Colts To Host QB Philip Rivers
In the wake of Daniel Jones‘ season-ending Achilles injury, the Colts are hoping to keep their once-promising season afloat. As the organization looks to fill the gaping hole under center, they’re turning to a familiar face as a potential answer.
[RELATED: Colts QB Daniel Jones Suffers Achilles Tear]
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Colts will host Philip Rivers for a visit tomorrow. Ian Rapoport adds that Rivers would be considered for a practice squad gig, and for the time being, Riley Leonard will be Indy’s QB1. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that while the Colts are interested in seeing what kind of shape Rivers is in, the QB is still determining whether he’d even want to come back and play. At the very least, Rivers is intrigued enough to travel to Indianapolis for a workout. For what it’s worth, Dianna Russini of The Athletic says the Colts currently don’t have plans to bring any other quarterback in for a workout.
If you’re keeping track at home, it’s been a bit since Rivers has been on our radar. The long-time QB made his last NFL appearance during the 2020 season, when he started all 16 games for the Colts. He was still plenty serviceable during that age-39 campaign, as Rivers guided his squad to an 11-5 record while completing 68 percent of his passes for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He added another two touchdowns in Indy’s playoff loss to the Bills.
Rivers subsequently announced his retirement, but he’s still resurfaced as a potential option for QB-needy teams in recent years. He was open to joining the Saints late during the 2021 campaign, and the Colts also considered a reunion that season. There was even a chance Rivers made his comeback during Super Bowl LVII; the 49ers admitted that he was their top choice had they made it to the game (all of Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance, Brock Purdy, and Josh Johnson would have been sidelined). Rivers didn’t end up joining any of those squads, and he’s spent the past few years coaching high school football in Alabama. He seemed to put talks of a comeback to a rest this past summer when he inked a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Chargers.
Now, that long-awaited comeback may actually come to fruition with his last NFL team. Jones’ season came to an end yesterday, leaving the organization scrambling at the position. Anthony Richardson is uncertain to return this year, meaning the team may have no choice but to roll with Leonard. Even then, the sixth-round rookie is nursing his own knee injury (per ESPN’s Stephen Holder), potentially leaving Brett Rypien as the only healthy option in the organization.
Now 44 years old (today is actually his birthday), Rivers would certainly be an interesting choice to save the Colts once-promising season. The fourth-overall pick in the 2004 draft, Rivers helped guide the Chargers to six playoff appearances during his tenure with the organization. Only one of those appearances resulted in a significant run (when the Chargers lost to the Patriots in the 2007 conference championship), but Rivers did tally five playoff wins during his time with the team. He would represent the polar opposite to Leonard, who attempted only a pair of pass attempts before being forced into the lineup yesterday.
Considering his long layoff from the sport, Rivers probably wouldn’t even be considered if it wasn’t for his relationship with Colts head coach Shane Steichen. The two had a long stint working alongside each other during their respective stints with the Chargers. Steichen worked his way up to QBs coach in 2016, a role he held for three-plus seasons before earning a promotion to offensive coordinator.
To put this potential move in perspective: Rivers is currently a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His potential comeback would surely add an unexpected wrinkle to that endeavor.
Chiefs OT Wanya Morris Done For Season
The Chiefs are down another offensive lineman. This time it’s left tackle Wanya Morris, who is done for the season with a knee injury, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Morris was injured during the first offensive play of last night’s game, when he was rolled up on by center Creed Humphrey. The lineman was helped off the field before being assisted to the locker room on a cart. Per ESPN’s Nate Taylor, Morris was spotted leaving the locker room with crutches last night.
The former third-round pick was only in the lineup because first-round rookie Josh Simmons recently landed on injured reserve. The starting left tackle will be forced to miss at least the next three games as he recovers from surgery on a dislocated and fractured left wrist.
