Texans’ Will Anderson Out For Week 15
DECEMEBER 15: Anderson has indeed been ruled out on the Texans’ injury report. His recent uptick in production will be interrupted, while Houston will enter Week 15 notably shorthanded on both sides of the ball. After not practicing all week, Anderson’s ability to return to the field in any capacity will be worth monitoring following the Titans contest.
DECEMBER 14: The Texans are in the thick of the AFC playoff picture, but they are in danger of being severely shorthanded on both sides of the ball for their next game. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is in the league’s concussion protocol, and the team’s other top-three rookie could also miss a contest for the first time in his career. 
Edge rusher Will Anderson suffered a high ankle sprain in the Texans’ loss to the Jets on Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. As a result, Anderson has been in a walking boot over the past few days and he has not practiced. While there is still time for a turnaround, signs point to Anderson missing the upcoming contest against the Titans, Wilson adds.
Anderson has managed to suit up for every game so far in his rookie season, one which began with substantial expectations. The Texans pulled off a major trade-up to acquire the No. 3 pick in April’s draft after using the previous selection to add Stroud. Houston had been expected by many to forego drafting a quarterback at the top of the board to instead choose Anderson, widely seen as the 2023 class’ top edge rusher. Instead, the team managed to draft both, and they have each played a signficant role in the Texans’ impressive season to date.
While Stroud has drawn considerable praise for his performances throughout the year (Week 14 being a notable exception), Anderson endured a cold spell during the early part of the campaign. After a six-game sack drought, however, the latter has racked up four sacks across the past six games, bringing his total in that department to five. The Alabama alum has also produced 42 tackles, 19 QB hits and 27 pressures in 2023.
Those figures have helped the 22-year-old generate a PFF grade of 80.5, which ranks 18th amongst qualified edge rushers. Missing Anderson would thus deal a signficant blow to the Texans’ defense, a unit which already sits outside the top 20 in the league in sacks. Fellow defensive end Jonathan Greenard – who has produced a career-best and team-leading 10 sacks in his walk year – would be counted on even more in the event Anderson were unable to suit up in Week 15.
Houston is one of six AFC teams sitting at 7-6 on the year, and the absence of Stroud (if he were unable to clear concussion protocol) would significantly hinder the team’s offense. The Texans would likewise be significantly affected on defense if Anderson is unable to return to practice in the coming days.
Latest On Jim Harbaugh
The Chargers have joined the Raiders and Panthers by making an in-season head coach firing. That adds them to the list of clubs on the lookout for a replacement during (or in advance of) a hiring cycle which figures to have a few big-name candidates. 
One of those could be Jim Harbaugh. The former 49ers bench boss has not been in the NFL since he took charge of Michigan in 2015. A new deal with the Wolverines could be in play, something which would mark an end to the latest round of speculation pointing to an NFL return. People around the league remain convinced Harbaugh does have his eyes on the pro ranks, though, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes.
Harbaugh has been met with two separate three-game suspensions this season, but Michigan’s sign-stealing scheme is not believed to be a hindrance to his prospects of taking an NFL job. Once again, the 59-year-old has been connected to a number of openings with his future in question. Reports have pointed to a 2024 return, but no firm decision has been made at this point.
On that note, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes Harbaugh will wait until after the upcoming College Football Playoff has concluded. Ranked No. 1 in the country, the Wolverines have a strong chance of winning a national title for the first time under Harbaugh, who could pursue unfinished business by returning to the NFL. He led to 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012, but came up short of a Lombardi Trophy during his four-year tenure in San Francisco.
Still, Harbaugh’s track record in the NFL, along with his stints at Stanford and Michigan, have made him a high-profile coaching candidate. He interviewed with the Vikings in 2022, and met with the Broncos before any other HC prospect in Denver’s search this offseason. That process was followed by a new commitment to remaining at Michigan, but Harbaugh has unsurprisingly been linked to numerous openings – both amongst teams which have a vacancy and those which are presumed to make a change this offseason – around the league.
Prior to dismissing Staley earlier today, the Chargers showed informal interest. Outkick’s Armando Salguero reports a “Spanos family confidant” reached out to people connected to Harbaugh before reporting back to the Chargers’ owners. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of that backdoor inquiry with Los Angeles now on the lookout for a new coach.
