Colts Activate C Ryan Kelly, LB Jaylon Carlies
The Colts are set to receive some reinforcement on both sides of the ball. The team announced that they’ve activated center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Jaylon Carlies from injured reserve.
Kelly landed on injured reserve in early November with a knee injury. Kelly dealt with lingering injuries through the start of the season (including a neck issue that kept him off the field for Week 4 and Week 5), and the lineman is set to make his fewest appearances since his sophomore campaign.
Currently in his ninth professional season, Kelly struggled a bit to begin the year, with Pro Football Focus grading him 21st among 42 qualifying centers. If this trend continues, it will mark the third time since 2021 that Kelly has graded as an average or below-average center (although he did rank eighth at the position in 2023). Both Tanor Bortolini and Danny Pinter have filled in at center while Kelly was out of the lineup.
A fifth-round pick, Carlies got some early looks, garnering 143 defensive snaps in seven games (three starts). Before suffering a lower-leg injury in Week 7, the rookie collected 21 tackles and one sack. Carlies has shown plenty of versatility already, lining up on the defensive line, in the box, and even at cornerback, so he shouldn’t have any issues finding his way back into the lineup.
In corresponding moves, the Colts waived safety Darren Hall and promoted cornerback Tre Flowers and guard Mark Glowinski as standard gameday elevations. Hall got into four games with the Cardinals earlier this season before getting waived. He was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Colts but hasn’t gotten into a game with his new squad. Flowers joined Indy’s practice squad in October but hasn’t seen any playing time. After sitting out the first few months of the season, Glowinski caught on with his former squad back in November. With the Colts dealing with injuries along their OL, the veteran has already been tasked with starting two games for the team. This will mark Glowinski’s third promotion, so there’s a chance he earns a regular roster spot next week.
Buccaneers OC Liam Coen “Gaining Traction” For HC Gigs
Liam Coen has helped elevate the Buccaneers offense into one of the top-scoring units in the NFL. The offensive coordinator may be able to parlay that performance into a promotion. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Coen has been “gaining traction” for head coaching gigs. At the very least, the coach is expected to be heavily involved in the interview circuit.
After spending a few years in the college ranks, Coen made a name for himself working alongside Sean McVay in Los Angeles. Coen first served as the Rams wide receivers coach, when he helped guide Cooper Kupp to his breakout season in 2019. Coen later worked closely with Matthew Stafford as the team’s assistant QBs coach.
Coen left for Kentucky in 2021 to become the school’s offensive coordinator, but he returned to the Rams in 2022 to replace Kevin O’Connell as OC. Coen went back to Kentucky for a second stint in 2023 before getting hired as Dave Canales‘ replacement in Tampa Bay ahead of the 2024 campaign.
While the Buccaneers already had a formidable offense, Coen has helped take the unit to another level. The offense is averaging more than 28 points per game despite Chris Godwin being lost for the season and Mike Evans missing a handful of games. Coen has also helped turn around the team’s running game; after ranking towards the bottom of the NFL in 2022 and 2023, the Buccaneers currently rank second in yards per carry (5.2) and fifth in rushing yards (2,021).
Considering Coen’s success in multiple stops, it’s not a huge surprise that he’ll be a hot name on the coaching carousel. The offensive coordinator will be relatively new to the HC interview cycle, and considering his limited track record, some longer-tenured coordinators will likely get the first crack at open jobs. Still, it’s a positive development for Coen’s career trajectory that he’s already being considered for these types of gigs.
As Fowler notes, Coen won’t be the only popular name in Tampa Bay. Assistant GM John Spytek will once again be considered for GM jobs, and fellow assistant GM Mike Greenberg could also be a popular name (with Fowler specifically pointing to the Jets gig). Fowler also points to vice president of football research Jacqueline Davidson and director of player personnel Rob McCartney as names to watch, even if they don’t get long looks this offseason.
Trevon Diggs Could Miss Start Of 2025 Training Camp
DECEMBER 20: Diggs is expected to undergo bone graft surgery, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports. That procedure carries a longer recovery timeline than other surgical options, but it likely offers the best outcome in the long run. Moore notes a timeline is not in place with respect to when Diggs’ operation will take place, but in any event he faces a lengthy rehab process.
DECEMBER 16: Trevon Diggs‘ impending surgery won’t only knock the Cowboys cornerback out for the remainder of the 2024 campaign. During an appearance on 1053 The Fan, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones admitted that Diggs likely wouldn’t be available for at least the start of training camp. Jones also confirmed that Diggs was playing through significant pain before suffering another cartilage issue.
