Raiders Expected To Start Desmond Ridder In Week 15
6:10pm: Desmond Ridder will indeed be starting for the Raiders tonight. Aidan O’Connell is inactive and has been labeled as the team’s emergency third QB.
1:10pm: Aidan O’Connell suffered a knee injury in Week 14 which was originally feared to end his season. The second-year Raiders quarterback is actually facing a much less serious timeline, but he is still not expected to play tonight. 
As O’Connell rehabs his bone bruise, Vegas is set to turn elsewhere under center. The Raiders are expected to start Desmond Ridder in Week 15, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. O’Connell will take part in a pre-game warmup, but at this point Ridder is positioned to get the nod.
Provided that turns out to be the case, Ridder’s first start as a Raider will come against one of his former teams. The 25-year-old spent his first three seasons with Atlanta, Vegas’ Monday night opponent. In the wake of the Falcons’ reset at the QB spot this spring, Ridder was traded to the Cardinals in a swap for Rondale Moore. Arizona waived him during roster cutdowns, however, a move which opened the door to a departure. Ridder remained with the Cardinals on their practice squad until October.
O’Connell’s thumb injury led him to injured reserve at that time, creating the need for additional QB depth. Ridder was added as a backup option to Gardner Minshew, although the latter has since suffered a season-ending broken collarbone. With O’Connell now on the mend once again, Ridder is in line to see at least one start before the end of the campaign. The Raiders sit at 2-11 on the year, and Maxx Crosby‘s upcoming ankle surgery adds further to the extent to which 2024 is a lost season.
For Ridder, however, a run of starts would allow him to audition for either a depth role in Vegas for 2025 or a deal from another team. The Raiders are widely expected to pursue a quarterback this offseason via free agency and/or the draft (particularly if they land the No. 1 pick). Ridder should not be considered a contender for the starting gig in Vegas or on any other team, but his chances of securing a backup role could be boosted by his performance down the stretch.
Dolphins, Odell Beckham Jr. Part Ways
DECEMBER 16: Beckham has indeed cleared waivers, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Although it only would have taken a roughly $200K payment to carry Beckham for the rest of the season, the NFL’s other 31 teams passed. For a second time, Beckham is now a free agent in-season.
DECEMBER 15: Pelissero reports Beckham has a shortlist of teams he is interested in joining for the closing weeks of the season (video link). That would of course become a moot point if he were to be claimed off waivers tomorrow. If Beckham clears and reaches free agency, though, he could look to join one of the teams he is targeting an agreement with.
DECEMBER 13: Odell Beckham Jr. entered 2024 with the expectation of serving as a complementary option in the Dolphins’ offense, but his role has still be smaller than anticipated. The veteran wideout will now see his Miami tenure come to an end. 
Beckham asked to be let go, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The Dolphins will grant the request, he adds, meaning a move to the waiver wire will be forthcoming. Beckham is seeking an increased role on his next team, while playoff contenders may show interest in him as an insurance option for the stretch run. The Dolphins have now officially placed Beckham on waivers, where he will remain until Monday.
That will give teams plenty of time to contemplate putting in a claim; failing that, Beckham will become a free agent. The 32-year-old has made nine appearances since being activated from the PUP list in October. Over that span, however, he has registered only nine catches for 55 scoreless yards while handling a 20% snap share. Those figures could lead to several teams steering clear with respect to a waiver claim, although as Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo notes, Beckham is only owed roughly $200K for the rest of the campaign and is not on track to hit any incentive thresholds.
The three-time Pro Bowler had a lengthy free agency spell this past offseason as he recovered from a knee operation. He took on a one-year Dolphins deal with a base value of $3MM in anticipation of handling WR3 duties on his latest team. With that not being the case, team and player will move on as Miami seeks to remain in contention for a wild-card berth. The Dolphins’ offense has generally been less reliant on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in 2024 than in years past, although over the past two games that pairing has served as the focal point of the offense.
Beckham had a one-and-done stint with the Ravens last season, one in which he posted a career-high 16.1 yards per catch. It came as no surprise that he was unable to secure anywhere near the $15MM he received in 2023 on his most recent pact, but this campaign can nevertheless be considered a disappointment. A small window of opportunity will exist for Beckham to rebuild his value to an extent if he manages to catch on with a team for the closing stages of the season, though.
