NFL news: Lamar Jackson sits out practice due to ankle injury, Jayden Daniels fully participates in preparation for Week 14

As NFL teams prepare for Week 14, several injury situations are shaping the lineup for key matchups. This Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a top-tier AFC North clash.

The Ravens recently secured tight end Mark Andrews with a three-year contract extension reportedly worth $39.3 million. However, quarterback Lamar Jackson missed Thursday practice due to an ankle injury, continuing a trend of limited participation over the past month. If Jackson is unavailable against the Steelers, backup Tyler Huntley is expected to start.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels returned to full practice on Thursday, recovering from a severe elbow injury sustained in Week 9. His participation raises hopes for ending Washingtons seven-game losing streak when they face the Minnesota Vikings.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans returned to practice after a clavicle injury sustained in October, entering his 21-day practice window. Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was designated to return to practice, allowing the team a 21-day period to evaluate his readiness.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced that rookie left tackle Josh Simmons will be placed on injured reserve following wrist surgery. Simmons had previously missed four games this season due to personal reasons.

Other notable updates include:

• Arizona Cardinals wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) and Greg Dortch (chest) missed consecutive practices ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Rams.
• Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was officially active for Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys despite an ankle injury.
• Atlanta Falcons wideout Drake London continued to sit out practice due to a knee injury.
• Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt returned fully to practice after managing a toe injury.
• Washington Commanders activated defensive end Drake Jackson from injured reserve after recovering from a torn patellar tendon.
• Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter will miss at least one game after shoulder treatment but is not expected to be placed on injured reserve.
• Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is expected to play against the Lions after recovering from calf and knee issues.
• Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy fully participated in practice, returning from concussion protocol ahead of the Commanders matchup.
• Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert did not practice due to recent hand surgery; his status for Monday nights game against the Eagles is uncertain.
• Green Bay Packers signed defensive lineman Jordon Riley off the New York Giants practice squad for the 53-man roster.

Injury Update: Key Players' Status Ahead of Week 14 Matchups

As Week 14 approaches, injury updates continue to shape the landscape for crucial NFL matchups. Teams are closely monitoring their rosters, with several key players dealing with injuries that could impact their performance on Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson is once again a concern as he missed Thursday's practice due to an ankle injury. This marks the latest in a series of limited practice sessions for Jackson over the past month. If Jackson remains unavailable for the upcoming AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley is expected to take the reins. The Ravens' offensive game plan may need to adjust accordingly, as Huntley does not offer the same dynamic playmaking ability as Jackson.

Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders are seeing a boost in their quarterback situation with Jayden Daniels returning to full practice. After a lengthy recovery from an elbow injury suffered in Week 9, Daniels’ return raises hopes for snapping Washington’s seven-game losing streak. His availability against the Minnesota Vikings could give the Commanders a much-needed spark.

In other updates, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are welcoming back wide receiver Mike Evans after his clavicle injury. Evans' return marks a critical moment for the Bucs as they push toward the playoffs. On the other hand, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been designated to return to practice, signaling the team’s intent to evaluate his readiness for future games after his lengthy absence.

Elsewhere around the league, the Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with a blow to their offensive line with rookie left tackle Josh Simmons undergoing wrist surgery. His placement on injured reserve leaves the team without a key contributor for at least the next few weeks. The Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and other teams also have injury concerns, with some players, such as Marvin Harrison Jr. and T.J. Watt, working to return to full health before their respective matchups.

With several teams facing injury issues, Week 14 will be critical not only for playoff positioning but also for seeing how these injuries affect team dynamics and performances on the field.

Sources:

• NFL news, injury updates: Lamar Jackson misses practice with ankle injury, Jayden Daniels a full participant ahead of Week 14

Author: Olivia Parker
Olivia Parker is a journalist and editor with over 8 years in media. She focuses on culture, arts, and social issues, skilled in feature writing and critical reviews.