NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/16/24
Saturday’s only taxi squad move:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: CB Zyon Gilbert
Doug Pederson’s Jaguars Job Status Could Be Tied To Week 11 Performance?
Throughout the season, the future of Doug Pederson in Jacksonville has been a talking point. The Jaguars experienced a nosedive to close out the 2023 campaign and missed the playoffs as a result. 2024 has not gone according to plan either, leading to continued rumblings about a coaching change. 
Owner Shad Khan gave a vote of confidence to both Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke last month, but the team has dropped to 2-8 since. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is set to miss his second straight game due to injury, and it remains to be seen when he will be available for the Jags. In the meantime, a matchup against the NFC-leading Lions is on tap. A loss is therefore expected on Jacksonville’s part, and a lopsided defeat could be key in determining Pederson’s status.
Veteran insider Josina Anderson reports Khan’s preference would, to no surprise, be to wait until the end of the campaign to make a decision on Pederson and/or Baalke’s job security. She adds, however, that a blowout loss in Week 11 would leave a mid-season firing on the table. A coaching change would not spark a push to the playoffs to close out the 2024 campaign, but it would bring Pederson’s tenure to an end amidst a poor run of form across two years. Overall, the former Eagles Super Bowl winner sits at 20-24 with the Jags.
Six of Jacksonville’s eight losses this year have come in one-score games, something which could help Pederson’s chances of at least surviving until the end of the year. An obvious candidate to replace him on an interim basis does not necessarily exist on staff, which further strengthens his case for 2024. Pederson – whose relationship with Baalke has reportedly headed in the wrong direction this year – remains confident in his team at this point as attention turns toward the offseason and the potential for changes along the sidelines.
“That’s a tough thing in the sports world today, in general across all sporting events and sports teams, teams that go through slumps and defeats and things like that, sometimes it is hard. They feel defeated,” Pederson said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “But I’ll tell you what, you don’t see that with this team. And I think it’s a credit to the leadership of this group… In order to pull yourself out of this, you have to have that type of leadership and a close group, even when you’re not getting the results you want.”
Mac Jones is in position to once again lead the Jags’ offense on Sunday. He had a forgettable Jacksonville debut last week as the team lost 12-7 to the Vikings, and a step forward in production will be needed against the Lions. Detroit sports a record of 8-1 and heads into Week 11 on a seven-game winning streak, so the possibility certainly exists of a lopsided score in favor of the home team. If that comes to fruition, it will be interesting to see how Khan and the Jaguars react.
Jonathan Mingo Did Not Expect To Be Traded; WR To Make Cowboys Debut In Week 11
The Cowboys were involved in the trade market last week when they acquired Jonathan Mingo. The second-year wideout fell out of the Panthers’ plans, and with term left on his rookie contract he can be a contributor for Dallas in 2024 and beyond. 
Mingo was known to be a trade candidate leading up to the deadline, and Carolina had already been active at the position by dealing Diontae Johnson to the Ravens. Dallas did not profile as the most logical of potential buyers given the team’s struggles this year, but the trade – which saw Mingo and a seventh-round pick exchanged for a fourth-rounder – is of course not strictly a rental. Still, the 23-year-old was surprised he found himself on the move at the deadline.
“It kind of blindsided me, because my agent told me he didn’t think anything was going to happen, slim chance,” Mingo said when reflecting on the trade (via the Cowboys’ website). “So that slim chance happened. I’m happy to be a Cowboy, fresh start for me, new beginnings, God put me here for a reason.”
The 2023 second-rounder entered the league with high expectations last year, but he managed only 418 scoreless yards. Carolina’s offense underwent a number of changes this offseason, and Mingo went from handling a snap share of 89% in 2023 to just 56% this year. An uptick in usage could be coming his way in Dallas, a team which has been without Brandin Cooks for more than one month. That injury has left the Cowboys thin in terms of depth receiver options behind CeeDee Lamb.
Cooks is a pending free agent, and aside from he and Lamb – who signed a monster extension this offseason – all of Dallas’ wideouts are attached to rookie deals. That includes Mingo, who showed plenty of potential as a deep threat with a 15.7 yards per catch average during his time at Ole Miss. The Cowboys could use a vertical presence in their passing game now and in the future, and Mingo could prove to be a cost-effective contributor in that regard after the team thought higher of him than any rookie added in the fourth round this April.
To little surprise, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said (via DLLS’s Clarence Hill Jr.) Mingo will play in Week 11. Dallas sits at 3-6 on the year and with Dak Prescott sidelined for the remainder of the campaign (among a number of other injuries), the chances of a postseason push are slim. Mingo’s debut and his performances the rest of the way will be an interesting storyline to follow, though.