[RELATED: Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs Set To Have Season-Ending Surgery]
“He was having to play with fluid in his knee,” Jones said (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). “He was out there doing everything he can because he wants to play, he wants to compete, he wants to contribute. … But unfortunately he [suffered] a new injury that has to do with cartilage. It’s certainly a very legitimate injury that’s gonna take him some time to recover from. … I don’t think he’ll be a player during training camp. I think his timeline is going to be right about the start of the season.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is a bit more definitive with his timeline, noting that Diggs’ recovery could take up to eight months. That would keep the cornerback off the practice field until at least August, and depending on his required ramp-up period, Diggs could be forced to miss the early part of the regular season.
Rapoport clarifies that Diggs will undergo “surgery to repair an issue related to his articular cartilage.” We’ve already learned that this latest injury isn’t related to the player’s ACL tear from the 2023 campaign. In his comeback season in 2024, Diggs battled a torn calf while also missing two recent games with designations of groin and knee injuries. With his latest season-ending ailment, Diggs’ 2023 and 2024 campaigns will see him combine for 13 total appearances.
The Cowboys are surely hoping the former second-round pick can return to his dependable, All-Pro form, as Diggs is currently in the first year of his five-year, $97MM extension. The defensive back is only a few years removed from his prolific 11-interception season, and his 2022 follow-up was just as productive. In his limited looks over the past two years, sites like Pro Football Focus (subscription required) haven’t been as fond of his performance, but we could attribute the downturn to his lingering injuries.
Russell Wilson Wants To Re-Sign With Steelers
After inking a one-year deal with the Steelers this offseason, Russell Wilson has seen a career resurgence. If the veteran QB has his way, the partnership will extend beyond the 2024 campaign. During a recent episode of Hard Knocks, Wilson revealed that he’d like to re-sign with the Steelers this offseason.
“Hopefully. I love it here,” Wilson responded to a fan’s question about re-signing (via Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports). “It’s cool. Hope we can win a Super Bowl.”
Wilson’s first season in Pittsburgh couldn’t have gone much better than it has. Mike Tomlin surprised many when he opted for Wilson atop the depth chart following Justin Fields‘ strong start to the season. Wilson has rewarded his coach’s faith, with the veteran guiding the Steelers to a 6-2 record in his eight starts.
Following a pair of underwhelming seasons in Denver, Wilson has looked more like his old self in Pittsburgh. His interception rate (1.3) and yards-per-game mark (239) represent his best numbers since his Seattle tenure. In total, the 36-year-old has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
That strong performance has set Wilson up for a sizable pay day this offseason. Considering the lucrative contracts he’s signed throughout his career, Wilson may be willing to settle for a slight discount to stick around Pittsburgh. On the flip side, the Steelers may be willing to slightly pay up on a second contract. Wilson saved the Steelers some cash by inking a $1.2MM minimum contract; he was going to make $39MM regardless thanks to his Broncos release, and the QB had his former squad pick up most of that tab.
Wilson’s performance in the postseason should also inform the team’s approach heading into the offseason, but a successful playoff run would also boost the QB’s market value. Still, as things stand right now, it sounds like Wilson (and presumably the organization) would be interested in extending this relationship beyond one season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Casey Toohill
- Released: DT Eli Ankou
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Artie Burns
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/24
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: CB T.J. Tampa
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed off Bengals practice squad: DT Justin Rogers
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: DL Matt Henningsen, RB Blake Watson
Detroit Lions
- Designated for return: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: TE Hayden Hurst
- Promoted: CB Dicaprio Bootle, S Kendall Williamson
While the Lions navigate a long list of injuries to their defense, the team did get some good news today, as linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin returned to practice. The 29-year-old suffered a neck injury in early November that required a stint on IR. While there seemed to be some initial pessimism surrounding the injury, the veteran will now have a chance to return for the stretch run of the season.
A former fourth-round pick, Reeves-Maybin spent the first five seasons of his career in Detroit before a one-year stay in Houston. He’s spent the past two seasons back in Detroit, including a 2023 campaign where he earned a Pro Bowl nod for his special teams prowess. He’s continued to serve an important ST role in 2024, but he also saw time in 111 defensive snaps in eight games. That represented his highest defensive snap count since the 2021 campaign.
