NFL Player News

The 49ers are optimistic that Purdy (toe/shoulder) -- who is listed as questionable but not expected to play Sunday against the Cardinals -- could be ready to start the team's Week 4 game versus the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Though Purdy is trending toward missing a second straight game this Sunday while he recovers from turf toe as well as an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, he made notable progress this week, practicing in a limited fashion from Wednesday through Friday. With the 49ers elevating Adrian Martinez from the practice squad Saturday, Purdy could be inactive Sunday, affording Mac Jones another start while Martinez serves as the top backup. Up to this point, Purdy has healed more quickly from his injuries than the 49ers initially anticipated, so if he's able to increase his practice activity during the upcoming week, he could be cleared to take back the starting role from Jones.

Godwin (ankle) will remain out for Sunday's game against the Jets, but he has a "strong chance" of making his season debut Week 4 versus the Eagles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Godwin will end up missing the Buccaneers' first three games of the season while he works his way back from a pair of procedures on the left ankle he dislocated Oct. 21, 2024, but he looks poised to make his return to the Tampa Bay lineup less than a year after suffering the devastating injury. The veteran wideout has already been a limited participant in five of the Buccaneers' last six practices, but Schefter relays that Godwin is expected to mix into drills with the team's other starters beginning in Week 4. If all goes well in practices Wednesday through Friday, Godwin should get the green light to suit up against the Eagles, providing quarterback Baker Mayfield with another playmaker to complement wideouts Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka (hip/groin) and running back Bucky Irving. Before dislocating his ankle, Godwin was well on his way to the best season of his career in 2024, as he produced a monstrous 50-576-5 receiving line on 62 targets through seven games.

Judkins is on track to serve as the Browns' starting running back Sunday against the Packers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After being added back to the Browns' 53-man roster for Week 2 after sitting out the Week 1 loss to the Bengals due to his late signing, Judkins technically started in last Sunday's 41-17 loss to Baltimore, but he still finished second among Cleveland running backs in snaps. Jerome Ford (35 snaps) led the way while Judkins (20) narrowly outpaced Dylan Sampson (17), but Judkins made his mark during his time on the field, carrying 10 times for 61 yards while adding three catches for 10 yards on three targets. After a strong professional debut followed by a trio of full practices this week, the rookie second-round pick will draw his second straight start Sunday, but this time he could supplant Ford as the lead option in the Browns' three-man backfield committee. While Judkins should be in line for an uptick in touches, he could have difficulty finding much open running room versus a Packers defense that held the Lions to 2.1 yards per carry in Week 1 and the Commanders to 2.7 YPC in Week 2.

Smith-Njigba (illness) remains listed as questionable heading into Sunday's game against the Saints, but his availability for the Week 3 contest is unlikely to be affected while he bounces back from an unspecified "bug," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Smith-Njigba wasn't included on the injury report all week before the Seahawks designated him as questionable Saturday after he came down with an illness. According to Schefter, the Seahawks gave the third-year wideout the questionable tag seemingly as a precaution more than anything else, but the team will wait and see how Smith-Njigba is feeling upon reporting to Lumen Field on Sunday morning before confirming that he'll suit up. Official word on Smith-Njigba's status will arrive when the Seahawks release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Rice, who is continuing to serve a suspension for the first six games of the season, will be able to return to Chiefs team facilities in Week 4, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rice won't be eligible to practice while he remains suspended, but he can take part in meetings and stay involved with the team as he gears up for a return Week 7 versus the Raiders on Oct. 19. The 0-2 Chiefs have solely missed Rice's presence in the first two games of the season, with his absence being further magnified by the loss of fellow receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who will be sidelined for a second straight game Sunday against the Giants after suffering a labrum tear three snaps into Kansas City's Sept. 5 loss to the Chargers.

Egbuka (hip/groin), who remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, is in line to play but is expected to have his snap count monitored, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Due to his pair of injuries, Egbuka was unable to practice Wednesday or Thursday before returning to the field Friday as a limited participant. While Egbuka's capped session looks like it'll be enough for him to gain formal clearance to play when Tampa Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Egbuka profiles as a shakier fantasy option than normal after producing an 8-96-3 receiving line on 13 targets through his first two games. While the Buccaneers aren't placing a set number on the amount of snaps Egbuka will play, Schefter suggests that the rookie could end up being limited depending on how he feels as the game unfolds.

Hampton (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Hampton was added to the injury report Saturday and was ruled out shortly thereafter. He's primarily contributed on special teams through two games while tallying one tackle.

Burford (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Burford suffered a knee injury in the 49ers' Week 2 win over the Saints. He had already been ruled out for Week 3, but he will now be sidelined for at least the next four matchups.

Gipson was waived by the Giants on Saturday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Gipson was waived for the second time in the last 10 days. He did not appear in any games with the Giants and will now look for his next opportunity around the league.

The 49ers elevated Turner from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Turner has spent the entire 2025 season on San Francisco's practice squad, but he has the chance to be active due to Jordan Watkins (calf) being sidelined. Turner would likely contribute primarily on special teams if active.