The Chiefs were also without right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who is dealing with a triceps injury, and right guard Trey Smith, who has missed a pair of games thanks to an ankle injury. That meant Kansas City had to rely on three backups on their offensive line: Morris, OT Jaylon Moore, and G Mike Caliendo.
Morris got an extended look at OT in 2024, as the Oklahoma product started 11 of his 17 appearances. However, he was benched following the late-season signing of D. J. Humphries, and Morris had to play a backup role during the Chiefs’ run through the AFC. In total, the 25-year-old has seen time on 66 offensive snaps this season.
Rookie Esa Pole filled in admirably for Morris in his NFL debut yesterday. Per ESPN, Pole only allowed a single pressure in 21 snaps against Texans pass rusher Danielle Hunter. Moore is fully entrenched as the team’s swing tackle, so Pole’s chances of starting his first NFL game will depend on Taylor’s availability for Week 15.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/8/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Damontae Kazee (story), DL Pat O’Connor
- Released: WR Andrew Armstrong
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Mehki Butler
- Released: G Bill Murray
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Casey Rogers
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/8/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers (from Bears): LB Carl Jones Jr.
- Suspended: G Ben Cleveland
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): RB Cody Schrader
- Waived: FB Jakob Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Andre’ Sam
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed off waivers (from Broncos): LB Garret Wallow
- Placed on IR: G Ben Bartch (story)
- Practice window opened: QB Kurtis Rourke
The Ravens announced today that offensive lineman Ben Cleveland was slapped with a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy. While it’s uncertain if it’s related, Cleveland was arrested this past offseason on DUI chargers (per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). The veteran has appeared in 10 games this season, with the majority of his reps coming on special teams.
The 49ers got some good news today, as seventh-round QB Kurtis Rourke had his practice window opened. The Indiana product continues to recover from offseason surgery on his torn ACL. While the 49ers realistically have 21 days to activate the quarterback to their active roster, Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group says the rookie is still expected to be redshirted for the 2025 campaign.
Justin Herbert Active For MNF; Chargers Make Handful Of Roster Moves
Justin Herbert‘s status for tonight’s game was still in doubt as of this morning. Well, the Chargers quarterback is officially active for Monday Night Football, per the team.
[RELATED: Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s Status Uncertain For Week 14]
NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz reported earlier that Herbert was expected to play tonight. After undergoing surgery to repair a fracture in his non-throwing hand, the quarterback will wear a padded glove for the time being. ESPN’s Kris Rhim notes that Herbert admitted that gripping the football was his biggest issue, and the reporter spotted the QB practicing handoffs and play-action sequences while gripping the ball with his left hand.
The Chargers were afforded a bit of extra time to evaluate Herbert’s progress thanks to their MNF showdown with the Eagles. The quarterback participated in both seven-on-seven drills as well as 11-on-11 work this week, although there were reports that he’s struggled to receive snaps from under center. This limitation will certainly require some watching tonight.
The Chargers made a handful of additional moves in anticipation of tonight’s game. Most notably, the team activated running back Omarion Hampton from injured reserve, a move that was reported last week. The team will also be welcoming back running back Hassan Haskins and defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia from injured reserve.
Haskins suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 that landed him on IR. In the two games preceding that injury, Haskins garnered 11 carries as the Chargers navigated a depleted RBs room following the injuries to Hampton and Najee Harris. While Haskins has been sidelined, Kimani Vidal ran with the starting RB job. Now, both backs are expected to serve as reserves behind Hampton. Ogbonnia hasn’t played since October thanks to an elbow injury. The former fifth-round pick has collected a single tackle in his four appearances this season.
The Chargers weren’t done making moves. Wide receiver Dalevon Campbell was elevated from the practice squad for tonight’s contest. To make room on the roster for all these moves, the Chargers placed tight end Tucker Fisk on IR and waived both defensive lineman Naquan Jones and running back Jaret Patterson.
