Kyle Shanahan Gives Brock Purdy Vote Of Confidence
While 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones continued a resurgent 2025 in a 34-24 win over the Giants in Week 9, he will not play his way into the team’s starting job. Head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear on Monday that Jones will return to a No. 2 role when starter Brock Purdy is ready to come back from a toe injury.
Asked if Jones’ play has allowed the 49ers to be more cautious with Purdy, Shanahan said (via Matt Barrows of The Athletic): “They’re not related. This is Brock’s team. When Brock’s good to go and everything and can play like Brock, there’s no decision to be made.”
After going 15th overall to the Patriots in the 2021 draft, Jones finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and helped the Pats to a playoff berth. The Alabama product was unable to replicate his first-season output with the Patriots or the Jaguars from 2022-24, though, leading him to ink a two-year, $7MM contract with the 49ers last offseason.
Jones reportedly turned down richer offers to function as Purdy’s backup, but choosing San Francisco has worked out well for him and the team. With Purdy having missed seven of the 49ers’ nine games, including five in a row, Jones has led the 6-3 club to a 5-2 record in his starts. The 27-year-old has completed 67.2% of passes for 1,832 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in the process. He ranks a solid 15th in the league in QBR.
After picking up his fourth win in Week 7, Jones earned $400K in incentives, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. He collected another $100K for the 49ers’ Week 9 victory, which will continue to be the case as long as he plays at least 25% of offensive snaps, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Jones will rake in another $550K if he plays 50% of offensive snaps this season and the 49ers earn a playoff berth.
It’s unclear whether Purdy will play this Sunday against the NFC West rival Rams (6-2), who lost at home to Jones and the 49ers in Week 5. Regardless, it’s unsurprising that Shanahan is continuing to back Purdy, one of the team’s greatest individual success stories during his eight-plus years as the head coach.
Purdy quickly went from Mr. Irrelevant – the last overall pick in the 2022 draft – to establishing himself as a high-end starter. The 49ers went 17-4 with Purdy at the helm through the 2023 regular season, which ended with an overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
San Francisco failed to make the playoffs during an injury-plagued 2024 in which Purdy’s numbers declined. However, that didn’t stop the 49ers from signing the 25-year-old to a mammoth extension last May. Just months removed from securing a five-year, $265MM deal that includes $181MM in guarantees, Purdy is in no danger of a demotion to clipboard-holding duties. The only question is when he’ll be healthy enough to start again.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/3/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: C Jacob Bayer
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Danny Gray
- Released: OL Sua Opeta
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: CB Beanie Bishop
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/3/25
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: DE Michael Hoecht (story)
Green Bay Packers
- Released: LB Kristian Welch
Dak Prescott Hoping To Play Into His 40s
After being limited to eight games in 2024, Dak Prescott has rebounded nicely through the first half of the 2025 campaign. The 32-year-old quarterback currently sports a career-high 70.3-percent completion percentage and is showing no signs of slowing down. Thanks to his continued production, the Cowboys signal caller is confident he can spend close to another decade in the NFL.
“Forties would be a good number,” Prescott estimated when asked about a potential retirement age (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “I’ve been through some injuries; played very physical in college so if I can get to 40 playing at the standard that I want, that would be awesome.”
Prescott has indeed dealt with his fair share of injuries through his first 10 years in the NFL. He was limited to only five games in 2020 after suffering a fractured ankle, and he missed another five contests in 2022 thanks to a thumb injury. A hamstring tear in 2024 represented the third major injury of his career.
To the player’s credit, he’s rebounded nicely in each instance. He finished second in Comeback Player of the Year voting in 2021, tossing a career-high 37 touchdowns while guiding Dallas to 11 wins. His 2022 campaign was arguably the best of his career, as he paced the NFL with 36 touchdowns while finishing second in MVP voting. While the Cowboys’ defense is to blame for the team’s struggles in 2025, Prescott currently has the highest QBR of his career.
Those past injuries could eventually impact his on-field ability, but there’s no real reason to be pessimistic about Prescott’s goal of playing into his 40s. We’ve seen plenty of recent quarterbacks play well past this milestone. Tom Brady played until he was 45 and Drew Brees played until he was 41, while Aaron Rodgers (41) and Joe Flacco (40) are currently starting for teams. If Prescott manages to stay relatively healthy over the second half of his career, there’s no reason why he can’t join that club.
