Packers Rule Out Jordan Love For Week 17
Rather than Lamar Jackson–Jordan Love, Saturday’s Ravens-Packers matchup is likely to feature two backup quarterbacks. Jackson is doubtful, and the Packers ruled out Love due to the concussion he sustained last week. 
Malik Willis will start for Green Bay, with Tyler Huntley on track to face the Packers in a do-or-die matchup for the Ravens. This is not a short week for the Packers, who played last Saturday in Chicago, but Love is still going through the concussion protocol steps. Thus, Willis will make his first start of the season.
A hit from Bears defender Austin Booker concussed Love, leading to Willis reemerging for duty. The former Titans draftee played well, all things considered, as he did during an early-season 2024 cameo. Willis started two games last season. Despite being discarded by a new Titans staff in summer 2024 after struggles developing in Tennessee, Willis has found a home in Green Bay. Free agency interest is expected to come the former third-rounder’s way soon. Saturday will be key for the Liberty alum on that end.
By losing yesterday, the Lions have been officially eliminated from postseason contention. That has guaranteed at least a wild-card spot for the Packers, although first place in the NFC North is still within reach at this point. Whether or not that remains the case beyond this weekend will depend on Green Bay’s ability to win tomorrow. Love will likely be expected to return for the regular season finale (at least, if it is still meaningful for seeding purposes) but Willis will get at least one December start.
Willis, 26, has made five regular season starts in the NFL. Huntley, meanwhile, has led the Ravens’ offense on 11 total occasions between the regular season and playoffs. He also logged five starts last season for the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa sidelined. Huntley is a pending free agent, so his situation is similar to Willis’ in that regard.
A strong performance from either backup would go a long way in determining their market value. In any case, the Packers will hope Willis’ encouraging showings with his second career team can continue for another game and keep alive their chances of hosting a playoff game.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Robert Saleh Among Highest-Paid Coordinators, Rejected Raiders’ DC Offer
Robert Saleh‘s first ride on a coaching carousel since 2021 included extensive interest. The fired Jets HC met with the Cowboys, Jaguars and Raiders about their top coaching positions, and a return to Jacksonville looked like a real possibility for a brief period.
The Jaguars had Saleh — their linebackers coach from 2014-16 — positioned as their second choice, but during the span when Liam Coen had rejected a second interview and was on track to sign a lucrative OC extension with the Buccaneers, Saleh had moved into pole position. The Jags then fired GM Trent Baalke, reigniting Coen’s interest in the job. Saleh drifted out of the picture once Coen, to the dismay of the Bucs, reentered it.
While the 49ers became the likely Saleh landing spot following that development, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner reports the Raiders extended an offer for him to be Pete Carroll‘s DC. This role would have installed Saleh as Carroll’s likely successor, per Wagoner. Saleh worked with Carroll as a Seahawks quality control staffer from 2011-13.
As it stands, the Raiders do not have a true in-house candidate to succeed the oldest head coach in NFL history — though, Carroll has a real chance of being a one-and-done in Las Vegas at this point. Saleh would have provided them that staffer.
The Raiders interviewed Saleh about their HC job Jan. 16 and hired Carroll on Jan. 24. That same day, the 49ers agreed to terms to rehire Saleh as their DC. Five days later, the Raiders determined Patrick Graham would stay on for a fourth season. It certainly appears Graham staying as DC was at best the AFC West franchise’s second choice, as Saleh became a priority for the team. But the four-year Jets leader preferred a return to San Francisco.
It is not known what Saleh is earning as San Francisco’s DC, but Wagoner adds the 49ers informed their now-two-time coordinator during early discussions they would make him among the highest-paid NFL coordinators. Saleh spent four seasons as the 49ers’ DC during his first stint with the team, with the final two vaulting him onto the HC carousel. Saleh, 46, should be expected to garner more HC interest soon. But after Saleh’s Jets ending, it will take a good opportunity to lure him out of the Bay Area again.
