NFL Player News

Cousins will move back to the No. 2 QB role Sunday at New England with Michael Penix (knee) not receiving a designation for that contest

Cousins earned a spot start for Penix this past Sunday against the Dolphins due to the latter's bone bruise in his knee, but the former didn't fare well, completing 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions and rushing twice for two yards in a 34-10 loss. This week, Penix followed up limited practices Wednesday and Thursday with a full session Friday, thereby clearing him to return to action. Cousins likely won't see the field Sunday, barring an injury setback to Penix or a garbage-time appearance.

Dissly (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans.

With Oronde Gadsden taking over tight-end duties for the Chargers in recent weeks, Dissly has fallen out of favor in Los Angeles, as he was a healthy inactive in Week 8 against the Vikings.

Pearsall (knee) won't play Sunday against the Giants, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

He's ruled out for a fifth straight game and still hasn't returned to practice, but reports this week at least pointed to progress with Pearsall's side work. His lack of participation in actual practices nonetheless hints at significant risk of missing time beyond Week 9.

Still (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Still logged a trio of DNPs this week at practice and is dealing with a multi-week MCL injury. Ja'Sir Taylor and Benjamin St-Juste will be in line for increased defensive action behind Cam Hart and Donte Jackson at cornerback.

Jones will start Sunday's game at the Giants, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Brock Purdy (toe) is listed as questionable, but he'll only be the backup if he's declared active, per 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. Active or not, Purdy seems to be making progress and could return to the starting job as soon as Week 10 against the Rams.

Purdy (toe) won't start Sunday's game against the Giants but is listed as questionable to be available in a backup capacity, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mac Jones will make another start, with Purdy potentially dressing as the 49ers' emergency No. 3 quarterback Sunday before targeting a return to the lineup Week 10 against the Rams. Purdy's status this Sunday won't affect fantasy decisions, but it'll at least be a good sign for Week 10 if he's considered healthy enough to handle the No. 3 role versus the Giants.

Kupp (heel/hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Washington, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

No. 3 wideout Tory Horton could get more playing time than usual, with Kupp listed as questionable while backups Jake Bobo (Achilles) and Dareke Young (hip) have already been ruled out. It's a situation where practice-squad promotions won't necessarily provide information on Kupp's chances to play, as the Seahawks need depth at wide receiver even if it turns out the 32-year-old is fine to handle his usual role. Kupp opened the week as a full practice participant, listed with only a heel injury, before downgrading to limited Thursday and having a hamstring injury added to the report. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald with confirmed with Dugar on Friday that the hamstring injury happened during practice -- perhaps not the best sign for Kupp's odds of avoiding the inactive list ahead of an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday night.

Vaki (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

With Craig Reynolds (hamstring) ruled out, Vaki could be in line to serve as the Lions' RB3 behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery if Vaki is cleared to play.

Maddox (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game versus Minnesota.

Maddox missed the Lions' two games prior to the Week 8 bye and could be in danger of missing a third contest. Terrion Arnold, Rock Ya-Sin, Amik Robertson and Arthur Maulet have been seeing the bulk of the cornerback snaps.

Reynolds (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Reynolds carries almost zero fantasy value and has mainly been glued to special teams this season behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.