NFL Player News

Taylor had a touchdown on an untouched 41-yard gallop in the third quarter before a video review showed he dropped the football at the one yard line, before breaching the goal line. It was a devastating turn for a Colts team that would have taken a two-possession second half lead and were instead blown out, 31-13. Taylor’s gaffe could very well cost the Colts a trip to the playoffs, depending on how the final few weeks of the regular season unfold for the Colts and their AFC rivals. Taylor dominated touches in the Indy backfield, accounting for 22 of 24 running back rushing attempts on the day. He’ll be a top-15 option in Week 16 against Tennessee.

Bills GM Brandon Beane told reporters last week that Allen might undergo offseason foot surgery. He suffered the foot injury in Week 16 but played through it, seemingly without issue, through the team’s playoff run. Allen, however, is no stranger to gritting his teeth through injuries, so it may have been a bigger deal than his play let on. Either way, the extra medical equipment he was sporting today suggests an offseason is definitely on the table.

Simmons originally interviewed for the Steelers’ defensive coordinator vacancy, but that role went to Patrick Graham. Now Simmons will reunite with Graham and head coach Mike McCarthy. Simmons got his start as a coach in Green Bay and wound up spending nearly a decade there. He has since held the title of defensive pass game coordinator for the Panthers, Raiders, and Commanders.

Leonhard was an NFL safety for 10 years, including a season with the Ravens, before becoming a coach. He coached college ball, primarily at Wisconsin, for eight years before joining the Broncos. With Denver’s defense emerging as one of the league’s best units over the past two seasons, Leonhard now has multiple teams reaching out to him about their defensive coordinator vacancies. He also has an interview with the Bills lined up. Leonhard would join Jesse Minter, another rising star among defensive coaches, if he lands the Baltimore job.

If that seems random, it’s less so than it appears on the surface, as O’Leary served as the Bolts’ safeties coach in 2024. O’Leary apparently earned internal raves for his 2024 work with Derwin James, then went on to coordinator one of the nation’s best scoring defenses at Western Michigan. Before his Chargers and WMU stops, O’Leary spent six seasons at Notre Dame. It’s a somewhat outside-the-box hire, but a seemingly good one for a team tasked with replacing Jesse Minter.

Lewis is a former NFL wide receiver who spent the past three seasons as the Ravens’ wide receivers coach. He previously worked with Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi in Kansas City from 2017-2022, first as receivers coach, then as running backs coach. New head coach Robert Saleh added Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator and is now starting to build the rest of the offensive staff with Lewis’ hire.

Reich has been heavily rumored to take over as the Jets’ offensive play-caller since the team let go of offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The 64-year-old was head coach of the Colts for five seasons, followed by one season at the helm of the Panthers, making history as the first head coach to be fired midseason in back-to-back seasons. He was Stanford’s interim head coach for a bit in 2025 and is currently a senior advisor for the program. While Reich looks to be the favorite, the Jets also interviewed former Chargers OC Greg Roman, Dolphins quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, Bills quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry, and Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells for their offensive coordinator vacancy. A decision could be expected soon, though given the tumultuous nature of Aaron Glenn’s head coaching tenure, we would not be surprised if the process is lengthy.

Maye seemingly injured his right shoulder in the AFC Championship victory over the Broncos, though it does not look to be a major issue. Teams need to release practice reports on Wednesday despite it being the week before the Super Bowl, so the early injury listings should be taken with a grain of salt. However, it is encouraging news that Maye was listed as limited. The 23-year-old is not yet in jeopardy of missing the Super Bowl.

It is still the week before Super Bowl week, but teams still must release practice report estimations on Wednesday. The Seahawks had Darnold listed as limited due to his oblique injury, no different than his last week of practice. The oblique has not visibly hampered him and a limited listing this early before the Super Bowl indicates Darnold is still good to go.

In an appearance for ESPN Cleveland radio, Fowler said he would “expect the Browns to add” to the quarterback room in the offseason. Fowler mentioned Alabama draft prospect Ty Simpson and impending free agent Malik Willis as options to “shake up” the quarterback situation under new head coach Todd Monken. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel were underwhelming as rookies while Deshaun Watson is still in Cleveland coming off an Achilles injury and still holding a large cap hit. If Fowler’s words are any indication, we could see another name or two added to the mix this offseason.

The Eagles are still searching for their next offensive coordinator, now having interviewed the Colts’ Jim Bob Cooter both virtually and in-person. Cooter is offensive coordinator of the Colts, coaching offenses with rotating quarterbacks and Jonathan Taylor as the constant since 2023. The Eagles bringing him in for a second interview indicates Cooter is a finalist for the role.