The main question will be if Dak is able to remain under center with the Cowboys. Prescott is currently signed through the 2028 season, which would be his age-35 campaign. If the former fourth-round pick hopes to stick in Dallas, it’ll likely require multiple extensions. The long-time QB once replaced an age-36 Tony Romo (who was dealing with a compression fracture in his back), and Prescott will similarly have to stave off the team’s future investments at the position.
Even if he isn’t allowed to extend his career in Dallas, it sounds like Prescott is motivated to stay on the field as long as possible.
“[My perspective] has definitely changed; I can see it more realistically now,” Prescott said (via Archer). “And I think as much as anything, the fun and the peace that this game still gives me 10 years in is going to be hard [to move on from]. You can’t supplement it, so as long as I can do this at a level that I’m proud and happy with, I’ll keep trying.”
Bills Restructure Taron Johnson’s Contract
With approximately $1.67MM available (per Over the Cap), the Bills entered the week with the least amount of cap space in the NFL. General manager Brandon Beane now has a bit more wiggle room ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, though.
The Bills have restructured cornerback Taron Johnson‘s contract, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com. The team opened up $1.75MM in spending space by converting base salary into a signing bonus.
A fourth-round pick out of Weber State in 2018, Johnson has spent his entire career with the Bills and emerged as one of the league’s most respected nickel corners. The Bills made him the league’s highest-paid slot CB in signing Johnson to a three-year, $31MM extension in March 2024. Johnson’s payday is no longer at the top of the mountain for his position. Regardless, he’s under wraps through 2027.
Johnson missed a 28-21 win over the Chiefs on Sunday with a groin injury, but the Bills’ secondary delivered a strong performance in his absence. The Bills’ defensive backfield remains an area they could address before the deadline, though, especially with more cap room available.
With starter Taylor Rapp and backup Damar Hamlin likely done for the season as a result of knee and pectoral injuries, respectively, the Bills have reportedly been eyeing available safeties. Cole Bishop, who stood out against the Chiefs, and 34-year-old Jordan Poyer are now Buffalo’s top safeties. Cam Lewis and Jordan Hancock are the team’s primary depth choices.
While a safety acquisition is possible by Tuesday, the Bills likely have more pressing needs at wide receiver and along the defensive line as the deadline approaches. They’ve been frequently linked to both areas in the rumor mill, and the D-line has seen multiple important contributors go down in the past couple of weeks. Ed Oliver won’t return until the playoffs (if at all) after suffering a torn biceps in a win over Carolina in Week 8. Michael Hoecht then tore his Achilles on Sunday, ending his season.
The Bills were already in the market for D-line help before losing the versatile Hoecht, who shined over two games after missing the first six of the season for a PED suspension. Now armed with more cap space, Beane may attempt to bolster the Bills’ defensive front with at least one outside acquisition.
Chiefs OT Josh Simmons Returns To Team Facility, Expected Back In Lineup In Week 11
The Chiefs are set to get some major reinforcement on their offensive line. According to Jordan Schultz, rookie left tackle Josh Simmons has returned to the team facility after tending to a personal matter. It sounds like Simmons should be back in the lineup when the Chiefs return from bye in Week 11.
[RELATED: Chiefs LT Josh Simmons To Return In A Few Weeks]
Simmons was a late addition to Kansas City’s injury report in Week 5 with an illness. He got into that game but proceeded to miss the next four contests. We haven’t gotten any definitive details on the personal matter he was dealing with, and his absence was tagged with a non-injury-related/personal designation.
Either way, it sounds like the first-round pick will soon be back protecting Patrick Mahomes‘ blind side. The former Ohio State product started each of Kansas City’s first five games this season, with Pro Football Focus grading him 43rd among 75 qualifying offensive tackles. The site has been particularly bullish on his pass-blocking ability, although they dinged him for his run-blocking prowess.
With the rookie out of the lineup, the Chiefs have turned to offseason acquisition Jaylon Moore. The veteran inked a two-year, $30MM deal with the Chiefs this offseason with the expectation that he’d compete for a starting spot opposite RT Jawaan Taylor. With Simmons running with the starting gig, Moore transitioned to a high-priced depth piece, but the Chiefs have been fortunate to have him on the roster in recent weeks. Pro Football Focus has graded the former 49ers draft pick as the 30th-best tackle in 2025.
