Commanders To Start Sam Howell In Week 17
DEC 30: Despite the Commanders seemingly moving towards Brissett as their starter at quarterback for the remainder of the season following two consecutive games in which Howell was benched, it looks like injuries will keep Howell in place under center for this weekend, at least. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, Brissett will be sidelined in Week 17 with an aggravated hamstring injury. With Brissett out this week, Howell will return to the starting role. Practice squad pass Jake Fromm will be signed to the active roster in order to back up Howell against the 49ers.
Joining Fromm on the 53-man roster from the practice squad will be long snapper Tucker Addington and offensive tackle Alex Akingbulu. They will also be joined by safety Sean Chandler and cornerback Nick Whiteside, who will serve as standard gameday practice squad elevations tomorrow. Fromm, Addington, and Akingbulu will be filling the roster spots left vacant by offensive tackle Charles Leno, safety Percy Butler, and center Tyler Larsen, who were all placed on injured reserve today.
DEC 27: After an aggressive quarterback pursuit in 2022, the Commanders stood down this year and centered their offseason around Sam Howell‘s development. Howell has started throughout the season; that is about to change.
Washington has benched the second-year QB in back-to-back games, and after Jacoby Brissett provided a spark in each, Ron Rivera said the veteran will receive his first start of the season in Week 17. Brissett, who signed a one-year deal this offseason, has already started for four teams throughout his career. This will be Brissett’s 49th career start.
This decision can be interpreted in multiple ways. On one hand, Rivera is almost definitely coaching his final games with the Commanders. He has long been viewed as on his way out after his fourth season. Front office changes are also expected, so this staff’s view of Howell may not matter much. But the team has also been linked to pursuing another starter-caliber QB in 2024 to at least push Howell. The Patriots’ upset of the Broncos in Week 16 moved the 4-11 Commanders into the No. 3 draft slot, and with the Cardinals not certain to select a QB at No. 2 — where they currently reside — Washington could be in position to make a major investment in Josh Harris‘ first offseason running the show.
Brissett, 31, has started for the Patriots, Colts, Dolphins and Browns throughout an interesting eight-year career. He has been one of this era’s premier backups, being thrust into duty twice on short notice and again later due to Deshaun Watson‘s suspension. The Colts turned to Brissett soon after acquiring him via trade in 2017, with Andrew Luck‘s troublesome shoulder injury requiring a full-season absence. A better Brissett version resurfaced in 2019, when Luck abruptly retired. The Colts then gave their regularly used backup a two-year, $30MM extension. Brissett could not command those terms in 2021 (with the Dolphins) or ’22 (Browns), but he made 16 starts in that span.
The Commanders gave Brissett a one-year, $8MM deal in March. While the team held a competition for the starting job, the Howell praise that persisted during the offseason pointed to the second-year passer winning that battle. Howell has shown flashes, but after struggling during a Commanders six-game skid, the North Carolina product has encountered some early turbulence. Despite two games remaining, Howell has joined only Watson (2018) as QBs to be sacked at least 60 times in a season over the past 17 years. The North Carolina alum has been dropped 60 times this season. Howell also leads the NFL with 17 INTs.
This Brissett move likely ensures Howell will not move close to David Carr‘s single-season record for sacks taken (72 in 2002), but it also points him toward an uncertain path after making all 15 starts for the Commanders this season. The team initially turned to Howell in Week 18 of last season, with the rookie leapfrogging Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke on the depth chart. A new HC-GM combo will be poised to assess Howell in 2024.
Colts TE Andrew Ogletree Arrested
4:25PM: In the face of the domestic violence allegations Ogletree is facing, the NFL has placed the second-year player on the commissioner exempt permission list, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.
9:27AM: Colts tight end Andrew Ogletree was arrested yesterday and charged with domestic battery, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star.
According ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Ogletree was charged with two felonies: domestic violence committed in the presence of a child less than 16 years old and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury.
“We are aware of the disturbing allegations involving Drew Ogletree,” the Colts said in a statement (via Erickson). “The team takes these matters seriously. We have notified the NFL and are in the process of gathering more information. We will have no further comment at this time.”
