49ers Expected To Inquire About Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson
OCTOBER 15: The 49ers see Hendrickson as “an ideal fit for their defense,” but the Bengals have no intention of moving their All-Pro pass rusher, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano. Cincinnati is holding out hope that newly-acquired quarterback Joe Flacco can keep them in contention unless and until Joe Burrow makes a late-season return. More losses before the trade deadline could always change those plans, but the Bengals do have a relatively easy three-game stretch coming up.
OCTOBER 11: Having lost star pass rusher Nick Bosa to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3, 49ers general manager John Lynch has made it known that he’s looking for help at defensive end. Lynch’s interest in finding a Bosa replacement could lead to a trade before the Nov. 4 deadline. To that end, Dianna Russini of The Athletic expects the 49ers to call the Bengals about Trey Hendrickson.
The 2-3 Bengals aren’t declaring themselves as sellers yet. On the contrary, they acquired quarterback Joe Flacco from the Browns earlier this week in an effort to keep their season alive. Flacco will start Sunday against the Packers in place of the demoted Jake Browning, who struggled mightily replacing the injured Joe Burrow.
It’s a long shot that the 40-year-old Flacco will rescue a deeply flawed Cincinnati team that’s on the outside of the playoff picture. If he doesn’t, it could behoove the Bengals to sell Hendrickson to the highest bidder in the next few weeks.
After his second straight 17.5-sack showing in 2024, Hendrickson and the Bengals continued a long standoff regarding his contract during the offseason. They finally agreed to a revised deal in late August, thus preventing Hendrickson from holding out into the regular season.
While Hendrickson’s amended contract didn’t add any years, it did increase his 2025 salary from $15.8MM to $30MM. The soon-to-be 31-year-old is due to reach free agency in the offseason, when he’ll likely price himself out of Cincinnati. That’s assuming he even finishes the season as a Bengal. If he does, the Bengals could place the franchise tag on Hendrickson, but it would cost upward of $35MM to keep him under wraps. That may be tough to swing for a team that already has exorbitant commitments in Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins for 2026. That trio of offensive core players will combine to count approximately $100MM against the salary cap next season.
Burrow’s toe injury has been the Bengals’ main problem this season, but it isn’t the only culprit for their poor start. Despite Hendrickson’s presence, their defense ranks 30th in the NFL in points and yardage surrendered. That’s another reason a 2025 turnaround looks unlikely for the club. Hendrickson hasn’t done anything to hurt his trade value, though, having notched four sacks and eight quarterback hits over the first five games of the season. He’s Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) 11th-ranked EDGE player this year.
While the Bengals may eventually sell, the 49ers are lining up as buyers after a 4-1 start. They’ve weathered a series of injuries to key players – Bosa, quarterback Brock Purdy, and tight end George Kittle, among others – to reemerge as NFC contenders after a down 2024. They’ve succeeded despite an anemic pass rush that ranks 30th in the league in sacks. Bosa and Bryce Huff have combined for five of the 49ers’ six sacks. Cornerback Upton Stout has the other, meaning the majority of the 49ers’ front seven has been shut out.
Although it may not turn out to be Hendrickson, it seems like a given that the 49ers will bring in a complement (or complements) to Huff by early November. With around $24MM in cap space, the 49ers are as well-positioned as anyone to make an expensive splash. That could mean reeling in Hendrickson if the Bengals ultimately wave the white flag on their season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: NT Josh Tupou
Buffalo Bills
- Released: CB Jalen Kimber
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Eugene Asante, DL Simeon Barrow
- Released: OT Joshua Miles
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Karsen Barnhart, LB Garrett Nelson
Green Bay Packers
- Released: K Mark McNamee
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OT Bayron Matos, QB Brett Rypien
- Released: OT Marcellus Johnson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G McClendon Curtis
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Jaret Patterson
- Released: LB Clelin Ferrell
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Marshall Lang
- Released: DB Tyron Herring, TE Gee Scott Jr.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: WR Javon Baker, RB Audric Estime
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Isaac Alarcon, DL Robert Beal Jr.
