NFL Player News
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Jacob Cowing WR | SF
49ers' Jacob Cowing: Resumes practice
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Cowing (IR, hamstring) will have his practice window opened Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Cowing spent the entire 2025 season recovering from a hamstring injury that he suffered during training camp. The 24-year-old is available to return for the wild-card round against the Eagles and will likely see a mix of reps on offense and special teams should he play.
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Matt Prater K | BUF
Bills' Matt Prater: Viewed as 'day-to-day'
Head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Prater (quadriceps) is "more day-to-day" as the Bills begin preparing for Sunday's wild-card game in Jacksonville, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Prater's nagging right quad injury kept him from kicking in Weeks 16 and 17 and resulted in him being unable to finish this past Sunday's 35-8 win over the Jets, but the aggravation he experienced in the regular-season finale doesn't appear to be viewed as significant. Even so, McDermott acknowledged that while Prater still has a chance at playing in the postseason opener, the Bills plan to bring in other kickers for workouts Tuesday in order to have a replacement option ready to go in case the 41-year-old isn't ready to kick against Jacksonville. Over his 15 appearances during the regular season, Prater knocked down 46 of 49 extra-point tries and 18 of 20 field-goal attempts, with a long conversion of 52 yards.
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Luke Gifford LB | SF
49ers' Luke Gifford: Questionable for wild-card round
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Gifford (quadriceps) will be evaluated throughout the week to determine his status for the wild-card round, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Gifford suffered a quad injury in the 49ers' Week 18 game against the Seahawks, and it's unclear if he'll be available to open the postseason. If Gifford and Dee Winters (ankle) are unable to play Sunday against the Eagles, Curtis Robinson and Garret Wallow would likely slot in alongside Eric Kendricks.
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Fred Warner MLB | SF
49ers' Fred Warner: Not ready to return
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Warner (IR, ankle) can return in the playoffs, but only if the team makes a deep playoff run, Matt Barrows reports.
Warner has not played since suffering an ankle injury in Week 6 against Tampa Bay and isn't ready to return for the start of the playoffs. When asked about the star linebacker, Shanahan said the team would have to win a few playoff games before thinking about a possible comeback for the 29-year-old. With Warner and Tatum Bethune (groin) both out, and Dee Winters (ankle) listed as questionable, Eric Kendricks is in line to start at linebacker for San Francisco in Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles.
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Eric Kendricks MLB | SF
49ers' Eric Kendricks: In line for larger role
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Kendricks has moved into the starting role at linebacker with Tatum Bethune (groin) out through the postseason, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Kendricks was elevated to the active roster in late December and made his first appearance with the 49ers in Week 16, recording six tackles (three solo) in three games. Bethune is just the latest domino to fall in terms of injury on San Francisco's defense, which will head into the postseason without Mykel Williams (IR, knee), Nick Bosa (IR, knee) and Fred Warner (IR, ankle), and with Dee Winters (ankle) questionable for Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Eagles. The team hopes Kendricks can act as a bridge for a potential deep playoff run until Warner is healthy, per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com.
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Tatum Bethune LB | SF
49ers' Tatum Bethune: Done for season
Sam Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Bethune (groin) won't be available for the 49ers' entire postseason run, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Bethune's status for San Francisco's wild-card round matchup was already up in the air after he exited in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 13-3 loss to the Seahawks. Upon further examination, the 24-year-old has been diagnosed with a groin tear that may require surgery. With Dee Winters (ankle) also uncertain to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles and with Shanahan ruling out Fred Warner (ankle) for the first two rounds of the playoffs, Eric Kendricks is expected to take on a full-time role at linebacker. Garret Wallow and Curtis Robinson -- who was inactive in Week 18 -- could also be called upon to handle more prominent roles.
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Caden Prieskorn TE | CLE
Browns' Caden Prieskorn: Inks deal with Browns
The Browns signed Prieskorn to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Prieskorn signed to Cleveland's practice squad in late October after being cut by Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old did not appear in a game this season. The Ole Miss product will participate in the Bowns' offseason activities, and he is expected to compete for a spot on their active roster next season.
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Luke Floriea WR | CLE
Browns' Luke Floriea: Lands with Cleveland
The Browns signed Floriea to a reserve/future contract Monday.
The rookie out of Kent State spent the year on Cleveland's practice squad and did not play in an NFL game after going undrafted in 2025. Floriea will participate in the Browns' offseason activities and attempt to earn a spot on their active roster next season.
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Sal Cannella TE | CLE
Browns' Sal Cannella: Stays with Browns
The Browns signed Cannella to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Cannella was elevated for both of Cleveland's final two games of the season as additional help at tight end, where he played 35 total snaps (29 offensive and six on special teams), catching two passes for 11 yards on five targets. The 29-year-old will participate in the Browns' offseason activities and attempt to earn a spot on their active roster next season.
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DaRon Bland CB | DAL
Cowboys' DaRon Bland: Set to undergo surgery
Bland confirmed Monday that he's set to undergo surgery on a lingering foot injury Jan. 13, Calvin Watkins reports.
Bland missed the final three games of the 2025 season due to a foot injury he suffered in Week 15. Over 12 appearances, the 26-year-old had 73 tackles (45 solo) and six pass breakups, including one interception.