Cardinals Place RB Zonovan Knight On IR
The Cardinals placed running back Zonovan Knight on injured reserve on Tuesday, per a team announcement.
Knight, 24, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Sunday’s loss to the Texans. He emerged as a key part of Arizona’s backfield this season after injuries to James Conner and Trey Benson in September. The Cardinals initially tapped Michael Carter and Emari Demercado as the next running backs up, but Knight quickly established his own footing in the committee. With just 3.3 yards per carry, he has not been particularly efficient on the ground, but he has been one of the team’s few players to consistently reach the end zone. He leads the Cardinals with four rushing touchdowns – no other player has more than one – and ranks second on the offense with five total scores.
With Knight out for the year, Carter and Demarcado will likely get more playing time and touches. Demarcado has been significantly more efficient with 7.6 yards per carry, but he missed almost a month with a high ankle sprain. Carter has only 221 rushing yards on 67 carries for a career-low 3.3 yards per attempt, but he has been more effective through the air with 28 catches for 232 yards. The Cardinals also signed Corey Kiner off the Vikings’ practice squad at the beginning of December and can give him some more work on game day.
Arizona also placed wide receiver Andre Baccellia on injured reserve due to a neck injury, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, which will also end his season. Baccellia had a peripheral role in the Cardinals offense in 2022 and 2023 and played more in 2024 after injuries in the team’s wide receiver room. To fill his spot on the 53-man roster, third-year wideout Jalen Cooks was signed from the practice squad.
Titans Place Safeties Kevin Winston, Xavier Woods, Mike Brown On IR
The Titans placed safeties Kevin Winston, Xavier Woods, and Mike Brown on injured reserve on Tuesday, per team writer Jim Wyatt.
All three went down in the Titans’ loss to the 49ers on Sunday and will be out for the rest of the season. Winston and Woods suffered hamstring injuries, while Brown hurt his ankle.
Winston and Woods combined for 16 starts and 839 snaps on defense this year and are the team’s sixth- and eighth-leading tacklers. Winston, a third-round rookie, had emerged as a full-time starter in the second half of the season, while Woods’ role has varied. Their absences will force Tennessee to start a different safety alongside Amani Hooker.
Brown could have fit the bill had he not been injured on Sunday, too. He played special teams almost exclusively this season, but last year, he occupied a 37% defensive snap share with 250 snaps at free safety, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). This is Brown’s second stint on IR this year; he previously suffered a knee injury in October and missed five games.
Kendell Brooks finished Sunday’s game at safety for the first significant defensive workload of his career. He could be tapped to start with Hooker in the next few weeks. Another option is former Seahawk Jerrick Reed, who has played a handful of defensive snaps in the last three years, but has primarily featured on special teams.
The Titans also added two safeties to their 53-man roster after placing Winston, Woods, and Brown on IR. 2023 sixth-rounder Erick Hallett, who started two games for the Lions amid their safety injuries this year, was signed off Detroit’s practice squad and could see playing time immediately. Tennesee also signed Sanoussi Kane off the Ravens’ practice squad; the 2024 seventh-rounder spent his rookie season as a core special teams contributor in Baltimore but was waived earlier this season in favor of undrafted rookie standout Keondre Jackson.
Chargers Reunite With S Marcus Maye
The Chargers reunited with veteran safety Marcus Maye on Tuesday by signing him to their practice squad, per a team announcement.
Maye, 32, started the 2024 season with the Dolphins but was claimed off waivers by the Chargers at the end of November. He appeared in four games (one start) in Los Angeles before an ankle injury forced him on injured reserve.
The eight-year veteran hit free agency but was not connected with any team until a November workout with the Commanders. Maye did not earn a gig in Washington, but he is now needed in Los Angeles after multiple injuries in the Chargers’ safety room. Veteran Elijah Molden missed Sunday’s matchup with the Chiefs and rookie RJ Mickens went down during the game.
Last year, and for much of his career, Maye has been a steady if unspectacular safety who was a full-time starter through 2023. Despite his experience, he remained a free agent for most of the 2025 season, which could indicate that he was more selective about a new opportunity or needed more time for his ankle to fully heal.
