Adrian Martinez To Serve As 49ers’ Backup In Week 2; 49ers Exploring QB Options
As the 49ers prepare for at least one game – but quite possibly more – without Brock Purdy available, their quarterback setup will be worth watching closely. Mac Jones is set to handle starting duties, and an internal option will be relied on to back him up. 
San Francisco hosted Mike White this week knowing depth will be needed in the wake of Purdy’s turf toe injury. That ailment has produced a reported recovery timeline of two to five weeks, so Jones will likely be needed beyond Sunday’s game against the Saints. White is not being signed as a backup at this time, however. Instead, Adrian Martinez is set to handle QB2 duties for at least Week 2.
“While Mike has been in our system in the past, Adrian’s been here the last few weeks and he has a good understanding of what we do and how we do it,” general manager John Lynch said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle) when discussing the team’s short-term quarterback plans.
White has spent time with ex-49ers staffers Mike LaFleur (Jets) and Mike McDaniel (Dolphins), making him a familiar target in terms of head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s scheme. In spite of that, Martinez will get the first chance at serving as the team’s backup. The 2023 UDFA has not yet made a regular season appearance, and this summer he was unable to carve out the third-string role with the Jets. That resulted in Martinez being waived shortly before final roster cuts.
The 2024 UFL MVP was signed to the Seahawks’ practice squad shortly thereafter, but he then joined the 49ers’ taxi squad. Martinez is therefore in position to be promoted to the active roster over the coming days; failing that, he will be one of San Francisco’s gameday elevations for Week 2. In the meantime, the 49ers will continue to explore the market for additions amongst available passers.
“We’ll continue to put ourselves in the best possible situation looking at various opportunities for people,” Lynch added. “But right now, that’s where we’re at.”
Giants Could Play Jaxson Dart ‘Sooner Than Later’
Russell Wilson‘s Week 1 struggles have naturally led to calls for the Giants to start first-round pick Jaxson Dart in Week 2.
Head coach Brian Daboll reaffirmed Wilson’s starting status for Week 2 with the goal of keeping him under center for the foreseeable future. However, repeated poor performances will only intensify the pressure to let Dart take over the offense.
The Giants seemed poised to resist, for now. They made it clear throughout the offseason that they didn’t feel the need to start Dart right away. Instead, Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have prioritized his long-term development by keeping him on the sidelines until the coaches are satisfied with is progress, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
A strong preseason from Dart may have “expedited the process,” according to Graziano’s colleague, Jeremy Fowler, making it likely that the rookie plays “sooner than later.” The Giants named Dart the backup quarterback to enter the season, signaling their comfort with putting him on the field on game days if needed. Daboll and Kafka also installed a specific package of offensive plays for Dart, though none were used in Week 1.
As a result, it seems more likely that New York would give Dart a chance before going to Jameis Winston. Winston was designated as the team’s emergency third quarterback in Week 1, meaning that Wilson and Dart would both have to get hurt for him to enter the game.
The Giants may also be cautious of playing Dart behind a Giants offensive line that allow pressure on 48.9% of Wilson’s Week 1 dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats (subscription required). Left tackle Andrew Thomas is still working his way back to full health, so the team may not want to throw Dart to the wolves until Thomas is ready to protect his blind side.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/11/25
Here are today’s practice squad moves:
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Tyrek Funderburk, LB Sione Takitaki
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Jack Conley
- Released: G Mehki Butler
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Gabe Hall
- Released: DT Jacob Sykes
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Cody White
Funderburk and Takitaki earned practice squad spots in Minnesota after a successful tryout. Other players who worked out for the Vikings on Thursday include cornerbacks Shemar Bartholomew and Brandon Crossley and linebackers Jamin Davis and Ty Summers, according to KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson.
The Seahawks released White from their 53-man roster on Thursday to make room for Shaquill Griffin, who was promoted from the practice squad. White, a vested veteran, did not need to pass through waivers and immediately re-signed to the Vikings’ practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/11/25
Here are Thursday’s minor moves from around the league:
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: OT Brant Banks, CB Micah Robinson
- Placed on injured reserve: DL Brenton Cox
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: WR Tim Jones, TE Nick Vannett
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Jets): WR/KR Xavier Gipson
- Placed on IR: LB Micah McFadden (story)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed from practice squad: CB Shaquill Griffin
- Released: WR Cody White
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: C Michael Deiter, P Mitch Wishnowsky
Gipson was waived by the Jets after a costly fumble in Week 1, but will not need to switch states (or even home stadiums) when joining the Giants. The 24-year-old will serve as a depth receiver for his new team and could also contribute as a returner.
The NFL also issued a three-game suspension for free agency safety Qwuantrezz Knight, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Knight appeared in six games for the Cardinals in 2023.
NFL Injury Updates: Wharton, Lions, Colts
Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton suffered a hamstring injury in his Panthers debut and will miss time as a result.
