Notebook on the latest news surrounding the Washington Commanders ahead of the week 14 matchup at Minnesota:
Week 16 matchup set
The Commanders will hit the road this weekend for the final game against a non-divisional opponent in 2025 when they face Minnesota, but they got schedule news on Tuesday afternoon with the week 16 matchup officially set.
Washington will now kickoff against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 20 for a 5 PM kickoff. The divisional matchup was flexed into the afternoon slot with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears set to kick off at 8:20 PM on Dec. 20.
Washington will also face the Eagles two weeks in Philadelphia to close out the regular season, though details remain to be determined with the regular season finale also a flex game. Still, it’s a chance for the Commanders to play spoiler to close the season. The Eagles enter week 14 with a 1.5 game lead in the NFC East over Dallas, who will head to Landover on Christmas Day for a 1 PM kickoff. With Washington also continuously leaving the door open for a potential Jayden Daniels return, could the Commanders pull off a divisional upset?
Practice squad update
The Commanders were active on this week’s transaction log, re-signing wide receiver Robbie Chosen to the practice squad on Tuesday. The move came one week after the team waived the longtime NFL receiver, previously signing to the team’s practice squad on Sept. 30 and was elevated on Oct. 11. In three games this season, Anderson has totaled five catches for 53 yards.
The Commander wideout gives the unit an insurance plan with wide receiver Noah Brown (groin/ankle) working his way back to clearance after returning to practice last week with only two games under his belt heading into week 14. With Chosen now on the practice squad, the team released long snapper Zach Triner to make room.
Week 14 QB update
Head coach Dan Quinn noted second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels has yet to be cleared for contact with his game status expected to remain unannounced through Friday, but there is clarity as to who the Commanders will prepare for under center when they take on Minnesota on the road.
JJ McCarthy is expected to return to the starting lineup this upcoming week after missing week 13 in concussion protocol. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said he’s still in protocol “as of right now, but we'll see how he does tomorrow.”
“Our goal is he clears, and he can have a good week of practice and have an opportunity to play next week,” he added. “He's symptom-free and now the last phase I believe of the protocol is just he needs to just have a full practice day, and that should come on Wednesday. I think just having that Wednesday will allow him to have a normal, full week and likely be able to go in as our starter on Sunday."
Former Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer stepped in under center with McCarthy sidelined, finishing 19-of-30 for 126 yards and four interceptions in a 26-0 loss vs. Seattle.
But McCarthy has had his own struggles through his first season in the NFL, completing just 54.1% of his passes with ten interceptions to six touchdowns. His 24.7 QB rating ranks worst among 33 quarterbacks who have started at least six games this season, but with playoff hopes all but dashed, the Vikings are getting a closer look at the former Michigan quarterback ahead of what’s considered to be a critical offseason analyzing the position.
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