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San Francisco 49ers News & Rumors

NFL Injury Updates: McManus, Ingram, Pearsall, Lions

November 16th, 2025 at 1:00pm CST by Ely Allen

The Packers are without regular kicker Brandon McManus today after he spent the week as “doubtful” on the injury report with a right quad injury, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. Backup kicker Lucas Havrisik is taking over kicking duties at MetLife today.

McManus’ quad injury has lingered since it forced him to miss the team’s Week 6 & 7 games earlier this year. Havrisik signed with Green Bay after a successful audition that also featured Greg Joseph. Havrisik was perfect in his two games in relief of McManus. He converted all four field goal attempts, including a career-long 61-yarder, and all six extra point attempts.

This will be McManus’ third missed game of the year. It’s not clear at the moment how much this week’s setback will affect him moving forward. Havirisik’s consistent presence on the 53-man roster means the Packers will be prepared for whatever his prognosis may be.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:

  • With starting right guard Ed Ingram once again out this week for the Texans‘ trip to Tennessee as he deals with a sprained knee, the Texans have shifted usual starting right tackle Tytus Howard inside to right guard and tapped veteran tackle Trent Brown to sub in at right tackle, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Brown started there last week when Howard was out with a concussion.
  • Brock Purdy isn’t the only offensive player the 49ers are getting back after a long absence. Per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will also play today after missing every game since Week 4. Sitting out of practice for most of that time, as well, Pearsall was able to string together a couple limited practices before finally being a full participant on Friday.
  • Despite rising optimism for returns soon to come, the Lions ruled pass rusher Marcus Davenport, cornerback D.J. Reed, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, and rookie offensive guard Miles Frazier out for their game tonight, meaning all four players will remain on injured reserve with a designation to return.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/25

November 15th, 2025 at 8:31pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor NFL moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s slate of games:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

With the 49ers set to see their starting quarterback return, Martinez’s presence on the 53-man roster is no longer necessary. He’ll likely find his way back to the team’s practice squad.

The Panthers’ two elevations, Barnes and Mukuamu, are direct reflections of injury absences for tomorrow’s game. With Trevin Wallace and Lathan Ransom ruled out for Sunday, Carolina made the decision to call up another player at each position.

Mevis will once again be called upon for kicking duties in Los Angeles. In his NFL debut last week, he was untested in terms of field goal attempts, but he converted all six extra point attempts in a blowout win in San Francisco.

Kamara in Tampa Bay is being called up for the third time this season. If the Buccaneers intend to play him in another game this year, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster, much as the Ravens did after Bryan exhausted all three of his standard gameday practice squad elevations.

49ers QB Mac Jones A Prime Trade Candidate For 2026

November 14th, 2025 at 10:15pm CST by Ely Allen

With Brock Purdy set to return to the starting lineup for San Francisco this weekend, head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that there is no quarterback controversy in the Bay Area. That’s not to say backup passer Mac Jones hasn’t proven himself to be extremely capable of competing for a starting job but more so that Purdy will get the benefit of the doubt as the incumbent starter prior to injury.

On the contrary to any potential criticism of Jones’ performance over his eight games as QB1, the buzz around the NFL recently has focused on the new trajectory of Jones’ career as a result of his commendable stint as the starter in San Francisco. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, in a league desperate for serviceable quarterbacks, Jones has established himself as one and “emerged as a prime trade candidate for 2026.”

After watching Purdy miss two games in 2024 and watching two different backup quarterbacks lose games as injury replacements, the 49ers committed to signing a higher-quality second arm in 2025. The team landed on Jones, giving him a two-year, $7MM deal with the potential to make up to $11.5MM.

He’s already added $500K from an incentive of playing at least 25 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and winning at least four regular season games as a starter. After eight starts, he may just trigger the second incentive requiring a 50 percent snap share and a playoff berth; both are very possible but not guaranteed at this moment. The two levels of incentives exist in the second year of his contract, as well, and if Jones does get traded to a team that names him the starter, he’ll have a good shot at hitting those marks again.

While the 49ers would certainly like to keep their strong QB2 option next year, his value as a trade asset may supersede any desires of keeping him. The Dolphins, Jets, Steelers, Browns, Saints, and perhaps even the Raiders and Cardinals all stand as teams that could be looking for a new starter in 2026. For a while, it seemed that the 2026 NFL Draft would be the saving grace for these teams, rich with young quarterback talent, but lately, evaluators have lost faith in the talent level of the draft-eligible passers in school now.

