NFL News

Evans was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 22, two days after he broke his collarbone in the Buccaneers' 24-9 loss to the host Detroit Lions.

McMillan, in turn, has been out since sustaining a neck injury during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 16.

Evans, 32, has 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown in four games this season. He had missed three earlier games with a hamstring injury.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection had a record-tying streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, a mark set by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice from 1986-96.

Drafted with the seventh overall pick by Tampa Bay in 2014, Evans is the franchise's all-time leader in catches (850), receiving yards (12,824), touchdown receptions (106) and scoring (650 points).

McMillan, who turned 24 on Sunday, made a big impact last season after fellow wideout Chris Godwin was lost for the campaign in October. McMillan had seven touchdown receptions in the final five games as a rookie and totaled 37 catches for 461 yards and eight TDs in 13 games (12 starts).

Tampa Bay selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 draft out of Washington.

The Bucs waived defensive lineman C.J. Brewer and wide receiver Ryan Miller.

Brewer, 28, had four tackles and one-half sack in five games as a reserve this season. Miller, 25, had two receptions on four targets and one TD in 13 games (three starts).

Kenny Pickett, who replaced Smith after he was hurt in a 24-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday, is reportedly in line to start against his former team.

Smith was injured during the third quarter and later gave way to Pickett at the start of the fourth quarter.

Raiders coach Pete Carroll was concerned afterward but said on Sunday that initial tests "didn't show any damage" to Smith's passing shoulder.

"It's just kind of jammed up right now," Carroll said. "The early indications that they were able to get didn't show any damage. His shoulder's really locked up. So, we'll see what that means."

Smith completed 13 of 21 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown before exiting. Pickett finished 8-of-11 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Carroll said on Tuesday that Pickett has "looked terrific in practice."

"He runs around well. He moves well. He throws the ball on the move well, which he did in the game," Carroll said. "He scrambled for a first down, I believe. I think he might have missed his first three (pass attempts) and hit seven or eight in a row. He came on really strong and finished on a good note."

Pickett, 27, is in his first season with Las Vegas. He was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in late August.

He is 10 of 14 for 105 yards and one touchdown in three games as a reserve this season.

Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.

The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

The Raiders (2-11) have lost seven straight games heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).

Smith, 35, has passed for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 interceptions. He is in his first season with the Raiders after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2023) and 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Smith has thrown for 21,791 yards, 121 touchdowns and 86 interceptions in 12 seasons for the New York Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seahawks (2020-24) and Raiders.

The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Marcus Mariota will draw back in under center for the Commanders (3-10) in place of Daniels, who landed hard on his left elbow during last Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Daniels previously dislocated his left elbow during a 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2.

Per Quinn, Daniels did not suffer structural damage to the elbow, and the Commanders -- who are eliminated from postseason contention -- are not talking about shutting him down for the season.

"As far as what decisions are ahead, we haven't gone down that road," Quinn said. "He's working really hard to get back with the guys."

Mariota replaced Daniels last Sunday and completed 2 of 4 passes for 30 yards and an interception as Washington lost its eighth straight contest.

Mariota, 32, has completed 62.9% of his passes for 1,389 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games (six starts) this season.

Daniels, 24, has connected on 60.6% of his passes for 1,262 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts this season.

He threw for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns while rushing for 891 yards and six scores last season to earn NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that the team will not activate Benson from injured reserve before his 21-day practice window expires Wednesday.

"(He) just hasn't progressed to the point that he can out there and play football right now," Gannon said Wednesday.

Benson, 23, went on IR on Oct. 1 after sustaining a knee injury late in Arizona's Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 25. He reportedly underwent meniscus surgery and was designated to return from IR on Nov. 19.

Gannon also announced that left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) will not play Sunday when the Cardinals (3-10) visit the Houston Texans (8-5).

Benson rushed for 160 yards in four games this season, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He also had 13 receptions for 64 yards.

A third-round draft pick in 2024, Benson has contributed 574 yards from scrimmage with one touchdown in his first 17 games (two starts).

Taylor is dealing with a groin issue that forced him to leave the 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. With demoted starter Justin Fields dealing with knee soreness, Cook made his NFL debut in relief of Taylor.

Cook, 24, was 14-of-30 passing for 163 yards with two interceptions and six sacks.

Glenn did not name Cook as the starter for the Jets (3-10) on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) this Sunday. The opportunity for Cook to build "continuity" with the first-team offense would be invaluable for the rookie, Glenn said.