When Simmons returns to the lineup, Moore will likely settle back into a bench role. This is a unique luxury that few contenders can tout, and there’s a chance the Chiefs get creative with their OL options during the stretch run of the season.
Bengals Not Making Defensive Staff Changes
Week 9 marked another illustration of the Bengals’ inability to produce a stop on defense. A late 15-point Cincinnati outburst aided by a successful onside kick recovery was followed by a Bears touchdown in the closing seconds of Sunday’s game. 
That contest was not dissimilar to Week 8’s high-scoring defeat against the Jets. Those losses have dropped Cincinnati to 3-6 on the year. Even if Joe Burrow manages to return relatively soon, playoff contention will be increasingly unlikely down the stretch. Nevertheless, the team’s bye week will not include changes to the defensive coaching staff.
[RELATED: Bengals Still Asking For First-Round Pick In Trey Hendrickson Trade]
“No,” head coach Zac Taylor said (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer) when asked if defensive coordinator Al Golden‘s position is in jeopardy. “I believe in these guys. Absolutely. We’ll continue to work through it and find solutions.”
During each of Taylor’s first six years at the helm of the Bengals, Lou Anarumo operated as the team’s DC. The latter’s unit finished outside the top 20 in points allowed in 2023 and again last season, so it did not entirely come as a surprise when he was dismissed. Anarumo quickly lined up a new gig at the helm of the Colts’ defense after being fired. Indianapolis currently ranks seventh in points allowed.
Golden and the Bengals, meanwhile, have surrendered the most points and yards in the league on a per-game basis. The team is currently on pace to allow 567 points in 2025, which would be an all-time single-season record. Golden and the coaches are not entirely at fault, of course, and they will continue in their current roles when Cincinnati returns to action.
Many of the team’s recent draft investments on the defensive side of the ball have not developed as hoped. With much of the Bengals’ financial commitments coming on offense, their current issues have certainly not caught anyone off guard. Taylor did add that “nothing is off the table” in terms of personnel or scheme adjustments over the coming days. While moves along those lines – not to mention potential trades – will be worth watching for, Golden and Co. are safe for now.
Texans Extend LB Jake Hansen
The Texans signed linebacker and special teams ace Jake Hansen to a one-year contract extension, per a team announcement.
The deal will keep Hansen in Houston through the 2026 season for a maximum value of $3MM, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Hansen, 27, signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2022. He made the 53-man roster as a rookie and appeared in 11 games with 205 snaps on defense and 148 on special teams. During the subsequent offseason, Houston brought in DeMeco Ryans as the team’s new coach, and Hansen could not carve out a role in his system.
He has only played 183 snaps on defense in the last three years, but his role on special teams has expanded. He contributes to every unit except the Texans’ kicking team, and this season, his 89.6 special teams grade and eight special teams tackles are top-10 marks in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Hansen earned a total of $2.57MM in his first three seasons and re-signed with the Texans for $1.7MM this offseason, per OverTheCap. He will earn another pay bump on his new deal, and Houston will keep one of their core special teams contributors around for another year.
Special teams work isn’t the most glamorous, but it is a reliable way to stick around in the NFL. As long as Hansen stays healthy, he will likely have a job in Houston, and may be prized by other special teams-focused teams in the league.
Chargers T Joe Alt Out For Season
Bitten by injuries in many recent seasons, the Chargers have run into tremendous trouble along their offensive line in this one. Playing the full season without left tackle Rashawn Slater, the Bolts will now be without his replacement the rest of the way.
Being carted off with an ankle injury Sunday, Joe Alt is not returning this year. The Chargers announced the standout blocker is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right high ankle sprain — an injury that has given him trouble at multiple points during his second NFL campaign.
The Chargers quickly slid Alt to left tackle to replace Slater for this season. They had lost Slater to a torn patellar tendon during training camp, seeing that development unfold days after reaching an extension agreement. The Bolts had a prime option to fill in, as Alt had earned two All-American honors while playing left tackle at Notre Dame. But Alt’s season on Justin Herbert‘s blind side has been bumpy due to this injury.
