NFL Player News

Lance (finger) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Detroit. David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Just two weeks removed from jamming his right hand and suffering a chip fracture in one of his fingers in the process in preseason Week 3, Lance will be available to the 49ers offense Sunday. But it remains to be seen in what capacity. Since then, the team has named veteran Jimmy Garoppolo the starting quarterback, which is no surprise considering his grasp of coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme. Exhibition season revealed that both Garoppolo and Lance can coexist in the offense, though, meaning the third overall pick of the 2021 draft may see his initial NFL action this weekend.

The Texans have ruled out Watson (non-injury) for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

The decision was foretold after GM Nick Caserio relayed Wednesday that he didn't "expect him (Watson) to play" Week 1. Watson had a turbulent offseason that he kicked off with a trade request, and later 22 civil lawsuits against him came to the fore in March and April. With Tyrod Taylor named the Texans' starting quarterback, it remains to be seen when or if Watson will suit up at any point this season, whether it's in Houston or elsewhere following a trade.

Prescott completed 42 of 58 attempts for 403 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Cowboys' 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night. He also rushed four times for 13 yards and fumbled once but recovered.

If there had been any lingering doubts about the fitness of Prescott's previously ailing shoulder and ankle, he unequivocally dispelled them with a sensational season-opening effort. The sixth-year quarterback impressively traded blows with Tom Brady throughout the night, and he displayed particularly remarkable chemistry with the wideout duo of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, who were on the receiving end of 20 of Prescott's completions, 243 of his yards and all three of his scores. Prescott's 21-yard scoring strike to Cooper in the final minute of the third quarter and steady hand during a subsequent 11-play, 60-yard late-fourth-quarter march that culminated in Greg Zuerlein's go-ahead 48-yard field goal put Dallas in position to win before Brady was able to help rescue the Bucs, but the performance of Prescott and the rest of the offense in the contest should certainly be encouraging to Cowboys fans and fantasy managers alike. Prescott will look to help Dallas bounce back in a Week 2 road battle versus the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Mariota (quadriceps) isn't listed on Thursday's injury report ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Ravens.

Mariota was held out during the preseason since the team wanted him to fully recover from a quad strain, but he appears to be back to 100 percent ahead of the season opener. He'll serve as the top backup to Derek Carr in 2021.

Lance (finger) remained limited at practice Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Lance's health has been a question mark since he suffered a chip fracture in one of the fingers on his right throwing hand Aug. 29. There was some worry along the way that he could miss time beyond Week 1, but his ability to string together back-to-back practices nonetheless is a decent sign he may suit up Sunday in Detroit, especially after appearing to throw without issue during the open portion of Thursday's session. He'll have one more opportunity to bump to all activity on the field before the 49ers are required to give him a designation -- or not at all -- Friday. Still, even if he plays Sunday, Lance will be the No. 2 quarterback to starter Jimmy Garoppolo, leaving him limited to particular snaps in the game plan.

Lance (finger) was throwing without issue during the part of Thursday's practice open to the media, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Lance made some light throws Wednesday, but the 49ers termed him limited in their first injury report of Week 1. According to Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site, Lance wasn't donning a brace or even a splint on his right throwing hand one day later, which could mean he bumps up to full participant. In the end, Lance's activity level will become known later Thursday.

Wolford (appendix) isn't listed on the Rams' injury report Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

An emergency appendectomy was ordered up on Aug. 6 after Wolford was awakened in discomfort. He proceeded to sit out the entire preseason, even though he got back on the practice field Aug. 23 and directed the second-team offense. With the offseason trade of Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford, there's no question about Wolford's standing in the quarterback room as Stafford's direct backup.

White (ribs) didn't appear Wednesday on the Jets' Week 1 injury report ahead of Sunday's game against Carolina.

White has recovered from the rib injury he sustained in the preseason. If the backup quarterback is called into action due to rookie starter Zach Wilson getting injured or benched, it would mark White's first regular-season NFL action.

Watson was held out of Wednesday's practice for non-injury reasons, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Watson's absence was fully expected, and he's likely to be a healthy scratch for the Texans unless or until he's suspended or traded. Meanwhile, the Texans will start Tyrod Taylor at quarterback in Sunday's season opener against the Jaguars.

Garoppolo confirmed during Wednesday's media session that he's starting Sunday's game at Detroit, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "Now, it's official, I guess," Garoppolo said of the Week 1 starting assignment.

As the incumbent starter for the 49ers, Garoppolo was favored to claim the top job, even with rookie Trey Lance putting up a valiant effort throughout the offseason, training camp and preseason. After Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, suffered a chip fracture in one of the fingers on his throwing hand in San Francisco's exhibition finale, Garoppolo's path to the job became even clearer. The team teased Wednesday's announcement by listing Garoppolo as the No. 1 QB on its first unofficial depth chart of the season, and he may even take all the reps under center Week 1 if Lance doesn't get healthy enough to suit up.