Shedeur Sanders Not Guaranteed QB1 Role In 2026, Deshaun Watson Unlikely To Play In 2025
Shedeur Sanders hasn’t looked completely hopeless through the first two starts of his career, but the Browns aren’t ready to hand him the reins. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano write, the rookie quarterback will be afforded a long leash through the end of the 2025 season, but Sanders is unlikely to be guaranteed the QB1 role for 2026 unless he “lights it up.”
[RELATED: Browns Open Deshaun Watson’s Practice Window]
As Fowler notes, Sanders has reinforced the coaching staff’s belief that he’s able to limit turnovers; the rookie has only thrown a pair of picks this season, although one of those was during a relief appearance in Week 11. And, while Sanders had a reputation for taking an unsustainable amount of sacks during his college career, he’s only been sacked four times in his two starts.
At the same time, the Browns understand that the fifth-round pick may not be their answer at the position, especially since the team could easily pursue an alternative via free agency or the draft this offseason. The team also has Dillon Gabriel on the roster, although Fowler notes that the rookie third-round pick projects as more of a capable QB2. Rival coaches opined that Gabriel is further along in his development than Sanders, but there’s also a belief that Sanders has a higher upside with his arm strength and larger frame.
Either way, the Browns will use the final stretch of the season to see if Sanders or Gabriel may be their answer for the 2026 season. The team already gave Gabriel six starts, and it appears the coaching staff is determined to give Sanders a similar amount of reps before the season is through. As Fowler notes, it’s pertinent that the franchise knows whether their 2026 starter is currently on the roster.
Of course, Deshaun Watson‘s recent return to practice slightly complicates things. However, sources told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that the highly paid quarterback only has a slim chance of seeing the field in 2025. The veteran will continue to take limited practice reps, but Jones estimates that Watson will only have 10 practices under his belt by the time the Browns have to make a decision on his activation for Week 17.
Taking into account the player’s lengthy rehab of a torn Achilles, it seems the organization simply wants to give Watson some practice reps ahead of the 2026 offseason. Considering the quarterback’s release would leave the organization with a record-breaking $80MM in dead cap for the 2026 season, it’s all but certain that Watson will remain on the roster next year. If neither Sanders nor Gabriel establish themselves as a sure-thing starter heading into the offseason, the Browns seem destined to have at least a four-man competition for the QB1 spot during next year’s training camp and preseason.
Jets, Raiders, Browns Among Suitors For First-Round QBs
While there’s still five weeks to go in the regular season, a handful of teams are already eyeing the 2026 campaign. These bottom dwellers will have a quarterback atop their list of offseason needs, and these franchises will also be primed to pursue the position via the first round of the draft.
A recent ESPN article took an early look at the 2026 draft and identified three organizations that could turn to first-round quarterbacks: the Jets, Raiders, and Browns.
The Jets are an obvious suitor for a quarterback. However, with the front office now armed with multiple first-round picks in both 2026 and 2027 (thanks to the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades), Rich Cimini says there’s a chance the Jets decide to kick the can down the road a bit. Both coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will naturally feel some pressure to improve the team’s outlook ASAP, but Cimini notes that they’d only pursue the position if they have “conviction” in a particular player.
The Raiders are another obvious landing spot for a quarterback considering Geno Smith‘s struggles in 2025. Ryan McFadden says that even if Smith is leading the depth chart in 2026, the front office will strongly consider “a succession plan.” Plus, with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers in place, it’s in the organization’s best interest to add a young signal caller to the mix sooner than later.
The Browns’ situation is a bit more complex. Deshaun Watson will surely be back considering his hefty dead cap hit, and the team is also evaluating rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as potential options at the position. Daniel Oyefusi notes that the front office may find themselves behind a handful of QB-needy teams in the draft, but with two first-round picks in their possession (and 10 picks overall), the Browns will be well positioned to move up if necessary.
