NFL Player News

The 49ers designated Cowing (hamstring) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Cowing has not played a snap in the 2025 season due to the hamstring injury he suffered during training camp. The wide receiver's return for the wild-card matchup with the Eagles would be a great for a corps that could be without No. 2 wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (PCL). Cowing will have three days to increase his practice participation and prove he is ready to suit up for Sunday's contest.

The 49ers placed Bethune (groin) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Bethune suffered a groin injury late into the 49ers' Week 18 loss to the Seahawks. The injury has proven to be season-ending, and the team will now grow even thinner at linebacker as they enter the playoffs. The recent signing of Eric Kendricks to the active roster will hopefully be enough to sustain the team until it can potentially regain the help of All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner (ankle).

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Pearsall (knee) will not practice Wednesday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Pearsall missed the 49ers' regular-season finale against the Seahawks in Week 18 due to the lingering PCL sprain in his right knee, and it appears his status is still uncertain heading into Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Eagles. The second-year wideout will have two more chances to retake the practice field prior to Sunday's matchup. If Pearsall is unavailable, Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne will again handle increased opportunities behind Jauan Jennings.

The 49ers signed Kendricks from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.

Kendricks made a strong impression in his practice squad elevations, accumulating six tackles (three solo) over 46 defensive snaps and 39 special-teams snaps. The middle linebacker is set to start in Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles. If Kendricks can sustain the defense for a few weeks, the hope is Fred Warner (ankle) could return to finish a deep playoff run.

The Eagles designated Ojulari (hamstring) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Ojulari played in just three games this season, totalling 67 defensive snaps for six tackles, including two solo tackles. The weakside linebacker was a healthy scratch to start the season, but with Jaelan Phillips (ankle) questionable for Sunday's wild-card contest against the 49ers, Ojulari is primed to provide perfect depth for the Eagles' defense. The 25-year-old will have three practices to dodge any injury designation and prove he should be activated for Sunday's contest.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that he expects Tom (back/knee) to play in Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Bears, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Tom missed the final three contests of the regular season, but he was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice and appears to be trending in the right direction as Saturday's game approaches. The right tackle will have two more chances this week to potentially upgrade to full practice participation, which would likely allow him to approach Saturday's contest without a designation.

Oliver (biceps/knee) is trending in the right direction, but there is not a set date for his activation from injured reserve, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Coach Sean McDermott followed up Monday's declaration that Oliver would not be available for the wild-card round with a Wednesday status update. The defensive tackle continues to recover from his initial biceps issue suffered in late October, as well as the meniscus cleanup he had done in late December. If Oliver can return to practice next week, he may be available for a potential AFC divisional round matchup.

Prater (quadriceps) will not participate in practice Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Coach Sean McDermott says that Prater will not practice today but he plans for him to kick tomorrow, where they will have a better idea of his status for Sunday's playoff game against the Jaguars. The Bills recently signed kicker Matthew Wright to the practice squad. If Prater's practice Thursday is insufficient, Wright will likely start Sunday's game.

Poyer (hamstring) will be listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice report, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Poyer closed out the regular season with back-to-back absences due to a hamstring injury, but Buffalo will hope to have the starting safety back in action for Sunday's wild-card round matchup on the road against Jacksonville. Cam Lewis will figure to handle an expanded role on defense versus the Jaguars in the event that Poyer can't go.

Milano (illness) will not practice Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Milano played in the Bills' last nine games consecutively before resting with most of the defensive starters in the team's Week 18 victory over the Jets. The linebacker appears to have acquired an illness, but it will likely not stop him from playing in Sunday's playoff game against the Jaguars. The 31-year-old will have two more opportunities to elevate his practice participation and prove he is over the illness in time for Sunday's contest.