“Everyone wants to be at the top of their profession, and they want to succeed at that just to see how far they can go and what they can achieve,” Saleh said, via Wagoner. “Is my desire to get to the top of the profession and hoist the Lombardi one day? Absolutely. Am I in a hurry? No, I love it here. Obviously, the desire is there, but at the same time, it’s not desperation.”
Kyle Shanahan confirmed Saleh was the 49ers’ first choice once they dismissed DC Nick Sorenson, with the longtime HC indicating Saleh informed the team he would return as DC if no head coaching opportunities panned out.
The 49ers have seen Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams suffer season-ending injuries — though, Warner could make an unexpected playoff return — but rank 12th in scoring defense. EPA per play is harder on Saleh’s fifth 49ers unit, slotting the injury-hounded group 23rd, but Saleh’s work certainly has not gone unnoticed. He will be a candidate for a second-chance job soon.
A league source informed Wagoner that Saleh would be a strong candidate, as this is considered a weak pool. Defense-based candidates are set to flood the upcoming carousel, and Saleh joining Broncos DC Vance Joseph with HC experience will be considered a plus. While offense-oriented candidates will remain preferred — especially considering the jobs Coen and Ben Johnson have done this year — Saleh’s second San Francisco stint could well be capped at one season.
Colts To Place DT DeForest Buckner On IR; Sauce Gardner To Return In Week 17
DeForest Buckner returned in Week 16, coming back after a lengthy absence. A durable player throughout his Indianapolis stay, the veteran defensive tackle will not play the rest of the way.
The Pro Bowl presence aggravated his neck injury and is heading back to IR, Shane Steichen said Friday (via Fox 59’s Mike Chappell). The Colts do not expect this to threaten Buckner’s 2026 season, but he will be shut down. Surgery will be required on Buckner’s disk herniation before a return commences this time, Steichen said.
[RELATED: Philip Rivers To Remain Colts’ Starter For Week 17]
Indianapolis activated Buckner from IR ahead of its Week 16 Monday-nighter; he returned to his place in the team’s starting lineup and played nearly 67% of the Colts’ defensive snaps. Buckner rehabbed without surgery to return against the 49ers, but the ex-San Francisco first-round pick will be unable to finish out a last-ditch Indianapolis playoff push.
On a better injury note for the Colts as they cling to wild-card hopes, Sauce Gardner is expected to return from a calf injury that cost him three games. Gardner and left tackle Bernhard Raimann are expected back against the Jaguars, per Steichen (via Chappell).
The Colts’ Gardner trade has not panned out like the team hoped. After being squarely on track for their first playoff berth since 2020, the Colts sent the Jets two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for the All-Pro cornerback. Gardner played in three Colts games before going down, and Indianapolis has sunk to 8-7. Daniel Jones‘ presence represented part of the team’s equation in acquiring Gardner, as a first-round pick was unlikely to be deemed necessary to add another starter-level QB. Jones has since suffered an Achilles tear. Although Indianapolis is still interested in re-signing him, another major injury complicates the veteran arm’s path.
Gardner and Raimann, who is coming back from an elbow injury that cost him a game, signed lucrative four-year extensions this summer. Gardner, of course, signed his re-up as a Jet; the Colts inked their left tackle to a deal just before the season. Buckner, 31, is tied to a deal he signed in 2024. The 10-year veteran’s two-year, $46MM contract includes a $10MM guarantee for 2026. The Colts would take on $20.8MM in dead money if they do not retain Buckner, who has been with the team since a March 2020 trade.
Panthers LB Trevin Wallace Underwent Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, head coach Dave Canales announced on Friday (via The Athletic’s Joe Person).
Wallace, 22, started 12 games for the Panthers this season. He missed Weeks 11 and 12 with a shoulder injury and returned in Week 13 before going down once more in Week 15. Even if Carolina wins the NFC South and makes the playoffs, Wallace’s surgery will not allow him to even attempt a speedy return in the postseason.
