NFL Player News

Kirk (calf) was placed on injured reserve by the 49ers on Sunday with a designation to return.

Kirk missed the entirety of the preseason after suffering a calf injury at practice July 26, and he will now be forced to sit out at least four contests to open the regular season. The wide receiver signed with San Francisco in the offseason, and he was expected to occupy a prominent role on offense. In his absence, rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling (shoulder) will have a chance to be an impact player in his NFL debut Week 1 against the Rams in Australia.

The Jets waived/injured Richardson (undisclosed) on Sunday, Eric Allen and Amanda Vogt of the team's official site report.

Richardson signed with the Jets last Sunday after being waived by the Titans on Aug. 19. The running back played in Friday's preseason finale against the Giants, rushing five times for 13 yards. Richardson likely picked up his injury in the contest, and if he clears waivers he will revert to the team's injury reserve list for the entirety of the 2026 regular season. The 25-year-old will need to reach an injury settlement with the Titans to be able to play for another team.

The Jets waived/injured Hulstein (undisclosed) on Sunday, Eric Allen and Amanda Vogt of the team's official site report.

Hulstein signed with the Jets in early August as an undrafted free agent out of Marist. The tight end participated in all three preseason games for the team, catching four of his five targets for 25 yards. The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder will now be subject to waivers, and if he clears will revert to the Jets' injured reserve list for the entirety of the 2026 regular season unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

The Jets waived/injured Curtis (knee) on Sunday, Eric Allen and Amanda Vogt of the team's official site report.

Curtis exited the Jets' preseason contest against the Steelers early with a knee injury. The tight end's issue proved severe enough to keep him out of the preseason finale against the Giants on Friday. Curtis will likely clear waivers and revert to the team's injured reserve list, where he will spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

Sauls (undisclosed) was waived after reaching an injury settlement with the Giants on Sunday, Dan Salomone & Matt Citak of the team's official website report.

Sauls entered training camp in a competition with rookie Dominic Zvada for the starting kicker job in New York this season, but he ultimately lost the job. Sauls went 3-for-3 on field-goal tries, including a 46-yard make, and he converted his only PAT, but he also suffered an undisclosed injury at some point along the way. Now that he has reached a settlement with the team, he will have the chance to pass a physical and sign elsewhere instead of spending the season on injured reserve with the Giants.

The Patriots waived Miller (undisclosed) with an injury settlement Sunday, per the NFL's transaction log.

The rookie seventh-rounder had a strong performance in the Patriots' preseason opener, rushing 14 times for 55 yards. Miller has already cleared waivers and is now a free agent. Once the running back regains his health, he will be free to sign with any franchise's 53-man roster or practice squad.

The Vikings waived/injured Fleming (undisclosed) on Sunday, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.

Fleming failed to make the 53-man roster as a rookie UDFA out of Tulane in 2025, spending the entirety of the regular season with the Vikings' practice squad. The wide receiver appears to be on a similar path for 2026, except instead of joining the team's practice squad, he will likely spend the season on injured reserve if he clears waivers. If Fleming reverts to IR and wants to try to join another franchise once he regains his health, his only option would be to reach an injury settlement with the Vikings.

Funderburk (undisclosed) was waived by the Panthers with any injury designation Sunday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Funderburk compiled five total tackles during the preseason but he appears to have picked up an undisclosed injury at some point along the line. The cornerback will now be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he'll revert to season-ending injured reserve with Carolina. If that ends up being the case, he'll have to reach an injury settlement with the team in order to have a chance to play this season.

The Vikings waived/injured Nesbit (undisclosed) on Sunday, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.

Nesbit participated in the first two preseason games for the Vikings before succumbing to injury, catching three of his six targets for 29 yards. If Nesbit clears waivers, he will revert to the team's injured reserve list, where he will spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

The Vikings waived/injured Jefferson (undisclosed) on Sunday, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.

Jefferson signed with the Vikings on Aug. 12 as a depth running back for the 2026 preseason. The 26-year-old participated in all three preseason contests, rushing 11 times for 74 yards. Jefferson will now be subject to waivers, and if he clears will revert to the team's injured reserve list. If the running back reverts to IR, he will miss the entirety of the 2026 regular season unless he is waived with an injury settlement.