As a result, San Francisco may opt to capitalize on the value Jones has created for himself. Trading Jones would be mutually beneficial for the two parties as the team would be doing right by Jones, giving him an opportunity to start in the NFL, while getting a potentially valuable return in exchange.

For now, the focus in San Francisco is making sure Purdy is healthy and up to speed enough to assist the team on a second-half playoff push while also keeping Jones game-ready in case injuries force the team’s hand once again. If Jones continues to excel at executing the tasks set before him, though, he may just put himself — and the 49ers — in a strong bargaining position.

49ers To Start Brock Purdy In Week 11

November 13th, 2025 at 10:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

10:56pm: Shanahan announced that Purdy will start this week.

11:54am: Further signs point toward Week 11 being the point at which Brock Purdy will return to action. The 49ers’ upcoming practice days will be key, but the team’s starting quarterback could be back in the fold on Sunday.

Purdy did not dress for Week 10, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he could have suited up as the team’s backup for that game. As such, many have expected San Francisco’s game against Arizona will be the point at which Purdy reclaims his starting quarterback role. In his latest comments on the matter, Shanahan said (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News) the 49ers anticipate having their QB depth chart back to full strength if things go according to plan over the next few days.

Mac Jones has performed admirably in Purdy’s absence, leading some to wonder about the 49ers preferring to continue with him under center the rest of the way. Especially given the fact the team does not foresee Purdy’s turf toe healing in full by the end of the campaign, an especially cautious approach would be feasible. Nevertheless, a strong showing in practice will set Purdy up for a return. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds (video link) the Iowa State product’s participation this week has been “much more intense” than in previous weeks.

“We’re seeing how the week goes,” general manager John Lynch said of the situation during his latest KNBR radio appearance (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). “If he shows his health and his ability to perform at a level we know Brock can play at, then he’ll be out there.”

The 49ers sit at 6-4 on the year and their playoff fate will be heavily influenced by the ability of several key players to return to health in the near future. In Purdy’s case, avoiding another reaggravation of his injury will be imperative given the massive financial commitment made by the team this past spring. The 25-year-old inked a five-year, $265MM extension ensuring his status as San Francisco’s franchise passer for the foreseeable future.

Jones has delivered consistent performances during his time atop the depth chart. In spite of that, the 49ers have remained adamant Purdy will operate as the starter once he returns to the lineup. Barring something unforeseen, that will very likely take place this weekend.

49ers Do Not Expect Brock Purdy To Fully Heal In 2025

November 10th, 2025 at 10:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Brock Purdy‘s early return to action in Week 4 resulted in an aggravation of his turf toe injury. He has yet to appear for the 49ers since, and being available at full strength may not be possible for the remainder of the season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently noted (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) the team does not expect Purdy to return to 100% at any point during the 2025 campaign. As a result, a decision will need to be made regarding how close to full strength he is to be worth re-inserting into the lineup. To date, a cautious approach has been taken in this case.

The 49ers have of course been able to play things safe with Purdy thanks to the consistent performances of backup quarterback Mac Jones. San Francisco lost on Sunday, but Jones delivered another strong outing; the former Patriots first-rounder has posted a triple-digit passer rating four times in his eight starts this season. The 49ers sit at 6-4 on the year despite a slew of injuries on both sides of the ball. If Jones continues his level of play, a postseason berth will remain possible down the stretch.

San Francisco’s schedule includes games against the Cardinals, Panthers and Browns before the team’s bye week. Each of those opponents sport a losing record, and it could allow the 49ers to carry on with Jones atop the depth chart. Shanahan did say after yesterday’s game, however, that Purdy could have dressed as the backup in Week 10. That means the door is open to a return as early as next week.

“It depends on how close to 100% he gets,” Shanahan said (via Wagoner). “Our dilemma or what we’re trying not to do is put him out in the situation we did versus Jacksonville six weeks ago… I do believe he’s closer and further along than what he was at that time.”

The team has been clear in stating Purdy will operate as the starter once he is back in the fold. Questions about Jones playing his way into the QB1 gig have grown in the wake of his surprisingly strong performances, but Purdy inked a five-year extension averaging $53MM per season this past offseason. The former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ will be tasked with guiding the offense whenever he is back on the field.

Especially if the 49ers feel Purdy will not be fully healed in the event he returns in 2025, however, it remains to be seen when the team will truly feel comfortable playing him. As the team deals with a number of other high-profile injury matters, this one will continue to be worth watching closely.

49ers QB Brock Purdy Could Return In Week 11

November 9th, 2025 at 9:06pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The 49ers could get quarterback Brock Purdy back on the field next week.

