Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Doubtful; Mark Andrews Signs Ravens Extension

Following a poor offensive showing on Sunday, where they suffered a shutout to the Seattle Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings are hopeful that their starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, will return from concussion protocol this week to play against the Washington Commanders.

McCarthy took full part in Wednesday’s practice session, making it likely he’ll participate in Sunday’s game.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Monday that McCarthy exhibited no symptoms after missing Week 13 and that he needed to complete a full practice to be fully cleared from the concussion protocol. This was accomplished on Wednesday.

Mark Andrews is set to continue his career with the Ravens. The team declared on Wednesday that the three-time Pro Bowl tight end has consented to a three-year extension with the Ravens.

According to several reports, Andrews’s revamped contract is worth $39.3 million, featuring $26 million in guaranteed money.

Andrews has been recognized as the fifth tight end to lead a franchise in receiving yards this season, surpassing Ravens wide receiver Derek Mason on the team’s career leaderboard, thereby breaking a 15-year-old record.

However, the wideout shared a light moment with Ja’Marr Chase.

Jayden Daniels had limited involvement in Wednesday’s practice, mirroring his participation from the preceding week before sitting out the Commanders’ match against the Seattle Seahawks. He has now been absent for three consecutive games for Washington, accumulating a total of six missed games this season.

Amon-Ra St. Brown may have the opportunity to participate in Thursday night’s game. The Detroit Lions’ crucial wide receiver is officially listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys.

St. Brown exited last week’s game against the Packers prematurely because of a sprained ankle and has not yet practiced this week. Although his status remains uncertain, Lions coach Dan Campbell remains positive.

“I’m certain that if he’s capable of playing, he will,” Campbell stated on Tuesday, as reported by ESPN. “That’s the clearest way to put it.”

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who underwent surgery on Monday on his non-throwing hand, will not be practicing on Wednesday, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Herbert’s participation in Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles remains uncertain.

However, Harbaugh mentioned that Herbert hasn’t “missed a step,” according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim.

Green Bay has contracted defensive lineman Jordon Riley from the New York Giants’ practice squad, and he will immediately join the 53-man roster. Riley is a third-year professional who was initially drafted in the seventh round by the Giants. He has appeared in 21 career games, amassing 20 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 QB hit.

The Minnesota Vikings are commencing the 21-day assessment period for running back Ty Chandler. The fourth-year running back has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in Week 1 against Chicago. Chandler was originally picked in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Minnesota and has participated in 38 games, rushing for 663 yards and three touchdowns.

Minnesota has also onboarded undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver Joaquin Davis to the practice squad.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have enlisted defensive lineman Matt Dickerson to the team’s active roster from the practice squad. Dickerson has been associated with five teams and is currently in his seventh NFL season.

Jacksonville has also enrolled wide receiver Austin Trammell in the practice squad.

Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons will be placed on injured reserve following surgery on his left wrist, according to head coach Andy Reid on Wednesday.

Simmons, a first-round selection by the Chiefs this year, had previously been absent for four games this season due to an unspecified family concern.

Furthermore, according to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, right tackle Jawaan Taylor (left tricep) and right guard Trey Smith (right ankle) are not anticipated to practice on Wednesday.

The Green Bay Packers enlisted cornerback Shemar Bartholomew to the practice squad on Tuesday and released cornerback Tyron Herring and wide receiver Michael Woods from the practice squad.

The Minnesota Vikings discharged quarterback Desmond Ridder from the practice squad on Tuesday. Ridder was a third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

The Cleveland Browns have officially assigned quarterback Deshaun Watson to return to practice. This assignment initiates a 21-day timeframe for the team to evaluate Watson’s health status for possible activation. Since the trade from Houston to Cleveland, Watson has participated in just 19 games, mainly due to an 11-game suspension imposed by the NFL in response to multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and injuries.

Upon being traded to the Browns during the 2022 offseason, Watson entered into a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million.

Aiyuk has remained on the physically unable to perform list for the entire season due to a knee injury dating back to October 2024. According to The Athletic, the Niners have nullified the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s four-year, $120 million contract for 2026, reportedly due to discontent over his inadequate communication and attendance while remaining out with the injury.