Thanksgiving week is here, but the NFL isn’t taking any time off.
While we have three games on Thursday and another on Friday, let’s take a look at all the latest happenings around the league as we enter the holiday season and the home stretch of the regular season.
Daniels returns to practice, unlikely for Broncos
Jayden Daniels returned to practice for the Washington Commanders on Monday after missing the past two games with a dislocated left elbow, but coach Dan Quinn said the reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is unlikely to play next weekend against the Denver Broncos.
Daniels hurt his elbow in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2, when his non-throwing arm bent awkwardly as he braced himself while being tackled in the fourth quarter. Washington already was down by 31 points at the time, and Quinn acknowledged the next day that it was a mistake to still have his starting QB in the game. Tests showed that Daniels tore ligaments in the elbow but did not need surgery.
Washington is 1-4 with backup Marcus Mariota starting at quarterback. He has thrown for seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
Also back on the field for the Commanders were starting receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown. McLaurin has missed seven of the past eight games with a quad injury; Brown has missed all but two games this season and has been on injured reserve since Oct. 15 with a groin injury. Washington opened Brown’s 21-day practice window on Monday.
Minnesota placed McCarthy in concussion protocol, putting his availability for the upcoming game against the Seahawks in question. McCarthy first reported symptoms during the team’s travel home from its 23-6 loss against the Packers, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday. The medical staff made the decision to put him in protocol after returning to Minnesota, O’Connell said. O’Connell declined to answer specific questions about the severity or nature of McCarthy’s symptoms. He did not rule McCarthy out for this Sunday but said rookie backup Max Brosmer would step in with the first-string offense in practice this week until or unless McCarthy is cleared.
With 10th-year veteran Carson Wentz out for the rest of the season following shoulder surgery, the only other quarterback on Minnesota’s roster is John Wolford, a 30-year-old journeyman on the practice squad. McCarthy has started and appeared in just six games in 2025, as he was at first limited by an ankle injury suffered in Week 2 that kept him out until Week 9. In the four games since his return, McCarthy has seven interceptions against four touchdowns, with a 52.5% completion rate and 628 passing yards. The Vikings (4-7) are last in the NFC North.
K Justin Tucker gets first tryout since suspension, Ravens release
The Saints will host the ex-Ravens kicker for a tryout this week, NFL Media reported. It’s Tucker’s first tryout since Baltimore released him in May, which came months after 16 massage therapists accused Tucker of sexual misconduct. Tucker received a 10-game suspension from the league in June after its investigation into the matter. He became eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 11. Tucker, 36, is one of the most accomplished kickers in NFL history. He has been named first-team All-Pro five times and set numerous franchise records over his 13 seasons with the Ravens, but he also struggled in his final season in Baltimore, making a career-low 73.3% of his kicks in 2024.
The Saints, meanwhile, could be on the search for a new kicker after Blake Grupe missed two more kicks in their loss to the Falcons on Sunday. Grupe has made just 69.2% of his kicks this year.
Giants fire defensive coordinator Shane Bowen
The Giants are making another coaching change, letting go of Bowen on Monday morning following the team’s 34-27 overtime loss to the Lions on Sunday, NFL Media reported. Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen will reportedly serve as the interim defensive coordinator. New York’s switch came after it blew another 10-point lead in a road game this season, marking the fifth time it has done that this year. The Giants also gave up 494 yards to the Lions, negating the 517-yard day they had on offense to fall to 2-10 on the season.
Following Sunday’s games, New York ranks 30th in total defense, giving up 385 yards per game this season. It’s also 30th in scoring defense, allowing 27.8 points per game. The move also comes two weeks after the Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has served as the interim coach, with the Giants making two strong upset bids against the Packers last week before Sunday’s loss to the Lions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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