NFL Player News

Higgins secured six of 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 33-31 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

Higgins was outshined by fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase, who finished with a surreal 16-161-1 line on 23 targets. However, under normal circumstances, Higgins' night would be considered a rousing success, as the veteran receiver put together season highs in all three components of his stat line. Higgins has encouragingly logged a combined 18 targets over his first two games working with Joe Flacco, and the duo will now have some extra practice time to continue building chemistry ahead of a Week 8 home matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Chase secured 16 of 23 targets for 161 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 33-31 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

Chase's eye-popping reception and target totals were career-high figures, as the All-Pro receiver put together a night for the ages in only his second game working with Joe Flacco. The 2021 first-round pick also struck for his fifth touchdown catch of the season on an eight-yard grab with under five minutes remaining in the first half. Chase's otherworldly numbers aren't completely surprising considering the multiple memorable performances he's already put together in his career, but Thursday's effort was clearly on another level. Given his undeniable chemistry with Flacco, Chase will remain an elite option in all formats during a Week 8 home matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Watkins (calf) was a limited participant in practice for the second day in a row Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Watkins appears on track to play Sunday against the Falcons after missing the first six games of the season. If he can suit up, he might get snaps, too, as Jauan Jennings (ankle/rib/shoulder, LP), Ricky Pearsall (knee, DNP), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (calf, DNP) and Skyy Moore (ankle, LP) are all listed on the 49ers' Week 7 injury report, while Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson are San Francisco's only healthy options at the position. The Ole Miss product went in the fourth round of the draft in April after tying for the SEC lead in touchdown catches with nine last year.

Moore (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The wide receiver first appeared on the injury report Wednesday, likely indicating that he picked up the injury during the 49ers' Week 6 loss to the Buccaneers. Moore's return to practice might put him on track to suit up this Sunday against the Falcons, and if he can go, he might be able to get snaps amid a depleted receiving corps, as Jauan Jennings (ankle/rib/shoulder, LP), Ricky Pearsall (knee, DNP), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (calf, DNP) and Jordan Watkins (calf, LP) are all listed on the injury report, while Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson are San Francisco's only healthy options at the position.

Mooney (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

After hurting his hamstring Week 4, Mooney came out of Atlanta's Week 5 bye with no activity at practice before being ruled out for this past Monday's game against the Bills. He then was listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated injury report before logging his first on-field work since picking up the health concern. Friday's report will reveal Mooney's odds to suit up Sunday in San Francisco, but even if he does, he holds little sway in fantasy, with just seven catches (on 16 targets) for 79 yards and no touchdowns in parts of three games this season.

Bachman (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Bachman popped up on the injury report with an apparent ankle injury Thursday after opening the week as a full participant at practice Wednesday. It's unclear when the wide receiver suffered the injury, but he'll look to log a full practice Friday before the team heads to Kansas City on Sunday.

Valdes-Scantling missed Thursday's practice due to a calf injury, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

This is a mid-week addition to the 49ers' injury report, and Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that Valdes-Scantling is expected to be out for a few weeks, which is yet another blow to the receiving corps. All of Jauan Jennings (ankle/rib/shoulder, LP), Ricky Pearsall (knee, DNP), Skyy Moore (ankle, LP) and Jordan Watkins (calf, LP) are dealing with healthy concerns, leaving Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson as the only health options at the position on the active roster.

Jones (ribs) is active for Thursday's game against the Steelers.

Jones saw his practice snaps limited on a short week due to a rib injury, but the 2023 fourth-rounder has been cleared to play in Thursday's AFC North clash. Jones has logged 423 yards on kickoff returns and 78 yards on punt returns through six regular-season games.

Pearsall (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Considering Pearsall has yet to practice in any capacity this week due to a PCL issue in his right knee, he seemingly is trending toward a third consecutive absence, something that may be confirmed on Friday's injury report. Fellow WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (calf) joined Pearsall as a DNP on Thursday, while Jauan Jennings (ankle/rib/shoulder), Skyy Moore (ankle) and Jordan Watkins (calf) all were limited. At the moment, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson are the only healthy options at the position on the active roster.

Jennings (ankle/rib/shoulder) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jennings noted after this past Sunday's loss at Tampa Bay that he played with five broken ribs and a sprained ankle, and while he mustered 77 percent (53 of 69) of the offensive snaps, the result was one catch (on three targets) for seven yards. All of Ricky Pearsall (knee, DNP), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (calf, DNP), Skyy Moore (ankle, LP) and Jordan Watkins (calf, LP) are listed on the 49ers' second Week 7 injury report, so it remains to be seen who among the five wide receivers will be available Sunday against the Falcons. Currently, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson are the only healthy options at the position on the active roster.