The Jaguars will be without their leader in receptions against the Colts in Sunday’s battle for the top of the AFC South.
Wide receiver Parker Washington is inactive for the game. Washington, who leads the team with 36 catches this season, was listed as questionable to play with a hip injury.
There’s better news for Jacksonville on the other side of the ball. Defensive linemen Arik Armstead (hand) and Travon Walker (back) are both active after joining Washington with questionable tags.
Colts at Jaguars
Colts: CB Sauce Gardner, RB DJ Giddens, DE Tyquan Lewis, S Reuben Lowery, TE Will Mallory, S George Odum, T Luke Tenuta
Jaguars: WR Parker Washington, S Andrew Wingard, LB Yasir Abdullah, OL Walker Little, TE Johnny Mundt, DL Emmanuel Ogbah, DL Austin Johnson.
Dolphins at Jets
Dolphins: QB Quinn Evers, WR Tahj Washington, T Kendall Lamm, DT Matthew Butler, LB Andre Carter, CB A.J. Green
Jets: QB Justin Fields, WR Tyler Johnson, S Tony Adams, CB Ja’Sir Taylor, EDGE Braiden McGregor, DT Mazi Smith, TE Jelani Woods
Steelers at Ravens
Steelers: WR Roman Wilson, DT Derrick Harmon, S Kyle Dugger, T Calvin Anderson, DT Brodric Martin, WR Ke’Shawn Williams, QB Will Howard
Ravens: WR Devontez Walker, DT Aeneas Peebles, G Ben Cleveland, T Joseph Noteboom, QB Cooper Rush
Saints at Buccaneers
Saints: S Justin Reid, CB Rejzohn Wright, RB Alvin Kamara, T Taliese Fuaga, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DT John Ridgeway, DT Khristian Boyd
Buccaneers: QB Connor Bazelak, G Elijah Klein, S Kaevon Merriweather, CB Benjamin Morrison, DL Elijah Simmons, T Tristan Wirfs
Titans at Browns
Titans: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, S Jerrick Reed, OL Drew Moss, C Lloyd Cushenberry, DT Shy Tuttle
Browns: G Wyatt Teller, DT Adin Huntington, T Jack Conklin, TE Brenden Bates, RB Raheim Sanders, WR Jamari Thrash
Commanders at Vikings
Commanders: QB Josh Johnson, LB Ale Kaho, T Trent Scott, DE Jalyn Holmes, T George Fant, DE Drake Jackson
Vikings: QB John Wolford, S Theo Jackson, DL Levi Drake Rodriguez, G Joe Huber, T Walter Rouse, TE Ben Yurosek, DL Elijah Williams
Seahawks at Falcons
Seahawks: QB Jalen Milroe, CB Shaquill Griffin, RB Cam Akers, LB Jared Ivey, LB Connor O’Toole, OL Mason Richman
Falcons: WR Drake London, CB Cobee Bryant, RB Nathan Carter, DL Brandon Dorlus, OL Michael Jerrell, WR Casey Washington
Bengals at Bills
Bengals: QB Jake Browning, WR Jermaine Burton, TE Cam Grandy, DE Trey Hendrickson, DT Jordan Jefferson
Bills: T Spencer Brown, WR Josh Palmer, LB Terrel Bernard, DE Joey Bosa, DB Darnell Savage, DT Phidarian Mathis, OL Chase Lundt
The Jets announced on Friday that Brady Cook will be their backup quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins and they announced the roster move to make him available on Saturday.
Cook has been signed off of the practice squad, which suggests that this may not be his only week in the No. 2 role behind Tyrod Taylor. Justin Fields is going to miss the game with knee soreness that presented itself during the practice week.
Cook signed with the team after going undrafted and has not appeared in a regular season game yet this season.
The Jets also signed defensive back Jordan Clark off of the practice squad. Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball were placed on injured reserve in corresponding moves.
Defensive backs Tre Brown and Nik Needham were elevated from the practice squad to round out Saturday’s transactions.
With the temperature in New Jersey expected to be around 40 degrees on Sunday, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s record in chilly weather came up this week.
Tagovailoa is 0-7 in games when the temperature is below 46 degrees, but that poor record is mitigated by how well things have gone for him against the Jets over the course of his career. The Dolphins are 6-0 in games that Tagovailoa has started against their AFC East mates and head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the opponent rather than the weather at a Friday press conference.
“I think each team’s unique to itself. Not disregarding it, but you have to make sure opponent is the Jets not the weather,” McDaniel said. “I think we have a lot of reasons to not have any concern for elements of temperature and moisture. Realistically, these guys have all played football in those elements. It will be about playing the Jets and it won’t be about playing the cold.”
One thing that should help this Dolphins team in any kind of inclement weather is their running game. De’Von Achane was named the AFC offensive player of the month for November in recognition of his role as the centerpiece of an attack that has produced 530 yards over the team’s three-game winning streak.
The Dolphins have shown some spark by winning their last three games and they’ll be trying to extend that streak against the Jets in New Jersey on Sunday.
Their AFC East rivals won’t be the only opponent staring back at them, however. It is currently expected to be around 40 degrees when Sunday’s game kicks off at MetLife Stadium and that kind of weather has been trouble for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post notes that the Dolphins are 0-7 in games started by Tagovailoa when it is 46 degrees or lower at kickoff.
“It’s a mentality, it’s a mindset,” Tagovailoa said. “This is what we get paid to do – to play football regardless of if it’s raining, it’s snowing, it’s sleeting, it’s hot, it’s cold. Regardless, we’ve got to go out there and play and do our jobs.”
The Dolphins will be in Pittsburgh in Week 15 and they’ll close out the season in New England, so this probably won’t be the only time Tagovailoa has to face down the elements and his ability to do so will determine if the current winning streak can blossom into a real push for a playoff spot before Week 18 is in the books.
The NFL has recognized Dolphins running back De’Von Achane for his outstanding month of November.
Achane has been named AFC offensive player of the month for the first time in his career.
From Week 9 through Week 13, Achane led the league with 495 rushing yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, with three rushing touchdowns. He also tallied 17 catches for 135 yards.
Achane’s 630 yards from scrimmage led the conference during the month.
Achane was at his best during the Dolphins’ 30-13 upset victory over the Bills on Nov. 9, as he took 22 carries for 174 yards with a pair of touchdowns and caught six passes for 51 yards.
In 12 games this year, Achane has rushed for 1,034 yards with six touchdowns. He’s also caught 54 passes for 370 yards with four TDs.