According to the Avon, Indiana, police department (and passed along by Holder), the alleged incident took place on Tuesday evening. The responding office wrote in a probable cause statement that the victim was found in an upstairs bed room in pain. The woman claimed that Ogletree “body slammed” her during an argument. An arrest warrant was issued on Thursday before Ogletree turned himself in on Friday. According to Holder, Ogletree was arrested at 3:42 p.m. yesterday and had not been released as of Friday evening.
Ogletree was a sixth-round pick by the Colts in 2022. He sat out his rookie campaign while recovering from a torn ACL, but he returned in time for the start of the 2023 season. In 12 games (nine starts) this year, the tight end has collected nine catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
Packers Place CB Eric Stokes Back On IR
The 2023 season is going to be one to forget for Packers cornerback Eric Stokes. Two weeks after being activated from injured reserve, the 24-year-old out of Georgia will be headed back to IR for the remainder of the season. His 2023 season ends now after only three games played. 
Stokes, a first-round pick out of Georgia two seasons ago, started out his career on a strong note. As a rookie, he missed only one game while starting 14. He put up strong numbers in pass defense, as well, recording an interception and 14 passes defensed. His sophomore season started off in a similar fashion. He started the first nine games of the season and recorded fewer stats, with quarterbacks targeting him at a much lower rate.
Unfortunately, this is when his injury troubles started. After structural damage was discovered in testing on ankle and knee injuries, Stokes was shut down for the second half of 2022. He was forced to undergo surgeries to his knee and foot in the offseason and faced a tough road back to a starting role with the emergence of Rasul Douglas across from Jaire Alexander and primary kick returner Keisean Nixon excelling in the slot.
Stokes started the 2023 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and was finally activated in mid-October, days before the team completed a trade that sent Douglas to Buffalo. Perhaps expecting Stokes to slide back into the starting role, Green Bay was surely disappointed when, after only four special teams snaps, Stokes was placed back on IR with a hamstring injury.
In part of his long road to recovery, Stokes finally was activated once again in time to start the Packers’ last two games. Unfortunately for both parties, Stokes’ hamstring issue has lingered, forcing the young corner back onto IR in a solemn continuation of hardship. Assuming his absences cease in next year’s season opener, Stokes will have missed 22 of a possible 25 games dating back to the ankle injury that started it all last season.
With Alexander serving a team-enforced suspension for crashing an official coin toss despite not being named a captain for the game, Green Bay’s stores are looking fairly bare. Robert Rochell is currently questionable with a neck injury, leaving Nixon to start alongside the likes of rookie seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine, and David Long.
They will be joined by practice squad safety Benny Sapp III, who will serve as one of the team’s two standard gameday elevations tomorrow. In addition to Sapp, the Packers will also call up wide receiver Bo Melton.
Jaguars Activate OT Cam Robinson From IR
The Jaguars won’t have Trevor Lawrence under center against the Panthers tomorrow, but the team will welcome back their star offensive lineman. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Jaguars are activating left tackle Cam Robinson from injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the Jaguars have waived lineman Chandler Brewer (per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston).
[RELATED: Jaguars Rule Out QB Trevor Lawrence For Week 17]
After landing on injured reserve in November thanks to a knee injury, Robinson returned to Jaguars practice earlier this week. That opened the veteran’s 21-day activation window, and despite receiving an initial recovery timeline of up to six weeks, the Jaguars were confident in adding him to the active roster when first eligible.
The former second-round pick has spent his entire career in Jacksonville, starting all 82 of his regular-season appearances. Robinson missed the first four games of this season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, but he started each of the next seven games for Jacksonville. Pro Football Focus only has Robinson ranked 48th among 84 qualifying offensive tackles this season, but he is graded 12th at the position for pass blocking.
The Jaguars offensive line has struggled mightily this season, allowing 154 pressures…only 10 of which have been attributed to Robinson. While Lawrence won’t immediately benefit from the lineman’s return, there’s hope that the franchise QB will be back in the lineup for the regular-season finale.
