NFL Player News
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Terrance Ferguson TE | LAR
Rams' Terrance Ferguson: Full listing Wednesday
Ferguson (hamstring) was a full participant at Wednesday's walkthrough, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Ferguson missed the past two games due to a hamstring injury, but a full listing Wednesday indicates that the issue is behind him. He thus will be in the mix for snaps and targets among Rams tight ends alongside Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee and Davis Allen for Sunday's divisional-round contest at Chicago.
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Brayden Willis TE | SF
49ers' Brayden Willis: Signs to active roster
The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster.
Willis was active in seven regular-season games for San Francisco in 2025, playing 98 snaps on special teams and 13 on offense. The 26-year-old will likely be a depth option for the 49ers' playoff matchup against the Seahawks, behind Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges as they take over for George Kittle (Achilles)
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George Kittle TE | SF
49ers' George Kittle: Officially placed on IR
The 49ers placed Kittle (Achilles) on injured reserve Wednesday.
This is merely a procedural move after Kittle was diagnosed with a torn right Achilles following this past Sunday's wild-card victory in Philadelphia. Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Tuesday that Kittle was slated for surgery Wednesday, after which point his rehab will start in earnest. Considering the timing of the injury and the expected lengthy recovery timeline, Kittle appears destined to miss a decent portion of the 2026 season. As for the 49ers' current playoff run, Jake Tonges will be the biggest beneficiary as a pass catcher among the remaining tight ends, but Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis also are on hand for snaps and targets.
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Ricky Pearsall WR | SF
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Limited again Wednesday
Pearsall (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Pearsall sat out Weeks 16 and 18 and also the 49ers' wild-card victory at Philadelphia this past Sunday due to the lingering PCL injury in his right knee. He followed up Tuesday's limited walkthrough with a capped session one day later, giving him one more chance to get back to full before the weekend. For what it's worth, Pearsall told Vic Tafur of The Athletic on Wednesday that his knee "feels fine" and that he's optimistic that he'll play Saturday in Seattle, but it remains to be seen if the 49ers tag him with a designation for the divisional-round contest.
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Chauncey Gardner-Johnson SAF | CHI
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Estimated as full participant
Gardner-Johnson (concussion) was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice.
Gardner-Johnson sat out of the Bears' wild-card game against the Packers with a concussion suffered in Week 18. The 28-year-old still needs to pass the NFL's concussion protocol for a chance to play Sunday, but his estimated full participation in Wednesday's walkthrough is a positive sign for the rest of the practice week.
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Matthew Stafford QB | LAR
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Logs full walkthrough Wednesday
Stafford (right finger) was a full participant at Wednesday's walkthrough, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Stafford banged his right hand on a follow-through in the second quarter of this past Saturday's wild-card win at Carolina, and while his accuracy and touch dipped afterward, he still played all 76 offensive snaps, completing 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, rushing twice for no yards and taking only one sack. On Monday, coach Sean McVay revealed to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com that Stafford was diagnosed with a sprained index finger, but he also wasn't concerned about the quarterback's status for Sunday's divisional-round game in Chicago. Stafford himself expressed a similar sentiment Wednesday, telling Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register that he feels "great" and doesn't expect to wear any protection on his right hand. With a full listing to kick off the week, Stafford is good to go ahead of the weekend.
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Justin Watson WR | HOU
Texans' Justin Watson: Unable to practice Wednesday
Watson (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday.
Watson suffered a concussion in the Texans' wild-card game against the Steelers on Monday. The 29-year-old has both Thursday and Friday to have a chance at returning to practice. Watson still faces an uphill battle in clearing the NFL's concussion protocol in preparation for the Texans' AFC divisional-round matchup Saturday.
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DJ Moore WR | CHI
Bears' DJ Moore: Listed as limited Wednesday
Moore (knee) was listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated injury report.
Moore also was limited at last Tuesday's walkthrough before capping the week with a full practice Thursday and heading into the weekend with no designation. He proceeded to lead Bears wide receivers in snap share (86 percent) in this past Saturday's wild-card win versus the Packers en route to six catches (on seven targets) for 64 yards and one touchdown and one carry for minus-5 yards. Both Moore and fellow WR Rome Odunze (foot) were limited at Wednesday's walkthrough, so their statuses will continue to be monitored ahead of Sunday's divisional-round contest against the Rams.
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Khyiris Tonga DT | NE
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Limited in practice Wednesday
Tonga (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday.
Tonga practiced for the first time since suffering a foot injury in Week 16 against Baltimore. The 29-year-old will need to at least remain limited in practice Thursday and Friday for a chance to play in the Patriots' AFC divisional round matchup against the Broncos. The five-year pro has 24 tackles (nine solo) and two pass breakups through 14 regular season games.
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Rome Odunze WR | CHI
Bears' Rome Odunze: Limited on practice estimate
Odunze (foot) was limited at Wednesday's walkthrough.
In his return from a five-game absence in this past Saturday's wild-card win against the Packers, Odunze started and played the second-most offensive snaps (54 of 78) among Bears wide receivers behind DJ Moore (knee), but the former managed just two catches (on six targets) for 44 yards. Both wide receivers were estimated as limited to begin preparation for Sunday's divisional-round game versus the Rams, with Odunze dealing with his lingering foot injury and Moore his nagging knee issue, so their statuses bear watching as the weekend approaches.