NFL teams are gearing up full bore for Week 14 with plenty of key injuries to monitor — and plenty of matchups with big-time playoff implications on the schedule.
Sunday will feature a showdown between the top-two teams in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens will host the Steelers knowing they’ve locked up their all-time leading receiver for the foreseeable future. They announced Wednesday that they’ve signed tight end Mark Andrews to a three-year extension, which is reportedly worth $39.3 million. Quarterback could be a bigger question mark, however, as Lamar Jackson missed yet another practice with an ankle injury on Thursday.
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The Washington Commanders, meanwhile, could be in position to see their starting quarterback return on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, as Jayden Daniels was a full participant in Thursday’s practice as he recovers from a gruesome elbow injury suffered in Week 9. Washington is hoping to end a seven-game losing streak dating back to Week 6.
Elsewhere, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans returned to practice Wednesday after breaking his clavicle in October. Evans reportedly healed faster than expected and will have his 21-day practice window opened, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, are designating Deshaun Watson to return to practice. This designation opens Watson’s 21-day window for the team to decide whether or not he’s healthy enough to be activated. Since being traded to Cleveland from Houston, Watson has played in just 19 games, primarily due to an 11-game suspension handed down by the NFL following multiple sexual misconduct allegations and injuries.
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.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news coming out of Week 13:
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Andy Backstrom
The Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 season has been a forgettable one. The Cardinals have lost nine of their 12 games, including seven by a combined 19 points. Not only have they struggled to finish games, but they’ve also dealt with a slew of injuries.
More have popped up this week, with wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) and Greg Dorth (chest) both sidelined for back-to-back practices. A Sunday game against the Los Angeles Rams is up ahead.
Andy Backstrom
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown didn’t practice this week because of an ankle injury he suffered during a Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, but he’s officially active Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
It appears that St. Brown is going to try to play in a pivotal game for a 7-5 Lions team that’s 3-4 in its last seven outings.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London did not participate in practice on Thursday as he’s been dealing with a knee injury. London hasn’t played since Atlanta’s Week 11 loss to Carolina in overtime.
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Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was back in practice on Thursday as a full participant in practice after sitting out practice on Wednesday. Watt has been dealing with a toe injury. In 12 games this season, Watt has recorded 47 total tackles, 17 QB Hits, 9 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 7 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles (2 recovered), and 1 interception. The last time Watt missed a regular season game was during the 2022 season.
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The Detroit Lions have elevated wide receiver Malik Cunningham from the practice squad with Amon-Ra St. Brown being questionable for Thursday’s game with the Dallas Cowboys.
They also placed tight end Brock Wright on injured reserve and signed cornerback Nick Whiteside to the 53-man roster.
Thu, December 4, 2025 at 1:18 PM PST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy participated fully in the team’s practice session on Thursday. McCarthy missed last week’s 26-0 loss to Seattle due to a concussion suffered the previous game against Green Bay.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels participated fully in the team’s practice session on Thursday. This is good for a potential return for Daniels, who hasn’t taken a snap in a game in over a month. Daniels has been out since Washington’s Week 9 loss to Seattle, when he suffered an elbow injury.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for Thursday night’s showdown with the Detroit Lions. In nine games with the Cowboys this season, Clowney has 27 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery.
The Cowboys also released defensive end Isaiah Land from the practice squad.
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The Washington Commanders have activated defensive end Drake Jackson from injured reserve. Jackson’s 21-day return window was opened by the team on Nov. 13, and the activation means he could be ready to play soon. Jackson has been recovering from a torn patellar tendon suffered during training camp in 2024. He hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2023 with San Franciso
Washington also released safety Darnell Savage per his request.
Thu, December 4, 2025 at 10:48 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter will be out for Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after undergoing treatment on both of his shoulders, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While Carter could miss multiple weeks, he is not expected to be placed on injured reserve.
Carter got the procedure done on Monday to be as healthy as possible for the playoffs. The Eagles have five regular-season games remaining. The Eagles are 8-4 and first in the NFC East.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a non-participant in practice on Thursday. An ankle injury limited him in Wednesday’s practice session. This marks the fourth consecutive week that Jackson has missed at least one practice.
Should Jackson be unable to go on Sunday against the Steelers, backup Tyler Huntley would get the start.
Thu, December 4, 2025 at 10:06 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is expected to play in Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Pickens was removed from the injury report yesterday after being limited in Monday’s practice with a calf and knee injury. Pickens fully participated in practice the next two days.
This was similar to Pickens’ practice schedule last week. He did not practice the first day with the same injury, then practiced the next day and was removed from the injury report before the Chiefs’ game. Pickens had 6 catches for 88 yards against the Chiefs.
Thu, December 4, 2025 at 9:53 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
Cornerback Darius Slay will not report to the Buffalo Bills and is unsure whether he wants to continue playing, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Slay, 34, was claimed off waivers by the Bills on Thursday. Buffalo retains his rights if Slay decides to continue playing.
“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,” Slay’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN.
Slay spent the early part of the season with the Pittsburgh Steelers before getting cut on Tuesday. Slay is a six-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. The Eagles put in a claim for Slay after his recent release.
Jason Owens
After a disastrous offensive performance Sunday in a shutout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings anticipate that starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy will return this week from concussion protocol to face the Washington Commanders.
McCarthy was a full participant in practice Wednesday, keeping him on track to play in Sunday’s game.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday that McCarthy was symptom-free after missing Week 13 and that he needed to go through a full practice to officially clear concussion protocol. He did so on Wednesday.
Andy Backstrom
Mark Andrews isn’t going anywhere. The three-time Pro Bowl tight end has agreed to a three-year extension with the Ravens, the team announced Wednesday.
Andrews’ new deal is worth $39.3 million and includes $26 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.
Andrews became the fifth tight end to lead a franchise in receiving yards earlier this season. He passed Ravens wide receiver Derek Mason on the team’s career leaderboard, breaking a record that had stood for 15 years.
Jack Baer
The wideout did have some fun with Ja’Marr Chase, though.
Jack Baer
Jayden Daniels was a limited participant in practice in Wednesday, as he was for all of last week before missing the Commanders’ game against the Seattle Seahawks. He’s now missed three games in a row for Washington, and six total this season.
Ryan Young
Amon-Ra St. Brown may be able to play on Thursday night after all. The Detroit Lions’ star wide receiver is officially listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game with the Dallas Cowboys.
St. Brown left last week’s game against the Packers early with a sprained ankle, and he’s not yet practiced this week. His status is still “up in the air,” but Lions coach Dan Campbell is confident.
“I know this, if he can play, he’ll play,” Campbell said Tuesday, via ESPN. “That’s the best way to say it.”
Andy Backstrom
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who had surgery Monday on his non-throwing hand, won’t practice Wednesday, head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters.
Herbert’s status for Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles is up in the air.
Harbaugh noted, though, that Herbert hasn’t “missed a beat,” per ESPN’s Kris Rhim.
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Green Bay has signed defensive lineman Jordon Riley off the New York Giants’ practice squad, and he will go directly to the 53-man roster. Riley is a third-year pro who was a seventh-round draft pick of the Giants. He’s played in 21 career games and has 20 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 QB hit.