After San Francisco’s loss to the Rams on Sunday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur) that Purdy “could have gone today.” However, the 49ers deactivated Purdy before the game and did not designate him as the emergency third quarterback. Doing so would not have affected the team’s game day roster, but Purdy would have been able to play had starter Mac Jones and backup Adrian Martinez both gotten injured. That decision runs contrary to Shanahan’s postgame pronouncement that Purdy was ready to play.

It seems like the 49ers are trying to avoid a repeat of Purdy’s first return from injury in Week 4. He played every snap, but re-aggravated his toe injury in the process and hasn’t played since. A similar incident this week or next could sideline him until the last few games of the regular season. He would likely be dropping right into the heat of a playoff race with little time to re-acclimate to the field before the win-or-go-home games begin. Instead, the team will wait until he is at 100%, so when he comes back, he comes back for good.

The 49ers’ success in Purdy’s absence is another reason not to rush his recovery. The team has gone 5-2 in his seven absences, keeping them firmly in playoff contention. Mac Jones‘ stats that aren’t far off from Purdy’s last season and outpace his two starts this year. Shanahan has made it clear that Purdy will retake the starting job once he is healthy, but Jones’ capable stewardship of the offense is a primary reason that he can take his time.

Jets’ Breece Hall Didn’t Request Trade; Latest On Jermaine Johnson

November 8th, 2025 at 10:09pm CST by Connor Byrne

The Jets grabbed the most headlines in the NFL at the Nov. 4 trade deadline, moving on from star defenders Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in blockbusters with the Colts and Cowboys. After the departures of Gardner and Williams on Tuesday, a report that running back Breece Hall wanted a trade emerged. Nothing came together, leaving Hall to finish the season with the Jets.

Addressing the rumors earlier this week, Hall said that he did not request a trade, per Brian Costello of the New York Post. At the same time, the 24-year-old neither confirmed nor denied whether he would have welcomed a change of scenery. With his first-ever trip to the open market on the horizon in the offseason, Hall will be able to choose where he plays in 2026. That is, if the Jets don’t slap the franchise tag on him.

While Hall may not have asked out of New York before the deadline, he did think the team would trade him, Armando Salguero of OutKick relays. The Jets reportedly turned down a fourth-round offer from the Chiefs. Gang Green wasn’t going to budge for less than a third-rounder.

Like Hall, Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson was popular in the rumor mill leading up to the deadline. Johnson also stayed put, but it wasn’t for lack of interest. The 49ers were among the teams in on Johnson, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, who reports that one club offered the Jets a third-rounder for him.

It’s unclear if that was San Francisco, but a swap with the 49ers would have reunited Johnson with Robert Saleh. Now the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Saleh was the Jets’ head coach when they used a first-rounder on Johnson in 2022. He made his lone Pro Bowl under Saleh in 2023.

A deadline day report indicated the Jets had netted at least one second-round offer for Johnson, but Jones’ information clashes with that. The Jets wanted a second-rounder for Johnson, per Jones. General manager Darren Mougey wasn’t going to move Johnson for less. The Jets picked up Johnson’s fifth-year option for 2026 last spring, meaning they’re not in immediate danger of losing him to free agency.

The Jets wouldn’t part with Hall or Johnson before the deadline, but those two will remain fascinating names to watch during the offseason. The team has a few months to re-sign Hall – if that fails, it could tag him – and Johnson is likely to draw trade interest again in 2026.

2025 Injured Reserve Return Tracker

November 8th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2024 offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.

In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August 26 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. Teams will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.

All players designated for return on August 26 are eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Playoff teams will receive two additional injury activations at that point.

Here is how the 32 teams’ activation puzzles look for Week 12:

Arizona Cardinals

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Atlanta Falcons

Reverted to season-ending IR:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Baltimore Ravens

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 6

Buffalo Bills

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Carolina Panthers

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Chicago Bears

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Cincinnati Bengals

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Cleveland Browns

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 7

Dallas Cowboys

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Denver Broncos

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Detroit Lions

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Green Bay Packers

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Houston Texans

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Indianapolis Colts

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Jacksonville Jaguars

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Activations remaining: 7

Kansas City Chiefs

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Activations remaining: 6

Las Vegas Raiders

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Los Angeles Chargers

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Los Angeles Rams

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 8

Miami Dolphins

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 5

Minnesota Vikings

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

New England Patriots

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 7

New Orleans Saints

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New York Giants

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

New York Jets

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Philadelphia Eagles

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Pittsburgh Steelers

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

San Francisco 49ers

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Seattle Seahawks

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Tennessee Titans

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Washington Commanders

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

49ers Activate G Ben Bartch From IR

November 8th, 2025 at 4:18pm CST by Connor Byrne

Ben Bartch opened 2025 as the 49ers’ starting left guard, but he has missed most of the season since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Bartch, who landed on injured reserve on Sept. 17, is now ready to return after sitting out for almost two months. The team announced on Saturday that it has activated Bartch from IR.

