NFL Player News

Johnson signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Johnson appeared in four games during the 2022 season, two with the Raiders and two with the Texans. The 27-year-old has also spent time with the Jaguars and most notably the Chargers, with whom he had 20 catches on 26 targets for 398 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie 2020 campaign. He'll work to make the most of his new opportunity in San Fransisco in 2023.

Kansas City placed Hardman (pelvis) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hardman had been sidelined since Week 9 due to the pelvic injury before he returned to action in the AFC Championship Game against the Bengals. However, he aggravated the issue in the second half of the contest and was considered doubtful for Super Bowl LVII after the first week of preparation. It's not surprising to see the speedy wideout ruled out for the final game of the season, but his move to IR opens up a roster spot for the Chiefs, who've filled the vacancy by activating Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) from IR.

Jennings finished with 35 receptions (56 targets) for 416 yards and a touchdown in 16 regular-season games with San Francisco this season.

Jennings saw his offensive usage rise as the 49ers' slot receiver in his sophomore campaign. However, the 6-foot-3 wideout was unable to break through as a fantasy asset due to a lack of touchdowns. Jennings is scheduled to become a free agent this upcoming offseason, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him stay in San Francisco after carving out a solid role this year.

Hardman (pelvis) is listed as doubtful after the first week of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Making his first appearance since Week 9 during this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Hardman aggravated his pelvic injury in the second half and now appears to be trending toward an absence from the upcoming Super Bowl, as coach Andy Reid intimated Thursday to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Still, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Thursday that the Chiefs are seeking additional opinions on Hardman to see if he may have a chance to suit up Feb. 12. Hardman's activity level next Wednesday through Friday likely will be the determining factor in that regard.

Toney (ankle/hamstring) is listed as questionable after the first week of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Toney picked up ankle and hamstring injuries in this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, which contained him to just four snaps on offense. Both Toney and JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) have questionable designations after this week, while Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is doubtful and already has been deemed unlikely to play in the Super Bowl by coach Andy Reid. If this latter point comes to pass, the statuses of Toney and Smith-Schuster become of greater import to see if one or both will be available to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle).

Smith-Schuster (knee) is listed as questionable after the first week of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Smith-Schuster is dealing with some residual swelling in his left knee following this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, from which he was forced out early. Both Smith-Schuster and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) have questionable designations after this week, while Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is doubtful and already has been deemed unlikely to play in the Super Bowl by coach Andy Reid. If this latter point comes to pass, the statuses of Smith-Schuster and Toney become of greater import to see if one or both will be available to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle).

Toney (ankle) didn't have a helmet at Friday's practice and was throwing a ball around with JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) while the rest of the team warmed up, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Coach Andy Reid suggested Thursday that both Toney and Smith-Schuster have a chance to be ready for the Super Bowl, whereas Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is going for a second medical opinion and has already been deemed unlikely to play. Toney presumably needs to return for at least one practice next week to be active for the Super Bowl against Philadelphia.

Smith-Schuster (knee) didn't appear to practice Friday, as he was playing catch with Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) while the Chiefs' healthy players were warming up, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Smith-Schuster and Toney at least appear in better shape than Mecole Hardman, who was completely absent from practice after reinjuring his pelvis in the AFC Championship Game. Smith-Schuster and Toney also were forced out early and failed to return, but coach Andy Reid suggested Thursday that both wideouts have a chance to be ready for the Super Bowl on Feb. 12. Hardman, on the other hand, has already been deemed unlikely to play by his head coach.

The Chiefs are gathering opinions to determine if Hardman (pelvis) has a chance to play in Super Bowl LVII against the Bengals, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

What alternatively has been called an abdominal or pelvic issue actually is a core muscle injury, per Garafolo. The health concern contained Hardman to just one appearance since Week 9 in this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Bengals, a contest in which he aggravated it. On Thursday, coach Andy Reid said "it'll be tough" for Hardman to be active for the Super Bowl, according to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Having said that, the door remains slightly ajar for Hardman to be a part of the Chiefs' offensive game plan Sunday, Feb. 12.

Coach Andy Reid told Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com on Thursday that Hardman (pelvis) is unlikely to be available for Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles. "I think it'll be tough for him," Reid relayed.

Making his first appearance since Week 9 in this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Hardman managed to play 15 of 69 snaps on offense en route to two catches (on three targets) for 10 yards and two carries for seven yards. However, he aggravated his injured pelvis in the second half and was unable to return. Considering Reid's comments Thursday, Hardman seems to be the least likely of the Chiefs' banged-up wide receivers -- also, JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) -- to suit up Sunday, Feb. 12.