Carolina’s defense has statistically been better than their offense, and Wallace has played a large role in their success partnering with Christian Rozeboom in the middle of the defense. Wallace ranks fourth on the team in tackles (61), tackles for loss (five), passes defended (four), and sacks (two).
The 2024 third-round pick earned a starting role partway through his rookie year, but was sidelined for the last four weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury. It is unknown if Wallace’s shoulder problems are all related.
Canales said that third-year linebacker Claudin Cherelus would continue starting in Wallace’s place. He has 32 tackles on the year – 22 of which game in his three starts – but has not made many splash plays. He has particularly struggled in coverage, allowing receptions on 12 of his 13 targets for 155 yards (92.3% completion rate, 11.9 yards per attempt, 116.3 passer rating). Those issues may cause Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to take Cherelus off the field in obvious passing situations and run more dime packages with an additional safety.
Eagles’ Jalen Carter Expected To Return In Week 17; Latest On Lane Johnson
Having already clinched the NFC East, the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles are getting healthier ahead of another potential title run. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter is expected to return in Week 17 in Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The same goes for right tackle Lane Johnson, per Schefter. However, his status is murkier after he did not participate in practice on Thursday.
Carter fully practiced on Thursday, a sign he’s set to come back after a three-game absence. The third-year star did enough over his first 10 games this season to earn his second straight Pro Bowl nod, but shoulder problems have kept him out for all of December.
Carter received multiple shots in both shoulders earlier this month. His shoulders have bothered him since last spring, and the 6-foot-3, 314-pounder may not bounce back to 100% this season. It’s something he’s likely to address in the offseason, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer).
In the meantime, Philadelphia should benefit from Carter’s return. Even though he hasn’t played at full strength this year, Carter has totaled 32 tackles, 11 QB hits, six passes defensed and two sacks.
The Eagles’ defense, tied for third in points per game allowed, relied on Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Byron Young while Carter was on the shelf. Defensive end Brandon Graham has also seen action along the interior in recent weeks. With three sacks over the past two games, the 37-year-old Graham has turned back the clock.
Like Graham, the 35-year-old Johnson remains a valuable contributor despite his age. Johnson has started in all 10 appearances this season, but the six-time Pro Bowler and potential Hall of Famer hasn’t played since suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot in Week 11. Although Johnson has missed five games in a row, the Eagles opted against placing him on injured reserve.
In the event Lane Johnson’s absence drags into Sunday, Fred Johnson will continue filling in for him on the right side. The seventh-year man would make a career-high seventh start in that scenario.
Malik Willis Expected To Draw FA Interest; Updates On Packers QB Injuries
Packers quarterback Malik Willis is expected to draw heavy free agent interest this offseason, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The former Titans third-rounder did not show much in Tennessee, but he has found a grove in Green Bay over the last two years. Willis won both of his starts in 2024 and has generally played well when called upon. This year, he took a few snaps in Weeks 11 and 12 before an extended relief appearance last week after Jordan Love sustained a concussion. Willis completed eight of his 11 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions while adding 44 yards on the ground, though he could not lead a game-winning drive in overtime. The Packers offense has generally functioned smoothly with Willis under center.
That is why other teams will likely be interested this offseason. Willis himself may want a chance to compete for a starting job, which he will not get in Green Bay barring a significant injury to Love. A team looking for a quarterback could look to Willis as a bridge quarterback or reclamation project, perhaps to compete with a young passer for a starting job. Willis’ success in a McVay-style offense could be especially appealing to teams with similar offenses and/or a coach from McVay’s tree.
Unsurprisingly, the Packers would prefer to retain Willis as a high-end backup for exactly the situation that has come up this week. Love did not clear concussion protocol by the end of Green Bay’s practice week on Thursday, though he did progress though a few phases. He is also dealing with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. That positions Willis to start on Saturday against the Ravens, though he is dealing with a shoulder injury to his throwing arm as well as an illness. He is also listed as questionable, though he said earlier in the week (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) that he expects to play.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Unlikely To Play Vs. Packers
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is not expected to play in Baltimore’s Week 17 matchup against the Packers. He is officially listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report.