Pats’ Christian Barmore Returns To Practice
NOVEMBER 15: Mayo left the door open to Barmore playing in Week 11 on a limited basis (video link via Reiss). A meeting will take place later today with doctors to determine if he gets the green light to return to game action immediately after practicing. In any event, Barmore should be in the lineup relatively soon.
NOVEMBER 14: Christian Barmore has been out of the lineup for the 2024 season while dealing with blood clots. Not long after Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo gave an encouraging update on his status, the fourth-year defensive tackle is positioned to resume on-field work. 
Barmore is expected to practice today, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Mayo indicated such a development could be possible in the near future yesterday, so it comes as little surprise a return to the field is forthcoming. Getting Barmore back in the fold at any point this campaign would be crucial for New England’s defensive front. Barmore has since returned to the field, as ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss confirms.
The 25-year-old was diagnosed with blood clots in late July, leaving him sidelined as his attention turned to recovery. Without a firm timeline in place, the possibility existed that Barmore would be out for the entire season, although today’s news is a strong sign that will not be the case. He remains on the reserve/non-football injury list at this time, and suiting up for practice would open his 21-day activation window. Being moved onto the active roster within that span would allow Barmore to play this season.
The former second-rounder landed a four-year, $84MM extension this spring to avoid the 2024 campaign becoming a potential walk year. The blood clot diagnosis marked an unwanted turn for team and player, of course, but the size of that investment illustrates Barmore’s importance to the Patriots’ defense. He took a major step forward in the pass-rush department last year, setting a career high with 8.5 sacks. Barmore’s 64 tackles, 19 pressures, 13 tackles for loss and six pass deflections that year also marked a personal high.
In his absence, the Patriots have allowed just under 131 rushing yards per game; that ranks 23rd in the league. Improvement in that regard would be key in continuing the team’s momentum from winning two of its last three games. Barmore managing to reprise his role as a key pass-rushing figure along the interior would also give New England’s defense a notable boost.
Sitting at 3-7 on the year, the Patriots face a long road to playoff contention. Regardless of how the rest of the campaign plays out, though, getting Barmore back on the field for any stretch would be a signficant positive.
Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill Dealing With Wrist Injury; No In-Season Surgery Planned
Tyreek Hill has missed notable practice time (but not any games) in 2024 as he deals with a wrist injury. The Dolphins All-Pro will consider surgery to address the issue, but nothing on that front will take place during the season. 
Hill said (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques) he injured his wrist in August, and it has worsened over the course of the campaign. The 30-year-old’s production has taken a notable step back in 2024 as he deals with the ailment; Hill topped 100 yards in Week 1 but has yet to do so in a game since. His 51.3 yards per game average is his lowest since his rookie season and a stark contrast to his league-leading 112.4 from 2023.
Part of that can, of course, be attributed to the time quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed while he was on injured reserve due to a concussion. Miami’s offense struggled as a whole with Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley at the helm, and the team sits 30th in the league in scoring. Increased output on Hill’s part could help in that regard, and he intends to remain on the field the rest of the way while managing the injury.
“At the end of the day, I just got to suck it up and just deal with the pain,” the eight-time Pro Bowler said. “It’s going to get worse the more I play, but I got to [gut] it out for my team. I’m here, I’m locked in no matter what, no matter how I feel…. Surgery was brought up and it was talked about whenever I talked to a few of the doctors, but it’s my call at the end of the day, and my call is to stay out on the field.”
The Dolphins sit at 3-6 on the year, so plenty of work remains for them to reach postseason contention. Improved efficiency through the air would be key in sparking a turnaround during the second half of the campaign, and if that is to take place Hill will no doubt play a central role. Expectations in his case could be lowered, though, considering the fact his condition will not improve until surgery takes place.
The five-time All-Pro agreed to a restructured deal this offseason which has a base value of $90MM over three years. The pact includes $65MM in practical guarantees, making his health over both the short and long term a key priority for the Dolphins. Nevertheless, any procedures aimed at healing the injury will be put off for at least a few more months.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Undergoes Second Knee Procedure
J.J. McCarthy underwent meniscus surgery in August, and with a full repair being required he will be sidelined for his entire rookie season. The Vikings first-rounder’s rehab process recently led to a second procedure being deemed necessary. 
