NFL Player News

Though the 49ers are never one to shy away from adding pass-rushing talent, this move is less about doubling down on a strength and more about backfilling. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead is expected to be released and Chase Young, who the team traded for at the deadline last year, is a free agent. Floyd signed a one-year deal with the Bills last offseason and gave them 10.5 sacks plus nine TFLs. Even at 31 years old, he proved to be a top-end pass-rusher once again. His addition will help keep the 49ers’ defensive machine rolling in 2024.

Robinson is a former second-round pick of the Jaguars, playing in and starting 91 games in Jacksonville over the past eight seasons. He was benched in favor of Walker Little for the Jaguars’ Week 8 game and is now dealt to the Vikings, who are in need of a left tackle after Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending ACL tear last week. Though Robinson had been struggling this season, he offers reinforcement at left tackle as the 5-2 Vikings try to stay in contention. Robinson is in the last year of his contract and set to hit free agency at the end of the season.

Zuerlein was added to the Jets’ Tuesday injury report with a left knee issue. His addition is an interesting development after the Jets brought in kickers to try out on Tuesday. Zuerlein has made just 9-of-15 field goals on the season, struggling to generate points for the Jets. Between the injury listing and kicker tryouts, there is a good chance Zuerlein is not a Jet by the end of the week.

Pierce was listed as a non-participant for the second straight day, an indicator that he may not be ready for the Texans’ Thursday game against the Jets. He carried the ball once against the Colts in Week 8 and now Dare Ogunbowale is slated to be the Texans’ RB2 for Week 9. Ultimately, it looks like another Joe Mixon workhorse day this week.

In addition to Fotu, DBs Tony Adams (hamstring) and Ashtyn Davis (concussion) did not practice on Tuesday. The non-participation is a troubling sign that all three defenders will be inactive on a short week against the Texans for Thursday Night Football Week 9.

Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Mosley would be seeing a neck and spine specialist on Monday. This indicates Mosley will miss extended time, at the least Thursday night against the Texans. His backup, LB Chazz Surratt, was limited with a heel injury on Tuesday after being listed with a ‘DNP’ on Monday.

Lazard was listed as a non-participant for the second straight practice. He was inactive against the Patriots in Week 8 and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said on Monday that Lazard is week-to-week. Expect Lazard to sit out Thursday night against the Texans as Aaron Rodgers will be down one of his favorite targets for a second straight week.

He was active in five games, taking three carries. Gaskin hasn’t received more than 10 carries in a season since 2021. He signed back to the Minnesota practice squad after his release.

Jones Jr. was waived last Saturday by the Bears and finds a new home in Jacksonville. The former third-round pick had just two rushing attempts with the Bears this year, and is sitting on 22 career targets and 19 career rushes. The Jaguars haven’t exactly been the team that has generated open area for their offensive players in space this year, but perhaps Jones Jr. just needed a fresh slate.

Pectoral injuries are usually season-enders for offensive linemen, but we’ll be kind and say “he’ll miss at least four weeks” as all players placed on injured reserve must. Murray had an 82.4 PFF grade in a small sample size, and the 27-year-old will be missed. The Bears will hope Teven Jenkins is able to go this week.

Instead, the Colts, per Holder, “want Richardson to take a step back, take a break from the pressures of the job and try to grow during this time.” That quote sure makes it seem like Richardson will get the job back at some point this season, especially if and when the Colts fall out of the playoff race. You don’t have to hold on to Richardson in standard leagues, but dynasty leaguers don’t need to dump Richardson this very instant. It sure seems like the Colts have made an abrupt about face on the idea that Richardson needed to play so that they discovered what they had in him. That would be strange for many franchises, but this is the one that hired Jeff Saturday as an interim coach mid-season once.