Unlike coordinators currently under contract in the NFL, Harbaugh is a candidate not subject to the rules related to when prospective coaches are allowed to be interviewed for HC positions. As a result, he can agree to join an NFL staff at any time, though his attention will remain on Michigan’s title hopes in the coming weeks. In any event, Harbaugh’s name will remain on the front burner for the time being.
Buccaneers Waive RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Ke’Shawn Vaughn‘s time buried on Tampa Bay’s running back depth chart has come to an end. The Buccaneers announced on Friday that he has been placed on waivers. 
As a result of the move, Vaughn can now be claimed by any interested team. Failing that, he will become a free agent. Unless he stays in Tampa Bay via the practice squad after clearing waivers, today’s news marks an end to his time with the team after being drafted in the third round in 2020.
Since then, Vaughn has been unable to carve out a signficant role in the Bucs’ backfield. His total carries remained relatively consistent through his first three seasons (26, 36, 17), but his workload had stagnated again in 2023. The 26-year-old has recorded 24 rushes this season, having found himself a healthy scratch for the past two months. Tampa Bay will move on rather than seeing Vaughn’s rookie contract expire at the end of the season.
The Vanderbilt product could get a head start on finding a new home in the near future, although his market on waivers or as a free agent will no doubt be limited. Vaughn has totaled 384 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns in his career, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He has added 14 catches for 81 yards and an additional score in the passing game in his limited opportunities. Tampa Bay has struggled to run the ball in recent years in particular, but the team is prepared to move forward with its other options on the RB depth chart.
That includes 2022 third-rounder Rachaad White, who split time with Leonard Fournette last season. The latter was released this offseason, paving the way for the former to handle undisputed lead back duties. White comfortably leads the Bucs in rushing this season with 745 yards, adding 419 through the air. Veteran Chase Edmonds and undrafted rookie Sean Tucker are in place as complementary options, and their availability and performances during the year have made Vaughn expendable.
Sitting at 6-7, Tampa Bay is in a three-way tie atop the NFC South. The division could send a second team to the postseason depending on how the wild-card race shakes out, so the Buccaneers will be team to watch down the stretch. Vaughn will not play a role in the end to their season and any potential playoff action, though.
Giants WR Parris Campbell Addresses Week 14 Benching
The Giants extended their winning streak to three games on Monday, but their offense was shorthanded in the pass-catching department. Wideout Parris Campbell was a healthy scratch, a decision which he recently spoke about. 
Campbell joined the Giants this offseason by signing a one-year deal with a base value of $4.7MM. Incentives added to his maximum earning potential for the season, one in which expectations were relatively high. The former Colt had managed to put together a healthy campaign in 2022, and New York did not boast a group of highly experienced and productive playmakers at the WR spot.
Things have not gone according to plan for Campbell this season, however. The former second-rounder has seen his playing time drop considerably since Wan’Dale Robinson returned to the lineup in Week 3. Campbell received 16 targets across the first three weeks of the season, but only 11 since then. Despite taking on kick return duties, the Ohio State alum found himself on the wrong side of a numbers game for the Giants’ win on Monday.
“Yeah, I definitely was shocked,” Campbell said of the decision to deactivate him, via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “Shoot, I was more so just hurt, more than anything… hurt that I know what I put into it each and every week. And to be inactive for the first time in my career was definitely hurtful, was definitely shocking.”
Campbell battled injuries during his Indianapolis tenure, but his 63-623-3 statline last season offered a glimpse of what he is capable of producing when healthy. In his debut campaign with the Giants – who rank last in the NFL with an average of 180 passing yards per game – the 26-year-old has totaled just 104 scoreless yards on 20 receptions. Especially if tight end Darren Waller is able to return to the lineup this week, Campbell could see his 27% offensive snap share continue to fall and his role in the passing game dwindle even further.
The kick return role could await him when he is back in the lineup, however. Campbell has averaged 23.9 yards on eight runbacks this season, and special teams could be his easiest path to playing time for the rest of the season. Any production through the closing weeks of the campaign would also help rebuild some of his free agent value in advance of a likely departure this spring.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud In Concussion Protocol, Out For Week 15
DECEMBER 15: To little surprise, Stroud will indeed be forced to miss a game for the first time in his young career. Wilson reports Stroud has been ruled out for Sunday’s contest, meaning Mills will be in line for the start with Keenum in place as his backup. Shorthanded at a number of positions, the Texans will depend on Mills in a crucial late-season game as he briefly reclaims his former starting gig.