Jets Interview Jim Nagy For GM Job
A fourth candidate has emerged in the Jets’ GM search. The team completed an interview with long-time NFL scout Jim Nagy today, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
[RELATED: Jets Interview Thomas Dimitroff For GM]
Nagy has served as the executive director of the Senior Bowl since 2018. The executive was previously an NFL scout for close to two decades. Most recently, he had a six-year stint with the Seahawks (2013 to 2018), and he previously spent time with the Redskins, Patriots, and Chiefs. He’s earned four Super Bowl rings with three different organizations (Green Bay, New England, Seattle).
Nagy does have a small connection to the current Jets front office. As Jones notes, Jets interim GM Phil Savage served as the Senior Bowl’s executive director prior to Nagy. Now, Nagy has another chance to supplant Savage in a role.
This marks the Jets third interview to replace Joe Douglas as general manager. The team previously completed interviews with former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and former Titans GM Jon Robinson. The team is also expected to meet with Louis Riddick about the role. Woody Johnson handed his search over to two former GMs (Mike Tannenbaum, Rick Spielman), and the duo are expected to cast a wide net as they look to get the organization back on track.
Cowboys Waiting Until After Season To Determine Mike McCarthy’s Fate
Considering Mike McCarthy‘s lame-duck status and underwhelming 2024 output, there have been plenty who have questioned the head coach’s future in Dallas beyond the 2024 campaign. While speculation continues to swirl, it sounds like there’s still a chance McCarthy could be back with the organization in 2025.
Per Josina Anderson, the team’s decision makers have yet to have “earnest discussions or planning on the future” in regards to their head coaching position. Diana Russini of The Athletic has heard similarly, with some sources opining that the final stretch of this season could determine McCarthy’s future with the franchise.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones effectively confirmed that the organization would use the next few games to evaluate their head coaching position. When asked by Russini about McCarthy’s future with the team, Jones said the organization has yet to make “any decisions” and intends to judge “the full body of work after the season.”
McCarthy helped guide the Cowboys to the playoffs each season between 2021 and 2023, but he only had a single playoff win to show for his efforts. Following another one-and-done appearance in 2023, the Cowboys made it clear that they’d be sticking with their head coach for the 2024 campaign…but with lame-duck status. The organization was unwilling to give McCarthy a contract extension, and with 2024 representing the final year of his contract, the coach found himself coaching for his job this season.
The Cowboys are set to miss the playoffs for the second time in McCarthy’s tenure, although the coach could easily point to injuries as a reason for the team’s underwhelming showing. The Cowboys have been hit hard by the injury bug, with key contributors like defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Sam Williams, cornerback Trevon Diggs, guard Zack Martin, and, of course, quarterback Dak Prescott currently sitting on IR. That’s not to mention players like DaRon Bland, wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who recently found their way off of IR.
McCarthy is in the midst of one of the longest Cowboys HC stints in recent memory. Other than Jason Garrett‘s nine-plus seasons at the helm, McCarthy’s five-year run is only rivaled by Jimmy Johnson‘s five-year stint in the post-Tom Landry era.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/16/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LS Jake McQuaide
- Released: LS Zach Triner
The Dolphins used up their three practice squad elevations on Zach Triner, so the team will now turn to a new face to keep the seat warm. Jake McQuaide brings 194 games of experience to Miami, and he’ll serve as the team’s regular long snapper until Blake Ferguson is ready to be activated from NFI.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/16/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): S Jammie Robinson
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: LB Josh Woods
- Placed on IR: LB Troy Andersen
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: RB Darrynton Evans
Detroit Lions
- Signed off Jaguars’ practice squad: LB Anthony Pittman
Tennessee Titans
- Designated to return from reserve/PUP: WR Colton Dowell
Anthony Pittman is back in Detroit after the Lions snagged the linebacker off the Jaguars’ practice squad. Pittman was once a special teams mainstay for the Lions, appearing in every game for the organization between 2021 and 2023. Over that time, he was limited to 134 defensive snaps (vs. 1,099 ST snaps), and he’ll likely see a similar role during his current stint with the squad.
Colton Dowell will return to practice this week after being designated for return from the PUP list. The wideout suffered a torn ACL last December, and coach Brian Callahan told reporters that they wanted to give a look at the player after he worked so hard during rehab (via the team’s website). A 2023 seventh-round pick, Dowell got into 10 games as a rookie.