Along with Maye, Chargers also signed undrafted rookie offensive lineman Josh Kaltenberger to their practice squad. In two corresponding moves, they released running back Royce Freeman and tight end Tanner McLachlan.
Shane Steichen Consulted Colts Veterans On Philip Rivers; Latest On Anthony Richardson’s Trade Value
Double-digit underdogs in Seattle, the Colts delivered a surprising effort in a close loss. Despite Philip Rivers being out of football since the 2020 season, he reemerged to submit a capable performance — all things considered — against one of the NFL’s best defenses.
The Colts opted for Rivers over rookie Riley Leonard against the Seahawks, and they will start him against the 49ers on Monday night. Rivers’ workout came as a shock to most, given his time away from the game, and the plan was radical enough Shane Steichen consulted some veterans on his roster before signing him to the practice squad, ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder notes.
Mo Alie-Cox was among those brought in during the seminal player meeting. The veteran tight end is among the 14 players still with the Colts from the 2020 season. That is an unusually high number of vets still with the team from 2020, but as we covered in an October Trade Rumors Front Office piece, the Colts have clung to this core in hopes a quarterback would finally arrive and justify the assembly of a talented roster. When it looked like Daniel Jones had become that player, he ran into two leg injuries — the second an Achilles tear. This ushered in the Rivers Hail Mary, one that has delayed the now-18-year veteran’s Hall of Fame clock by five years.
On offense, the Colts also have Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. from Rivers’ 2020 season in Indianapolis. Rivers ran the offense effectively in Seattle, going 18-for-27 for 120 yards and a touchdown pass — to Josh Downs — in the 18-16 loss. Rivers operated as an inspirational figure of sorts due to his stature in the game and long absence, and it will be interesting to see how the Colts proceed with Anthony Richardson down the stretch.
Steichen and Rivers communicated regularly about the Colts, as the two had worked together for many years with the Chargers. The 44-year-old’s knowledge of Steichen’s system played the lead role in him being summoned for this unlikely opportunity. Considering Richardson’s status as a demoted player who has drawn maturity concerns, it would be interesting to see Rivers benched as the season wanes. Also worth considering is Richardson’s future in Indianapolis.
It is not yet known if the Colts will start Richardson’s IR-return clock this week, but it is in play after a broken orbital bone sidelined the struggling prospect in October. Indianapolis does not seem to have Richardson in its long-term plans any longer, seeing as a spree of Jones extension rumors emerged before (and after) his injury. Jones being a re-up target even after his Achilles tear is interesting when considering how poorly his Giants re-signing went, but the Colts trading two first-rounders for Sauce Gardner leaves them with limited options. As the team’s Jones plan remains, it would appear Richardson is set to head elsewhere in 2026.
The Colts could have the option of showcasing Richardson for a potential trade late this season or bubble-wrapping a player who brought tremendous accuracy concerns during his first two seasons. If/when Richardson is put on the market, evaluators point to the Colts not being able to obtain more than a Day 3 pick.
Three NFL staffers tabbed the former No. 4 overall draftee as being worth a fourth-round pick, per Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson, as they liken this situation to the 49ers’ Trey Lance decision. The overdrafted Lance fetched a fourth from the Cowboys in 2023.
Indianapolis has fallen to 8-6; a loss to the favored 49ers would further dim playoff hopes that once appeared bright. The Colts turning to Leonard — who is signed through 2027 — may make more sense than pivoting to Richardson. But the talented but erratic QB remains in the picture for the time being. It will be interesting to see if Rivers stays in the QB1 role in Week 17.
Jets, C Josh Myers Agree To Extension
DECEMBER 16: Myers received a $1.8MM signing bonus and his 2026 base salary ($3.14MM) is fully guaranteed, per Over the Cap. Of his $4.94MM 2027 salary, $1MM is already guaranteed for injury. Myers’ new pact also contains annual workout bonuses along with per-game roster bonuses worth up to $510K per season.
DECEMBER 12: Josh Myers will not reach the open market in March. The veteran center has a new deal in place with the Jets, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
Team and player have agreed to a two-year, $11MM extension, per Fowler. He adds this new pact contains $6MM in guaranteed money. Myers was on course for free agency after signing a one-year pact with New York this past spring. Instead, he will remain in place as the team aims for stability up front. This contract places Myers 13th in terms of AAV for centers.