DECEMBER 11: The Texans suffered a lopsided loss on Sunday, and their offense endured a number of notable injuries in the process. Chief among them was quarterback C.J. Stroud being forced to exit the contest. 
Stroud hit his head against the turf after taking a hit in the fourth quarter which forced him to leave the game. The first-round rookie has since been placed in the league’s concussion protocol, as detailed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. As a result, his availability for Week 15 is now in question. Players often miss at least one game in the time required to clear the protocol.
Any time without Stroud available would be mark a massive blow to Houston’s playoff push. The No. 2 pick in this year’s draft has been a focal point for the Texans’ turnaround this season, proving the team’s investment in him to be worthwhile. Stroud entered Week 14 leading the NFL in passing yards (3,504) while throwing 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Multiple fourth-quarter comebacks he orchestrated had the Texans sitting at 7-5 going into Sunday’s action.
They also had Stroud in the lead for Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration. After a season-worst outing which preceded the injury, though, attention will now turn to the Ohio State alum’s ability to recover from the first signficant ailment of his young career. The Texans’ loss leaves them as one of six teams in the AFC’s wild-card picture with a 7-6 record, though they remain just one game behind the Jaguars for the lead in the division. Houston’s next game is against the Titans.
Davis Mills finished the game after replacing Stroud. The former’s performances as a starter over the past two seasons informed Houston’s decision to draft a replacement, but he still represents a relatively experienced spot-starter option. Mills, 25, has 31 appearances and 26 starts to his name with Houston, so he will be a familiar face in an offense which is already dealing with injury problems along the offensive line and at the WR position. Wideout Tank Dell is out for the season, and leading receiver Nico Collins suffered a calf injury which knocked him out of yesterday’s game.
Mills – who completed one of five pass attempts on Sunday – would be in line for his first start since 2022 if Stroud is unable to clear the concussion protocol in time. Veteran Case Keenum is also an option after the Texans made it clear they were not interested in moving him despite the arrival of Stroud. Keenum has yet to see a snap this season and his last game was in 2022 with the Bills. His most recent start was the year prior during his time with the Browns.
Raiders Notes: Gruden, Brady, O’Connell
The Raiders are one of two teams (the Panthers being the other) which are guaranteed to be involved in a full-scale coaching search this offseason. With Josh McDaniels having been let go midway through his second season at the helm, a number of candidates will no doubt receive consideration in the coming weeks.
One of those could be a familiar face. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Jon Gruden could be brought back in a move which would have signficant legal ramifications. Gruden resigned in the wake of leaded emails emerging in 2021, prompting him to file a lawsuit against the NFL. That action is aimed at uncovering the identity of the person responsible for the leaks, and Gruden intends to continue with the suit.
As Bonsignore notes, however, the NFL may be on board with “avoid[ing] a potential public-relations nightmare by simply letting Gruden be re-hired” by the Raiders. The 60-year-old was in the midst of Year 4 of his second tenure with the organization when he resigned. He has not been on the coaching radar since, fueling the argument made in his lawsuit. Dropping the suit in exchange for being brought back would mark an unexpected end to this situation, though Bonsignore adds it is unknown if owner Mark Davis would be interested in such a move.
Here are some other notes out of Sin City:
- Tom Brady‘s bid to become a minority Raiders owner has still not been approved. The agreement which would see the seven-time Super Bowl winner take on a stake in the franchise (which could also include having a say in the hiring process for the replacements of McDaniels and ex-GM Dave Ziegler) was not discussed during yesterday’s owners meeting, per Mark Maske of the Washington Post. However, there remains optimism that ratification will be attained in the future as Brady prepares for a transition to the broadcast booth.
- The Raiders lost to the Vikings in Week 14 despite only allowing three points. The team’s lackluster offensive showing led to questions about Vegas’ quarterback situation, but no changes under center are expected. Rookie Aidan O’Connell is expected to get the start in tonight’s game against the Chargers, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Veterans Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer are on the roster, but both face very uncertain futures compared to O’Connell. The latter has been in place as the starter since McDaniels was let go, so it comes as little surprise Vegas will elect to keep him atop the depth chart.
