NFL Player News

Cracraft was waived by the 49ers on Saturday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Cracraft had appeared in each of the last eight games for San Francisco, but he played exclusively on special teams. He'll now be let go ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Rams.

Taylor was elevated to the Bengals' active roster from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against Kansas City.

Taylor will join the active roster for a seventh consecutive game, but he's played mainly on special teams across his last six appearances. He should provide additional receiving depth with Stanley Morgan (hamstring) doubtful for Sunday's matchup.

Morgan (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest against the Chiefs, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Morgan was limited to start the week but didn't practice Friday, so it would be a shock if he was able to suit up. In his likely absence, Tre Flowers is expected to once again take over the gunner role on punt coverage.

Jefferson (knee) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official website reports.

The second-year wideout played 90 percent of offensive snaps in last week's win over Tampa, before missing practice Wednesday and managing limited participation Thursday. That seemingly puts Jefferson on track to play, but if not, Ben Skowronek likely would be tasked with the No. 3 receiver role. Jefferson has caught three of four targets for 70 yards in two playoff games, unable to pick up the pace after a quiet finish to the regular season.

Jefferson (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Jefferson is easing into the week of prep, following up Wednesday's absence with some activity Thursday. He'll look to do enough to gain clearance to play in the NFC Championship Game at the Rams, whether it's following the release of Friday's practice report or 90 minutes before Sunday's 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

Jefferson was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report due to a knee injury, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

The Rams merely held a walk-through session to kick off the week of prep, but Jefferson didn't join his teammates on the field. Prior to the workout, head coach Sean McVay didn't express concern about Jefferson's health, per Rodrigue. Nonetheless, Jefferson's status will be monitored to get a sense of his availability for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers.

The 49ers signed Johnson to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Johnson spent the 2021 season on the Eagles' practice squad and was elevated to the active roster for the team's wild-card loss to Tampa Bay. He'll now attempt to secure a role with the 49ers during the offseason. Since the 25-year-old isn't on San Francisco's 53-man roster, he won't be eligible to appear in the NFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl.

Morgan (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice session, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Morgan was also limited during each of Cincinnati's practice sessions last week before being ruled out for the divisional-round matchup against the Titans. If he hopes to suit up in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against Kansas City, he'll likely need to practice in a full capacity at some point this week.

The Buccaneers signed Smith to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old was brought in for a workout ahead of the Buccaneers' divisional-round loss to the Rams and appears to have impressed. His most productive season in the NFL was with the Jets in 2019, when he caught 17 of 31 targets for 225 yards. However, he's made just nine appearances and caught one pass since then.

Samuel (knee) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Rams, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Samuel took a helmet to his right leg/knee toward the end of Sunday's 13-10 win over the Packers, but he's apparently healthy enough for a full practice just three days later, locking him in for his usual role this weekend. He certainly got the best of L.A. in the regular season, totaling 192 receiving yards (on 11 targets), 81 rushing yards and three total touchdowns to aid the Niners to a pair of crucial wins in the hotly contested NFC West.