Thanksgiving weekend was also a time for the giving of various violent gestures during NFL games.
Of a whopping 31 fines levied by the league for Week 13, five were for use of the hands in a way that connotes antisocial behavior.
The league dinged Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Bucky Irving for $14,491 and $6,349, respectively, for a touchdown celebration that included the no-no “nose wipe” gesture. (They weren’t penalized for it.)
The league prohibited the “nose wipe” earlier this year.
"[The nose wipe] has gang connotations; it’s disrespectful,” NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent said when the gesture was banned. “It’s just where we are in society. Young men, they come from that era, from that age, and they’ve grown up on social media. If anybody Goggled ‘nose wipe,’ you’ll see the language that is used and where that’s affiliated. I think the players know better. I know they know better.
Also fined for violent gestures were Steelers receiver DK Metcalf ($14,491), Texans receiver Nico Collins ($14,491), and Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly ($5,722).
All fines are subject to appeal. The results of the appeals are not announced. It’s also unknown whether those who win their appeals celebrate with a nose wipe celebration.
Safety Mike Edwards is back on the active roster for Kansas City’s game against the Texans.
The Chiefs announced that they have signed Edwards off of their practice squad on Saturday. Edwards was a starter for the team during the 2023 season and returned as a free agent this spring. He signed to the practice squad in August and made his first appearance of the season against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
Edwards played for the Bills and Buccaneers last season. He had 51 tackles, an interception, two fumble recoveries, and a sack for the Chiefs in the 2023 regular season and then added 12 tackles and an interception en route to a Super Bowl title.
The Chiefs elevated guard C.J. Hanson from the practice squad and placed safety Christian Roland-Wallace on injured reserve. Running back Dameon Pierce was not elevated, so he will not play against his former team on Sunday.
Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. (chest/shoulder) and running back Woody Marks (ankle) do not have an injury designation for Sunday Night Football.
Both will play against the Chiefs after being upgraded to full participation in Friday’s practice.
Marks played 41 of 76 snaps but rushed for 64 yards on 19 carries. Anderson missed one practice last week with his injuries before playing 34 of 54 snaps against the Colts.
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter (foot) is questionable after returning to practice on a limited basis.
The Texans ruled out linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring) and safety Jaylen Reed (forearm).
Already without their starting left tackle, the Chiefs are also now unlikely to have their starting right side of the offensive line when they play the Texans on Sunday.
Kansas City is listing right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor as doubtful for Week 14.
Neither Smith (ankle) nor Taylor (triceps/knee) was able to practice this week.
While head coach Andy Reid told reporters at his Friday press conference that the club was waiting to see about Smith and Taylor’s availability, players will rarely suit up once they’ve been listed as doubtful.
Left tackle Josh Simmons went on injured reserve earlier this week after undergoing surgery to repair his dislocated wrist.
Reid said earlier this week that Wanya Morris would take over at left tackle and Jaylon Moore would play right tackle in the event Taylor was out. Mike Caliendo started at right guard in place of Smith last week.
Additionally, cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace (back) has been ruled out after he did not practice all week. Nikko Remigio (shoulder) was limited on Friday after being full for Wednesday and Thursday, and has also been ruled out.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), safety Bryan Cook (ankle), tight end Noah Gray (concussion/shoulder), safety Jaden Hicks (shoulder) defensive end George Karlaftis (thumb), running back Isiah Pacheco (knee), and receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring) are all off the injury report and set to play.
The Texans placed defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. on injured reserve on Thursday.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC reports that Settle will undergo season-ending foot surgery.
In 12 games, Settle totaled 15 tackles, a sack and three passes defensed.
The Texans claimed cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram off waivers from the Bills in a corresponding move.
Starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter (foot) has missed both days of practice this week.
Ingram signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2022, and he played seven games for Buffalo this season. Ingram has six tackles this season and 33 for his career. He also has totaled a sack, four passes defensed and two interceptions in his four-year career.