"It will be good for him, but we'll see how this week progresses when it comes to our quarterback situation," Glenn said.

On the season, the Jets have completed 223 of 370 pass attempts (60.3%) for 1,904 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. New York is the only NFL team not to have eclipsed the 2,000-yard passing mark.

She passed away last Saturday at 30. She leaves behind three daughters.

No cause of death has been released, but foul play is not suspected, according to reports.

In 2014, she graduated from Carencro High School, where her father played football before becoming an All-American at LSU and spending 13 seasons and winning three championships with the New England Patriots.

She also is survived by her mother, Latisha Faulk, one sister, two brothers and a large extended family.

Another brother, Kevin Jr., died in infancy and her sister, Kevione, died in September 2021 at age 19. At the time, she was a student-worker for the football staff at LSU.

Since his NFL career ended following the 2022 season, Kevin Faulk has worked on the LSU staff and also was a coaching intern with the New York Giants.

After starting the season 8-2, the Eagles are 8-5 and Hurts had a quarterback rating of 31.2 with four interceptions and a fumble Monday in Philadelphia's 22-19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Is Hurts still the QB1 in Philly?

"Yeah, absolutely," Sirianni said Wednesday in an interview with 94 WIP.

Is there a chance he could be benched later this season?

"No, I think that's ridiculous," Sirianni said. "I know every time I go out in that field with Jalen Hurts as our quarterback, we have a chance to win the game. And that's something that's proven. We've won a lot of football games. We don't ever go in and assign something. This is a team game. You win together as a team. You lose together as a team.

"I know every time I walk on that field with Jalen Hurts as our quarterback we can win every game, any game that we're in."

Philadelphia remains well below league average with 13 giveaways. Hurts' fumble at Los Angeles last week was his first of the season and with four picks he has a total of six in 2025. The Eagles had 16 turnovers in 2024.

The Eagles lead the NFC East but offensive production has been a talking point most of the season, especially of late.

Since scoring 38 points in an 18-point victory over the New York Giants on Oct. 26, the Eagles are averaging 16.2 points per game. They've allowed 20 or more 10 times this season.

Indianapolis lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) for the season in their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and Monday night worked out Rivers because of injuries behind Jones.

The Colts also signed kicker Blake Grupe and quarterback Brett Rypien to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (concussion) was placed on injured reserve, and center Jimmy Morrissey also was assigned to the practice squad.

The 44-year-old Rivers was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times during his 17-season career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and Colts. He spent the 2000 season in Indianapolis and threw for more than 4,000 yards for the 12th time in 13 seasons, tossing 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the 11-5 squad.

Rivers ranks seventh in NFL history with 63,440 passing yards and sixth with 421 touchdown passes.

The Colts signed the veteran Rypien, 29, to the practice squad on Oct. 15, marking his eighth team. He has played in 11 career games (four starts), thrown for 950 yards and has four touchdowns and nine interceptions.

He will back up Riley Leonard, who assumes the starting spot from Jones. But Leonard's status won't be known until later Wednesday. Head coach Shane Steichen said Leonard, a rookie sixth-round pick, is dealing with a knee injury.

Rypien potentially could be called on Sunday for the Colts (8-5) at the Seattle Seahawks with Rivers entering the conversation for Week 16. The Colts host the San Francisco 49ers on "Monday Night Football" next week.

Grupe, 27, was signed to the practice squad on Dec. 3 and elevated for the Jacksonville games, making two field goals and an extra point. He has played in 46 career games with the Colts (2025) and New Orleans Saints (2023-25).

Ward, 29, is in the concussion protocol for the third time this season.

"I think that's what's most important, and what's most paramount right now, is how he is as human," defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said Tuesday. "Forget about the football player part of it. I just really want him to be OK and that's what's most important, dealing with all that right now.

"It's just unfortunate. I just want what's best for him and his family."

Morrissey, 27, signed with the Colts on Sept. 16 and was assigned to the practice squad. He was released after Week 13 and re-signed. The Colts are his fourth team, and he has appeared in 14 career games (four starts).

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

FanDuel Odds: Buccaneers -4.5, Total 44.5

Prop play: Falcons RB Bijan Robinson over 36.5 receiving yards (-116)

Robinson leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage and has transformed into a modern-day LaDainian Tomlinson with Zac Robinson calling plays. In the Week 1 matchup, Robinson caught six passes for 100 yards. He caught seven passes for 43 yards in the Falcons' game at Tampa last season. Target share has declined with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, making a receptions total -- 4.5 -- a far less likely winner.

