidan O’Connell is back at practice.
The Raiders announced that O’Connell returned to practice Monday after missing four weeks with a fractured thumb. There’s a chance he returns from injured reserve in time for Friday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but his status for the game remains unclear. The Raiders could be in the market for a quarterback either way.
For all the latest on the Raiders quarterback situation, read here.
Jets not planning to shut down Aaron Rodgers yet despite injuries, will start vs. Seahawks
Aaron Rodgers, at least for now, is still the New York Jets’ starting quarterback.
Rodgers, despite the Jets’ struggles and his apparent injuries in recent weeks, will “absolutely” be the team’s starting quarterback on Sunday in their game against the Seattle Seahawks. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday that Rodgers is the healthiest he’s been in the past month coming off their bye week, and the team isn’t yet considering shutting him down for the rest of the season.
Ulbrich also denied knowing anything about reports that Rodgers has been resisting medical scans offered by the Jets. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that Rodgers didn’t want to “reveal the severity of his injuries out of fear of having to come off the field,” which is why he apparently has denied the medical scans.
While Ulbrich didn’t say the report was inaccurate, he insisted he knew nothing about it.
#49ers QB Brock Purdy did some light throwing today without issue, according to Kyle Shanahan. He’ll rest tomorrow and then see how it feels as the week goes on.
