NFL Player News

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.

Lance (finger) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, but head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't sure if the rookie will be available Sunday against the Lions, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Shanahan initially said Lance would be out for about a week after he "chipped" his finger in the final preseason game. The timeline was optimistic, but Lance resumed throwing earlier this week and is scheduled to do more during Wednesday's practice. He could be on the field for a small package of plays if he's cleared for the season opener in Detroit.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said during a radio appearance Wednesday that he expects Watson to be inactive for Sunday's season opener versus the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. "I wouldn't expect him to play," Caserio said of Watson. "I wouldn't anticipate him playing this Sunday and we'll recalibrate as we go."

Watson's expected inactive status to begin the season comes as little surprise after the Texans officially named Tyrod Taylor their starting quarterback Monday, while Davis Mills appears as the No. 2 option on the team's unofficial depth chart. Though Caserio suggested the Texans will be taking a week-to-week approach with Watson's status, he'll most likely remain a healthy scratch when both Taylor and Mills are available. Houston still is expected to keep Watson on its 53-man roster throughout the season while the 25-year-old currently faces 22 active civil lawsuits. For his part, Watson has made it known that he would like to be traded, but it's unclear if the organization is seriously entertaining offers from other teams at this point.

Garoppolo was listed as the starting quarterback on the 49ers' first unofficial depth chart of the season Tuesday, Josh Dubow of the Associated Press reports.

This is another sign Garoppolo will open the 2021 campaign as the starter, despite Trey Lance making a concerted effort throughout the preseason to dethrone the veteran. Unfortunately for Lance, he suffered a chip fracture in a finger on his throwing hand in the team's exhibition finale, which has kept the rookie out of most drills over the past week. The third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft may still be incorporated into the game plan Week 1 and beyond, as was forecast in preseason Week 3, when Garoppolo and Lance alternated series and even snaps on certain possession. Still, Garoppolo is poised to be announced as San Fran's No. 1 QB on Wednesday, per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News.

The Bengals signed Browning to their practice squad Tuesday.

Browning spent the last two seasons on the Vikings' practice squad, but he was never promoted to the active squad. The ex-Husky threw 94 touchdowns across four collegiate seasons.