The former Rams Super Bowl winner said ahead of the 2023 campaign he was giving thought to retirement. He has managed one more contract since then, but his status following the current season (regardless of if it includes an opportunity with another team) will be worth watching with respect to his career outlook.
Lions’ David Montgomery Out For Season
2:04pm: A brutal stretch for the Lions will impact the team’s backfield. Dan Campbell announced Monday afternoon Montgomery is set to undergo season-ending knee surgery. This will certainly change how Detroit proceeds on offense, as Montgomery and Gibbs have formed a lethal tandem since being paired together in 2023.
Montgomery’s extension secured $2MM guaranteed as part of his $5.49MM base salary next season; he is signed through 2027 as part of the deal. The Lions have veteran Craig Reynolds and fourth-round rookie Sione Vaki in place as backups behind Gibbs.
11:30am: The notable losses suffered on defense are not the only blows the Lions were dealt yesterday. Running back David Montgomery is dealing with an MCL injury and is out indefinitely, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Schefter adds Montgomery is set to undergo further testing on the injury; he will also seek out a second opinion on the matter. If he is to miss significant time (which Schefter notes is a distinct possibility), Detroit’s rushing attack will be greatly affected. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the injury is in fact an MCL tear.
As a result, it remains to be seen if Montgomery will be available again in 2024. Losing him for the rest of the year would deal a major blow to Detroit’s rushing attack given the effective tandem he has formed with Jahmyr Gibbs over the past two years. The Lions rank sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game in no small part due to Montgomery’s success.
The former Bear eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second time in his career in 2023, averaging a career-high 4.6 yards per attempt along the way. Montgomery’s efficiency has seen a slight decline this year, and an increased workload for Gibbs has lowered his per-game rushing output. Still, the Montgomery-Gibbs pairing has remained a focal point of the Lions’ elite offense, and losing one of the league’s top short yardage and goal line backs could be crippling down the stretch. Detroit remains in contention for the NFC’s No. 1 seed, but overcoming a long list of injuries will be needed to secure the first-round bye.
Montgomery landed a two-year extension in October in a move which ensured he would remain in the Motor City through Gibbs’ rookie contract. Expectations remained high in the wake of that raise, and that will still be the case whenever the 27-year-old is next on the field. If testing indicates Montgomery will not be available again in 2024, however, Gibbs will face a notably increased workload while Detroit’s passing game will be leaned on to compensate.
The defensive side of the ball has been hit much harder than the offensive side in the case of the 2024 Lions. Quarterback Jared Goff, along with Gibbs, wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta – not to mention all five of the team’s O-line starters – are healthy at this point. Montgomery’s absence would nevertheless be acutely felt if he is in fact unable to return.
Bengals’ Sam Hubbard Likely Out For Season
Sam Hubbard scored the first offensive touchdown of his career on Sunday, but he will likely not be able to follow up that performance with any further action in 2024. The veteran Bengals defensive end is dealing with a PCL injury, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
Given the nature of the injury, Fowler adds Hubbard is unlikely to return to game action this season. Three weeks remain in Cincinnati’s schedule, and the team sits at 6-8 on the year. While still mathematically possible, a wild-card berth is therefore highly unlikely. The 29-year-old noted it is a PCL tear but added he will not require surgery (h/t Fowler’s colleague Ben Baby).
Hubbard has spent his entire seven-year career in Cincinnati, serving as a full-time starter since his rookie season concluded. The former third-rounder has been a consistent presence along the edge over that span, working as a complementary option to Trey Hendrickson since the latter’s arrival. While Hendrickson currently leads the NFL with 12.5 sacks, Hubbard and the rest of the team’s other edge rushers have struggled to deliver notable production in that department. With only a pair of sacks this season, Hubbard is set to conclude this campaign with his lowest output since 2020.
The Ohio State product is under contract for next season; he is owed $9.6MM. Given the structure of the pact, however, the Bengals would save that amount in cap space will generating a dead money charge of only $2MM with a release before or after June 1. Hubbard’s situation could therefore be one to monitor as Cincinnati weighs a number of key financial decisions during the spring. In the meantime, Hubbard’s attention will turn to recovery.
In addition to Hendrickson, the Bengals have the likes of Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai and sixth-round rookie Cedric Johnson as options along the edge. Hubbard has seen his playing time drop considerably over the past two seasons as the team attempts to develop younger options at the position. Those players will be in line for an increased workload to close out the campaign in Hubbard’s absence.