Brewer spent most of this season on Jacksonville’s practice squad. He got into only one game following his November promotion, playing exclusively on special teams. The former UDFA spent the first few seasons of his career with the Rams, starting four of his 13 appearances.
Chiefs Activate WR Mecole Hardman
The Chiefs are getting some much-needed receiver help. The team is activating wide receiver Mecole Hardman off injured reserve, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The Chiefs have officially announced the move and confirmed that Hardman’s questionable injury designation has been removed.
After spending the first four seasons of his career in Kansas City, Hardman started the 2023 campaign with the Jets. However, he struggled to carve out a role in New York, and he was eventually traded to the Chiefs in October. Hardman got into four games with Kansas City before suffering a thumb injury that landed him on injured reserve.
The former second-round pick never transformed into the top-end WR that the Chiefs were hoping for. Even in his most productive season in 2021, Hardman still finished with only 59 catches for 693 yards, and following his trade back to Kansas City, he was only averaging two catches for about 10 yards per game.
However, the Chiefs could certainly use a spark in their receivers room. Rashee Rice has turned into a dependable target for Patrick Mahomes, with the rookie wideout hauling in 74 catches for 811 yards and seven touchdowns. However, the likes of Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Justin Watson have combined for only 74 catches for 832 yards and five touchdowns.
Hardman could see a role as soon as tomorrow against the Bengals. Toney is expected to be sidelined with a hip injury, meaning the recently-activated WR will join the likes of Watson, Moore, and Richie James behind Rice on the depth chart.
Commanders To Place OT Charles Leno On IR
Charles Leno‘s season has come to an end. The Commanders are placing the veteran offensive lineman on injured reserve, according to ESPN’s John Keim.
Leno suffered a calf injury earlier this month, forcing him to miss last weekend’s loss to the Jets. The offensive lineman had already been ruled out for tomorrow’s game against the 49ers.
The 32-year-old has spent the past three seasons in Washington, starting each of his 47 appearances. This season, Pro Football Focus has Leno graded 25th among 84 qualifying offensive tackles, and he’s earned especially high marks for his pass-blocking ability.
After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Bears, the lineman inked a one-year deal to start his tenure in Washington in 2021. Leno later inked a three-year, $37.5MM extension with the organization in 2022.
The Commanders are dealing with injuries throughout their offensive line. Center Tyler Larsen will be sidelined tomorrow with a knee injury, while right tackle Andrew Wylie is questionable with an elbow issue. If Wylie can’t go, Cornelius Lucas and Samuel Cosmi will likely fill in at OT for another week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/23
Friday’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed off waivers (from Lions): LB Trevor Nowaske
- Placed on IR: DE Jonathan Ledbetter (story)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: G Gabe Jackson
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: DE Sam Kamara
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: K Michael Badgley
- Waived: FB Jason Cabinda
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: FB Jakob Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to the active roster: LB Anthony Barr
Badgley has officially been tabbed as the leg to depend on for the remainder of the season as well as for the Lions’ first playoff run since 2016. Detroit waived Riley Patterson two weeks ago, allowing Badgley to stake his claim on the job once again.
The Cabinda departure is a little surprising, considering the Lions just utilized one of their injured reserve activations on the former linebacker yesterday. Because of that investment, it would make sense to see Cabinda return to Detroit on a practice squad deal here in the next few days.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/29/23
Today’s practice squad moves as we head into the weekend:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Michael Schofield
- Released: DT Chris Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE John Samuel Shenker
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Nick Vigil
Bengals Activate CB Cam Taylor-Britt Off IR
DECEMBER 29: Taylor-Britt will be available for the Bengals-Chiefs matchup. Cincinnati activated the second-year cornerback off IR on Friday. This marked the first week Taylor-Britt could come off IR; the Bengals still have five IR activations left.
DECEMBER 27: Still in the playoff picture despite losing Joe Burrow more than a month ago, the Bengals likely need to win their final two games to secure their third straight postseason berth. They will hope to have one of their starting cornerbacks available for those contests.