About Thursday night: Even tied with the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South, it's time for the Buccaneers to get serious.

Home teams thrive in the NFL's Thursday night series, but Atlanta has won two in a row at Raymond James Stadium. With an improved pass rush sparked by rookie James Pearce -- thanks to sacks in five consecutive games he shares the team lead with 6.0 -- the Falcons go on the attack against Baker Mayfield and a passing game desperate to get healthy for the stretch run.

In two outings since injuring his left shoulder, Mayfield is averaging just 158 passing yards per game and completed a season-low 46.7% (14 of 30) of his passes in last week's loss to the lowly Saints. The veteran quarterback isn't using the injury as an excuse, but understands the offense needs to find a rhythm. The Buccaneers are averaging just 15.7 points across their last three games.

"It's the little things," Mayfield said of what needs improvement. "Whether it's me being on time with my footwork, getting the protection aligned, the depths of the routes, it all comes down to executing. It's not just one thing you can point to, it's a culmination of things. We'll get it fixed."

Bucs wideout Emeka Egbuka started the season with a bang against the Falcons in Week 1 and leads all rookies with six TD catches. As coverage slides his direction, Mayfield could have Mike Evans (collarbone) on the field for the first time in two months to help the passing game exploit the soft spots in the Falcons' secondary.

The Falcons didn't mind packing for the short trip to Florida after a beatdown at the hands of the Seahawks in Atlanta last week. The 28-point defeat (37-9) was the worst in Atlanta's eight-year history of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and largest since 2014.

Tampa Bay loaded the box to stuff the run in Week 1, and Atlanta's RB tandem combined for 48 rushing yards. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has sustained his performance through his sophomore season with a league-high 1,683 yards from scrimmage. He had six receptions for 100 yards in the Week 1 loss.

The league now has a multiyear partnership with the German city and FC Bayern Munich and the upcoming games are to be set in the soccer team's stadium, which also hosted the NFL in 2022 and 2024.

Under the agreement, the NFL will help the city to grow and develop flag football in Germany.

The NFL labeled Germany "a key market for the NFL globally, with more than 20 million fans of the game, the largest fanbase in Europe."

"Germany is of huge strategic importance for the NFL in Europe, and our return to Munich signals the league's long-term commitment to playing games in the market," said Alexander Steinforth, general manager of NFL DACH, which serves Germany, Austria and Switzerland. "As the first host of regular season games in Germany, Munich holds a very special place in the hearts of our fans and we look forward to continuing to create memorable experiences for them while building a year-round NFL presence across this city and country."

The league already has scheduled regular-season games for Germany's capital, Berlin, in 2027 and 2029.

The NFL is building its roster of international games for the upcoming seasons, and already has announced two games in London, one in Rio de Janeiro and one in Melbourne, Australia, for 2026. The Los Angeles Rams have been named the home team for the Australia game.

Germany has hosted five NFL games previously, dating back to the 2022 season.

Despite Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua vowing to keep Freeman among the highest-paid coaches in college football as NFL rumors gained steam this week, at least one sportsbook has moved Freeman to the favorite status to be the next head coach of the New York Giants.

GIANTS NEXT COACH ODDS*

Marcus Freeman (1/2) (-200)

Mike McCarthy (5/1)

Chris Shula (5/1)

Klint Kubiak (9/1)

Mike Kafka (9/1)

Jeff Hafley (10/1)

Joe Brady (12/1)

Steve Spagnuolo (12/1)

Jon Gruden (25/1)

Kevin Stefanski (33/1)

Jason Garrett (50/1)

Brian Flores (50/1)

Kevin Patullo (50/1)

Bill Belichick (66/1)

Eli Manning (66/1)

*Odds provided by SportsBetting.ag for entertainment purposes only.

Freeman, 39, led the Irish to a 10-2 record in 2025 as the encore to the national championship game appearance in January. His extended run of success caught the attention of NFL teams in February, and Bevacqua banks on others pushing toward the front of the line again to bid on the 39-year-old.

"Everybody has eyes on Marcus," Bevacqua said. "College has eyes on Marcus; NFL has eyes on Marcus. I bet Hollywood has eyes on Marcus. ... He's the absolute best coach in the country for Notre Dame, full stop, one of the greatest college coaches in the country."

