NFL Player News

Carolina signed Mike Boone off their own practice squad and Boone will backup Chuba Hubbard today. Velus Jones Jr. is also on the depth chart, but will likely replace Blackshear on special teams. Jadeveon Clowney (knee), Josey Jewell (hamstring), and Jaycee Horn (groin) are playing on questionable tags. Also inactive for Carolina are: S Nick Scott, CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Akayleb Evans, LB Trevin Wallace, OL Jarrett Kingston, and DT Sam Roberts.

After interviewing with the Cowboys Tuesday, Schottenheimer was brought in for a second interview, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. As the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, he has a lot of familiarity with Jerry Jones and company. ESPN’s Todd Archer reports Schottenheimer’s second set of conversations with the team ended Wednesday night. The 51-year-old is still in the mix and is the only head coaching candidate to make it to two interviews for Dallas so far. Jones has been working with familiarity in head coaching candidates with former Cowboys and current Eagles OC Kellen Moore also in the mix. The Cowboys have shown the most interest in Schottenheimer thus far.

Both Brady and Moore have given first interviews with the Saints and are coaching the Bills and Eagles offenses, respectively, in conference championship games on Sunday. The Saints are hoping to conduct second-round interviews with both candidates, adding them into a mix that includes Mike McCarthy, Anthony Weaver, and Mike Kafka. With a few of the top candidates out of the way, the Saints look to be content waiting and fleshing out their second-round options for head coach. As Joe Brady and Kellen Moore gameplan for a chance to head to the Super Bowl, a head coaching job in New Orleans is also on the horizon.

Ben Johnson has not wasted time trying to put together his staff for the Bears. His first interview request for defensive coordinator is the Rams’ Aubrey Pleasant, who was named assistant head coach prior to the 2024 season. He has bounced around coaching staffs in the NFL, spending 2017-2020 with the Rams and re-joining them in 2023. Pleasant was a key piece in helping Rams DC Chris Shula build a formidable unit and now could join the Bears as defensive coordinator, a position he has yet to hold in his coaching career.

Dawkins was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday, ahead of the Bills’ AFC Championship game bout against the Chiefs. He was listed with an illness, which does not seem serious enough to put his status for Sunday’s game in doubt. It is still notable that he did not practice, but for now, Bills fans can expect their left tackle to still play in the biggest game of the season.

Spector landed on injured reserve with a calf injury towards the end of the season. He started four games in place of Matt Milano and is now headed to a potential return with the AFC Championship game on the horizon. If Spector is indeed activated, expect him to play a reserve or special teams role. Milano (hamstring) was limited in the Bills’ Wednesday practice, but expect him to start with Spector playing behind him on Sunday.

The Eagles have played things very conservatively on the injury front in recent weeks but Jurgens’ status should be closely monitored. The talented run-blocker has earned a 70.1 PFF run-blocking grade this season, ranking 13th among NFL centers with at least 500 offensive snaps.

Baltimore also signed QB Devin Leary, WR Malik Cunningham, WR Dayton Wade, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, OL Corey Bullock, OL Darrian Dalcourt, DL C.J. Ravenell, DE Adedayo Odeleye, and LB William Kwenkeu to reserve/future deals. Miller was a late-season call-up from the Baltimore practice squad after Zay Flowers got hurt. He caught four passes for 28 yards in two playoff appearances.

Brown told reporters today he was feeling better. He has been taking Wednesdays off in recent weeks, so a limited designation, even for a walkthrough, does suggest he is trending in the right direction. Brown has totaled just 60 yards over his past three appearances, though the Eagles haven’t been forced to pass much during that stretch. If the Commanders can push Philly’s offense with some points of their own, Brown should return to form for DFS players on Sunday.

Covey is technically still on injured reserve but the Eagles activated his 21-day practice window earlier today. While he is not expected to meaningfully contribute as a wide receiver, his return to the primary punt returner role is certainly helpful.

Goedert didn’t appear limited by the ankle issue during Philly’s Divisional Round win, catching all four of his targets for 56 yards. The Eagles held a walkthrough on Wednesday, so Goedert’s status is just an estimation from the team. Thursday’s session will be more telling, but this is now a situation to monitor as we approach the Conference Championship Round. Grant Calcaterra would be in line for more snaps if Goedert can’t suit up, though we suspect this is just workload management ahead of a big game.