Dolphins Activate Myles Gaskin And Salvon Ahmed
Ahead of their game against the Jets on Sunday, the Dolphins will have two of their top three running backs available. Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed have been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 
The move makes both players eligible to play against the Jets; Jackson adds that, “at least one, if not both, likely would play on Sunday”. Miami’s other options at the position include veterans Malcom Brown and Duke Johnson, as recent acquisition Phillip Lindsay remains in isolation due to COVID-19 protocol.
Gaskin has been the lead back for the Dolphins this season, posting 526 yards and three touchdowns on 154 carries, adding 45 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game. The 24-year-old’s 3.4 yards per carry have left the Dolphins wanting more from the ground game, though, leading to moves such as claiming Lindsay in November. Ahmed, meanwhile, has chipped in 266 total scrimmage yards in his second season in Miami.
Their return would be welcome against the Jets in particular, as New York has allowed just under 139 yards per game on the ground. That, coupled with the upcoming absence of standout rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, should lend itself to plenty of rushing opportunities on Sunday.
Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DB Michael Joseph
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB John Brannen
- Released: P Drue Chrisman
Washington Football Team
- Placed on COVID-19 list: RB Wendell Smallwood
Browns Place RB Kareem Hunt, Seven Others On Reserve/COVID-19 List
The Browns have placed more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including running back Kareem Hunt. The team announced that the following players have landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list:
S Grant Delpit- LB Tony Fields II
- CB A.J. Green
- S Ronnie Harrison Jr.
- RB Kareem Hunt
- QB Case Keenum
- LB Jacob Phillips
- LB Mack Wilson
In his third season with the Browns, Hunt has totalled 386 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with an additional 174 yards on 22 catches in eight games. The 26-year-old has been a key member of the Browns’ backfield alongside Nick Chubb, helping the team average 143.5 rushing yards per game, ranking fourth in the NFL.
The team also announced that offensive assistant coach T.C. McCartney has tested positive for COVID-19. We learned earlier today that the NFL was pushing Saturday’s game between the Browns and Raiders to Monday.
Meanwhile, Cleveland activated linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. from the reserve/COVID-19 list, and they’ve signed quarterback Kyle Lauletta to the active roster off the Jaguars practice squad. Lauletta, 26, has appeared in just two NFL games. Both were with the Giants in 2018, where he went 0-for-five with one interception. He has since spent time on the Eagles’, Falcons’ and Browns’ practice squads, only going to Jacksonville’s after being waived at the end of August.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/21
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Andy Dalton and CB Duke Shelly
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Elijah Wilkinson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: QB Kyle Lauletta, QB Jake Dolegala (story)
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Cedrick Wilson
Detroit Lions
- Placed on Injured Reserve: TE T.J. Hockenson
Houston Texans
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Justin McCray
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: LB Malik Jefferson
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: G Jamil Demby, DB Grant Haley, TE Tyler Higbee, LB Justin Lawler
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 List: RB Mark Ingram
New York Giants
- Promoted: DT David Moa
Washington Football Team
- Signed: QB Garrett Gilbert (story)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Daniel Wise
WFT To Sign QB Garrett Gilbert
The hits just keep on comin’. One day after placing Kyle Allen on the COVID-19 list, the Washington Football Team has done the same with quarterback Taylor Heinicke, per a club announcement. In desperate need of a signal caller, Washington has signed Garrett Gilbert to potentially start on Sunday against the Eagles. 
[RELATED: NFL Updates COVID-19 Protocols]
The NFL’s revised protocols could conceivably allow Heinicke and Allen to dress this week. But, with a little over 48 hours between now and kickoff, Washington had to act fast. Enter Gilbert, a 30-year-old journeyman with just seven pro appearances on his resume.
Gilbert’s lone start came with the Cowboys last year, a Week 9 loss to the Steelers. That too was a desperation move. Dak Prescott was injured, Andy Dalton was parked on the COVID-19 list, and youngster Ben DiNucci was coming off of a rough performance in Week 8. Gilbert finished the game 21-of-38 for 243 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
At 6-7, Washington still has a path to the playoffs. Their fate may rest in the hands of Gilbert or one of their practice squad QBs, either Kyle Shurmur or Jordan Ta’amu.
Browns To Sign QBs Kyle Lauletta, Jake Dolegala
The Browns are set to sign quarterbacks Jake Dolegala and Kyle Lauletta, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic (on Twitter). They’ll provide badly-needed insurance this week as Baker Mayfield and backup Case Keenum remain on the COVID-19 list.