Jackson went down in Sunday night’s loss to the Patriots after taking a knee to the back late in the first half. He did not return to the game, and head coach John Harbaugh has since described the injury as a “serious back contusion.”
Jackson was initially considered day-to-day, but he could not practice at all this week. Harbaugh said that Jackson could play without practicing, which is why he is designated as doubtful instead of being ruled out.
Backup Tyler Huntley will make his second start of the season in Jackson’s stead. He started in Week 8 against the Bears and led the Ravens to a 30-16 victory over the Bears. That game has looked more and more impressive in hindsight with Chicago’s growing success this season. Huntley himself performed well, as he did in relief of Cooper Rush in Week 6 and Jackson against the Patriots. In fact, many wondered why the Ravens signed Rush and installed him as the backup in the first place rather than reuniting with Huntley earlier in the offseason.
The Ravens’ playoff hopes depend on winning in Green Bay on Saturday night. A loss would eliminate them from playoff contention, and Jackson’s absence is obviously a major detriment.
Jaguars’ Unorthodox Process Hitting Its Stride Changing Downtrodden Team’s Perception
Sean Payton's classification of the Jaguars as a small-market team certainly should not have ruffled feathers. It has always been the appropriate label. It just rarely comes up like it does in Major League Baseball, when that grouping largely determines team spending. The increasingly outspoken Broncos HC could have gone further (and likely has behind closed doors) about the AFC South franchise.
Calling the Jaguars an unsuccessful organization may be pushing it, as the three conference championship appearances did happen. But dysfunction and futility have largely defined the Shad Khan ownership era. The Jags can thank their small-market status along with the existences of the Browns, Jets and Raiders -- far more recognizable brands -- for being a rather anonymous bottom-tier franchise for the past 15 years.
Khan's Urban Meyer whiff aside, the Jags entered the season with a .302 win percentage in the owner's 13 full seasons at the helm. That ranked last in the NFL among current owners. Khan's start to this past offseason also did not inspire much confidence. Despite low expectations, the Jaguars have zoomed to 11-4. In a year featuring the most random set of AFC contenders -- the Bills could really take a beating if their Super Bowl drought continues this year -- in eons, this one jumps out. The Jaguars have emerged with the eighth-best odds to win Super Bowl LX.
Jacksonville's offseason included a push for Ben Johnson as head coach; other teams shared their infatuation. Johnson interviewed but expressed hesitation with a setup that had unpopular GM Trent Baalke running the coaching search. Khan keeping Baalke after firing Doug Pederson was certainly the wrong plan, as the embattled exec was hurting the search. Had Khan insisted Baalke stay on, the two-time GM would have been more likely to have chosen a coach who would not have forced him out. Liam Coen's about-face on the Jags after Baalke's dismissal highlighted the flawed process. While Coen was coming off a strong season with the Buccaneers, the Jags still seemed wrong to give a coach with Coen's resume so much power.
Titans, Others Have Done Research On Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman
With two weeks left in the regular season, it won’t be long before NFL teams begin making head coaching changes. The Giants and Titans got started early when they dismissed their head coaches in the fall. At least a few other teams are sure to join them in the first half of January.
It’s likely the vast majority of HC candidates will bring some NFL coaching experience to the table. Although Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman doesn’t check that box, his name has come up in regards to NFL jobs on a couple of occasions in recent weeks. No team has made an official request to speak with Freeman yet, but he is expected to receive opportunities, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Multiple clubs – including the Titans – have done research on the 39-year-old Freeman, per Fowler. Add Freeman to a growing list of possibilities for the Titans, who fired Brian Callahan on Oct. 13. Now 3-12, Tennessee will finish the season with interim head coach Mike McCoy before potentially turning to Freeman.
