Good news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The NFC South leaders saw the returns of both Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan to the practice field this week. The wide receivers were designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday with their 21-day practice windows opening.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll see action this week against the New Orleans Saints. There’s still work to be done and, at least in Evans’ case, he’ll likely have a slow roll out when he is back in action.
“Yeah, I think so,” said Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and a potential pitch count for Evans. “I think the same plan we had with Chris [Godwin] and really the same thought with Buck [Irving] as well, where when these guys are back to be able to expect them to play a full game like they normally would, wouldn’t be fair to him.
“But be able to bring him along and to allow his play strength to build up. Not that Mike needs confidence, but it’s more of the stamina and his strength.”
Evans has been out since breaking his clavicle on Oct. 22. His extended absence will mean his streak of never having a season of under 1,000 receiving yards will come to an end after 11 seasons.
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McMillan has not played all season after suffering a neck injury during preseason.
Week 14 could see the possible return of Jayden Daniels under center for the Washington Commanders. The second-year quarterback was a full practice participant on Thursday, the first time he’s done so since dislocating his elbow in Week 9.
Daniels returned to practice last week, but he was limited and ultimately ruled out for a “Sunday Night Football” showdown with the Denver Broncos.
Head coach Dan Quinn has yet to say whether Daniels will return this weekend or Marcus Mariota will get another start.
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It’s been a season filled with injuries for the Commanders. How bad has it been? According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, should Daniels play Sunday it would mark the first time all season that they will have their starting quarterback, top three wide receivers and full offensive line on the field together.
Other notable Week 14 injuries:
Despite needing surgery earlier this week to repair a fractured left hand, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is preparing to play Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. Herbert was limited Thursday in practice and told reporters afterward that doctors inserted a plate and screws into his hand to stabilize it. He also said he will likely wear a hard cast should he play.
The Minnesota Vikings expect to have J.J. McCarthy for Sunday’s game against the Commanders after the quarterback cleared concussion protocol on Thursday. McCarthy was injured in Week 12’s defeat to the Green Bay Packers and was ruled out for last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Rookie Max Brosmer took his place last week and threw for 126 yards and four interceptions.
Like McCarthy, Tee Higgins sat out last week’s game due to a concussion. The Cincinnati Bengals receiver was a full participant, however, in Thursday’s practice, a signal he could be back Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
After appendicitis knocked him out a few weeks back, now Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is dealing with a heel issue that is threatening his Week 14 status. Harrison sat out practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to the issue that came up during last week’s game against the Buccaneers. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Harrison was going to see a doctor about the injury and that he is considered “day-to-day.”
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots (bye) | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys (played Thurs.) | Giants (bye) | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions (played Thurs.) | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers (bye) | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers (bye) | Seahawks
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Here’s the rest of the Week 14 injury report (players will be added as teams release their reports):
PITTSBURGH STEELERSBALTIMORE RAVENSINDIANAPOLIS COLTSJACKSONVILLE JAGUARSNEW ORLEANS SAINTSTAMPA BAY BUCCANEERSMIAMI DOLPHINSNEW YORK JETSWASHINGTON COMMANDERSMINNESOTA VIKINGSTENNESSEE TITANSCLEVELAND BROWNSCINCINNATI BENGALSBUFFALO BILLSSEATTLE SEAHAWKSATLANTA FALCONSDENVER BRONCOSLAS VEGAS RAIDERSLOS ANGELES RAMSARIZONA CARDINALSCHICAGO BEARSGREEN BAY PACKERSHOUSTON TEXANSKANSAS CITY CHIEFSPHILADELPHIA EAGLESLOS ANGELES CHARGERSNFL Week 14 injury updates liveLive4 updates
Sean Leahy
Branch was injured during Thursday’s win over the Cowboys. After being down for several minutes, he was carted off. Head coach Dan Campbell said there was concern it was a long-term injury for Branch, who was spotted in the locker room in a walking boot and crutches.
Sean Leahy
With the Philadelphia Eagles on the verge of a playoff spot, defensive lineman Jalen Carter will make sure he’s 100 percent when the team needs him the most. Carter will reportedly miss Monday’s game — and potentially more — after undergoing a procedure on both shoulders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
While the procedure could sideline Carter for multiple weeks, the 24-year-old was not placed on Injured Reserve, hinting at a relatively quick return for the pass rusher.
Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field on November 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Mitchell Leff via Getty Images)
Sean Leahy
The Kansas City Chiefs revealed some rough news Wednesday as left tackle Josh Simmons is going on injured reserve after having surgery on his left wrist, head coach Andy Reid told reporters. Simmons, whom the Chiefs selected in the first round of this year’s draft, previously missed four games this season because of an undisclosed family matter.
Josh Simmons of the Kansas City Chiefs exits the field at halftime during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
(Cooper Neill via Getty Images)
Sean Leahy
Shedeur Sanders may not have long to prove he deserves to be the team’s long-term starter going forward. With Sanders prepping to make his third career start, the Browns announced Wednesday that quarterback Deshaun Watson was designated to return to practice.
With the move, Watson, 30, now has 21 days to prove he’s healthy enough to be activated. If he passes that test, Watson can join the Browns at any point in that window.
Things could be trending in that direction, especially after Watson was spotted throwing at practice Wednesday.
Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Browns defeated the Raiders 24-10. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
(Chris Unger via Getty Images)