NFL Player News

The former No. 1 overall pick will call it quits after 16 seasons in the NFL -- seven years with the 49ers, five with the Chiefs, and three with Washington. Against all odds, Smith’s recovery from a tragic 2018 leg injury culminated in 2020 with his emergence as the Football Team’s starting QB. “Two years ago I was stuck in a wheelchair, staring down at my mangled leg, wondering if I would ever be able to go on a walk again or play with my kids in the yard,” Smith said in a recorded statement posted to Instagram. “On a routine play, I almost lost everything. But football wouldn’t let me give up. Because, no, this isn’t just a game. It’s not just what happens between those white lines on a Sunday afternoon. It’s about the challenges and the commitment they require. It’s about how hard and how far you can push yourself.” Smith’s best fantasy season came in 2017, when he eclipsed 4,000 yards for the only time in his career and threw 26 touchdowns to five interceptions for Kansas City. The streaming QB mainstay also ran for 355 yards and a score. Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer, who coached Smith at Utah, had tried to lure the veteran to Jacksonville as a mentor for incoming rookie Trevor Lawrence. With no shot at starting in 2021 and nothing left to prove following his horrific injury, Smith chose retirement.

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.