Briefly an NFL linebacker, Freeman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Ohio State, in 2010. Later an assistant at Kent State, Purdue and Cincinnati, he took over as Notre Dame’s sideline leader in late 2021. The Fighting Irish have gone 43-12 since then. Pro organizations seem likely to come calling as a result, though multiple coaches with ties to Freeman told Fowler they don’t expect him to make the jump. Freeman, one of college football’s highest-paid HCs, may be content to stay in South Bend, Ind.
If Freeman does entertain a leap to the next level, the Giants figure to have interest, according to Fowler. That jibes with previous reports, though Albert Breer of SI.com doesn’t regard Freeman as a “runaway front-runner” for the job. The Giants are in the market after cutting ties with Brian Daboll on Nov. 10. They’ve since fallen to 2-13 with five straight losses under interim choice Mike Kafka, making it likely their next HC will come from outside the organization.
While Freeman to New York looks like a possibility, Breer “wouldn’t bet” on him moving to the NFL yet. If that proves true, the Titans, Giants and any other franchises that may have interest in Freeman will have to look elsewhere during the upcoming hiring cycle.
De’Von Achane Seeking Offseason Extension
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane said on Wednesday that he will pursue a contract extension with the Dolphins in the offseason, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Achane, 24, is in the third year of his rookie contract and will earn $1.5MM in 2026. He will be eligible for an extension next offseason.
The former Texas A&M standout was drafted in the third round (No. 84 overall) of the 2023 draft and has emerged as one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL over the last three years. Achane broke out as a rookie with 800 yards and eight touchdowns on only 103 carries (7.8 yards per carry) before emerging as a strong receiving threat in 2024. This year, he has 220 carries for 1,267 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 64 catches for 459 yards and four touchdowns.
Those results have created a strong extension case for the third-year running back. Achane leads the NFL with 5.8 yards per carry; the difference between him and James Cook (5.3 yards per carry) is the same as the difference between Cook and Javonte Williams in 13th place. His pass-catching abilities are especially valuable in the modern NFL.
Achane therefore has a case to be among the highest-paid running backs in the league. It may be difficult for him to surpass Saquon Barkley‘s $20.6MM but he still could still try to surpass Christian McCaffrey at $19MM. He has already demonstrated tremendous upside at a young age and the running back market could go up this offseason with Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker both set to hit free agency. At a minimum, those deals will raise the floor of Achane’s deal, while new contracts for Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson – both of whom will also be extension-eligible in the offseason – could significantly raise the ceiling.
The Dolphins may therefore be motivated to come to an agreement soon, but they have some arguments to limit his payday. His 5-foot-9, 191-pound frame was identified as a potential injury risk coming into the league, and those concerns materialized right away. Achane has dealt with multiple injuries in each year of his career, but only missed time in his rookie year. In 2024, he dealt with an ankle sprain and a concussion, and this year, he had a calf strain and a rib injury. He has played in every game in the last two years despite the injuries, but they remain a concern moving forward. Miami also has the option to use the franchise tag on Achane in 2027; that would almost certainly be cheaper than a long-term deal.
There is also the question of the future of head coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins more generally. The team has disappointed for a second year in a row, raising questions about their roster and leadership. General manager Chris Grier wanted to conduct a fire sale at the trade deadline; owner Stephen Ross disagreed and relieved him of his duties. McDaniel, however, seems poised to keep his job into 2026. Since the Dolphins’ offense is largely designed around Achane’s skillset, it makes sense that McDaniel not want to move him, especially heading into a pivotal season for the 42-year-old coach’s future in Miami.
The Dolphins still have the option to tag-and-trade Achane in 2027 if they decide to move on from McDaniel and rebuild, which may also disincentivize an early extension. However, Achane would fit in almost any offense, so Miami could plan to keep him no matter what. That, combined with Achane’s clear desire to upgrade his salary, might be enough for the two sides to come together on a long-term deal in the offseason.