Washington K Joey Slye To Miss Time
Washington kicker Joey Slye will be out for at least three weeks, according to head coach Ron Rivera (via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post). It’s not yet official, but Slye will “more than likely” land on the injured reserve list given the timeframe for recovery.
Slye injured his left leg last night while chasing down Seahawks defensive lineman Rasheem Green. As Green took his blocked XP back for two points, Slye slipped, fell, and had to be taken out of the game. After that, Washington had punter Tress Way handle kickoffs, but they opted against going for any field goals.
Slye signed with D.C. in November 9th to serve as their third kicker of the season. Since then, he’s nailed all six of his field goals while going 5-of-6 on extra point tries (he can thank Green for the lone blemish). Slye may be able to return by Week 17 but, in the interim, Washington will have to evaluate outside options.
On the plus side, running back J.D. McKissic is “all good” after his neck injury, according to agent Doug Hendrickson (on Twitter). They’ll hope for similar news on center/guard Wes Schweitzer, who was forced out of last night’s game with an ankle injury.
Latest On Vikings’ Dalvin Cook
8:03pm: Cook is expected to miss at least the next two games – against the Lions and Steelers – with an expected return against the Bears on Dec. 20, as reported by ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
5:07pm: It was reported earlier today that Dalvin Cook had been diagnosed with a torn labrum and shoulder dislocation that would sideline him for the next two games. This was good news as there was fear Cook may have to miss the rest of the season.
The news continues to improve as, according to Mike Zimmer, Cook is only “day-to-day.” Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reports that when asked if Cook has a torn labrum, Zimmer replied, “No.” Asked about the dislocated shoulder and Zimmer answered, “I’m not going to say.” While this still leaves room for concern, Minnesota will be relieved to discover that the injury to its star running back doesn’t seem as serious as it originally appeared.
11:46am: Dalvin Cook has been diagnosed with a torn labrum and dislocation in his shoulder (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). However, it won’t be a season-ender for the Vikings running back. 
That’s excellent news given that Cook had to be carted off the field during Sunday’s game. Following the MRI, the Vikings believe that Cook can come back after a few games of rest, similar to how he managed to return towards the end of 2019. The plan is to hold him out of their next two games against the Lions and the Steelers. After that, if everything checks out, he’ll be able to face the Bears in Week 15 (Twitter link). Placing Cook on IR would automatically rule him out for three games, so the Vikings will probably keep him on the 53-man roster for the time being.
Clearly, the Vikings offense is at its best with a healthy and productive Cook. Last year, he enjoyed his second-straight Pro Bowl season with 1,557 rushing yards, 17 total touchdowns, and a 5.0 yards per carry average. It was also his second-straight 14-game slate, a big step up from his first two campaigns.
So far this year, Cook has 773 rushing yards and four touchdowns with a 4.5 yards per carry average. He’s also contributed as a pass-catcher with 27 grabs for 202 yards.
Without Cook, the Vikings will rely on Alexander Mattison to keep the chains moving. He’s made two starts in place of Cook so far this year, totaling 225 yards on the ground plus 13 catches for 99 yards.
Titans Place Kevin Byard On COVID-19 List
The Titans have placed safety Kevin Byard on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per a club announcement. Byard is one of several NFL notables to receive the designation today, alongside Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson and Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt. 
[RELATED: Vikings Place Peterson On Reserve/COVID-19 List]
The good news is that Byard might not miss any game action, since the Titans are on their bye week. And, at the same time, they’ve also been able to activate linebacker Joe Jones from the COVID-19 list. Assuming everything checks out, Byard could suit up for the Titans next game, a Week 14 matchup vs. the Jaguars.
Byard, 28, put himself on the map with a league-leading eight interceptions in 2017. He hasn’t reprised his Pro Bowl or First-Team All-Pro status since, but he remains a pillar of the Titans’ secondary. In 2019, the Titans furnished him with a five-year, $70.5MM extension, making him the NFL’s highest-paid safety at the time of signing.
Through 12 games, Byard has notched five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
Vikings Place Patrick Peterson On Reserve/COVID-19 List
The Vikings announced that they have placed Patrick Peterson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. As a result, the cornerback may be withheld from this Sunday’s game against the Lions. 
Peterson already missed a huge chunk of the season with a hamstring injury. He returned to action in Week 11 to face the Packers and suited up on Sunday in San Francisco, playing on all 70 of Minnesota’s defensive snaps.
In theory, the All-Decade cornerback can still play this week, provided that he is vaccinated, asymptomatic, and able to pass two COVID-19 tests. If he’s unvaccinated, he’ll be required to spent at least ten days in isolation.
P2 declined a bit towards the end of his Arizona tenure, but he’s fared better in Minnesota so far. The eight-time Pro Bowler has allowed a ~60% completion rate in coverage, much improved from his 67% figure of 2020.
Peterson will hope for a quick return to help lift the Vikings’ playoff chances. And, even if the Vikings fall out of the race, the veteran could use the rest of the slate as a platform for his next deal. P2 is slated for free agency in March, following the expiration of his one-year, $8MM deal.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB Chris Streveler
- Released:QB Kenji Bahar
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Tim Harris
- Released: OL Evin Ksiezarczyk
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: WR John Brown
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: QB DeShone Kizer
Steelers Place T.J. Watt On COVID-19 List
The Steelers have placed linebacker T.J. Watt on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per a club announcement. His availability moving forward will hinge on his vaccination status and test results. 