A second-round pick of the Packers in 2021, Myers played out his rookie contract with Green Bay. During that time, he started all 56 of his appearances and – aside from his debut season – avoided any lengthy absences. Nevertheless, inconsistent showings on the field resulted in the Ohio State product only securing a $2MM deal from the Jets during his first trip to free agency. Myers has now landed a notable raise on his third NFL contract.
PFF has not graded any of Myers’ five seasons favorably, and his 53.6 mark for 2025 is the lowest of his career. The 27-year-old has remained consistent in that regard, however, and he will be expected to maintain his current level of play through the 2027 season. As a result of this agreement, the Jets have four of their cuttent starting offensive linemen under contract through at least next year.
That includes tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, taken in the first round of the past two drafts. Left guard John Simpson is a pending free agent, so it is unclear if he will continue playing alongside Myers beyond the final four games of the current season. Another projected vacancy up front for next year is at the right guard spot, as Alijah Vera-Tucker is set to see his rookie contract expire this spring. The oft-injured blocker is currently set to reach the market after missing the entire 2025 season.
That will deal a major blow to Vera-Tucker’s value, and it remains to be seen if he will remain in New York or move on in March. Regardless of what happens on that front, though, Myers will be counted on to continue operating as a full-time starter up front for a Jets team seeking improvements on offense for 2026 and beyond.
Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon Addresses Job Security
Given the way the Cardinals’ season has unfolded, Jonathan Gannon remains among the staffers viewed as being on the hot seat. The third-year head coach recently acknowledged adjustments will need to made moving forward regardless of if he remains in place. 
“I do have to have a little bit of foresight as I am taking notes as the year has gone, what do I have to look at with a critical eye and change,” Gannon said (via Darren Urban of the team’s website). “Because if we keep doing the same thing and getting the same result that’s not good for anybody in my seat.”
In 2023, the Cardinals posted four wins. That figure doubled last season, an indication further progress would be made this year under Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort. The two have been in place for the same period of time, so scrutiny stemming form 2025’s struggles could impact both the coaching staff and the front office. Arizona has lost seven one-score games this season, but the team’s two most recent contests have been dropped by a combined margin of 48 points.
Injuries on both sides of the ball have plagued the Cardinals throughout the season. That is a factor which will no doubt be taken into consideration as owner Michael Bidwill contemplates organizational changes. Gannon and Ossenfort are believed to be on shaky ground at the moment, although the matter of Arizona’s direction under center will surely be key in determining how the team proceeds. Kyler Murray may very well have played his final game as a member of the team, while Jacoby Brissett is under contract for 2027. The latter is not currently owed any guaranteed money for next season, so a complete reset at the position could be possible.
Whether or not Gannon and/or Ossenfort will be counted on to oversee such a transition represents an important question surrounding the future of the Cardinals. A decision will soon need to be made regarding potential changes at the HC and GM spots. For now, Gannon is focused not only on the 3-11 team’s three remaining games but also tweaks he could be tasked with implementing in 2026.
“I believe in myself and I believe in our team,” Gannon added. “We are at a dip right now. We’re going through some adversity, but I do believe in us and we will get out of the dip.”
Jets Fire DC Steve Wilks
In the wake of another poor outing on defense, the Jets have made a late-season change on the sidelines. Head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Monday that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been fired. 
“I thought it was time to make a change,” Glenn said when speaking to the media to address the move (video link). “I’m going to make the decision that’s best for this organization at all times.”
Pass-game coordinator Chris Harris will handle DC duties for the remainder of the year. Glenn added (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) Harris will also call plays for the unit. The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention, but as they spend their final three games attempting to bring about needed improvements on defense Wilks will not play a role.
As part of the Jets’ sweeping changes on the sidelines and in the front office this past offseason, Glenn (a rookie head coach) hired a veteran in the form of Wilks to lead the defense. Things have not gone according to plan on that side of the ball, however. New York sits 30th in the NFL in points allowed, and the last two weeks in particular have seen the team regress defensively. The Jets have yet to record an interception through 15 games.
Of course, the trade deadline saw major subtractions made on defense in the team’s case. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams were dealt to the Colts and Cowboys, respectively. New York landed a notable haul in the case of both swaps, but expectations were tempered for the second half of the season. Nevertheless, the early portion of the campaign also included subpar performances on defense.