A biologic injection took place earlier this week, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reports. The procedure was aimed at reducing swelling in the knee which developed as McCarthy ramped up his rehab. Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune confirms the injection (rather than another surgery altogether) is the extent of what took place. Most significantly, this development is not expected to alter the No. 10 pick’s recovery timeline. Being available for the start of the 2025 campaign remains the expectation in this case.
“As his rehab has picked up, we noticed a little swelling in there and just with the time that we do have… we just wanted to make sure there was no cause for concern,” head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed (via Seifert). “All reports were very positive and he’s on the original timetable and in good shape.”
McCarthy was one of six quarterbacks selected within the first 12 picks of the 2024 draft, although his NFL ceiling has been a talking point given his limited usage in the passing game in college. The 21-year-old helped guide Michigan to an undefeated season and a national title in 2023, but the team’s reliance on its defense and rushing attack left McCarthy with greater uncertainty than many of his fellow QB prospects regarding his abilities as a passer. Minnesota nevertheless committed to him as the franchise’s Kirk Cousins successor.
Veteran stopgap Sam Darnold was atop the depth chart at the start of training camp, and McCarthy’s injury left him as the undisputed starter for the campaign. Darnold enjoyed a very strong start to the year, one which will determine his market value during the spring. He has, however, seen a downturn in effectiveness recently, including a three-interception outing against the Jaguars last week. Still, the former No. 3 pick is set to remain Minnesota’s QB1 through the rest of the year.
Beyond that point, McCarthy will obviously be the favorite to take on starting duties, especially if Darnold departs. Having missed an entire year of development, though, the former’s readiness will no doubt be a major talking point in 2025. Nevertheless, McCarthy remains on track to be fully healthy in time for the start of next year.
Trevor Lawrence Out For Week 11; Jaguars Optimistic About Post-Bye Return
Trevor Lawrence missed only the second game of his career last week as he continues to deal with an AC joint sprain. Jacksonville’s starting quarterback will be sidelined again in Week 11, but his status beyond that point is uncertain. 
Lawrence’s sprain is in his non-throwing shoulder, and for the time being he is attempting to address the matter through rest and rehab. Surgery could be an option at some point, however, and that would shut him down for the remainder of the campaign. For the time being, team and player are taking a week-to-week approach.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Lawrence will be out for the upcoming game against the Lions. That matchup will be followed by the team’s bye week, and Pederson expressed optimism (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco) Lawrence could be back in place in time for Jacksonville’s Week 13 game. The team will no doubt be cautious with the former No. 1 pick’s rehab process, but multiple weeks on the mend could help in his recovery to a notable degree.
The Jaguars sit at 2-8 on the year, so a second-half turnaround leading to postseason contention should not be expected. Lawrence’s long-term health is an obvious priority for the franchise given his five-year, $275MM extension signed this offseason. After the Clemson product played through a number of ailments late last season, it would come as no surprise if avoiding the risk of further injury received consideration in 2024. Having Lawrence in place would, on the other hand, give the Jags a chance to find better consistency and production on offense down the stretch – something which, in turn, could play a role in determining Pederson’s job security.
Mac Jones got the nod in Week 10, going 14-for-22 in a loss to the Vikings. The former Patriots first-rounder threw a pair of interceptions; he also committed one fumble and was sacked three times. An improved performance will be the goal against the 8-1 Lions, although expectations will likely be rather low on that front given the caliber of Jacksonville’s opposition. Recently re-acquired C.J. Beathard will dress as Jones’ backup for at least one more contest before a potential post-bye Lawrence return.
Matt Eberflus: Bears Evaluating Lineup, Coaching Changes
After the Bears’ Week 10 loss, a new round of questions emerged about offensive changes being made. Head coach Matt Eberflus left the door open to Shane Waldron losing play-calling responsibilities, although a final decision on that front has yet to be made. 
“There will be changes, adjustments being made,” Eberflus said when speaking to the media on Monday (via Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic). “I’m not going to disclose those right now. I’m not at that point in the process.”
Earlier in the day, Eberflus indicated 24 t0 48 hours will transpire before any changes are formalized (h/t ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). The status of Waldron is a central talking point in this process, and Eberflus has altered course from previous weeks by repeatedly not taking the opportunity to endorse his offensive coordinator. Chicago scored 36 points in Week 5, and another 35 the following game. In three contests since, the team has totaled only 27 points.
Waldron’s first NFL stint took place from 2008-09, and he returned to the pro ranks in 2016. After a single season in Washington, he worked on the Rams’ staff for four years. That was followed by a three-year run as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, one in which Seattle finished ninth in scoring in 2022 and quarterback Geno Smith played his way into franchise quarterback status. Expectations were high for Caleb Williams‘ arrival this year with Waldron replacing Luke Getsy, but things have not gone according to plan.