Alt first went down in Week 4 and missed the next three games. He returned in Week 8, and the Bolts dominated the Vikings. The team eked out a win over the woeful Titans on Sunday, and its tackle situation now looks dire.
When Alt was healthy, backup tackle Trey Pipkins filled in at right tackle. When Alt went down in September, backup tackle Austin Deculus was called up to the first-team offense. Pipkins went down in Week 5, and Jamaree Salyer finished the game at right tackle, but a practice squad addition, Bobby Hart, ended up making the subsequent start opposite Deculus. When Pipkins returned from his injury, however, Hart remained in the starting lineup across from Alt in his return last week.
Hart actually left today’s game with an injury before Alt, getting replaced by Pipkins early in the contest. Deculus — a late-summer trade pickup — had already been ruled out with an ankle injury before the game. The Chargers called upon Salyer, this time to play left tackle across from Pipkins. This came as right guard Mekhi Becton missed another game. Because of the timing here, the Bolts may have a decision to make. Pro Football Focus ranks Alt 11th among tackles; Hart, Pipkins and Deculus are all outside the top 60.
Los Angeles has managed to reach 6-3 despite myriad O-line issues, but Alt’s return had been a silver lining previously. The prospect of playing without their best two blockers changes the equation, and the Bolts have until 3pm CT Tuesday to make a trade. Although Salyer and Pipkins have extensive starting experience, with both players seeing extended stretches at tackle and guard, they entered the season as backups for a reason. Will the Chargers try to trade for an Alt replacement by the deadline?
It took only a swap of conditional sixth-round picks for the Vikings to add Cam Robinson following Christian Darrisaw‘s injury last year, providing some optimism the Chargers could complete a deal without giving up too much. Robinson now resides in Cleveland, following a trade with Houston; Cornelius Lucas (34) is his backup. Chukwuma Okorafor, who left the Patriots one week into last season, resides as a Jets swing tackle. Injury-prone Trent Brown is stationed behind the Texans’ starting tackles.
One interesting solution could reside in Washington, where Andrew Wylie is available. The Commanders’ right tackle starter in 2023 and ’24, Wylie previously played right tackle for the Chiefs. He does not have nearly as much LT experience, however. But the Bolts have been rearranging their O-line since Slater’s injury. It will take more of that moving forward, as the Slater-Alt duo will not be back together until next season.
Cardinals Activate DL Walter Nolen, CB Garrett Williams
The Cardinals will have a pair of defenders available in time for tonight’s game. Most notably, Walter Nolen is positioned to make his NFL debut against the Cowboys. 
The first-round rookie has been activated, per a team announcement. Nolen was shifted to the reserve/PUP list during roster cutdowns while continuing to recover from a calf injury. The Cardinals opened his practice window on October 15, though, which began the 21-day period for him to be activated.
To no surprise, Nolen has been brought into the fold in time to play tonight. The Texas A&M and Ole Miss product stood out as one of the top prospects in a loaded 2025 defensive tackle class. Expectations are high in his case as a result, although given his missed time a long-running acclimation period can be expected. Nevertheless, any contributions early on will be key for the Cardinals’ defensive front.
Arizona will also have an important figure available in the secondary beginning in Week 9. Cornerback Garrett Williams has been activated from injured reserve. The 24-year-old retuned to practice less than one week ago, and he has clearly not encountered any setbacks. Williams totaled 17 starts across his first two seasons in Arizona, and he was a first-team presence for each of his two appearances in 2025 before being sidelined with a knee injury.
Having him back will be critical against a high-powered Cowboys offense. Beyond that, Williams will be expected to reprise his role as a starter as the Cardinals look to end their streak of close defeats and remain in contention for the postseason. The team ranks just 24th against the pass this season, but having the Syracuse product back in the fold could bring about needed improvements. This move leaves Arizona with five IR activations available.
Nolen has plenty of time to develop as he plays out his rookie contract. Williams, on the other hand, will be eligible for an extension as early as this coming offseason. A strong run from this point on would help the latter’s chances of landing a new deal or at least cementing his status as an impact player for 2026. Both defenders could prove to be notable contributors for years to come if all goes according to plan.
With the Cardinals still thin in the backfield, Michael Carter is the team’s only gameday elevation for tonight. He has bounced on and off the roster while also seeing time on the practice squad, and he will look to chip in on offense during his fifth appearance of the campaign.