[RELATED: Browns To Start Mullens At QB]
The Browns have upwards of 20 players on the COVID list, so there will be more moves to come. They’re currently expected to use Nick Mullens as their starter for tomorrow’s game against the Raiders with Dolegala and Lauletta in reserve.
Lauletta, who is being plucked from the Jaguars’ taxi squad, spent the summer with the Browns. To date, the 26-year-old has just two appearances on his resume, both with the Giants in 2018. Dolegala, 25, has never seen live action in the NFL.
The league’s updated COVID-19 protocols could allow Mayfield, Keenum, and other Browns players to suit up tomorrow. Of course, their availability will still hinge on their symptoms (or, lack thereof), vaccination status, and other factors.
Rams Place LB Von Miller, Eight Others On Reserve/COVID-19 List
The Rams have placed nine more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including linebacker Von Miller. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), the following players have been sidelined:
T Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
- DB Antoine Brooks Jr.
- G Bobby Evans
- DB Jake Gervase
- LB Von Miller
- LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
- DB Kareem Orr
- LB Troy Reeder
- LB Christian Rozeboom
The Rams are now up to 25 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. While the organization will surely activate some players prior to Sunday’s game against the Seahawks, they’ll still have a long list of absences for the contest. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wideout Odell Beckham are among the other Rams players who were already stashed on the list.
Yesterday, commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL wasn’t planning on postponing or cancelling any upcoming games. The Browns and WFT are among the other teams that are dealing with more than 20 players on the COVID list.
Bengals Place Riley Reiff On IR
The Bengals have placed Riley Reiff on the injured reserve list, per a club announcement. In a related move, they’ve also placed cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Reiff, who just turned 33, has started in all 12 of his games for the Bengals this season. While he’s never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, he’s been a solid protector for the Bengals, just as he has been throughout his career. He didn’t live up to his five-year, $58.75MM contract with the Vikings, but the Bengals were happy to pick him up this past spring. As of this writing, Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the 50th best tackle in the NFL out of 82 qualified players.
For now, Jonah Williams (PFF’s No. 22 ranked OT) will play with Isaiah Prince on the opposite side. The nature of the injury is not yet clear, but Reiff could potentially return after three weeks on the sidelines.
With a record of 7-6, the Bengals still have a 30% chance of making the playoffs and an 18% chance of winning the AFC North, per Five Thirty Eight. They’ll look to increase those odds this week — sans Reiff — with a win over the Broncos.
Lions’ T.J. Hockenson Done For Year
T.J. Hockenson‘s season is over. The Lions tight end underwent thumb surgery on Thursday morning that will rule him out for the remainder of 2021 (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). He’ll be placed on injured reserve this week and focus on his recovery for 2022. 
[RELATED: Lions’ Jacobs Done For Year]
Hockenson isn’t a stranger to IR, having lost a chunk of his rookie season to an ankle injury. That year, he finished out with 32 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns. Then, last year, Hockenson tallied 67 catches for 723 yards and six touchdowns across a full 16-game slate. This year, even as the Lions have slumped, the Pro Bowler has amassed a solid 61/583/4 line in 12 games.
“It’ll be fine,” Hockenson said last week, before today’s news broke (via the Detroit Free Press). “No worries here.”
Hockenson was Jared Goff‘s favorite target throughout the year. Now, the Lions’ offense will have to look elsewhere for support in the passing game. Life without Hockenson starts this Sunday against the Cardinals.
WFT Signs Akeem Spence
The Washington Football Team has signed defensive tackle Akeem Spence, per a club announcement. Meanwhile, they’ve also placed safety Kam Curl, center Keith Ismael, and center Tyler Larsen on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. 
Washington now has 21 players on the COVID-19 list, which could leave them severely shorthanded this Sunday against the Eagles:
- DT Jon Allen
- QB Kyle Allen
- CB Troy Apke
- DE William Bradley-King (practice squad)
- S Kam Curl
- LB Milo Eifler
- S Darrick Forrest
- CB Kendall Fuller
- TE Temarrick Hemingway (practice squad)
- LB Khaleke Hudson (also on IR)
- DT Matt Ioannidis
- C Keith Ismael
- C Tyler Larsen
- T Cornelius Lucas
- LB David Mayo
- TE Sammis Reyes
- DT Tim Settle
- WR Cam Sims
- DE James Smith-Williams
- DE Montez Sweat (also on IR)
- DE Casey Toohill
With that, it seems likely that Spence will see some playing time this week. If he does, it’ll mark the veteran’s first action of 2021. To date, he has 10.5 sacks and 204 total tackles across eight seasons in the league.