NFL Player News

David (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

David has opened the week with an LP-LP practice report due to a knee injury that he likely picked up during the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss to the Eagles. The veteran linebacker's practice participation Friday will indicate his chances of playing against the Seahawks on Sunday. Deion Jones and John Bullock would be candidates to start at inside linebacker Sunday if David is not cleared to play.

Shepard (foot) practiced in full Thursday.

After missing Wednesday's walkthrough due to a foot injury, Shepard was able to handle every practice rep one day later, clearing him for Week 5 action. With Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to be out again Sunday in Seattle, Shepard is poised to remain the No. 3 wide receiver in the Buccaneers offense behind Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka, a role that's amounted to 13 catches (on 19 targets) for 167 yards and no touchdowns for him in four games this season.

Mayfield (knee/right biceps) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Mayfield sat out Wednesday's walkthrough due to knee and right biceps injuries, but his return to all activity one day later indicates the DNP was merely for maintenance purposes. He's been slinging it around this season, completing 83 of 139 passes (60 percent) for 904 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception through four games. The potential exists for both WR Mike Evans (hamstring) and RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) to be sidelined Sunday at Seattle, so Mayfield's primary pass catchers Week 5 may be WRs Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard, TE Cade Otton and RBs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.

Kittle has had no setbacks while on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury and has a chance to return Week 6 at Tampa Bay, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Prior to hurting his hamstring in the first half of a Week 1 win at Seattle, Kittle was involved early and often, gathering in all four of his targets for 25 yards and one touchdown. Given a prognosis of 3-to-5 weeks to recover, he was placed on IR on Sept. 9, and after Thursday's game at the Rams, he'll have fulfilled the four-game minimum on the reserve list. With WRs Jauan Jennings (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) sidelined Week 5 and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) still on the reserve/PUP list, Kittle may immediately take the mantle as the 49ers' top pass catcher once he's cleared for game action again.

Johnson (shoulder) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Johnson was limited to open the week due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the team's 31-25 win over the Buccaneers in Week 4. He now appears to be all set to start at right tackle Sunday versus the Broncos.

Cosmi (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Cosmi's 21-day practice window to return from the Commanders' reserve/PUP list opened Wednesday. He was a full participant in each of the first two practices of the week, but the 2021 second-rounder did not travel with the team to Los Angeles and will not play Sunday. Cosmi will have to wait until Week 6 against the Bears on Monday, Oct. 13 for the next opportunity to make his 2025 regular-season debut.

Wilson (ankle/knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

The rookie third-rounder was unable to suit up for the Patriots' Week 4 win over the Panthers due to knee and ankle injuries. He appears to be past those injuries given his full participation in Thursday's practice and should resume his starting job at left guard for Sunday's AFC East tilt against the Bills in Buffalo.

Goncalves (toe) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Goncalves appears to be set to return to action in Week 5 after missing one game with a toe injury. The 24-year-old will be back in his starting role at right guard against the Raiders on Sunday.

Witherspoon (knee) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Witherspoon is recovering from a knee injury, which has prevented him from participating in each of the first two practices of the week, so Friday's injury report will provide clarity on his chances of playing against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Derion Kendrick and Nehemiah Pritchett would be the top candidates to start at outside corner opposite Josh Jobe if Witherspoon is unable to play Sunday.

Dorsey (concussion) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Dorsey opened the week as a non-participant at practice Wednesday while recovering from an apparent concussion, but he was able to practice in full one day later. The cornerback will have one more practice to officially clear concussion protocol prior to Sunday's contest in Cincinnati.