As the Jets plan for the 2026 offseason, today’s news confirms Wilks will not be in the organization for next year. The veteran staffer’s NFL tenure dates back to 2005 and it includes three stints as a DC. Wilks, 56, was also the Cardinals’ head coach in 2018 and he took over the Panthers in 2022 following Matt Rhule‘s dismissal.
Carolina did not retain Wilks on a full-time basis, and he spent the 2023 campaign leading the 49ers’ defense. San Francisco reached the Super Bowl that year, but reported tension with head coach Kyle Shanahan underscored Wilks’ time there. Upon being fired, the latter spent 2024 out of coaching. Wilks received another coordinator opportunity in the form of this Jets gig, but it has now ended after less than one season.
Harris will now receive a brief audition period in a coordinator role for the first time in his career. As Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes, Harris’ coaching stock has surged in recent years. It will be interesting to see how he fares in an elevated role down the stretch. Glenn added to no surprise he will assist in defensive game-planning while Harris becomes a play-caller for the first time.
The 3-11 Jets will finish the year with games against the Saints, Patriots and Jets. The team will look for a rebound on defense during that stretch. Meanwhile, Wilks – who remains one of the plaintiffs in Brian Flores‘ lawsuit against the NFL and multiple teams – will once again find himself on the lookout for a new opportunity during the 2026 hiring cycle.
Franchise Tag Candidate: Kyle Pitts
The Falcons have only used the franchise tag three times since the NFL introduced it in 1993. With tight end Kyle Pitts a pending free agent, he could become the fourth Falcon to receive the tag during the upcoming offseason. Pitts’ late-season surge has turned it into a possibility, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says.
Pitts entered the league with great fanfare as the fourth overall pick of the 2021 draft. The former Florida Gator became the highest-drafted tight end in league history, an honor he continues to hold. Although Pitts only caught one touchdown as a rookie, he hauled in 68 receptions for 1,026 yards. That was enough for the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder to earn a Pro Bowl nod, but he was unable to build on that during his next three seasons.
Hamstring and knee injuries limited Pitts to 10 games and 28 catches in his second year. Pitts bounced back to notch consecutive 17-game seasons from 2023-24, though his numbers were more decent than great. He averaged 50 catches, 635 yards, and approximately four touchdowns per year during that span.
The Falcons picked up Pitts’ fifth-year option after 2023, but they weren’t willing to commit to an extension entering this season. That left Pitts to play out 2025 for $10.88MM, a price tag he has justified.
With 73 catches through 14 games, Pitts has already posted a career high. He has also tied a personal best with four scores. Having amassed 797 yards with three games left, Pitts has a chance to reach 1,000 for the second time.
Thanks largely to a scintillating stretch over the past few weeks, Pitts ranks second among tight ends in yards and third in catches. The 25-year-old has piled up 24 catches and 338 yards in his past three games. He was at his best in a Week 15 upset over the Buccaneers, whom he torched for 11 receptions, 166 yards, and three touchdowns.
Pitts’ late-season dominance is what Terry Fontenot expected when he used his first draft pick as a general manager on the pass catcher. It hasn’t worked out as hoped for the Falcons, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2018. Fontenot, in charge for a half-decade, isn’t a sure bet to return in 2026 as a result.
Whether it’s Fontenot or a different GM running the show, that individual will have to decide whether to tag Pitts for approximately $15.88MM. David Mulugheta, Pitts’ agent, “hates the franchise tag,” according to Rapoport. He’d surely prefer a long-term pact. However, the Falcons may have higher priorities in running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London. The team could lock up either or both of them on mega-deals during the upcoming offseason.
A sub-$16MM cost for one year of Pitts doesn’t look unreasonable, but the Falcons are projected to have just under $1MM in spending space in 2026, per Over the Cap. They could tag Pitts and then try to find a taker in a trade. Otherwise, they’ll need to clear more room to keep Pitts and meaningfully address other areas of their roster, potentially including quarterback.
While Pitts and backup QB Kirk Cousins have formed an excellent rapport lately, that wasn’t the case when the latter started over a larger sample in 2024. Cousins, who has taken over since Michael Penix Jr. suffered a partially torn ACL in Week 11, is a clear release candidate heading into the offseason.
