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NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Love Suffers Second Concussion, Ruled Out of Game; Week 17 Status Uncertain

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Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love exited Saturday's game against the Bears in the second quarter after sustaining his second documented concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit by Austin Booker. He completed 8 of 13 passes for 77 yards and added 7 rushing yards before leaving with 8:15 remaining in the first half. Love was ruled out for the remainder of the game, and his progress through concussion protocol leaves his Week 17 status against the Ravens uncertain, with Malik Willis a strong candidate to start.

Harrison (Heel) Expected to Play Sunday, Cardinals Plan to 'Ease Him Back In'

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Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison (heel), questionable for Sunday's Week 16 game against Atlanta, is expected to play, though the team plans to "ease him back in." Harrison missed the past two contests due to the heel injury but was a limited participant in all three practices this week. The second-year wideout has indicated the injury will linger, suggesting a cautious approach to his snap share, which could benefit Michael Wilson.

Cowboys' George Pickens Nears Free Agency, Seeks $30M+ Deal

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Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens is slated to be a free agent in March, prompting the team to face significant long-term decisions. Pickens is expected to command more than $30 million in annual average salary in his next deal. However, there are lingering feelings of apprehension among other front offices across the league regarding his mercurial reputation while playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to joining Dallas. His contract situation will be a key factor in the Cowboys' efforts to navigate their significantly negative 2026 salary cap.

Cowboys Face Key Decision on DT Kenny Clark's $21.5M Salary

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Dallas Cowboys DT Kenny Clark's future with the team is uncertain as the franchise faces significant long-term decisions. Clark's salary next season is a non-guaranteed $21.5 million, which includes an $11 million mid-March roster bonus, placing a decision on his future on a similar timeline as other key players. Retaining him at his 2026 salary would require devoting substantial assets along the defensive line, where Quinnen Williams and Osa Odighizuwa already have high cap numbers, contributing to the Cowboys' significantly negative 2026 salary cap.

Cowboys Activate All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs for Sunday Return

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Dallas Cowboys All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs has been activated from injured reserve, clearing him to return Sunday against the Chargers. Diggs, a two-time Pro Bowler, has been sidelined since Week 7 with a knee injury and a reported concussion, missing the last eight games. He intends to play and finish the season, seeking his first interception. Diggs is slated to make $14.5 million in base salary in 2026 plus potential bonuses, but is under scrutiny for performance and availability issues, with potential negative cap ramifications if released or traded.

Doubs Scores TD, Then Exits Game with Wrist Injury After Onside Kick Attempt

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Green Bay Packers WR Romeo Doubs is questionable to return to Saturday's Week 16 matchup against the Bears after sustaining a wrist injury. The injury occurred when Doubs attempted to field an onside kick late in the fourth quarter, which he couldn't corral, leading to a Bears recovery and game-tying touchdown. Earlier in the game, Doubs caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Malik Willis, extending the Packers' lead to 13-3 with 33 seconds left in the third quarter. With Doubs sidelined, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden are expected to see increased roles.

Croskey-Merritt Scores TD, Sees Limited Second-Half Carries

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Washington Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed eight times for 25 yards and a one-yard touchdown in Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles. He saw all eight of his carries in the first half, leading the team, but curiously disappeared in the final two quarters in favor of Chris Rodriguez. While not particularly efficient overall, he did record long gains of 13 and seven yards in addition to his touchdown. It remains unclear why Croskey-Merritt was phased out of the offense, but he appears to still have a role.

Barkley Dominates with 132 Yards, TD as Eagles Clinch NFC East Title

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Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley delivered a standout performance in Saturday's 29-18 victory over the Commanders, rushing 21 times for 132 yards and a touchdown. This marked his third 100-yard rushing game this season, highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown run and a crucial 48-yard gain. His efforts were pivotal as the Eagles clinched their second consecutive NFC East title. Barkley later emphasized the intense rivalry, stating, 'They Don’t Like Us... We Don’t Like Them,' after his significant contribution to the championship win.

Packers TE John FitzPatrick Carted Off with Non-Contact Knee Injury

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Green Bay Packers tight end John FitzPatrick was carted from the sideline after suffering a non-contact knee injury during Saturday's game. The injury occurred while FitzPatrick was run blocking on Matthew Golden's 3-yard run with 10:13 remaining in the fourth quarter. He went down grabbing his knee and was unable to get up. With FitzPatrick sidelined, the Packers are now down to Luke Musgrave as their only other active tight end, significantly impacting their depth at the position.

Samuel Logs Three Catches for 35 Yards in Loss to Eagles

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Deebo Samuel recorded three catches on four targets for 35 yards in Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles. The Washington Commanders' passing game was difficult to judge due to Marcus Mariota's early exit, and Samuel wasn't particularly impactful. He did manage a 20-yard gain, his longest reception of the contest and eighth catch of at least 20 yards this season. However, Samuel has been held to 35 yards or fewer in four of his last eight games, topping 50 yards only twice in that span.

