NFL Player News

Meyer acknowledged the team had talked to Smith about coming to Jacksonville, presumably to serve as backup and mentor for soon-to-be No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. Meyer coached Smith at Utah in the early-2000s before Smith was selected first overall by the Niners, and Jacksonville general manager Trent Baalke was the 49ers GM when the team drafted Smith. “He’s like our family. Both of us feel so strongly about them. But that’s something that we’re just going to keep an eye on because I hope he comes back,” Meyer said. After returning from a catastrophic 2018 leg break, Smith struggled mightily down the stretch in 2020, bothered by the calf on his formerly broken leg. He sat out the Football Team’s Wild Card loss to Tampa. With no chance to start for a team in 2021, Smith could retire.

Lamm was starting at right tackle for the Dolphins after starter Austin Jackson (knee) was put on injured reserve. He missed Week 15 with a back issue, but played the last two weeks. There is no official word yet on if it was the same back issue or a different injury to land Lamm on injured reserve. The Dolphins added OL Braeden Daniels from the Cowboys’ practice squad in a corresponding move.

Whittington was listed as limited due to an ankle issue, though the Rams held a walkthrough practice, so the injury report is just an estimation. Whittington has been seldom used on offense since Puka Nacua’s return, but could become a factor in Week 18 with key Rams starters potentially headed for a rest day against the Seahawks.

This is Guerendo’s second consecutive full participation since last week. It is a positive development after the rookie touched the ball 13 times in the 49ers’ Week 17 loss. Guerendo is trending toward RB1 status this week. The 49ers’ offense is extremely banged up and a strong, high-volume showing would give Guerendo an opportunity to position himself ahead of Jordan Mason on the 2025 depth chart.

Pearsall is on track to play this week and the 49ers would surely like to get another look at him despite the lost 6-10 season. George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs/wrist) are both banged up right now so Pearsall could operate as the passing game’s focal point.

Samuel was listed with both of these injuries earlier this year and the team has been fairly unreliable with their injury listings so it is possible neither issue is new. The 6-10 49ers have little to play for at this time. Fantasy managers should consider Samuel truly questionable for Week 18.

Abdullah was a non-participant with a foot injury he picked up in the Raiders’ Week 17 win against the Saints. He has been a league-winner for fantasy managers, becoming the team’s lead back late in the season. If Abdullah cannot go, Alexander Mattison will be the lead back, though he would be a shaky play for fantasy purposes.

Kittle evidently exited his team’s Week 17 game against the Lions very banged up. He may push to play but with Brock Purdy (elbow) already ruled out, it stands to reason that the 6-10 49ers will likely choose to rest their stud tight end.

Bosa has evidently swapped out a hip injury and bilateral oblique strains for a knee injury and the 6-10 49ers have nothing to play for this week. It is difficult to predict whether or not Bosa will push to play but he appears to be on the wrong side of questionable at this time.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday he does not believe the foot issue will land Palmer on injured reserve. The fact that it is even an option suggests Palmer won’t play this week. His availability for LA’s Wild Card game is also in question. Quentin Johnson should see an uptick in targets with less competition for the WR2 role in Week 18.

Edwards looks likely to miss another game with the ankle issue. J.K. Dobbins returned from injured reserve last week and picked up 76 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. With Dobbins cementing his role as the team’s top back once again, Edwards is not on the fantasy radar, healthy or not.