NFL news, injury updates: Jayden Daniels out after aggravating elbow; Colts sign Philip Rivers to practice squad

The Seattle Seahawks have waived running back Cam Akers and cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Akers has been inactive since signing with the team on Nov. 26. Griffin has gone up and down between the practice squad and the 53-man roster this season.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs underwent another MRI on Monday just to make sure his knee injury hadn’t gotten worse. Results came back clean. Now he’s just dealing with swelling that kicked in again against the Bears. His status for Week 15 is up in the air.

Multiple key Houston Texans players returned to practice on Thursday, including running back Woody Marks, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and tackle Trent Brown. Running back Nick Chubb, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins are still out.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will not practice on Thursday as he’s dealing with a knee injury. Head coach Matt LaFleur said, “He’s doing everything in his power,” to get ready for Sunday’s game vs. Denver. Jacobs has been battling through nagging injuries all season, but has appeared in every game but one.

According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, while Jones, the Ravens’ third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, is in his fourth season, he did not accrue a year of service as a rookie due to a CBA issue. That meant he was set to become a restricted free agent after this season. A grievance was filed by the NFLPA, but Jones’ agent and the Ravens worked out an extension before a hearing was set to take place on Thursday.

Winning the grievance would have meant Jones could have been an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Losing the grievance would have meant becoming an RFA.

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane will practice with the team today, but in a red no-contact jersey. Achane suffered a rib injury in last week’s win over the New York Jets.

Defensive back Elijah Campbell and Caleb Johnson will not practice today. Campbell is day-to-day as he’s dealing with knee and ankle injuries. Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in Week 14 and is unlikely to play this week.

The NFL announced the Week 17 schedule on Wednesday afternoon.

After three games on Christmas Day, we’ll have two games on Saturday, Dec. 27:

Texans at Chargers | 4:30 p.m. ET | NFLN
Ravens at Packers | 8 p.m. ET | Peacock

With Philip Rivers now back in Indianapolis, the Colts officially listed Riley Leonard as a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

If the Colts need him on Sunday, it looks like he’ll be available.

These Houston Texans are not participating in Wednesday’s practice. Running backs Nick Chubb (rib) and Woody Marks (ankle). Cornerback Kamari Lassiter (foot), tackle Trent Brown (broken finger), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee).

Kenny Pickett won a Super Bowl ring as the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback. Less than a year later, he’s in line to start against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

Pickett is expected to fill in for Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, who, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, is unlikely to start Sunday.

Dealing with a shoulder injury, Smith won’t practice Wednesday, per Rapoport.

The Atlanta Falcons have ruled out wide receiver Drake London for Thursday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a PCL sprain. London has not played since Nov. 16 against the Carolina Panthers, when he caught seven receptions for 119 yards. This will be the fourth game in a row London has missed due to the injury.

Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins will be limited in Wednesday’s practice session as he continues working through concussion protocol. Higgins left Sunday’s loss to Buffalo after banging his head on the turf multiple times. He did return to the game and finished with 6 receptions for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Wednesday that quarterback Jayden Daniels will be sidelined Sunday against the New York Giants. Although the second-year signal-caller didn’t suffer structural damage to his left elbow this past weekend versus the Minnesota Vikings, he aggravated it.

Daniels made his return to the field last week, more than a month after he dislocated that elbow in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks. He’s already missed six games this season. In addition to his most recent three-game absence, a sprained left knee cost him a pair of games during the first month of the season. Plus, a right hamstring strain kept him out in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Marcus Mariota will make his seventh start of the season Sunday for the 3-10 Commanders, who are currently on an eight-game losing streak.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Mike Evans has shown enough progress in his recovery from the collarbone injury he suffered in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions to be activated and make his return Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Evans has played in only four games this season. He also dealt with a hamstring strain that he picked up in Week 3.

The six-time Pro Bowler came into the 2025 campaign with 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed Jordan Fuller to the practice squad.

Tampa Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles gave updates on some player injuries:

Linebacker SirVocea Dennis will be out for Thursday’s game vs. Atlanta, while safety Tykee Smith and tight end Cade Otton are doubtful. The Bucs will platoon at the linebacker position between Deion Jones, John Bullock, and Nick Jackson.

The New York Jets have signed former undrafted free agent defensive end Eric Watts to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Watts has been with the Jets since 2024 and appeared in 14 games last season. This year, he’s appeared in one game, recording three tackles.

The Indianapolis Colts have signed quarterback Brett Rypien and kicker Blake Grupe to the 53-man roster. They also placed cornerback Charvarius Ward on injured reserve due to a concussion. Center Jimmy Morrissey was also signed to the practice squad.

Zach Ertz’s season is officially done. The Washington Commanders placed the tight end on Injured Reserve on Wednesday due to a torn ACL, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The move was expected after the team announced Ertz tore his ACL in Week 14.

Ertz, 35, finishes the season with 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns. All four of his touchdowns came with Jayden Daniels under center.

Ertz will now spend the offseason rehabbing from the injury.

The LA Rams waived linebacker Nick Hampton on Tuesday and let tight end Nick Muse go from the practice squad.