Head coach Dave Canales said (via team reporter Darin Gantt) that Wharton’s absence would be “somewhere in the two- to four-week range.” That could preclude a move to injured reserve, as Wharton would be sidelined for a mandatory four week after his placement. Given the nature of his injury, the Panthers likely want to get him back on the practice field sooner as he ramps up to game readiness.
Wharton, 27, signed in Carolina this offseason for $15MM per year with the hopes of combining with Derrick Brown and A’Shawn Robinson to upgrade the Panthers’ interior pass rush. The former Chief put up a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2024 and added two more in the playoffs.
Until Wharton returns to the field, the Panthers will lean on a backups Bobby Brown and Jaden Crumedy. Rookie Cam Jackson should also get more opportunities after sitting as a healthy scratch in Week 1.
Here are several other injury updates from around the NFL:
- Lions offensive tackle Jamarco Jones, who was placed on injured reserve before Week 1, will be out for the season with an ankle injury, per Justin Rodgers of the Detroit Football Network. Safety Daniel Thomas, meanwhile, is planning to play through a broken hand, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
- The Texans‘ offense has taken another hit with center Jake Andrews sustaining a high ankle sprain, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The veteran starter has an unclear return timeline with backup Jarrett Patterson set to take his place.
- Eagles running back Will Shipley sustained a fractured rib in Week 1, according to 97.5 The Fanatic’s Derrick Gunn, partially explaining the team’s recent acquisition of Tank Bigsby from the Jaguars. In addition to replacing Shipley as Saquon Barkley‘s primary backup, Bigsby will also be able to contribute as a returner on special teams.
- The Colts could be without multiple pieces of their secondary in Week 2, per Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. Starter Charvarius Ward is still in concussion protocol, and third-year corner Jaylon Jones could land on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Head coach Shane Steichen said that Jones would be “out for a while” and declined to put a timeline on his return.
- The Packers will be without a pair of starting offensive linemen on Thursday night against the Commanders. Left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom were both ruled out with 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan and rookie third-rounder Anthony Belton taking their respective places.
Giants LB Micah McFadden To Undergo Foot Surgery
Micah McFadden suffered a foot injury during the Giants’ season opener. The fourth-year linebacker is facing a lengthy absence as a result. 
McFadden is set to miss a “significant” portion of the 2025 campaign, as first reported by Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Surgery is now on tap, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan adds. McFadden is considered likely to return at some point this season, per Raanan.
Even so, losing the 25-year-old will deal a blow to New York’s defense. McFadden played a rotational role during his rookie season before becoming a full-time starter the following year. His snap share jumped once more in 2024, reaching 75%. Another impactful campaign was expected in McFadden’s case for this season, the final one of his rookie contract.
As a pending free agent, the timing of McFadden’s injury is particularly troublesome. The former fifth-rounder’s market value will be dictated in large part by his play in 2025, but that will prove to be a small sample size. In McFadden’s absence, Darius Muasau – selected in the sixth round of last year’s draft – took over as a starter on defense in Week 1. That could continue moving forward, although other options will be explored at the second level of the Giants’ defense.
When speaking to the media on Thursday, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said (via Raanan) the team has “got to consider” using Abdul Carter as a weakside linebacker in the wake of losing McFadden. Carter, this year’s No. 3 overall pick, worked exclusively as an edge rusher last season and thrived in that capacity. The Penn State product previously saw time as a linebacker, however, so at least a part-time role in that regard could be feasible.
The Giants have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux in place as starters along the edge, something which led to questions entering the season about Carter’s workload. He handled a 50% snap share in Week 1, and Bowen noted that will change on a week-to-week basis. Given McFadden’s absence for the foreseeable future, it will be interesting to see if Carter’s rookie campaign winds up including responsibilities at more than one position.
Vikings Place LB Blake Cashman, RB Ty Chandler On IR
Blake Cashman‘s Week 1 hamstring injury made him a candidate for injured reserve. A month-long absence (if not longer) is indeed now in store for the veteran linebacker. 
Cashman was placed on IR Thursday, per a team announcement. As a result, he is now set to miss at least the next four games. Minnesota also placed running back and kick returner Ty Chandler on injured reserve.
Cashman split his first five seasons between the Jets and Texans, becoming a full-time starter in 2023. The Eden Prairie native then signed with his hometown team last offseason and again operated as a first-team regular, setting new career highs in several categories along the way. Cashman handled 43 defensive snaps before getting injured on Monday.
The Minnesota product is in line to remain a key figure at the second level of Brian Flores’ defense when healthy. That will not be the case until at least Week 7, however, given the timing of the Vikings’ bye. In the meantime, the team will move forward with veteran Eric Wilson as a fill-in starter. Cashman is on the books through 2026, although none of his salary for that year is guaranteed.
A quick return to action will therefore be key in that situation, and the same is also true of Chandler. The former fifth-rounder has seen sparse usage on offense over the course of his Vikings tenure, but he has been an important special teams contributor. That includes his work in the return game; on Monday, Chandler ran back three kickoffs for a total of 84 yards. The 27-year-old is a pending free agent.