The second shortest odds on the list belong to McCarthy, who would bring extensive NFL head coaching experience from his stints with Green Bay and Dallas, along with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula at +500.

Next on the list are Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Giants interim coach Mike Kafka. With the Giants at 2-11 coming off a late bye week, Kafka wasn't asked specifically about his future on Wednesday but did address his goals over the final four games of the season.

"I think what the messaging has been is really just focusing on today, focusing on this week, not look ahead four weeks in the future, just focus on how we can improve," he said.

"We have a game we have to play and getting that stuff organized. I'm lucky to have a great staff. I'm lucky to have a great group around me that can support me and kind of keep me on track. And then wherever I can, insert myself and put my fingerprint on it."

Bevacqua has had his fingerprint on headlines throughout the week, beginning with his anger at Notre Dame being left out of the College Football Playoff and saying the Atlantic Coast Conference caused "permanent damage" with its campaign on behalf of the league's Miami Hurricanes.

That led to the sportsbook creating another prop focused on Notre Dame's future with the ACC. The Fighting Irish have a football scheduling agreement with the conference in addition to 24 of their other sports participating as ACC members.

WILL ANY NOTRE DAME SPORT LEAVE THE ACC IN 2026?

--Yes (-300)

--No (+200)

In search of its fifth straight division title, Tampa Bay (7-6) will strive to avoid dropping its second consecutive game to a woeful rival when it hosts the reeling Atlanta Falcons (4-9) on Thursday.

The Buccaneers, who sit tied atop the division with the Carolina Panthers, are coming off a head-scratching home loss to the previously two-win New Orleans Saints. With another sub-.500 opponent on the horizon, the team knows it can't afford an extended lull.

"We're playing a divisional opponent and they would love nothing more than to beat us and screw up our chances," quarterback Baker Mayfield said. "Do the (Falcons) really have a lot on the line? Yeah, because they're trying to knock us out of the playoffs. It's a playoff mentality for us and we've got to expect to get their best."

In two outings since injuring his left shoulder, Mayfield is averaging just 158 passing yards per game and completed a season-low 46.7% (14 of 30) of his passes against the Saints. The veteran quarterback isn't using the injury as an excuse, but understands the offense needs to find a rhythm. The Buccaneers are averaging just 15.7 points across their last three games.

"It's the little things," Mayfield said of what needs improvement. "Whether it's me being on time with my footwork, getting the protection aligned, the depths of the routes, it all comes down to executing. It's not just one thing you can point to, it's a culmination of things. We'll get it fixed."

If any team is capable of allowing Mayfield and company to right the ship, it's Atlanta. The Falcons have dropped seven of their last eight, most recently falling 37-9 at home to the Seattle Seahawks. Atlanta's 28-point defeat was its worst in the eight-year history of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and largest since 2014.

The team secured its eighth straight losing season and will miss its eighth consecutive postseason in the process. As the year comes to a close, head coach Raheem Morris' future is uncertain amidst another disappointing campaign. Nonetheless, Morris won't allow himself to worry about his job security as the team attempts to finish the season on a high note.

"For me, that's the cost of doing business," Morris said. "You don't put yourself in positions to worry about those things. As a leader, you've got to stand up in front of people and answer the hard questions, and you've also got to stand up and be a good example for your guys in how you go and finish things."

Quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown for 192 yards per game in four starts in place of the injured Michael Penix Jr. The oldest player in the Atlanta locker room, Cousins acknowledges the need for a vocal leader during the team's rough stretch, but also knows the on-field performance is paramount.

"I think saying things has merit. I think doing things has probably more merit," Cousins said. "It's more about how you practice, how you prepare, how you play on Thursday night is really what it comes down to."

Cousins hasn't had the benefit of throwing to the team's leading receiver. Drake London hasn't played since Nov. 16 as he deals with a knee injury. London was a non-participant in practice on Monday.

On the Tampa Bay sideline, six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans could return to the field for the first time since suffering a broken collarbone on Oct. 20. He was listed as limited on Monday's injury report.

The Browns also signed defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr. to the practice squad while defensive end Ochaun Mathis and linebacker Mark Robinson were released from the practice squad.

Ford, 26, has not played more than 17 snaps in a game since Week 6 when he was slowed by a hamstring injury. In 13 games (no starts) this season, he has 73 yards rushing on 24 carries and 26 receptions for 103 yards.