Dolphins’ Grant DuBose Hospitalized With Head Injury
DECEMBER 16: In a Monday update on DuBose’s condition, the Dolphins announced he has movement in his extremities and added initial tests on his status produced “positive results.” While DuBose remains in hospital at this point, the worst-case scenario has been avoided.
DECEMBER 15: A frightening scene took place during Sunday’s Dolphins-Texans contest. Miami receiver Grant DuBose took a hard hit from Houston safety Calen Bullock and was on the field for several minutes afterwards.
DuBose’s uniform was cut off and his facemask was unscrewed as medical personnel tended to him. A neck brace was put in place before the 23-year-old was stretchered off the field. The Dolphins announced shortly thereafter that he had been ruled out of the game with a head injury. The team revealed DuBose has been taken to hospital for further evaluation.
Fortunately, the Dolphins’ announcement also notes DuBose is currently in stable condition. When speaking after the game, head coach Mike McDaniel said DuBose will remain in hospital overnight. The 2023 seventh-rounder was making his third appearance of the season and first since September; his injury took place after Jaylen Waddle was forced to exit the contest with a knee ailment. Bullock was issued an unnecessary roughness penalty on the play.
DuBose did not make any appearances during his rookie season, and he was waived by the Packers during roster cutdowns this summer. The Dolphins claimed him off waivers, giving him a fresh start in Year 2. The Charlotte product played in two games early in the year before landing on injured reserve; he was activated yesterday. Now, the possibility remains he will miss the rest of the campaign depending on the nature of his prognosis.
By virtue of losing on Sunday, the Dolphins dropped to 6-8. Miami’s playoff chances took a major hit in the process, and DuBose may not have a role to play over the final three games of the campaign. In the immediate term, his recovery outlook from today’s injury will be important for team and player.
Marcus Freeman Agrees To Notre Dame Extension
Marcus Freeman‘s name has been mentioned in advance of the 2025 NFL coaching cycle, but he has a new deal in place to keep him at the college level. Freeman has agreed to an extension with Notre Dame, ESPN’s Heather Dinich reports. 
Freeman’s deal is believed to be a four-year extension, meaning he will remain under contract for six seasons, per Dinich. He has been in place as head coach of the Fighting Irish since the end of the 2021 season when he took over from Brian Kelly. Freeman has enjoyed a successful run since then, albeit one which included losses in his first three games at the helm (an unprecedented feat in the program’s history).
Overall, Notre Dame has gone 30-9 under Freeman, including an 11-1 mark in 2024. That performance earned the team a spot in the College Football Playoff; the Fighting Irish will play Indiana in the first game under the new 12-team CFP format on Friday. In advance of that contest, Freeman’s future with the program has been assured.
The 38-year-old was listed as one of the coaches from the college ranks worth keeping an eye on with respect to NFL interest as early as this offseason. In particular, the Bears’ vacancy was considered one Freeman might have found himself on the radar for. Instead, Chicago will look elsewhere for Matt Eberflus replacement candidates.
As Jim Harbaugh‘s Michigan tenure showed, the future of college coaches linked to NFL opportunities can change in short order and remain in limbo on an extended basis. It will be interesting to see if Freeman continues to draw interest at the pro level over the coming years as expectations will remain high for Notre Dame moving forward. As things stand now, however, he is set to remain in his current position for years to come.
Poll: Who Will Earn NFC’s No. 1 Seed?
The final four weeks of the season will see a number of playoff spots decided, along with the top seed in each conference. While the Chiefs have a degree of breathing space for the No. 1 slot in the AFC, the lone first-round bye in the NFC could come down to the last slate of regular season contests. 
The Lions have stood atop the conference for much of the season, something which comes as no surprise give the expectations the team faced entering the campaign. Given the strength of the NFC North, however, Detroit has not been able to generate a cushion in the standings. An 11-game winning streak placed the team at 12-1 on the year — prior to a Week 15 loss to the Bills — but plenty of work remains to secure the top seed.
The final stretch of the campaign will see the Lions host the Bills in a clash of the league’s two highest-scoring offenses. Detroit then has road contests against the Bears and 49ers, teams which are on track to fall short of the postseason. The regular season will conclude with the Lions and Vikings playing what could be a critical head-to-head matchup, although other results may have decided the No. 1 seed by that point.
