Injuries to monitor after Week 14

Each week of the NFL season, Yardbarker will be monitoring players who have suffered notable injuries. Here are five we’re tracking after Week 14:

In the Colts’ road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jones suffered a non-contact Achilles injury in his right leg after throwing a pass and was subsequently ruled out of the game. He finished 5-of-7 passing for 60 yards and one interception.

Following Indianapolis’ 36-19 loss, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jones will undergo surgery for a torn Achilles.

Without Jones, the Colts’ chances of winning the AFC South may evaporate. Indianapolis (8-5) now sits second in the division behind Jacksonville (9-4) after losing three straight games.

The Colts don’t have another proven starting QB on the roster. Rookie QB Riley Leonard — a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame — finished 18-of-29 passing for 145 yards and one interception. Third-year QB Anthony Richardson, pick No. 4 in the 2023 NFL Draft, is still on injured reserve because of an orbital fracture and isn’t expected to return soon.

In Washington’s road game against the Minnesota Vikings, Daniels — who had missed three straight games — re-injured his left elbow in the third quarter. He suffered the injury after being drilled by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who was blocking for linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel on an interception return. 

After Washington’s 31-0 loss, head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels could’ve returned had the game been closer. Ertz’s injury, however, may be more significant.

Late in the third quarter of Sunday’s game, the TE — who had one reception for 11 yards against Minnesota — injured his right knee after a low hit from Vikings safety Jay Ward. He cried while being carted off the field. Quinn said the Commanders fear Ertz tore his ACL.

The injuries to Daniels and Ertz make Washington’s season even more of a letdown. After making the NFC Championship Game last season, the Commanders (3-10) have been eliminated from the playoffs. 

After cutting his right hand in the first half of a home game against the Denver Broncos, Smith exited because of a right shoulder issue. The QB completed 13-of-21 passes for 116 yards and one TD. 

“[Smith’s shoulder is] just kind of jammed up right now,” Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said following Vegas’ 24-17 loss, via the team’s website. “The early indications that they were able to get didn’t show any damage. His shoulder is really locked up. So, we’ll see what that means.” 

If Smith misses time, the Raiders (2-11) would turn to an experienced backup QB, Kenny Pickett. The 20th pick of the 2022 draft had a 15-10 starting record in his first three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Against Denver, Pickett looked solid when replacing Smith. He went 8-of-11 passing for 97 yards and one TD. 

Taylor exited with a groin injury in the first quarter of the Jets’ home game against the Miami Dolphins. He finished 1-of-4 passing for six yards and tossed one interception. Head coach Aaron Glenn is unsure whether he’ll play in Week 15 against Jacksonville on the road. 

“It’s tough, especially the way that [Taylor has] been getting these guys involved and the way that he’s been working with these guys, trying to build a rapport,” the coach told the media postgame. “For him to have to leave that early in the game, it’s always tough. We’ve got to get him healthy.” 

QB Justin Fields — who was benched for Taylor — didn’t play Sunday because of soreness in his knee. Instead, the Jets turned to QB Brady Cook, an undrafted free agent out of Missouri. He completed 14-of-30 passes for 163 yards but threw two interceptions in a 34-10 Jets loss.

If Taylor and Fields were both unavailable, Cook may make his first start in Week 15, which wouldn’t be ideal. Entering Sunday, the Jaguars ranked 10th in the league in points allowed (20.9).