Williams has topped 200 passing yards four times this season, but he has also posted a sub-54% completion percentage in four games (including each of the past three). This year’s No. 1 pick has been sacked a league-leading 38 times, an illustration in part of his own learning curve and also of the numerous injuries Chicago has dealt with up front. That figure nevertheless reflects poorly on the offense as a whole, a unit which has struggled to find consistency under Waldron.
To little surprise, Eberflus confirmed Williams will remain atop the depth chart moving forward. The 22-year-old’s development is the Bears’ top priority for 2024, although competing for a postseason berth will still be feasible if offensive improvement can take place. Chicago sits 24th in scoring through 10 weeks, but with a 4-5 record the team is still in touching distance of a wild-card berth. As Eberflus navigates a potentially uncertain future regarding his own job security, his decisions over the coming days will be interesting to see.
Cooper Rush To Remain Cowboys’ Starter; Team To Make QB Addition
Both Cooper Rush and Trey Lance saw time yesterday in the Cowboys’ blowout loss. It remained uncertain in the wake of that contest who would get the nod as Dak Prescott‘s immediate replacement moving forward, but that question has now been answered. 
Head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Monday that Rush will serve as Dallas’ starter for Week 11. The veteran has made 31 appearances and seven starts during the regular season, all with the Cowboys. Given that level of experience and familiarity with the team’s offense, it comes as little surprise Rush will remain atop the depth chart for at least one more week.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old struggled on Sunday, amassing only 45 passing yards and fumbling twice. Lance saw 15 snaps during the second half, adding to the turnovers as well with one of his six pass attempts being intercepted. No obvious candidate is thus available to handle QB1 duties with Prescott out of the picture (likely for the remainder of the campaign).
McCarthy added the team will be making an addition at the quarterback spot in light of Prescott’s hamstring injury. Healthy depth will be targeted with that move as the team looks to find answers on offense. Dallas ranks 22nd in scoring with an average of 19.7 points per game, and with the league’s second-worst rushing attack the team does not have the option of leaning heavily on the ground game. Rush will be able to help his market value with a string of starts, given his status as a pending free agent; the same also holds true of Lance, whose action yesterday marked his first regular season time as a Cowboy.
Dallas has a record of 3-6 on the year, and the struggles witnessed with Prescott at the helm suggested a postseason berth would be challenging to attain. The Cowboys will move forward with their incumbent options under center, with Rush in line to start for at least the upcoming contest against the Texans. Further decisions at the position will be dictated by an evaluation of that game.
Dolphins Place T Austin Jackson On IR, Activate WR River Cracraft
The Dolphins have made a number of moves ahead of their Monday night matchup. Right tackle Austin Jackson has been moved to injured reserve, while wideout River Cracraft has been activated. 
Jackson will be out for at least the next four games as a result of today’s move. He has served as Miami’s starter at the right tackle spot all year, continuing his run of starting all but two of his career appearances with the Dolphins. The former first-rounder has seen more success on the right side than the left (where he began his NFL tenure), and his absence will be felt up front. Kendall Lamm will replace Jackson in the starting lineup.
Last December, Jackson agreed to a three-year, $36MM extension which cemented his status as a key member of Miami’s offensive line. The 25-year-old drew underwhelming PFF grades during each of his first three seasons, but the 2023 campaign resulted in his best evaluation to date in both pass protection and run blocking. Jackson’s overall mark of 60 this year is a step back, but he will still be missed as the Dolphins look to remain as strong up front as possible after Tua Tagovailoa‘s latest concussion.
Cracraft was among the many players around the league who were placed on IR during roster cutdowns while being designated for return in the process. As a result, his activation (in terms of the Dolphins’ limit of eight for the year) has already been accounted for. As Miami moves forward with five such activations available, the team will welcome Cracraft into the fold for his season debut. The 30-year-old is set to reprise a depth role on offense, although with Tyreek Hill questionable for tonight he could see a notable workload against the Rams.
Miami has also signed defensive tackle Neil Farrell to the active roster. The 26-year-old made nine appearances with the Raiders in 2022, followed by a pair of games with the Chiefs. He has been used as a gameday elevation twice so far by the Dolphins, so that would have been an option once more before a deal on the active roster would have become necessary. Instead, Farrell has now been promoted from the practice squad, setting him up to serve in a rotational role along the defensive front.