NFL Player News

Purdy (left shoulder/toe) isn't in line to play Sunday against the Cardinals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Purdy sat out the 49ers' Week 2 win at New Orleans due to the combination of a turf toe variant and an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. While the quarterback was able to log three limited practices this week, coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that Purdy was "highly unlikely" to play in Week 3, according to Schefter. The 49ers won't post their inactives until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but Purdy's name is expected to be included when they do. Mac Jones will earn another spot start in Purdy's place while Adrian Martinez handles backup duties.

Whether Clowney is activated for Week 3's game against the Bears depends upon whether Trevon Diggs (knee) can play, Jay Glazer reported on Fox NFL Sunday.

If Diggs cannot play, Clowney will remain inactive due to the Cowboys needing another defensive back, but if Diggs can play, Clowney would play 10 to 15 snaps.

Johnson (groin) will likely undergo core muscle surgery next week and could return during the second half of the regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Johnson aggravated a groin injury during the Bears' Week 2 loss to the Lions, which was severe enough for him to be placed on injured reserve Saturday. He'll fly to Philadelphia to get a consultation on undergoing core muscle surgery, and there's optimism that the 2020 second-rounder will return during the regular season if he undergoes the procedure. The Bears will likely to turn to Nahshon Wright to start at outside corner opposite Tyrique Stevenson, while Dallis Flowers and Josh Blackwell serve in a rotational role.

Kancey (pectoral) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season but could return for the playoffs if the Buccaneers advance to at least the divisional round, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com reports.

Kancey underwent surgery this past week to repair a torn pectoral muscle that he suffered during the Buccaneers' Week 2 win over the Texans. The timeline to recover from the procedure will keep the 2023 first-rounder sidelined for the rest of the regular season, but there is optimism that Kancey could be back at some point in the playoffs if Tampa Bay advances far enough. Kancey's absence means the Bucs will lean more heavily on Elijah Simmons and Greg Gaines to serve in a rotational role on the defensive line behind Elijah Roberts, Logan Hall and Vita Vea.

Burrow, who underwent surgery Friday to address a Grade 3 turf toe injury, is facing a three-month absence, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

While coach Zac Taylor declined to provide a timeline for Burrow's recovery, a previous report by Ben Baby of ESPN aligns with Rapoport's estimate that the QB will miss a minimum of three months. With that timetable in mind, Burrow could potentially return later this season, but in the meantime Jake Browning will serve as the Bengals' No. 1 signal-caller.

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.