Pocic, 30, came away with an Achilles injury in Sunday's 31-29 home loss to the Tennessee Titans. He started in all 13 games he played this season and has 97 starts in 114 games over nine seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and Browns.

The franchise last picked first overall in 2007, selecting infamous bust JaMarcus Russell, but eight times has drafted in the top 10 since taking the LSU quarterback over Pro Football Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson (Lions), Joe Thomas (Browns) and Adrian Peterson (Vikings).

In a three-way tie at the bottom of the NFL standings through Week 14, the Raiders are atop the draft order based on strength of schedule.

The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants share the same 2-11 record and could jump the line to claim the first pick based on schedule strength if it comes to tiebreakers.

Head-to-head matchups on Dec. 28 might go a long way toward determining the final draft order.

There could be far more interest than usual in Nashville around the Giants-Raiders matchup Week 17, when the Titans play the Saints (3-10).

Tennessee earned a 31-29 victory over the Cleveland Browns (3-10) last week. The Giants didn't lose last week -- they were on a much-needed bye -- but haven't won since Oct. 9. Their seven-game losing streak is on the line Sunday at home against the Commanders (3-10).

New Orleans has only drafted No. 1 overall once. The Saints picked running back George Rogers in 1981.

Also in the 3-10 logjam are the Jets and Cardinals.

At 4-9, the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals are still alive for the top overall pick in 2026. However, Atlanta traded its first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2025 draft to move up and select Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce. Pearce has a share of the team lead with 6.0 sacks as a rookie.

The Rams (10-3) are not even considering the draft at this point. They can become the first NFC team to clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The first-year coach brought up in the Patriot Way under Bill Belichick is on the verge of placing New England back in the postseason for the first time since the 2021 season.

If the Patriots (11-2) beat the Buffalo Bills (9-4) at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, New England would be the first team to clinch a division this season. Even in the event of a loss or tie, there are combinations of results in Week 15 that could send the Patriots to the playoffs with three more regular-season games to go. The Patriots went 4-13 last season.

"We're just trying to play for the championship that we have available this week," Vrabel said. "It's a great testament to our players who have put us in this position. It's not going to be easy. There's a reason they've won this division five years in a row."

New England and Denver are jostling for the top seed in the AFC. The Broncos (11-2) have won 10 consecutive games and face NFC frontrunner Green Bay (9-3-1) later Sunday afternoon (4:25 p.m. ET).

The Broncos can clinch a playoff spot in the AFC with a win, or the combination of a tie and losses by either the Chargers or the AFC South's three contenders: Jacksonville, Indianapolis or Houston.

There's only one NFC team -- the Los Angeles Rams (10-3) -- with a chance to secure a playoff spot on Sunday. The Rams play the Lions (8-5) in Los Angeles in a win-and-in scenario.

Here's the complete playoff picture as it stands entering Week 15:

AFC

Division leaders

1. Denver Broncos, 11-2, 7-2 vs. AFC

2. New England Patriots, 11-2, 6-2 vs. AFC

3. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9-4l, 6-2 vs. AFC

4. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7-6, 6-3 vs. AFC

Wild-card leaders

5. Los Angeles Chargers, 9-4, 7-2 vs. AFC

6. Buffalo Bills, 9-4, 6-3 vs. AFC

7. Houston Texans, 8-5, 7-2 vs. AFC

In the hunt

Indianapolis Colts, 8-5, 6-4 vs. AFC

Baltimore Ravens, 6-7, 4-5 vs. AFC

Kansas City Chiefs, 6-7, 3-5 vs. AFC

Miami Dolphins, 6-7, 3-6 vs. AFC

NFC

Division leaders

1. Los Angeles Rams, 10-3, 5-3 vs. NFC

2. Green Bay Packers, 9-3-1, 7-2-1 vs. NFC

3. Philadelphia Eagles, 8-5, 7-3 vs. NFC

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-6, 5-4 vs. NFC

Wild-card leaders

5. Seattle Seahawks, 10-3, 6-3 vs. NFC

6. San Francisco 49ers, 9-4, 8-2 vs. NFC

7. Chicago Bears, 9-4, 6-3 vs. NFC

In the hunt

Detroit Lions, 8-5, 5-4

Carolina Panthers, 7-6, 5-3

Dallas Cowboys, 6-6-1, 3-5-1

Minnesota Vikings, 5-8, 3-5

Hampton, 25, had 10 tackles in 12 games (no starts) this season with 112 snaps on defense and 194 on special teams.