Injuries on defense have led many to wonder if the Lions will be able to remain atop the conference but to date they have done so. Aidan Hutchinson will not be available down the stretch, but a return by the Super Bowl continues to be mentioned as a possibility. Before that hypothetical point, maintaining their run of success (which could include welcoming back other injured players) will be crucial in the Lions’ bid for the top seed.
The Eagles sat at 2-2 entering their bye week, leading to questions about their status as genuine Super Bowl contenders. The team has not lost since returning to action in Week 6, thanks in no small part to the performance of Saquon Barkley during his debut Philadelphia season. The former Giants Pro Bowler already holds the single-season franchise rushing record, and his 1,623 yards represent a career high while also leading the league. Remaining his production will be key for an offense which has not been consistent or efficient through the air for much of the campaign.
Of course, the Eagles’ strong play on the other side of the ball has played a central role in their 10-game winning streak and 12-2 record. Philadelphia leads the league in total defense and has allowed the second-fewest points per game (18), making Vic Fangio’s first season a stark contrast to where the unit sat late in the campaign in 2023. While the loss of Brandon Graham for the season represents a blow to the Eagles’ edge rush, the team could remain strong in that respect en route to (at least) the No. 1 spot in the NFC East standings.
Philadelphia’s remaining schedule includes a cross-state matchup with Pittsburgh, followed by a road matchup with the Commanders. While both of those teams figure to represent challenging opponents, the same cannot be said of the Cowboys and Giants. The Eagles will close out the season with home games against those divisional rivals, both of which are out of contention and missing several key players. A path exists for Philadelphia to make a late run past Detroit to secure the first-round bye.
If the Lions are to be unseated over the final month of the season, the Vikings could very well play a large role. The aforementioned Week 18 matchup represents Minnesota’s best opportunity to make up ground and in doing so claim the No. 1 seed or at least the top spot in the division (ensuring home-field advantage during the first two rounds of the playoffs). Over the next three weeks, the Vikings will host the Bears and Packers with a road game against the Seahawks in between. 
That schedule certainly represents a challenge with respect to maintaining Minnesota’s current six-game winning streak, something which will likely be necessary if overtaking Detroit is to remain possible on the final day of the season. In any event, the 2024 campaign has exceeded expectation in the Vikings’ case, with the play of Sam Darnold being one of the league’s top storylines. The former No. 3 pick is on track to be the top quarterback in this offseason’s free agent class, and a lucrative deal from an outside suitor would come as no surprise.
Of course, Darnold’s strong performance is a testament to head coach Kevin O’Connell’s work. The latter has not discussed an extension to date, but a new deal could be coming his way in the near future, ensuring stability on the sidelines. The more immediate attention of O’Connell and his team, though, will be aimed at the pursuit of the No. 1 seed.
Of the three contenders for the NFC’s top spot, which will ultimately secure it? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section.
Browns RB Nick Chubb Suffers Broken Foot
Nick Chubb‘s return to action in 2024 has proven to be short-lived. The Browns running back left Sunday’s game on crutches while wearing a walking boot, and now, he will not be available for the final three games of the campaign. 
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Chubb suffered a broken foot during the Browns’ Week 15 loss that will shut him down for the remainder of the season, one which offered optimism from a health perspective given his return to action in October. While the four-time Pro Bowler managed to heal from the major knee injury he suffered in 2023, his display upon being activated was not in line with his previous production.
Chubb had handled a notable workload heading into Sunday’s game, handling double-digit carries all but once in his seven appearances on the year. He managed to score three touchdowns on the ground over that span, but his 3.1 yards per attempt average represented by far the lowest of his career. That inefficiency is understandable given the nature of Chubb’s injury and the absences Cleveland has dealt with up front, but it could have an impact on his future with the organization.
While the immediate damage is to the Browns’ 2024 season, a season in which they’ve already been eliminated from the postseason, the eventual damage could come as Chubb seeks a new contract. After missing most of 2023, Chubb was heading into 2024 on the last year of a three-year extension. In fact, Chubb even accepted a pay cut in order to remain in Cleveland this season.
With free agency on the horizon and the injuries starting to compound, Chubb could find difficulty getting a new deal. Any team that signs him will want to do so on a reduced deal because of his recent injury history.