- While O’Connell will likely be in place for tonight’s battle of the backups, the Raiders may not have their top rushing option available. Josh Jacobs has not practiced during this short week, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports his status is very much in doubt (video link). If last year’s rushing champion is at risk of worsening the quad injury he suffered on Sunday, he will not suit up, Rapoport adds. Jacobs was one of three franchise tag recipients at the RB position this offseason, and no long-term deal was worked out. He has remained a key member of the team’s offense in 2023, logging double-digit carries all but once in 13 games. Jacobs has seen his yards per carry mark drop compared to last season (from 4.9 to 3.5) but he leads the team in rushing by 742 yards, meaning his absence would deal a major blow to the Raiders’ attempt at an offensive rebound.
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Addresses Dak Prescott Contract Talks
The Cowboys have once again positioned themselves as a candidate to make a deep postseason run. Much of the team’s success has come from the play of quarterback Dak Prescott, who finds himself firmly in the MVP conversation. 
Prescott’s play has also set him up well for negotiations on a new contract. Talks on that front have long been expected to be put on hold until the offseason. A report from last month confirmed no discussions had taken place between the Cowboys and the two-time Pro Bowler, who has played his way into a lucrative new pact over the course of this season. One year remains on Prescott’s deal, but his untenable $59.5MM 2024 cap hit leaves him in need of an extension.
During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan, owner Jerry Jones spoke on the subject of a Prescott deal. Working one out will be a top priority for the team not only to keep him in place for years to come, but to also establish cost certainty under center with the likes of edge rusher Micah Parsons and wideout CeeDee Lamb also in line for extensions. Jones’ remarks present an optimistic tone with respect to an agreement being reached in the relatively near future.
“Don’t pay any attention to discussion,” Jones said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “It’s meaningless. The only thing that is factual here is what I decide and what we decide as a team and what Dak decides… We know exactly where we are on the contract, years left on the contract and we should be, and are, about as close on that type of communication.”
Jones noted that the timing of a deal “remains to be seen,” but the early portion of the new league year in March represents a logical deadline. Prescott is due a $5MM roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2024 league year, so it would come as no surprise if an agreement were to be reached by that point. Especially with the leverage the 30-year-old has generated this season, though, a second Cowboys extension will require a lucrative commitment.
The quarterback market saw another jump over the course of the 2023 offseason. Four young passers (Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow) leapfrogged each other as the league’s highest-paid players in terms of AAV. Patrick Mahomes then worked out a restructure to his Chiefs pact which moved him higher up the pecking order at the position, one which now has four players averaging at least $51MM per season.
Prescott’s current contract (four years, $160MM) has been outdone several times with the salary cap continuing to jump on an annual basis. His next pact will surely represent a raise in terms of annual compensation, but Jones’ public stance on the matter points to more amicable negotiating process than the last time the parties were in this situation.
Chargers’ Justin Herbert Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
Justin Herbert‘s finger injury will end his 2023 campaign. The Chargers quarterback underwent season-ending surgery on Tuesday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Bolts have since played their franchise QB on IR.
This represents the expected outcome of this situation, with Herbert’s long-term health being weighed against the Chargers’ slim playoff chances. The 25-year-old consulted two hand specialists yesterday to gain additional opinions on the injury suffered to the index finger in his throwing hand in Week 14. It was reported last night that he would likely undergo surgery, a procedure which would determine his recovery timeline.
With Los Angeles sitting at 5-8 on the year and therefore on the outside of the AFC’s wild-card picture, electing to take the surgical route with Herbert makes sense. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year signed a five-year, $262.5MM extension this offseason as one of several young passers to land a mega-deal. Herbert is on the books through 2029 as a result, and the Chargers’ investment in him makes his long-term outlook an obvious priority.
With Herbert out of the picture, Los Angeles will continue to use Easton Stick under center. The former fifth-rounder took over after Herbert suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos. He totaled 179 scoreless yards on 13-of-24 passing upon entering the contest, which represented his first regular season action since 2020. The latter appearance saw him attempt just one pass, so he will now take on starting duties with very little in-game experience. Stick has never started an NFL game.
Being shorthanded on offense will hurt the Chargers’ chances of closing out the season on a high note. That, in turn, would likely lessen head coach Brandon Staley‘s chances of being retained in the offseason. The third-year coach has drawn signficant criticism over the course of his tenure, and the Chargers are on track to miss the postseason for the second time over the past three seasons. Shortcomings on both sides of the ball have led many to expect a change will be made on the sidelines soon.