Hampton had 12 snaps on defense Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, while Desjuan Johnson played 24 snaps on the edge in his second game with Los Angeles. Johnson had six pressures and two quarterback hits.

In three seasons with the Rams, after he was a fifth-round draft pick out of Appalachian State in 2023, Hampton had 17 tackles and two passes defensed in 36 games.

Muse, 27, was added to the practice squad last month but did not appear in a game. In three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2022-24), he had one reception in 16 games (no starts).

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Metcalf is "moving in the right direction" toward suiting up for the crucial Week 15 matchup against the visiting Miami Dolphins (6-7).

Metcalf, who will turn 28 on Sunday, rejoined the team in Pittsburgh on Monday after going to a Baltimore hospital and staying in a hotel overnight following the Steelers' 27-22 win over the Ravens.

"I don't think it's going to jeopardize his availability at all, but it certainly may jeopardize his availability at the early portions of the week from a practice standpoint," Tomlin said about Metcalf's hospital stay. "Thankfully he's fine. I'm appreciative of our medical staff and how quickly they acted and making sure that he was safe and taking care of him postgame."

Tomlin cited an in-game hit that caused Metcalf to begin experiencing stomach pains, which worsened to the point the veteran receiver was removed from the team plane in Baltimore by medical personnel.

"He got hit in the abdomen or stomach in-game," Tomlin said. "I think they gave him some basic over-the-counter remedies in-game like Pepto or something like that and it got probably progressively worse after the game, so I'm appreciative of our medical experts. We just exercised an abundance of caution. We didn't want to get him in the air without having a complete understanding about what he was dealing with, and they did a good job of that."

A seven-year veteran in his first season with Pittsburgh (7-6), Metcalf posted a season-high 148 yards on seven receptions Sunday. In 13 games this season, he has 52 receptions for 753 yards and five touchdowns along with two rushes for 12 yards and a score. A second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2019 draft, Metcalf has tallied 490 catches for 7,077 yards and 53 scores.

In other Steelers injury news, offensive tackle Andrus Peat, linebacker Malik Harrison and tight end Darnell Washington are in concussion protocol. Tomlin said defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (ankle) and cornerback James Pierre (calf) might be limited in practice after suffering injuries Sunday.

Safety Kyle Dugger, who missed Sunday's game with a hand injury, might suit up Monday, Tomlin said. Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), a first-round pick in 2025, has missed the last two games, and his status for Monday is up in the air.

The banged-up Steelers were given Wednesday off by Tomlin and will practice Thursday.

A traditional recovery time following this type of surgery is six weeks, per the report.

The Bengals (4-9) are three games behind the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) with four games left.

Hendrickson, who turned 31 on Friday, last played in a game on Oct. 26 against the New York Jets.

He recorded 16 tackles and four sacks in seven games this season.

Hendrickson spent the offseason in a standoff with the Bengals over the lack of a contract extension. He officially requested a trade, but the Bengals eventually coaxed him out of a holdout posture with a $14 million raise that pushed his 2025 salary to $30 million.

Hendrickson entered 2025 with an NFL-best 35 total sacks over the previous two seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler has 81 career sacks in 117 games with the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals.

The Buccaneers also signed three-time Pro Bowl selection Jason Pierre-Paul to the practice squad and promoted fellow linebacker Nick Jackson to the active roster.

Bredeson sustained his injury during Tampa Bay's 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. His move to injured reserve will sideline him for the Buccaneers' final four games of the regular season.

Michael Jordan replaced Bredeson along the left side of the offensive line that also is missing Tristan Wirfs at tackle.

Bredeson, 27, has started all 11 games in which he has played this season. He previously missed time with a hamstring injury.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, Pierre-Paul last played with the Miami Dolphins in 2023.

Pierre-Paul, who will turn 37 on New Year's Day, has recorded 94.5 career sacks in 182 games (150 starts) with the New York Giants (2010-17), Buccaneers (2018-21), Baltimore Ravens (2022), New Orleans Saints (2023) and Dolphins (2023).

Selected by the Giants with the 15th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Pierre-Paul has recorded 631 tackles, 167 quarterback hits, 21 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, five interceptions and three defensive touchdowns while playing defensive end and outside linebacker.

Jackson, 24, has recorded one special teams tackle in two games this season. He was undrafted after spending his collegiate career split between Virginia and Iowa.