The Vikings’ fourth-quarter comeback in Week 1 led to a win. They will aim to improve to 2-0 against the Falcons on Sunday night, but Cashman and Chandler’s absence will be felt.
Commanders Rework LT Laremy Tunsil’s Deal
Laremy Tunsil‘s contract has been reworked early in the campaign. The Commanders restructured their new left tackle’s contract on Thursday, per Spotrac. 
$18MM of compensation which was scheduled to be paid out as a base salary has been converted into a signing bonus. As a result, the Commanders have created $14.4MM in cap space for the 2025 season. Three void years were added to Tunsil’s pact, which is set to expire after the 2026 campaign.
None of the five-time Pro Bowler’s base pay for that year ($21.35MM) is guaranteed, even after today’s restructure. Tunsil’s level of play on his third career team over the coming months will thus be critical in determining his future. Washington acquired the 31-year-old via trade this offseason in an effort to bring about improvements up front during quarterback Jayden Daniels‘ second season.
Tunsil has started each of his 126 appearances in the NFL, and that will continue tonight against the Packers. The former Dolphin and Texan is expected to deliver high-end play on the blindside for 2025, and doing so would allow for 2024 left tackle Brandon Coleman to sustain his new spot at left guard. The Commanders’ top pick in this year’s draft – Josh Conerly Jr. – is currently handling right tackle duties but the Oregon product is seen as an option for the LT gig in the future.
Moving on from Tunsil next offseason would pave the way for Conerly to take on the left tackle role for 2026 and beyond. Such a decision has not been made any more difficult since today’s move did not add any new (real) years to Tunsil’s pact or include any future guarantees. Meanwhile, the Commanders entered Thursday fourth in the NFL in cap space, and they will move up to second with roughly $45.2MM in available funds once this Tunsil restructure is taken into account.
Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs Return To Practice
During cutdowns at the end of training camp, the Buccaneers elected to keep both Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs on the active roster. That decision was made despite the fact both are expected to miss multiple games in September. 
Moving either or both players to the reserve/PUP list would have ensured a four-game absence but also prevented them from being able to practice. Instead, remaining on the 53-man roster has opened the door for Godwin and Wirfs to take part in practice in September while rehabbing their respective injuries. That process has taken a notable step forward beginning today.
Godwin is taking part in Thursday’s practice on a limited basis, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That has since been confirmed by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, who adds Wirfs is participating as well. In both cases, practicing twice this week is the team’s goal as the next stage of a lengthy recovery path.
A fractured ankle ended Godwin’s 2024 season and ensured he would miss time early this year. Week 2 had been targeted as the point at which he would return to practice, though, so today’s update comes as little surprise. The 29-year-old turned down more lucrative offers to remain in Tampa Bay this offseason. Godwin will take on a key role in the passing game upon return, joining a group led by Mike Evans and first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka.
Wirfs is believed to have a strong chance of returning to game action earlier than Godwin, and suiting up at some point in September is a possibility following his offseason meniscus surgery. That would be a welcomed development for the Bucs’ offensive line, a unit which underwent a number of changes ahead of Week 1 to compensate for Wirfs’ absence. The four-time Pro Bowler is under contract through 2029, so a cautious approach will of course be taken with his recovery process.
Tampa Bay will look for a 2-0 start to the season on Monday against Houston. That effort will not include Godwin or Wirfs, but their respective rehab processes have reached an important final phase.
Cowboys Not Seeking Outside CB Addition; Stephon Gilmore Open To Reunion
Cornerback was a talking point through much of the offseason for the Cowboys, given their numerous injury concerns at the position. With DaRon Bland set to miss multiple games, the team’s secondary will be shorthanded early in the campaign. 
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In spite of that, Dallas is not looking to pursue an outside addition at this time. The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson reports the team plans on using its internal cornerback options while Bland recovers from a foot injury. Trevon Diggs handled a part-time workload in Week 1, his first game action since offseason knee surgery, and trade acquisition Kaiir Elam was on the field for every defensive snap.
That pairing will continue to be leaned on moving forward while Bland recovers. Considering the fact second-year corner Caelen Carson is on injured reserve while third-round rookie Shavon Revel is on the reserve/NFI list, though, backup options are few and far between at the moment. Josh Butler is on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he too will not be available until at least Week 5. The Cowboys have over $38MM in cap space available if a free agent signing is to receive consideration.
On that note, Anderson adds former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is open to a Dallas reunion. The soon-to-be 35-year-old worked as a full-time cornerback starter for the Cowboys in 2023. Last year, Gilmore played for the Vikings and remained a key figure on defense (87% snap share) despite his age. Consideration was given to retirement in the offseason, but the two-time All-Pro intends to play in 2025 under the right circumstances.
With respect to finances, Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS notes Gilmore will not take a league minimum pact to return to Dallas. Anderson adds the five-time Pro Bowler is also considering other options at this point, and nothing appears imminent with respect to a Cowboys return. As a result, the team’s Week 2 preparations will continue with the likes of Trikweze Bridges, Reddy Steward and C.J. Goodwin in position for backup roles.