NFL Player News

Aiyuk had three receptions (on eight targets) for 68 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-31 playoff win over the Lions.

Aiyuk finished with three receptions for the second consecutive playoff game, but he was far more productive this time around compared to the 3-32-0 line he posted against the Packers in the divisional round. The athletic wideout made his mark on the highlight reel when he caught a pass that caromed off of both the hands and helmet of a diving Detroit defender before a leaping Aiyuk secured it for a 51-yard gain. Quarterback Brock Purdy awarded his receiver's efforts with a short touchdown pass just a few plays later. After the game Aiyuk was asked about the absurd catch, to which he credited a ladybug landing on his foot during pregame warmups. The 49ers are hoping to channel more of that luck when the team prepares to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11.

St. Brown recorded seven receptions on 11 targets for 87 yards in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the 49ers. He added one rush for two yards.

St. Brown unsurprisingly had a key role in the Detroit offense, compiling double-digit targets for the fourth time in his last six games. He failed to top 100 yards or reach the end zone for the first time in that span, though he still managed long receptions of 23 and 17 yards -- both of which set up scores -- to make his mark on the contest. St. Brown has improved in each of his three campaigns in the league, and he closed the 2023 regular season with 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns. He'll be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024 and could be headed for a significant contract extension with the Lions this offseason.

Samuel (shoulder) corralled eight of nine targets for 89 yards and rushed three times for seven yards in Sunday's 34-31 win over the Lions in the NFC Championship Game.

Samuel looked like his usual self on the field after being knocked out of last week's divisional-round win early with a shoulder injury. The versatile playmaker didn't experience much success out of the backfield, but he led the 49ers in receiving en route to victory. Now healthy, Samuel figures to be one of several featured weapons San Francisco throws at Kansas City's tough defense in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11.

Jennings (head) was cleared to return to Sunday's game against the Lions, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Jennings exited the contest to be evaluated for a head injury but was cleared shortly thereafter. He'll return to his role as the 49ers' primary slot receiver.

Valdes-Scantling caught both of his targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 17-10 AFC Championship win over the Ravens.

Valdes-Scantling began Kansas City's final offensive drive with just one reception for six yards before getting loose over the top for a 32-yard reception that allowed his team to run out the clock and advance to Super Bowl LVIII. That's now two consecutive weeks in which the 29-year-old wideout made clutch receptions to help his team ice playoff victories. Valdes-Scantling will attempt to work his postseason magic as one of superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes' auxiliary options in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 11.

Rice had eight receptions (on nine targets) for 46 yards in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

Rice finished second in receiving for Kansas City behind tight end Travis Kelce (11-116-1) while logging his fifth game of eight-plus receptions dating back to the team's bye in Week 11 of the regular season. The second-round rookie actually produced one less yard than he did against the Bills in the AFC divisional round despite doubling his reception total from that win. Rice has produced a receiving line of 20-223-1 across three playoff games as the Chiefs prepare to face the winner of the NFC Championship Game in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 11.

Beckham secured three of six targets for 22 yards in the Ravens' 17-10 AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

Beckham didn't get on the stat sheet until the fourth quarter, recording his first catch with 8:47 remaining in the contest. The veteran wideout was third in receptions and targets on the afternoon for Baltimore, but his underwhelming numbers were representative of the type of afternoon it was for anyone not named Zay Flowers in the Ravens' air attack. Beckham's comeback campaign following an idle 2022 season due to a knee injury resulted in 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns on 64 targets across 14 games, with his 16.1 yards per catch representing a career high. Beckham played 2023 on a one-year, $1.15 million contract, so it remains to be seen whether a reunion with Lamar Jackson is in the offing over the coming months.

Jennings is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Lions due to a head injury, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jennings delayed the game in the second quarter and is being evaluated for a concussion. Ray-Ray McCloud will be asked to step up if Jennings is unable to return. Jennings was not targeted prior to his exit.

Flowers secured five of eight targets for 115 yards and a touchdown and rushed twice for four yards in the Ravens' 17-10 AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.

Flowers' turnover was of such importance that it nearly overshadowed his otherwise spectacular performance in his second career postseason game. The rookie first-round pick recorded a picturesque 30-yard scoring grab in the first quarter to answer the Chiefs' first touchdown and then added a 54-yard reception to kick off a late third-quarter drive. However, Flowers was flagged for taunting at the end of that play, and the 15 yards that cost Baltimore may have changed the dynamic of their play calling. Instead of focusing on the run, the Ravens took to the air, and Flowers eventually fumbled just before crossing the goal line at the end of an eight-yard catch, a critical turnover given the game's final score. The disappointing end to the season doesn't take away from the optimism Flowers generated with his first-year performance, as he posted a 77-858-5 line across 16 regular-season games while adding eight carries for 56 yards and another score.

Bell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Lions, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Bell will sit out a second straight game after not suiting up for the Niners' divisional-round win over the Packers. His last appearance was Week 18 against the Rams, when he played 44 snaps -- 37 on offense and seven on special teams -- and caught one of five targets for a five-yard touchdown.