NFL Player News

A rangy, ball-hawking free safety who had single-high responsibility at Illinois, Joseph (6’1/203) spent the first half of 2020 at wide receiver before switching back to free safety. He made up for lost time last season, accruing 57 tackles, seven PBUs, three fumble recoveries, and five interceptions while receiving second-team All-Big Ten recognition. His hands are a massive 10.25 inches and his 33-inch arms are a length more commonly associated with edge defenders. A hamstring injury kept him from running in the pre-draft process, but he flashed enough speed and range to be able to stick at the NFL level. He’s going to get a shot to prove he belongs in the NFL, but he will need to prove his late-bloomer 2021 breakout wasn’t a fluke.

Higbee returned to practice this week after starting the season on the PUP list due to a knee injury he suffered last January. He was listed with a limited status on Wednesday, but he is unlikely to play Week 13 against the Saints. This will be Higbee’s first week to ramp up practices and Week 14 against the Bills will be his next opportunity to suit up.

Fant has missed multiple weeks due to a groin injury, but could be on his way back this week. He got in a pair of limited practices last week and starts this week out as a full participant. If he is cleared to play, Fant is no more than a back-end TE2 play against the Jets.

Lockett has been managing various injuries throughout the season and is listed with a knee injury for his non-participation to begin the week. He is the clear No. 3 wide receiver behind DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba now and fantasy managers in shallower leagues can cut Lockett at this point of the season. If he cannot practice later in the week, Lockett is likely to miss Week 13 against the Jets, propping Smith-Njigba up further as a borderline WR1 fantasy play.

Metcalf popped up on the Seahawks’ practice report with a new shoulder injury, listed as a non-participant for Wednesday. We have not yet heard about Metcalf’s shoulder issue, so the severity of the injury is still up in the air. If Metcalf can practice over the next couple days, he has a better chance of suiting up for Week 13. Otherwise, Metcalf is at risk of missing the Seahawks’ game against the Jets. With Tyler Lockett (knee) also missing practice, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is slated for a big game this week.

Bosa missed Week 12 due to an oblique injury he suffered in Week 11. He was already managing a hip injury prior to that and the oblique issue seems to be an extension of the hip issue. He starts out the week not practicing, indicating he is on track to miss Week 13 as well. Some positive news for the 49ers defense is that LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) got in a limited practice Wednesday after the team opened his 21-day activation window this week. Though Bosa is trending out, Greenlaw is getting healthier.

The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports that Williams is experiencing pain even while walking at this point, evidently prompting the scooter use. The 49ers’ left tackle has been managing a multi-week ankle injury but the team is now listing him with a heel injury as well. While a contusion or an impact-related injury is possible, “heel” suggests this could involve the Achilles tendon, which is very worrying. Williams appears highly unlikely to play in Week 13.

Pop pops up on the injury report with an ankle designation ahead of Week 13’s game with the Colts. Given the early week and the fact that it’s only a limited tag, we’d expect him to be able to play. Thursday and Friday’s statuses will tell more of the score.

He got in a limited session today and Monday but did not practice on Tuesday. We expect visions of a Drew Lock interception bonanza to get Diggs excited to play tomorrow, but it’s certainly no lock and he was inactive for Week 12.

He got in a full practice on Wednesday and will be a low-end superflex QB2 against the Giants on Thursday. Rush has thrown for 247/2 and 354/1 in his last two starts and will get Brandin Cooks back for Thanksgiving. It’s not enough to make us actively recommend starting him, but “Giants at home” is a pretty enticing look.

Wan’Dale Lamb, as some have called him, will get ready for his weekly allotment of passes with an aDOT under five against the Giants this week. He’ll be more of a WR2/3 in most leagues for the remainder of the year as Mike McCarthy tries to create the world’s most horizontal offense.