Herbert’s presence would make the Chargers an attractive option to coaching candidates with an offensive background in particular. Ben Johnson – one of the top options in the 2024 hiring cycle – is believed to have a mutual interest in an L.A. agreement. Regardless of what happens on the coaching front, though, the Chargers’ offseason will have Herbert’s recovery as a notable storyline.
Commanders’ HC Position Seen As Attractive?
The Commanders have already made one coaching change this season with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio being fired. More changes are expected, though, which would make the team one to watch in the upcoming hiring cycle. 
Head coach Ron Rivera is in his fourth season in Washington, and the 2023 campaign will be the third which ends in a losing record. The Commanders have made just one playoff appearance in his tenure (due to a division-winning 7-9 record in 2020), leading many to view this season as his last. Signs continue to point that way, and a firing after the end of the season would leave the team in need of a new coach for the first time since Josh Harris became owner.
“From an outside perspective, Washington is the best job now that Dan Snyder doesn’t own it,” one coaching agent said about a potential Commanders vacancy (h/t Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post).
The emergence of Sam Howell as a genuine starting quarterback this season is among the top reasons coaching candidates could be attracted to a posting in the nation’s capital. The 2022 fifth-rounder has served as the team’s starter throughout the 2023 campaign, offering reasons to believe he can retain the job for years to come. While his 14 interceptions and 58 sacks taken lead the league, Howell has reached 300 passing yards five times this season while adding 243 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
In addition to a potential quarterback of the future, the Commanders are set to have five picks within the top 100 of April’s draft. That is due to the decision to trade both Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the deadline, moves which eliminated the requirement of signing either edge rusher to a new deal in the offseason. Washington is currently projected to have the second-most cap 2024 cap space in the league, so a busy offseason could be in store for the front office.
On that note, it very much remains to be seen if general manager Martin Mayhew will be retained after the campaign. It would come as little surprise if Harris were to clean house on the sidelines and in the front office in his first full offseason in charge, and the Commanders’ 19-27-1 record during Mayhew’s time in Washington could justify a shake-up in its own right. Replacing him could be a priority for Harris and the new ownership group before hiring a Rivera successor.
The Raiders and Panthers have already moved on from the coaches they had at the start of the season, and they will be involved in searches for outside hires in the near future. Other teams will no doubt join them once the campaign is over, so the Commanders will have competition with respect to bringing in an in-demand coaching candidate. If the franchise is seen as one worth committing to, however, they could gain an edge on others in their search for a new bench boss.
Ravens S Kyle Hamilton Suffers MCL Sprain
The Ravens’ secondary was shorthanded by the end of the team’s overtime win in Week 14. Safety Kyle Hamilton exited the contest due to a knee injury, and he could miss further time as well. 
An MRI revealed a Grade 1 MCL sprain, as first reported by Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. That outcome means the worst-case scenario has been avoided, a positive sign for the 2022 first-rounder. Hamilton has been enjoying a breakout season in 2023, establishing himself as an integral part of Baltimore’s defense. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that Hamilton is considered week to week at this point.
When speaking on the subject, head coach John Harbaugh – who is known for having an optimistic outlook on recovery timelines – said Hamilton is day to day (video link). While the 22-year-old’s Week 15 availability will be worth watching as the week progresses, it would come as a surprise if he were to miss signficant time. That will be welcomed news for the AFC leaders given Hamilton’s versatility and production this season.
The Notre Dame product has logged triple-digit snaps at both safety positions in 2023, in part due to the time missed early in the campaign by Marcus Williams. With the latter back in the fold, however, Hamilton has increasingly been used as a slot corner. It is there that he has been used most frequently, and his flexibility has produced a noteworthy statline to date. Hamilton has totaled 69 tackles, three sacks, nine pass deflections and a pair of interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown) to date.
Those totals have produced a PFF grade of 81.5, which ranks seventh amongst safeties. Missing Hamilton for any game action down the stretch would thus deal a notable blow to the Ravens’ defense, a unit which has posted top-five totals in a number of categories this season. Both Williams and Geno Stone would be leaned on heavily on the backend in the event Hamilton were to miss Week 15.