NFL Player News

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed after Thursday's 26-23 overtime victory over the Rams that Purdy is without a timeline for a return after a recent MRI revealed that he aggravated a turf toe injury in the Week 4 loss to the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. "He's week-to-week," Shanahan said of Purdy. "Don't know how [the toe] will heal."

With the toe injury keeping Purdy out for the third time in four games, backup Mac Jones made another start at quarterback Thursday and guided the 49ers to a win, despite working with a depleted pass-catching corps. Jones' solid work when called upon this season could prompt the 49ers to take a cautious approach with Purdy, who didn't practice at all this week and may not be ready to play in the team's Week 6 game at Tampa Bay, despite benefiting from a longer turnaround ahead of that Oct. 12 contest. The 49ers will likely have another update on Purdy's status when the team begins Week 6 prep next Wednesday.

Irving (foot/shoulder) is expected to sit out Sunday's game against the Seahawks and is also in danger of missing the Buccaneers' Week 6 contest versus the 49ers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

On Wednesday, head coach Todd Bowles labeled Irving as day-to-day, even though the second-year back emerged from Week 4 action with a left foot sprain that confined him to a walking boot and required the aid of crutches to move about. Irving -- who is also nursing a more minor shoulder injury -- didn't practice in any fashion Wednesday or Thursday, and unless he's able to fit in some on-field work Friday, he'll likely be officially ruled out for Sunday's contest heading into the weekend. Rachaad White is likely poised to step in as the Buccaneers' lead back in Irving's absence, though Sean Tucker is also projected to see added work on the ground.

Wentz is slated to start at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Browns in London, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

With J.J. McCarthy (ankle) having yet to resume practicing and set to miss his third straight game Sunday, Wentz will pick up another start, including his second in a row overseas. Through his first two games at the helm, Wentz has guided the Vikings to a 1-1 record while completing 44 of 66 pass attempts for 523 yards and four touchdowns. However, despite his generally efficient play, Wentz has been prone to some sloppiness, as he's tossed two interceptions and has taken nine sacks behind a banged-up offensive line. The Vikings will once again be without three starting offensive linemen in Week 5 against a stout Browns defense, which could render Wentz an unreliable fantasy option in leagues that start just one quarterback. Minnesota is on bye for Week 6, so the health of McCarthy in addition to Wentz's performance against the Browns will both be factors in determining which of the two quarterbacks will garner the start Week 7 versus the Eagles.

Dowdle is expected to serve as the Panthers' starting running back for Sunday's game against the Dolphins with Chuba Hubbard (calf) likely to be sidelined for the Week 5 contest, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Hubbard didn't take part in practices Wednesday and Thursday, and unless he takes a dramatic step forward in his activity Friday, he could be ruled out for Sunday's contest heading into the weekend. After signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Carolina in the offseason, Dowdle has served as Hubbard's top backup through the first four games, carrying 28 times for 83 yards (3.0 YPC) and a touchdown to go with five catches for 20 yards on six targets. Despite his poor efficiency so far with Carolina, Dowdle is coming off a 1,079-yard rushing season with Dallas and is likely to rank as the Panthers' preferred option out of the backfield ahead of fourth-round rookie Trevor Etienne, who has primarily served as a return specialist through the first four weeks and didn't see his first extended action on offense until garbage time of the Panthers' 42-13 loss to the Patriots last Sunday.

Ham (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns in London.

The fullback missed the Vikings' first four games of the season while recovering from a knee injury but could be ready to make his 2025 debut after turning in a trio of full practices this week. Ham currently remains on injured reserve, so the Vikings will need to add him back to the 53-man roster by Saturday in order for him to be eligible to play in Week 5.

The Viking have ruled out McCarthy (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Browns in London.

With McCarthy still sidelined due to a right high-ankle sprain, Carson Wentz is slated to draw a third straight start at quarterback while working behind a shorthanded offensive line. McCarthy -- who last played Week 2 -- will thus target a potential return to action Oct. 19 against the Eagles, following the Vikings' Week 6 bye.

Hubbard (calf) is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

After sitting out practices Wednesday and Thursday, Hubbard is trending toward being unavailable Sunday, an outcome that could be confirmed as soon as Friday, when the Panthers post their final Week 5 injury report. If Hubbard is indeed sidelined versus Miami, Rico Dowdle would likely be in line for a leading role out of the backfield, with Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas also on hand as depth options.

Bond is listed atop the unofficial depth chart as the punt returner ahead of Week 5 against Minnesota.

The Browns had to scramble this week after placing DeAndre Carter (knee) on injured reserve following last week's loss to the Lions. Bond is slated to replace Carter on punts, while Jerome Ford is expected to return kickoffs. Bond had some experience fielding punts in college and earlier this season stepped in for a concussed Carter in Week 2. The added return role, however, is small potatoes compared to what is expected to be a larger profile as a receiver; Cleveland also placed wideout Cedric Tillman (hamstring) on injured reserve, and Bond is expected to see an increased workload on offense.

Ford is listed as the top kickoff returner on the Browns' unofficial depth chart heading into Week 5 against the Vikings.

Ford is set to take on a larger role Sunday when he's expected to add kick-return duties to his portfolio, replacing DeAndre Carter (knee), who was placed on IR following Week 4's loss to Detroit. Ford's usage as a runner is down in 2025 due to the emergence of rookie back Quinshon Judkins -- just one carry the last two weeks -- but he has served as receiving threat out of the backfield. And now with the quarterback change -- rookie Dillon Gabriel will replace veteran Joe Flacco -- and what is expected to be run-heavy offensive gameplan, Ford might reclaim some of those lost carries.

Atwell brought in two of four targets for 72 yards in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

Atwell finished third in receiving yards despite recording just a pair of receptions, including a 38-yard grab in Los Angeles' overtime drive. He's suddenly come to life in the passing game over the past five days after going into Week 4 with just one catch for four yards, as he's posted a 3-160-1 line on six targets in the last pair of contests. Despite the recent surge, Atwell remains a hit-or-miss deep threat in an offense that runs almost exclusively through Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams.