NFL Player News

The former sixth-rounder from Iowa hasn’t appeared in a live NFL game.

That’s two straight full practices for Daniels, who is all but a lock to start in the Commanders’ NFC Wild Card Game against the Buccaneers. Daniels was pulled from the second half of the Commanders’ Week 18 win over the Cowboys due to the quad injury, but that appears to be a minor issue. There’s no concern about Daniels’ availability at this time.

The Saints become the first team to interview Kafka during this coaching cycle. A third-year offensive coordinator for the Giants, Kafka’s underwhelming quarterback situation doesn’t appear to have cost him this coaching cycle, as the Bears also hope to speak with the former backup quarterback. Kafka met twice with the Seahawks last offseason before they decided to hire Mike Macdonald. Whether it’s with the Saints or another team, Kafka appears to be on the verge of landing a head coaching gig sooner or later.

Palmer missed Week 18’s game against the Raiders with the same injury and could not get on the practice field this week. Palmer has caught 39 passes for 584 yards and one touchdown this season, and will now look to get right for the divisional round should the Chargers advance past the Texans on Saturday.

Townsend has served as a defensive backs coach for six NFL teams since 2011. He took on defensive passing game coordinator responsibilities as well while with the Jaguars from 2022-2023 before spending the 2024 season with the Lions in similar roles. The Lions’ defense has played well despite suffering myriad injuries this season, no doubt impressing head coaches across the league.

Johnston was a limited participant in two of three practices this week. If he’s active, the Chargers’ second-year receiver could see a slight increase in targets this weekend after Josh Palmer (foot) has already been ruled out. Johnston erupted for 13 catches for 186 yards in the Chargers’ Week 18 win over the Raiders and end the regular season with a line of 55-711-8.

Dobbins was limited in practice throughout the week, but this may have been more of a precautionary measure as the team prepares for their first game of the postseason. Over the final two weeks of the regular season, Dobbins rushed 37 times for 139 yards and one touchdown. He should be able to handle the majority of the Chargers’ backfield touches come Saturday, barring any setback.

The Seahawks are beginning anew with the offense, having fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after his first season coaching in the NFL. Kubiak’s successes and failures are difficult to determine, given the Saints’ poor 2024 health but early-season signs were promising. Kubiak smartly employs motion pre-snap though he tends to run a slower-than-normal offensive pace. Fowler also notes that Kubiak “could be a player” for the Browns’ vacant offensive coordinator position.

Saleh was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017-2020 and parlayed his success as a coordinator into the Jets head coaching job. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that the 49ers are interested in interviewing Saleh for their defensive coordinator vacancy, with Josina Anderson going so far as to report that the 49ers plan to make an offer to Saleh before an interview was even announced. Saleh will logically be considered the favorite to land this gig, but he also has head coaching interviews lined up with both the Jaguars and Raiders.

Jones was promoted to the Vikings’ 53-man roster earlier this week. Mullens has served as the backup to Sam Darnold all season, but when asked if Jones or Mullens would serve as the QB2 behind the Darnold, O’Connell opted not to say. The hope for all involved is that we don’t need to find out the answer on Monday when the Vikings take the field against the Rams. Darnold isn’t at risk of missing the NFC Wild Card game against the Rams, and meaning the only way we would see Jones or Mullens is if Darnold were to suffer any injury.

Willis and Jordan Love (elbow) both practiced in full today, which is the good news this team needed after leaving Week 18 fairly banged up. Love should be good to go, barring a setback, but Willis appears to be ready to step in if need be.