NFL Player News

Waller (hip/rest) was limited in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Waller continues to have his practice reps capped due to a load management plan, though his gameday workload has now increased in three consecutive weeks. The veteran tight end handled a season-high 69 percent of offensive snaps during Miami's loss to the Chargers in Week 6, securing two of three targets for 12 yards and a touchdown. Waller has scored in all three of his appearances with the Dolphins this season. He'll face a challenge to keep up that streak on the road against the Browns' vaunted defense on Sunday, though if Cleveland's pass rush forces Tua Tagovailoa to rely heavily on short-area passes, it could result in increased target volume for Waller.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Jones (knee/oblique) will be limited at practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jones will be joined on the practice field by No. 1 QB Brock Purdy (toe), though the latter will be more limited than the former, according to what Shanahan told Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It's unknown if that means Jones has better odds than Purdy to continue leading the 49ers offense Week 7, but Purdy at least has put himself in a position to see his first game action since Week 4. In four starts in place of Purdy this season, Jones has completed 113 of 168 passes (67.3 percent) for 1,252 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, rushed 16 times for 23 yards and fumbled three times (one lost).

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that Moore (ankle) is not practicing, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Moore appears to have sustained an ankle injury during the 49ers' loss to Tampa Bay in Week 6, making him uncertain for Sunday's contest against the Falcons. He hasn't logged a target on offense in back-to-back games, though Moore did compile a season-best 109 yards as a kick returner versus the Buccaneers, plus 25 yards as a punt returner. He remains off the fantasy radar in all formats other than deeper leagues that place a premium on return yardage.

Downs (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

With Downs in the NFL's concussion protocol, per Stephen Holder of ESPN.com, the wideout's status will need to be tracked ahead of this weekend's game against the Chargers. In this past Sunday's 31-27 win over the Cardinals, Downs logged a 51 percent snap share while catching six of his seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown. If he's limited or out versus Los Angles, Ashton Dulin (chest) -- if available -- Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould would be candidates for added snaps alongside fellow WRs Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (hamstring) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, thereby designating the tight end to return from injured reserve, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Last Wednesday, Shanahan told David Lombardi of SFStandard.com that Kittle as a chance to suit up Week 7, and the tight end's return to practice this Wednesday is the first step in making that a reality. Kittle has been sidelined since the season opener, when he injured his hamstring in the first half of an eventual 49ers win at Seattle. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal his odds to play Sunday versus the Falcons.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Pearsall (knee) will not practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Shanahan said Monday that Pearsall would be evaluated Wednesday to determine his practice level for Week 7, so the 2024 first-round pick's lack of participation could be a sign that he isn't yet nearing a return to on-field reps. Meanwhile, QB Brock Purdy (toe), TE George Kittle (hamstring) and WR Jauan Jennings (ribs) all practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, and all three appear to have a chance at playing Sunday versus the Falcons. Kittle remains on IR for the time being, however, while Jennings played through five broken ribs during San Francisco's loss to the Buccaneers in Week 6.

Samuel (heel) is listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report.

He played through the same injury the past two games, putting up an 8-96-1 receiving line in Week 5 before slumping to 4-15-0 in Week 6. Samuel topped a 70 percent snap share in both games, but the Commanders might ease up on his workload some if the heel continues to give him trouble and WR Terry McLaurin (quad) is available to pick up slack. McLaurin is returning to practice this week, but it isn't yet clear if he'll be ready for Sunday's game at Dallas. Samuel also needs to be monitored, and there will be serious concern if he doesn't return to practice by Friday.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy (toe) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Purdy has been battling a turf toe injury for most of the season, sitting out Weeks 2 and 3 and 5 and 6 as a result. He was able to log conditioning work on the side last Thursday, and Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com on Monday that Purdy would be evaluated Wednesday to see if taking part in practice was possible. Now that Purdy has resumed on-field work, Shanahan said Purdy is more limited than backup quarterback Mac Jones (knee/oblique), per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It's unclear if that means Jones is a better bet than Purdy to start Sunday's game against the Falcons, but the latter at least is putting himself in a position to return to action.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Jennings (ankle/rib/shoulder) will be limited in practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jennings played through five broken ribs, among other health concerns, during the 49ers' loss to Tampa Bay in Week 6, a contest in which he handled 77 percent of offensive snaps but secured just one of three targets for seven yards. While Jennings may again manage to play through his injuries at home against the Falcons on Sunday, he's combined for just three grabs for 31 yards (on seven targets) in his last two appearances. Meanwhile, Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Skyy Moore (undisclosed) are not practicing Wednesday.

McLaurin (quadriceps) is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice report.

The report is just an estimate after the Commanders held a walk-through. McLaurin is expected to resume practicing in earnest Thursday, although presumably with limitations. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that he isn't sure if McLaurin will be ready for Sunday's game at Dallas.