[RELATED: Steelers Place Ebron On IR]
Per league rules, vaccinated players who test positive can return after two negative tests, provided that they are asymptomatic. Unvaccinated players, on the other hand, are ruled out for a minimum of ten days.
Watt missed Week 11 against the Chargers with hip and knee injuries but returned on Sunday to face the Bengals. Now, his status for this week’s game against the Ravens is in flux.
Through nine games this year, Watt has 12.5 sacks, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries to his credit. The Steelers, stationed at 5-5-1, can ill afford to lose him at this stage of the season.
The Steelers still have a 10% chance of making the postseason, per Five Thirty Eight, but a loss to the Ravens would make it a near mathematical impossibility.
Cowboys Designate Neville Gallimore For Return
The Cowboys have designated Neville Gallimore for return, per a club announcement. The move opens up a 21-day practice window for the defensive tackle, paving the way for his eventual return. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Place Steele On Reserve/COVID-19 List]
Gallimore, a 2020 third-rounder, started nine games in his rookie campaign and was expected to serve as a starter again this year. Unfortunately, a dislocated elbow has shelved him all year. Now, at minimum, he’ll serve as a valuable rotational piece on the interior.
In theory, Gallimore can suit up for Thursday night against the Saints, but it’s not clear if he’ll be ready in time. Ditto for Randy Gregory and two-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, who is aiming to return from his foot fracture.
The Cowboys would like to have all three linemen back in action ASAP. After dropping their last two, the Cowboys are 7-4 and still in danger of losing the NFC East lead.
WFT To Activate Logan Thomas, Curtis Samuel
Washington will have two of their best offensive players in action tonight. Both tight end Logan Thomas and wide receiver Curtis Samuel have been cleared to play against the Seahawks (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo).
The WFT opened Thomas’ practice window last week by designating him for return. Before that, he spent six weeks on IR with a hamstring injury. Through his four games this year, Thomas has tallied 12 catches for 117 yards and two scores. After his career year in 2020 — 72 receptions for 670 yards and six touchdowns — there should be plenty more where that came from. Still, as head coach Ron Rivera has said, both he and Samuel will be on a pitch count against Seattle.
Samuel joined Washington on a three-year deal worth up to $35.25MM with $24.5MM guaranteed. Unfortunately, he’s been limited to just two games so far this year. Like Thomas, he’s also coming off of a career year with 1,051 yards from scrimmage, five touchdowns, and one heck of a highlight reel.
Washington enters tonight’s game at 4-6, enough for a ~34% chance of making the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight. With a win, they can inch a little closer to the Cowboys and improve their chances to about 46%.
Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey Done For Year
The Panthers have placed Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve, per a club announcement. Since this is his second trip to IR in 2021, the move will mark the end of the running back’s season. 
CMC previously missed five games with a hamstring injury. This time around, it’s an ankle injury that’ll require multiple months of rehab.
McCaffrey was forced out early yesterday as the Dolphins went on to win 33-10. The loss dropped them to 5-7 on the year, further crushing their slim odds of reaching the postseason.
The Panthers got off to a 3-0 start with McCaffrey in the lineup, then dropped four of five games without him. Even after his return, they’ve lost three of four contests, though the offense was clearly better with him in the backfield. His Week 10 showing performance against Arizona — 13 carries, ten catches, and 150+ all-purpose yards — propelled them to their only win in November.
Between the last two years, McCaffrey has appeared in just ten games for the Panthers. It’s hardly what anyone envisioned for CMC after he inked a $16MM-per-year extension in 2020. In 2019, his last healthy campaign, McCaffrey made a push for Chris Johnson‘s record with 2,392 scrimmage yards.
Now, his ’21 season will end with 442 rushing yards and one touchdown, plus 37 catches for 343 yards and one receiving TD across seven games. The Panthers will likely add another RB to the mix between now and their next game, a Dec. 12 matchup against the Falcons.
Browns’ Jack Conklin Done For Year
Browns tackle Jack Conklin is done for the year (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Now confirmed to have a torn patella tendon, Conklin will have to turn his attention to rehab with an eye on 2022. 
“That hurts to see Jack like that,” defensive end Myles Garrett said after Sunday’s game (via Cleveland.com). “I see the guy work every day, saw him work in training camp. I was part of the group that got him to come here. To see him have to deal with all these injuries, knowing what he’s going through and it’s tough to see, tough to watch and I feel for him.”
As noted by Garrett, this is just the latest malady for Conklin. In 2021 alone, he’s missed time with a dislocated elbow and a separate knee injury. It’s all amounted to a seven-game season, a disappointing follow-up to his stellar 2020. Last year, Football Focus rated him as the tenth best tackle in the NFL as he captured First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Blake Hance filled in after Conklin’s early exit, and he’ll continue to start at RT the rest of the way. The Browns can also be expected to add another tackle for depth during their Week 13 bye.