A fourth-round pick of the Jaguars in 2020, Bartch has struggled with injuries throughout his NFL career. He played just three games last season, though Bartch still won the summer competition to take over as San Francisco’s top left guard after Aaron Banks accepted a four-year, $77MM offer from Green Bay in free agency.

Now that Bartch is back, it’s unclear whether he’ll immediately regain his starting job. Connor Colby started six games in Bartch’s absence, but Spencer Burford took the reins in a win over the Giants last week. The 49ers haven’t decided whether Bartch or Burford will start in a key game against the NFC West rival Rams on Sunday, per Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle.

To make room for Bartch, the 49ers placed defensive end Mykel Williams on IR. The first-rounder’s rookie season ended when he tore his ACL last week. To help fill his void, the 49ers elevated defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell and Sebastian Valdez from their practice squad on Saturday.

Ferrell, who signed with the 49ers in late October, made his debut with the team last week and picked up a sack. Valdez went undrafted out of Washington this year. He’s now in line to make his NFL debut on Sunday.

Mac Jones To Start Week 10; Latest On Other 49ers Injuries

November 7th, 2025 at 7:53pm CST by Ely Allen

Every week, there seems to be something injury-related coming out of the Bay Area. Whether it’s somebody preparing to miss a lot of time, a “will he” or “won’t he” gametime decision, or questions on timetables for return, the 49ers have provided headlines all season. The latest such headline pertains to the middle option as a questionable Brock Purdy will watch Mac Jones start for the sixth week in a row, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

It’s become a weekly post with Purdy, who has been on the team’s injury report every week since he was hurt in the season opener. The 25-year-old has been getting closer and closer to coming back, and head coach Kyle Shanahan communicated that he could still be active as a backup to Jones. Third-string passer Adrian Martinez was signed from the practice squad to the active roster back in October as Purdy was nearing a return back then, so with three quarterbacks on the 53-man, Purdy could either be a primary backup or an emergency third option.

The quarterback role we do know, though, will be Jones, who will start under center for the eighth time this year. After winning his first three starts as an injury replacement, Jones has cooled off, alternating losses and wins since then. Despite a largely injured supporting cast around him, Jones is averaging a career-high 261.7 passing yards per game while also sporting the best touchdown:interception ratio (10:5) of his career. He’ll be looking to buck the trend of alternating finishes after beating the Giants last week.

One player we know won’t be out there is wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. The second-year pass-catcher has been missing since Week 4 and is about to miss his sixth game in a row. Asked about what’s holding Pearsall from being able to play, Shanahan told the media that “he hasn’t been able to hit his normal speeds that would allow him to come back,” per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Reporters noted the young wideout had been sighted doing sprints at practices and shooting jump shots in the locker room, but Shanahan was adamant that the team is waiting for Pearsall to be able to hit his old marks.

Pearsall isn’t the only receiver unavailable this week. Veteran wideout Brandon Aiyuk remains on the reserve/PUP list ten weeks into the season. November was offered up last month as a potential return window for the 27-year-old receiver. It’s now been over a year since Aiyuk has appeared in a game, and each week, expectations for Aiyuk’s 21-day practice window to be opened go unrealized. Shanahan continues to seem vaguely optimistic, with Vic Tafur of The Athletic quoting him as “pretty confident” that Aiyuk will be back sometime this season.

Given the extended absences of players like Purdy and Pearsall, among some others, there have been questions on why players missing so much time weren’t put on injured reserve. According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the primary reason is simply that they didn’t expect each player to be out for so long. Additionally, while the NFL has implemented the current system wherein teams can bring players back from IR, each team is only given eight such activations.

Lucky teams can put players with minor injuries on IR and activate them four weeks later just to manipulate roster numbers. With so many injuries week in and week out, the 49ers likely would’ve loved to place guys on IR so they could add healthy reinforcements to the roster. Knowing how many impact players they had already placed on IR, though, San Francisco needed to be weary of how it would be able to utilize its limited activations.

One player that did land on IR recently was edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos. Gross-Matos had been out since Week 5 and was expected to make a return soon. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old defender strained his hamstring again near the end of last week, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. While it will take Gross-Matos some time to work his way back from the injury, Shanahan doesn’t believe he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

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