Cam Taylor-Britt is returning to practice Wednesday. The second-year corner has been on IR for the past four weeks; an ankle injury has cost him five games since late November. The Bengals saw some second-season promise from the former second-round pick, and they will see if he is ready to return for their Week 17 tilt against the Chiefs.
This ankle injury marked Taylor-Britt’s second IR stint of his short career. The Nebraska product started his rookie season on IR due to a core muscle injury, but the team made him a starter shortly after he debuted. Taylor-Britt has started 19 of the 20 NFL games he has played, working as a first-stringer in Cincinnati’s three playoff games last year. The Bengals have taken a step back in pass defense this season, ranking 28th, and are coming off a game in which the Mason Rudolph–George Pickens combination erupted for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
Taylor-Britt intercepted four passes before going on IR. While the Bengals have not replaced Jessie Bates effectively at safety, they are fairly deep at corner. The team has Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie on veteran contracts and used a first-round pick on DJ Turner last year. Pro Football Focus has the latter ranked outside the top 100, however. Despite Taylor-Britt’s four thefts, PFF slots him 83rd overall. A poor run-defense grade is chiefly responsible for Taylor-Britt’s placement. Indeed, Taylor-Britt has dropped his passer rating-against number considerably in Year 2; prior to his IR stint, the 5-foot-11 defender allowed a collective 75.1 rating as the closest defender.
With Burrow now the NFL’s highest-paid player, Taylor-Britt and Turner represent important pieces in the long term. Both 2022 draftees can be kept on rookie contracts through the 2025 season. Awuzie is playing out a contract year, while Hilton is signed through 2024. Awuzie, who returned from an ACL tear this season, had lost his job to Turner midway through the campaign. But the ex-Cowboys regular returned to a first-string role once Taylor-Britt went down.
The Bengals are close to having their top four corner options available, but at 8-7, they are still a long shot to book a playoff berth. ESPN’s FPI gives Cincy an 18.9% chance to qualify.
Browns To Sign Jeff Driskel Off Cardinals’ Practice Squad
As Joe Flacco‘s stunning resurgence has lifted the Browns to a playoff berth, injuries have still defined the team’s season at quarterback. Flacco’s backup, and Deshaun Watson‘s top reserve to start the season, Dorian Thompson-Robinson is on IR.
The Browns had brought P.J. Walker back to their 53-man roster, but they now have some additional insurance. The team signed Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals’ practice squad Friday, GOPHNX.com’s Howard Balzer tweets. Driskel will join Flacco and Walker on Cleveland’s active roster.
[RELATED: Browns Have Discussed Re-Signing Joe Flacco]
Because the Browns are poaching Driskel off another team’s P-squad, he must remain on their 53-man roster for at least three weeks. Driskel represents the latest Browns-Cardinals QB move, with the teams exchanging Josh Dobbs in August. Driskel moving from Drew Petzing‘s system to Kevin Stefanski‘s will make for a smooth transition, seeing as Petzing was the Browns’ QBs coach previously.
This will be team No. 7 for Driskel, who had been with the 49ers, Lions, Bengals, Broncos and Texans before joining the Cardinals in April. During a busy period for the Browns at quarterback, the 30-year-old passer joins a team that has two signal-callers on IR, a starter who was out of football until November and a backup who had been demoted to the practice squad.
A 2016 49ers sixth-round pick, Driskel has not thrown a pass this season. The Cards reshuffled their QB room by drafting Clayton Tune and trading for Dobbs four months later. Dobbs became Arizona’s starter, late arrival notwithstanding, and Tune his backup as Kyler Murray finished off his ACL rehab. Although the Cardinals moved on from Colt McCoy and David Blough, Driskel remained as a P-squad arm.
Driskel is just a 59.2% career passer, at 6.1 yards per attempt, and has a 1-9 record as a starter. Most of those starts came for struggling Bengals and Lions teams (2018-19), with Driskel filling in for Andy Dalton and then Matthew Stafford. He started one game for the Texans last season. It is unclear if the Browns will want Driskel as their backup, but Walker has completed just 48.6% of his passes (6.1 Y/A), regressing from his Panthers form.