Johnson, who is leading his position in the voting for the Pro Bowl, sustained the injury during the third quarter of Arizona's 45-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Undrafted rookie Josh Fryar replaced Johnson in that game and likely would do so again this Sunday when the Cardinals (3-10) visit the Houston Texans (8-5).

Johnson, 24, has started all 12 games in which he has played this season and all 43 in his career since being selected by Arizona with the sixth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

Tony Jefferson made the game-sealing interception with 2:29 left in the extra session as the Chargers (9-4) won for the fifth time in six games.

Jalen Hurts threw a career-worst four interceptions and also lost a fumble for the Eagles (8-5), who lost their third consecutive game. Hurts committed two of his turnovers on one play, something that had never before happened, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The Chargers contributed three turnovers of their own to the sloppy affair to give the teams a combined eight for the game.

Los Angeles' Justin Herbert finished 12-of-26 passing for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception and also rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries while playing with a fractured left hand. He underwent surgery on Dec. 1.

Omarion Hampton had a scoring reception for the Chargers (9-4), who moved ahead on Dicker's go-ahead field goal with 6:24 remaining in the extra session.

The Eagles had a first down at the Chargers' 17-yard line before the final play. Hurts' throw was tipped by Cam Hart and fell into Jefferson's hands at the 1.

Saquon Barkley rushed for 122 yards and a long touchdown on 20 carries for the Eagles. Hurts completed 21 of 40 passes for 240 yards while Jalyx Hunt recorded 2.5 of Philadelphia's seven sacks.

Dicker forced overtime with a 46-yard field goal with eight seconds left. Jake Elliott had kicked a 44-yarder with 2:16 left to give the Eagles a 19-16 edge.

Barkley's 52-yard scoring run on the initial play of the fourth quarter gave Philadelphia its first lead of the night at 16-13.

Hart's interception of Hurts nearly four minutes later set up Dicker for a tying 31-yard field goal with 7:26 left in the game.

The teams combined for six first-half turnovers -- including three on one play -- as the Chargers led 10-6 at halftime.

The Chargers led 7-3 in the second quarter when Da'Shawn Hand intercepted Hurts at the Los Angeles 17 and gained seven yards before fumbling. Hurts recovered at the 33, but he fumbled and Troy Dye of the Chargers recovered at his own 43 with 8:19 to play.

The sequence set up a 45-yard field goal by Dicker to give Los Angeles a 10-3 lead with 4:55 left in the first half. Elliott booted a 30-yard field goal for the Eagles with 48 seconds remaining.

The Chargers scored the game's first points when Herbert tossed a 4-yard scoring pass to Hampton with 8:49 left in the first. Five-plus minutes later, Elliott kicked a 41-yard field goal to get Philadelphia on the board.

On Monday night, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts pulled off something that is sure to be on highlight reels for years to come -- though it won't rank as one of his best moments -- as he committed two turnovers on the same play.

With 8:30 left in the second quarter and the Eagles trailing 7-3 to the host Los Angeles Chargers, Hurts was intercepted by Chargers defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand at the Los Angeles 17. Eagles running back Will Shipley quickly chased down Hand and forced a fumble.

The ball squirted forward and back into the hands of ... Hurts. But as quickly as he could grab the ball, Hurts had the ball punched out by Chargers defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell. After the ball rolled another 10 yards in Los Angeles' favor, Chargers linebacker Troy Dye recovered the ball, bringing the chaotic play to an end.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Hurts is the first player in NFL history to turn the ball over twice on one play. He threw two more interceptions in the game.

Hurts, the 27-year-old reigning Super Bowl MVP, entered the game with only two interceptions and two lost fumbles, but the Eagles also entered the contest in the bottom 10 in the NFL in yards per game.

The Eagles began Monday in first place in the NFC East at 8-4, with the Dallas Cowboys second at 6-6-1 and the Washington Commanders and New York Giants eliminated from playoff contention.

The Washington Commanders on Monday confirmed the veteran tight end sustained a torn ACL in his right knee on Sunday when Minnesota safety Jay Ward hit a leaping Ertz while he was trying to catch a pass.

The 35-year-old Ertz was helped to a cart on the sideline, where he was emotional as teammates came to offer encouragement.

Ertz, in his 13th NFL season and his second with the Commanders, posted 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns this season. Playing on a one-year contract, Ertz is set to be a free agent with his future very much in the air.