Cutting Cousins would open up a sizable chuck of cap for Atlanta. It would also lead to more uncertainty under center for the Falcons, who may not have Penix at the beginning of next season. Cousins and Penix are part of an unspectacular group of starting QBs who have worked with Pitts during his time in Atlanta. Matt Ryan (at the twilight of his career), Marcus Mariota, and Desmond Ridder are the others. Not pairing up with a high-level passer has likely held Pitts back to some degree. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Falcons place the franchise tag on him in a couple of months.
If the Falcons don’t tag or re-sign Pitts, he could wind up as the most appealing tight end on the open market. Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert, David Njoku, and Zach Ertz are also scheduled to reach free agency. Pitts is by far the youngest member of the group. Kelce, who’s likely in Kansas City-or-retirement mode, Goedert, and Ertz are all on the wrong side of 30. Njoku will turn 30 in July, and Ertz will enter 2026 off a recent ACL tear. That’s assuming the 35-year-old continues his career next season.
Colts To Start QB Philip Rivers In Week 16; Latest On Anthony Richardson
Philip Rivers and the Colts nearly managed an upset win yesterday. The recently unretired passer will receive at least one more look atop the depth chart.
To little surprise, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Monday that Rivers will start in Week 16 against the 49ers. The 44-year-old returned to the NFL five years after his retirement to fill in for Daniel Jones. With Jones recovering from a torn Achilles and rookie Riley Leonard dealing with a PCL sprain, Rivers could finish the year in the QB1 spot. Anthony Richardson could be nearing a return, however.
At the time Rivers signed with the Colts, Richardson had yet to be cleared for football activities. That has now changed, though, as Mike Chappell of Fox59 reports. The former No. 4 pick has been on injured reserve since suffering an orbital bone fracture during warmups in October. The latest update on this situation indicated it was still unclear whether or not a return to action would take place by the end of the season.
On that note, Steichen said (via Joel A Erickson of the Indy Star) it is yet to be determined if Richardson’s practice window will open this week. In the event that were to take place, his 21-day activation period would begin. A return to the fold in Richardson’s case would at least provide Indianapolis with a depth option under center. It could also allow the Florida product – whose future is very much in doubt – to provide a slight boost to his value late in the campaign.
For now, the Colts’ focus will be aimed at preparing Rivers for another start. Taking the reins one week after being contacted by Steichen and Co., he completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 120 yards against the Seahawks. Indianapolis connected on a go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter, but Seattle managed to match it moments later. Rivers then threw an interception on the Colts’ final possession, ending the team’s chances of winning.
Indianapolis now sits at 8-6 as a result. With the Jaguars and Texans both winning yesterday, top spot in the AFC South is increasingly getting out of reach. The Chargers and Bills also won in Week 15, meaning a wild-card berth will challenging to attain as well. In any case, Rivers will look to build off his performance from yesterday as the Colts contemplate their options under center.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Sunday’s action provided more clarity on a number of fronts relating to the playoff pushes in each conference. The list of teams still in contention for the top pick in the 2026 draft remains long, however.
Week 15 saw the Broncos and Rams clinch a postseason berth. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, Bengals and Vikings have each officially been eliminated from the playoffs. They will join the group of teams turning their attention to offseason planning. That of course includes extensive evaluation of the top prospects in this year’s class; several have already turned pro (with some exceptions).
Sunday’s results mean there are nine teams with two, three or four wins. Each of them remain candidates to secure the No. 1 selection, although victories by the Saints and Commanders yesterday will greatly hinder their chances of moving to the top of the order. Jockeying amongst teams like the Raiders, Jets and Cardinals (each on track to pursue a new quarterback this spring) will be a storyline worth following closely down the stretch.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-12)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
- Tennessee Titans (2-12)
- Cleveland Browns (3-11)
- New York Jets (3-11)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
- New Orleans Saints (4-10)
- Washington Commanders (4-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Miami Dolphins (6-8)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
- Carolina Panthers (7-7)
- Detroit Lions (8-6)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- Houston Texans (9-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Buffalo Bills (10-4)
- Chicago Bears (10-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- New England Patriots (11-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
- Denver Broncos (12-2)