NFL Player News

Purdy said after the game that he got hit on the backside of his elbow, and that his arm was “on fire.” He couldn’t throw on the sideline after that, making just a few half-hearted attempts before putting the ball down. Josh Dobbs took over and sure sounds to be in line to make a Week 18 start for the 49ers against Arizona. Initial tests showed that Purdy’s UCL ligament is intact. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan called it a “nerve issue” after the game.

Sirianni wouldn’t provide any other details on his QB1’s status, but Hurts was never expected to play in Week 18 against the Giants, even if healthy. The concern for Hurts’ availability is solely around Wild Card weekend and whether or not he’ll be able to get right in time for the first round of the playoffs. It would come as a major surprise if Hurts wasn’t able to suit up for some reason, but it’s not often that we see a concussed player’s absence extend into a third week.

Speaking Friday, McDaniel announced that the team is preparing to be without Tagovailoa for Sunday’s season-finale against the Jets. He said of his QB1’s hip injury that it is a “stop aggravating this by pushing through it” type of injury while also highlighting it as a muscle injury that has affected Tagovailoa’s mobility. Tagovailoa is a near-lock to miss Sunday’s game, but we’ll know for sure when the team releases its final injury report later in the day.

White will now be under contract through the 2025 season. The long-time backup signed with the Bills practice squad this offseason after being released by the Dolphins and was recently signed off the practice squad ahead of Week 18’s game against the Patriots. White has not thrown a pass this season and has a career passing line of 2219-9-13 in 14 games played.

If he’s active, Samuel could be in line for a decent workload this weekend, with the Bills planning to rest several of their starters. The veteran receiver has been limited in practice all week with an ankle injury and hasn’t played since Week 15. Even if he’s active, Samuel is right on the cusp of being a starter/backup, as his 200 routes run currently ranks fourth amongst receivers. Fantasy managers still grinding Week 18 would be best off playing it safe and avoiding Samuel.

McDaniel’s tone hasn’t changed much since Wednesday when he said the team was preparing for Huntely to start. Tua Tagovailoa (hip) logged a limited practice on Thursday, but it doesn’t sound like he’s gained much ground on his recovery ahead of the team’s regular-season finale against the Jets. The Dolphins still have a chance to sneak into the AFC playoffs, but will need a win on Sunday over the Jets and the Chiefs, who are expected to play mostly backups, to beat the Broncos. Tagovailoa hasn’t played since suffering a hip injury in Week 16 against the 49ers, and may not play another regular season game until Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Speaking on KNBR 680 on Friday, Lynch said of Purdy’s injury, “It’s nothing more than when you hit your funny bone. When you get an NFL helmet in the wrong place, it irritates the nerve.” He later added that Purdy “is going to be fine.” Purdy has already been ruled out for Week 18’s game against the Cardinals out of precaution, but it sounds like there’s little to be concerned about at this point in time.

Savage suffered a concussion in the Jaguars’ Week 16 game against the Raiders and missed Week 17 as a result of his injury. With one game left in the season, the veteran safety is expected to suit up to close things out against the Colts, who are unlikely to have Anthony Richardson in Week 18. Savage has totaled 42 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups this season while earning a PFF defensive grade of 47.3.

According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Watson will practice on Friday with the team and may return in time for the start of the Chiefs’ postseason. The third-year corner suffered a broken fibula in late October and was believed to be lost for the season. Now on the mend, the Chiefs will get a major boost to their secondary if Watson is able to return. Before suffering his injury, Watson had allowed just 15 receptions for 192 scoreless yards on 28 targets in six games while earning a PFF coverage grade of 74.2. The Chiefs already have a bye during the Wild Card round of the playoffs, meaning Watson wouldn’t return until the weekend of January 18th, giving him more than two weeks to practice and continue healing.

Vrabel was passed over by the league last offseason and wound up spending 2024 as a Coaching and Personnel Consultant for the Browns. His contract with the Browns has now expired, and Vrabel is ready to go on another round of interviews in hopes of landing a head coaching gig this season. Vrabel went 54-45 during his six seasons as the Titans head coach while leading them to the postseasons in three of those seasons. Considered by many to be one of the better available coaches, Vrabel will likely field more interviews as jobs begin to open up.

Prater, 40, remains on injured reserve, and the Cardinals will need to activate him shortly if he has any chance in playing in Week 18 against the 49ers. If Prater can’t go, the Cardinals will have Chad Ryland handle the kicking duties.