"He has meant a lot to our team, both on and off the field," Washington coach Dan Quinn said Monday. "He's been an ideal teammate to help set a standard about habits, and so we're all bummed for him."

Ertz had yet to miss a game with the Commanders, but he missed at least six games in three of his four seasons prior to joining Washington.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia in the 2017 season. He caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 41-33 win over New England in Super Bowl LII.

His 825 career receptions are fifth all-time among tight ends. Three of the four players ahead of him -- Tony Gonzalez (1,325 catches), Jason Witten (1,228) and Antonio Gates (955) -- have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame while Travis Kelce (1,064 receptions) seems a shoo-in when he becomes eligible.

Ertz's 116 receptions for the Eagles in 2018 stands as the single-season record for tight ends.

He has 825 catches for 8,592 yards and 57 touchdowns in 181 regular-season games with Philadelphia (2012-21), Arizona (2021-23) and Washington (2024-25).

Two calls late in the game were reversed after initially being called in the Ravens' favor. Meanwhile, league officials admitted on a phone call with the Ravens Monday morning that Alex Moore's crew erred on a key penalty call.

In his Monday press conference, Harbaugh revealed that he, general manager Eric DeCosta and former referee and current Baltimore staffer Tony Michalek had spoken with the NFL's senior vice president for officiating administration Perry Fewell, as well as NFL rules analyst and former referee Walt Anderson.

Fewell admitted that game officials incorrectly called an unnecessary roughing penalty on Ravens' Travis Jones as he rushed a field goal attempt late in the second quarter. The penalty took Chris Boswell's field goal off the board and gave the Steelers first-and-goal at the 6-yard line. Pittsburgh scored a play later, hence a 13-3 deficit turned into a 17-3 hole for Baltimore.

Jones, who attempted to rush between the snapper and left guard, did make contact with long snapper Christian Kuntz, but it was not forcible contact to the head/neck area.

"That's the rule," Harbaugh said. "It's not whether you run a player over trying to block a field goal -- that has nothing to do with it. It's forcible contact to the head and neck area."

With 7:01 remaining and the Ravens trailing 27-22, Aaron Rodgers' pass was batted into the air by Baltimore's C.J. Okoye. Rodgers initially grasped the ball, but linebacker Teddye Buchanan also took hold and came away with the ball at the bottom of a pile-up at the Steelers' 32-yard line.

The officials ruled the play as an interception, but after review of the turnover, the call was reversed and Pittsburgh maintained possession. Rodgers was given credit for a minus-9-yard reception on the play.

Then, with 2:47 remaining, it appeared the Ravens had taken the lead when Lamar Jackson's 13-yard pass to tight end Isaiah Likely was ruled a touchdown on the field. Likely caught the ball, took two steps in the end zone, extended the ball, but did not get a third step down before it was jarred loose by Joey Porter Jr.

On review, officials overruled the touchdown and declared the pass incomplete.

Baltimore only advanced the ball five yards from there, turned it over on downs and could not complete the rally.

"It's about as clear as mud right now," Harbaugh said about the much-discussed end zone catch rules. "That's how I feel about it."

NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth explained to a pool reporter on Sunday that Likely needed to complete the third step, which is "an act common to the game," in order for the touchdown to stand.

Harbaugh was not satisfied with the league's explanations of the two reversals.

"It didn't clear anything up," Harbaugh said. "It didn't make it any easier to understand either one of the two calls. They're very hard to understand how they get overturned, but they did and that's where it stands."

NFL Network reported that the quarterback-starved Colts could sign Rivers -- who turned 44 Monday -- to the practice squad. He has not played since the 2020 season.

Daniel Jones, who was enjoying a resurgence in his first season with the Colts, suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon injury in Sunday's 36-19 loss at Jacksonville. Backup Riley Leonard, who replaced Jones, is dealing with a knee injury, although the 2025 sixth-round draft pick is expected to make the start at Seattle on Sunday.

Former first-round pick Anthony Richardson suffered a broken orbital bone in October and has not been medically cleared to return. Veteran Brett Rypien is on the Colts' practice squad.

After playing 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, Rivers completed his career with the Colts in 2020. He threw for more than 4,000 yards for the 12th time in 13 seasons, tossing 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the 11-5 squad.

Rivers ranks seventh in NFL history with 63,440 passing yards and sixth with 421 touchdown passes.