NFL Player News

Kendricks was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad to the active roster Monday.

The 33-year-old joined the 49ers' practice squad in late November and is now in line to make his first appearance of the 2025 season during Monday night's matchup against the Colts. Kendricks last played for the Cowboys in 2024, recording 138 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, three passes defensed, with two interceptions, and three forced fumbles over 15 contests. Now with San Francisco's active roster, Kendricks is expected to operate as one of the team's top inside linebackers.

Gross-Matos (hamstring) was activated off the 49ers' injured reserve list Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Penn State product has not played since San Francisco's Week 5 win over the Rams due to a hamstring injury, but it now appears he's nearing a return. Despite being activated off IR, Gross-Matos is still listed as questionable for Monday night's matchup against the Colts. If active for the Week 16 contest, he'll likely operate as one of the 49ers' top reserve defensive ends.

Perryman received a two-game suspension from the NFL on Tuesday for "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players," Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Perryman's suspension stems from a Week 16 hit on Cowboys wideout Ryan Flournoy, during which he was flagged for unnecessary roughness after delivering a forcible blow to the helmet while the latter was on the ground, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 33-year-old linebacker will now miss the Chargers' final two regular-season games. He appeared in 10 contests this season, recording 47 total tackles and three passes defensed. While Perryman is sidelined, Troy Dye may have a larger role with the Chargers' first-team defense.

Firkser caught all four of his targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 29-24 loss to the Steelers.

Firkser saw a similar workload on offense, logging 25 snaps with the unit after 22 in Week 15, but he was able to secure four passes. The tight end played 20 fewer snaps on offense than Shane Zylstra (45), but Firkser was able to finish with one more catch than his teammate. Firkser and Zylstra will likely continue to split the offensive opportunities at tight end against the Vikings on Christmas Day, limiting both of their production.

Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Higbee (ankle) will not be activated from injured reserve ahead of next Monday night's game against the Falcons, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Higbee was injured Week 11 and will miss his sixth consecutive game. With Higbee idle, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and rookie Terrance Ferguson have been handling tight-end duties for the Rams. Higbee's next chance to suit up will be Week 18 against the Cardinals, but there's a chance the Rams leave him on injured reserve until the playoffs.

The Chiefs signed Buechele off the Bills' practice squad Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With both Patrick Mahomes (knee) and Gardner Minshew (knee) sidelined for the remainder of the season, Buechele provides the Chiefs with much-needed depth at quarterback. The SMU product has never played in an NFL game since going undrafted in 2021. Buechele will likely compete with Chris Oladokun for Kansas City's starting QB spot throughout the week ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Broncos.

Smartt recorded five catches for 34 yards on five targets in Sunday's 29-6 loss to the Saints.

Smartt took the field for 20 of the Jets' 66 snaps on offense, with his 30 percent snap share placing him behind Jeremy Ruckert (67 percent) and ahead of Jelani Woods (20 percent) among New York tight ends. Though Smartt's five catches ranked first on the team, he's nonetheless likely to see his role in the passing game fade in Week 17 against the Patriots if top tight end Mason Taylor (neck) is able to play following a two-game absence.

Smith failed to haul in his lone target while playing seven of the Jets' 66 snaps on offense in Sunday's 29-6 loss to the Saints.

The rookie fourth-round pick has suited up for each of the Jets' last three games but remains an afterthought on offense. He's played single-digit snaps in each of those contests and owns an unremarkable 6-47-0 receiving line on 13 targets through 14 appearances on the campaign.

Zylstra caught three of five targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 29-24 loss to Pittsburgh.

Zylstra was able to secure his first passes of the year after going catchless in his return to action in Week 15. The tight end saw 20 more snaps on offense (45) than backup Anthony Firkser (25), but Firkser caught all four of his targets for 40 yards. Zylstra and Firkser will likely continue to split the workload at tight end Christmas Day against the Vikings, making both players relatively unappealing from a fantasy perspective.

Beck didn't record a target or carry while playing five of the Jets' 66 snaps on offense in Sunday's 29-6 loss to the Saints.

Beck recorded two touches in the Jets' Week 15 loss to the Jaguars, but he wasn't a factor in the box score in Sunday's contest and saw more playing time on special teams than on offense. For the season, the 29-year-old fullback has carried once for five yards to go with five catches for 43 yards and a touchdown on seven targets over 15 appearances.