McLaurin Limited to 53 Yards in Loss After Mariota Exit

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Terry McLaurin recorded three receptions on four targets for 53 yards in Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles. McLaurin looked poised for a solid game, logging all his receptions and yardage by halftime, including a significant 40-yard catch deep down the left sideline. However, the Washington Commanders' entire passing game became limited after Marcus Mariota (hand) was forced to exit early in the third quarter, resulting in a muted stat line. He would be a very risky fantasy option in Week 17 against the Cowboys if Josh Johnson is the starter.

Rodriguez Returns, Scores TD & Pads Stats in Commanders' Loss

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Chris Rodriguez returned from a one-game absence, rushing 15 times for 63 yards and a touchdown, and adding one reception for six yards in Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles. He tied his season-high with 15 carries and 16 touches, working in a relatively even split with Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Rodriguez padded his stats in garbage time, recording four rushing attempts for 38 yards and his touchdown on Washington's final possession. The Commanders' backfield remains ambiguous for Week 17 against the Cowboys, though Rodriguez is expected to retain a significant role.

DeVonta Smith Scores Early Touchdown in Eagles' Victory

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DeVonta Smith caught six receptions on eight targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in the Philadelphia Eagles' 29-18 win against the Commanders. He started strong, securing three receptions for 27 yards and a 5-yard touchdown from Jalen Hurts within the first 13 minutes, marking his first score since Week 10 and giving the Eagles an early lead. Despite this, A.J. Brown largely drove the Eagles' passing game, and Smith has been limited to 50 receiving yards or less in five of his last six contests.

Booker Penalized for Helmet-to-Helmet Hit on Love, Causes Concussion

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Chicago Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker was penalized for roughing the passer after delivering a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love in the second quarter. The illegal contact, which occurred on the goal line and caused Love's head to bounce off the turf, resulted in Love leaving the game for a concussion evaluation. Booker's hit directly led to Love being ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

Goedert Secures 15-Yard Touchdown in Eagles' NFC East Clinch

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Dallas Goedert contributed significantly to the Philadelphia Eagles' 29-18 victory over the Commanders, recording three receptions on three targets for 32 yards and a touchdown. His 15-yard touchdown catch from Jalen Hurts late in the third quarter put the Eagles ahead 14-10 and was crucial in their NFC East title clinching efforts. Despite a slight decrease in overall involvement, Goedert has now either surpassed 70 receiving yards or scored a touchdown in three consecutive games, highlighting his consistent impact.

Johnson Replaces Injured Mariota, Throws Interception in Commanders Loss

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Josh Johnson entered the game for the Washington Commanders after Marcus Mariota sustained a right hand injury and left for a concussion check during the 29-18 loss to the Eagles. Johnson completed 5 of 9 passes for 43 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception, adding zero rushing yards. With Jayden Daniels already sidelined for the season, Johnson is now poised to lead the Commanders' offense for the final two weeks, including a Week 17 matchup against the Cowboys. This development is anticipated to be a significant downgrade for the team's skill-position players.

A.J. Brown Rebounds With 9 Catches, 95 Yards in Eagles' Win

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown recorded an impressive nine catches on 12 targets for 95 yards in Saturday's 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders. Bouncing back from a low-target Week 15, Brown was Jalen Hurts' favorite target, logging receptions of 24, 16, and 15 yards. This performance continues a strong trend, as he has now seen double-digit targets in five of his last six games and achieved at least 95 receiving yards or a touchdown in all but one game during that span.

Greg Olsen Breaks Down Eagles' Second-Half Surge Against Commanders

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NFL analyst Greg Olsen, alongside Joe Davis, provided a detailed breakdown of the Philadelphia Eagles' 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders. Olsen specifically commented on the Eagles' revitalized second-half performance, noting how the team "came to life" to secure the win and clinch the NFC East title. His analysis focused on the key plays and strategic adjustments that led to Philadelphia's dominant finish.

Jauan Jennings Sees Increased Target Projections With Pearsall Out

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is expected to see an increase in his target projections for Monday night's Week 16 game against the Colts. This boost comes as teammate Ricky Pearsall has been officially ruled out due to aggravated knee and ankle injuries. Jennings will likely take on a more prominent role in the 49ers' passing game in Pearsall's absence.

Ricky Pearsall Ruled Out for Week 16 With Aggravated Knee, Ankle Injuries

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San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall is ruled out for Week 16 vs. Colts due to aggravated knee and ankle injuries, his seventh missed game. He re-aggravated a PCL and right knee in Week 15 from a hip-drop tackle, missing all practices. Pearsall could miss multiple games; he aims for a Week 17 return. He had 31 catches for 443 yards in eight appearances, including 6 catches for 96 yards in Week 15. His absence boosts target projections for Jauan Jennings and George Kittle.