Two other teams were mentioned as suitors for quarterbacks, although reporters weren’t as convinced that those front offices would actually pull the trigger. Sarah Barshop acknowledged that Matthew Stafford‘s retirement is rapidly approaching, and the team will be well positioned to select a QB since they have a pair of first-round selections. Considering the Rams’ contender status, Barshop is ultimately skeptical if the franchise will pursue the position in the first round. Even if they do, the reporter doesn’t believe the hypothetical QB would start as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Field Yates lists the Cardinals as a franchise that could pursue the position, and the reporter points to the fact that the front office could easily get out of the Kyler Murray contract. Yates believes the Cardinals may be a better fit for a veteran signal caller, although the reporter says the front office will at least “do its quarterback homework in the draft.”
A handful of highly touted quarterbacks like Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Cade Klubnik have slipped a bit in 2025, leading to some question marks atop the positional draft class. ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes there will be three QBs with first-round grades: Oregon’s Dante Moore, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/4/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Jamin Davis
Miami Dolphins
- Suspended: WR A.J. Henning
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Kevin Austin, OL Barry Wesley
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Tomon Fox
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Titus Leo
Dolphins practice squad receiver A.J. Henning was hit with a suspension today for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. It’s uncertain how long the ban will last. The UDFA out of Northwestern hasn’t gotten into a game this season. He joined the Dolphins back in May and hauled in three catches during the preseason.
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/4/25
Today’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: DE Isaiah Land
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Bills): DB Ja’Marcus Ingram
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: DT Quinton Bohanna
The Seahawks moved on from Quinton Bohanna today. After getting into a single game with the franchise in 2024, the defensive lineman has appeared in five games this year, collecting three tackles in 32 snaps. As Michael-Shawn Dugar points out, the Seahawks now have two open roster spots, an indication that any of Julian Love, Jarran Reed, and/or Dareke Young could be ready to return to the active roster.
Isaiah Land was promoted from the Cowboys practice squad for tonight’s game. The defensive end is insurance for Jadeveon Clowney, who will be sidelined tonight with a hamstring injury. Land got into 17 games for the Colts between 2023 and 2024, collecting seven tackles and one sack.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Clears Concussion Protocol, Expected To Play This Weekend
J.J. McCarthy should be back in the lineup when the Vikings take the field this weekend. According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the quarterback has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to slot back into the starting lineup for Sunday’s matchup against the Commanders.
McCarthy suffered his concussion back in Week 12 and was forced to miss his team’s Week 13 loss to the Seahawks. The 2024 first-round pick seemed to be trending towards a return. Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters earlier this week that the second-year pro was symptom free, but he had to get through Wednesday’s practice without any setbacks (per Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune). McCarthy ended up being a full participant during that session, opening the door for his return.
As Seifert notes, the Vikings are hoping McCarthy can remain in the lineup for the remainder of the season as they evaluate his progress ahead of the 2026 campaign. O’Connell also told reporters that he’s no longer focused on his young quarterback improving mechanics, with the coaching staff instead concentrating on the player’s decision making and ability to avoid hard contact. McCarthy also suffered a high ankle sprain earlier this season that sidelined him for more than a month.
After missing his entire rookie campaign due to a torn meniscus, McCarthy has struggled during his first season as a starter. The Vikings have gone 2-4 in the QB’s six starts, with McCarthy completing only 54.1 percent of his passes while tossing six touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions. The Michigan product blamed his tendency to “overthink” things for his inconsistency.
“Just worrying about things,” he said (via Seifert). “Like on the 12th hole, you’re not going to switch up your golf swing and stuff like that. But there’s always ways to refine it. There’s always little mental cues that you’re going to take throughout that game. But yeah, the mechanics thing … it’s always going to be a continued process to grow and be as efficient as possible.”
While Vikings fans have naturally grown impatient with the QB’s progress, they got a taste of the alternative last weekend. Max Brosmer filled in for his teammate and proceeded to toss four interceptions in a shutout loss. That performance may have afforded McCarthy a bit more leeway as the starter, but the organization will be hyper focused on his play down the stretch as they determine the best path forward at the position.