Washington Commanders‘ linebacker and special teamer Nick Bellore is being punished by the NFL for an illegal action during Week 14 blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The league announced Saturday that Bellore was fined $10,847 for unnecessary roughness during the third quarter with 1:28 remaining. Bellore has the right to appeal the ruling.
The Commanders (3-10) fell 31-0 to the Vikings (5-8) on Sunday.
Nick Bellore is Special Teams Ace at 36
According to Dean Jones of Riggo’s Rag, Bellore’s tenure in Washington could be winding down. The 36-year-old veteran has carved out a productive niche as a special-teams ace and has earned praise from head coach Dan Quinn for his leadership behind the scenes.
However, he offers little on the defensive rotation, and with younger, dynamic players ready to step up, the team may look to go in a different direction despite his underrated contributions.
Bellore is under contract for next season, but age and limited defensive impact make his long-term role uncertain.
Jayden Daniels Keeps Getting Hurt
While the Vikings enjoyed a smooth afternoon, the return of the Commanders’ starting quarterback brought only setbacks.
Jayden Daniels, the 2024 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, was forced out midway through the third quarter after being blocked on an interception return, landing hard on his left elbow—the same one he dislocated last month, sidelining him for three games. Daniels had already missed three games earlier this season due to injury. In relief, Marcus Mariota, now 1-5 as a starter, threw an interception and lost a fumble.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 07: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks on from the sidelines after leaving the game during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
“When you get beat 31-0, it’s not about offense or defense. That’s just bad,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said postgame. “We just didn’t play any kind of complementary football, and this is the result.”
Daniels, who expressed wanting the play the rest of the season despite basically non existent playoff chances, has already been ruled out for Week 15 against the New York Giants.
Commanders Likely to Lean on Run Game
Despite being limited to just 107 rushing yards last Sunday, the running game remains the Commanders’ offensive strength. While they rank 13th in rushing attempts, they sit fourth in rushing yards per game and seventh in yards per carry. Their ground attack is especially effective running to the left, thanks to the blocking tandem of Laremy Tunsil and Chris Paul, which has opened multiple running lanes.
The Commanders are well-positioned for a strong performance on the ground at MetLife Stadium. The Giants rank 31st in rushing yards allowed per game, give up the seventh-most rushing first downs, and have allowed the third-most rushing touchdowns this season. Additionally, opposing backs are averaging 5.8 yards per carry against them—the highest in the league.
Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are likely to see plenty of opportunities to carry the football.
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