His best chance may be to re-sign with the Browns, a team that knows what he can do and may be more willing to work with him as he comes back from injury. Cleveland, though, may be looking to get new, young talent in the running backs room, along with a hometown discount in order to retain Chubb. The 28-year-old has already expressed interest in re-signing with the Browns and may be open to getting creative in order to make a reunion happen.
For now, though, the focus will be on recovery. Chubb will get off his feet, which should help make sure that by the time his foot is healed his knee may be closer to full health, as well. His free agency will depend upon just how healthy he can get, so his future in the NFL starts tomorrow with healing.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Stephen Jones Addresses Cowboys’ Upcoming Micah Parsons Negotiations
Just as the 2024 offseason was largely defined by high-profile extension negotiations, the Cowboys will again have a major contract matter to attend to this spring. Edge rusher Micah Parsons is on track to play on his fifth-year option in 2025, but a long-term deal will be the central aim of team and player once negotiations begin. 
Parsons was eligible for a monster second contract this past offseason, but the cases of quarterback Dak Prescott and wideout CeeDee Lamb took precedence. Both players landed new deals to avoid a potential free agent spell, but by making major commitments in each case the Cowboys continued their trend of authorizing big-ticket contracts to players at the top of the depth chart. A busy spring in terms of outside spending should not be expected, and retaining Parsons will require signficant cap resources.
“Obviously we’re totally all in on Dak and CeeDee,” Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport) when asked about Parsons talks. “But after that, then you still shape things, including Micah. But Micah’s a great player. You don’t do well in this league letting guys like Micah, usually, leave the house.”
Parsons has remained productive in 2024 before and after the high ankle sprain he suffered midway through the campaign. He currently has 6.5 sacks, giving him a chance to reach double-digits in that regard for the fourth consecutive season. The three-time Pro Bowler has long been connected to a deal making him the league’s highest-paid edge rusher, and he could wait for the market to move when the likes of Myles Garrett (Browns) and T.J. Watt (Steelers) negotiate new pacts before engaging in serious Cowboys talks. Nick Bosa‘s 49ers pact carries an annual average value of $34MM per year, a figure which Parsons might not be entirely set on surpassing on his second contract.
While Jones did not offer a public guarantee Parsons will be retained beyond 2025 (when he is scheduled to collect $21.32MM), he added he “can’t imagine there’s a scenario” in which the 25-year-old would play for a team other than Dallas. Parsons has expressed a desire to stay with the Cowboys through the remainder of his career, and reaching agreement on a long-term accord will go a long way toward ensuring that.
Dallas’ commitments to Prescott and Lamb will lead to major cap implications for years to come, and other major financial decisions will be tied to new deals for pending free agents Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence or pacts for their replacements. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (who is out for the year) is on the books through 2028, and his salary for next season is set to vest early in the new league year. Adjustments and cuts will take place between now and then, but Parsons’ status will remain a situation worth watching closely.
Commanders Activate Jamison Crowder, Elevate Greg Joseph
Jamison Crowder returned to practice this week, signaling that he could be an option for the Commanders in Week 15. The veteran receiver/returner has indeed been activated from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
A calf injury suffered in Week 3 has kept Crowder out of the fold until this point. He is now healthy, though, and as a result he could take on a returner role for the closing stages of the season. Of course, playing time on offense could also be possible in Crowder’s case.
Noah Brown has been moved to injured reserve, which comes as no surprise. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Wednesday Brown is likely to miss the remainder of the campaign, and an IR stint ensures at least a four-week absence. Brown will therefore not be available until at least the wild-card round of the postseason should Washington (8-5) qualify. Crowder has made only 17 catches since joining the Commanders last year, so expectations in that regard will be limited upon return.
In other roster news, Washington has elevated Greg Joseph from the practice squad. The veteran kicker was added to the team’s taxi squad yesterday, and he will provide insurance at the position. Zane Gonzalez practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, but over the past two sessions he has been listed as a full participant. It would therefore come as a surprise if Gonzalez was forced to miss tomorrow’s game, but if that proves to be the case Joseph will be available to take his place.
The Commanders sit only 18th in the NFL in passing yards per game (221) despite rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels‘ strong campaign. Losing Brown could deal a blow to the team’s offense given his status as the top complementary WR option to Terry McLaurin, but if Washington is to reach the playoffs he will not be part of the equation the rest of the way.