NFL Player News

Rodriguez (calf) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Rodriguez still has two chances to raise his practice participation level before Washington reveals its Week 6 injury report for Monday's game against the Bears. If Rodriguez doesn't play against Chicago, that could open up more opportunities for Jeremy McNichols to work in a change-of-pace role behind lead back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

Gonzalez (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Gonzalez wasn't listed with any injury designation on Wednesday's report, so he appears to have sustained his current hamstring issue during practice. That said, it was a hamstring injury that forced him to miss New England's first three games of the regular season, so it's possible that he's either suffered a setback or is having his reps capped. Gonzalez said after practice Wednesday that Sunday's contest against the Saints "will be a good test," Mark Daniels of MassLive reports.

Brown (groin/knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Head coach Dan Quinn clarified that Brown's absence, which dates back to Week 2 against the Packers, has been related primarily to his groin injury rather than the knee injury that bothered Brown during camp, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Brown seems to be a step ahead in his recovery compared to Terry McLaurin (quadriceps), who was listed as a non-participant Thursday. Both receivers are hoping to return from multi-week absences Monday against the Bears.

Pearsall (knee) was working on the side with a sleeve on his right leg during Thursday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Pearsall has yet to practice since picking up a minor PCL injury in his right knee during a Week 4 loss to the Jaguars, but GM John Lynch said Thursday that the second-year wide receiver "hasn't given up hope" on playing Sunday in Tampa Bay, per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com. In the end, though, Pearsall likely will need to mix into drills Friday to put himself in a position to do so.

Jennings (ankle/rib) returned to practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

This marks Jennings' first on-field work since Week 4 prep as he tends to lingering ankle and rib injuries. GM John Lynch said earlier Thursday that Jennings may be limited at the 49ers' upcoming session and also return for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. The team's second Week 6 practice report will reveal Jennings' activity level Thursday, but he likely will need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid a designation entering the weekend.

Purdy (toe) didn't practice Thursday but was seen doing some conditioning work while wearing cleats, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Purdy has missed three of the last four contests due to a turf toe injury, and his lack of practice reps so far this week seems to indicate he's trending toward another absence Sunday at Tampa Bay. Coach Kyle Shanahan told David Lombardi of SFStandard.com on Wednesday that Purdy is "progressing," and the 49ers haven't considered placing the quarterback on injured reserve, which would carry with it a minimum four-game absence. As a result, even if Mac Jones ends up getting the Week 6 start under center for the 49ers, Purdy remains a candidate to play until the team officially rules him out for game day.

Dean (knee) was activated from the reserve/PUP list Thursday.

Dean's activation makes him eligible to play Thursday night against the Giants, though he's still listed as questionable. A determination on his status will likely be made around 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 ET kickoff. He has yet to make his 2025 season debut after recording 128 tackles in a breakout 2024 regular season.

St. Brown (wrist) practiced fully Thursday.

After sitting out Wednesday's session due to a wrist injury, St. Brown was spotted on the practice field Thursday, and his activity level indicates that the issue isn't much of a concern. He'll thus turn his focus to a Chiefs defense Sunday that has allowed 7.5 YPT (21st in the NFL) and just four touchdown catches to wide receivers in five games this season.

Highsmith (ankle) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Highsmith was limited Wednesday, but Thursday's full participation suggests Pittsburgh's Week 5 bye provided enough time for Highsmith to recover from an ankle injury that had sidelined him since Week 2. He's set to reprise his usual role Sunday against the Browns as a key piece of Pittsburgh's pass rush, having recorded at least 6.0 sacks in each of the previous four seasons, including 14.5 in 2022.

Kamara (ankle) was present at practice Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

The Saints had a scare at Wednesday's session when Kamara injured his ankle and went down as a limited participant. It's unclear if he maintained that activity level or upgraded to full, but Thursday's practice report will reveal that info. Kendre Miller is on hand in the event Kamara is at all inhibited Sunday against the Patriots.