- Released: OL Bruce Hector
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Michael Wiley
- Released: TE Caden Prieskorn
Washington Commanders
- Released: G Tyler Cooper
With Anthony Richardson heading to injured reserve with an eye injury, the Colts are set to add some QB depth in veteran Brett Rypien, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 29-year-old brings four games of starting experience to Indy, with his most recent start coming with the Rams in 2023. In total, Rypien has completed 58.3 percent of his career passes for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Riley Leonard will temporarily be the QB2 behind Daniel Jones, but there’s a chance Rypien eventually works his way up to the active roster.
The Chargers moved on from a notable edge defender today in Clelin Ferrell. The former Raiders first-round pick started all 17 games for the 49ers just two years ago, with the edge rusher finishing that campaign with 3.5 sacks and 13 QB hits. He started 10 of his 14 appearances with the Commanders in 2024, adding another 3.5 sacks to his resume. After being among Washington’s final preseason cuts, Ferrell caught on with the Chargers practice squad and ended up getting into one game with the big-league club.
The Eagles moved on from a pair of skill players today. Audric Estime was a fifth-round pick by the Broncos last year, with the running back compiling 337 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 81 touches. He was waived by Denver back in August and landed on Philly’s practice squad. Javon Baker was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in last year’s draft, but he was limited to a single catch in 11 games.
49ers’ George Kittle Has Chance At Week 7 Return; November Reemergence Targeted For Brandon Aiyuk
Once again battered by injuries, the 49ers have still managed to reach 4-2 despite a spree of setbacks for the second straight season. Pro Bowlers Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Nick Bosa have missed time, and the Fred Warner loss deals a blow the team has not previously encountered.
On the team amid the 2020 and 2024 injury waves, Warner has missed one career game. The All-Pro linebacker has crafted a Hall of Fame-caliber resume during the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan-era surge, but he will undergo surgery Wednesday and joins Bosa in being out for the season. The 49ers are eyeing trades on defense, but their offense is starting to look healthier (even if Jauan Jennings is playing through a significant rib injury).
[RELATED: 49ers Expected To Inquire On Trey Hendrickson Trade]
While Purdy’s status remains murky, Kittle is nearing a return. Shanahan does expect (via 49ers reporter Briana Jeannel) the All-Pro tight end will be designated for return from IR ahead of the Falcons matchup. This would allow the 49ers a ramp-up period, but Shanahan added (via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco) the hope is Kittle returns for Week 7.
Although the 49ers’ injury trouble is again mounting, they are not in bad shape yet in terms of IR activations. The team has either seen key players suffer season-ending injuries (Bosa, Warner) or remain on the active roster in week-to-week setups (Purdy, Jennings, Ricky Pearsall). The 49ers did place starting guard Ben Bartch on IR, and he is eligible for activation this week. It is uncertain if Bartch will join Kittle in being designated for return.
Kittle went down with a hamstring injury in Week 1. The likely Hall of Fame-bound pass catcher suited up for 15 games last season and did not miss any time due to injury in 2023. Playing in at least 14 games in 2021 and ’22, Kittle has not missed this much time in a season since being part of the 49ers’ spate of maladies in 2020. He missed eight games that season, suffering a sprained knee and fractured foot during San Francisco’s 6-10 season.
With Pearsall on the active roster, the 49ers are moving closer to full strength after seeing both their top two receivers go down early this season. San Francisco’s true No. 1 receiver, however, remains on the reserve/PUP list. Brandon Aiyuk‘s timetable has been pushed back a bit. Week 6 was floated months ago as a loose return window, but that has come and gone. Shanahan has now mentioned Week 10 as an updated window (via Maiocco) but stopped short of providing a firm timetable.
Out since October 20, 2024 with an ACL tear, Aiyuk has been in rehab mode after the tear was not deemed clean. Joining Kittle in suffering an injury shortly after an offseason extension, Aiyuk has been unable to build on the second-team All-Pro season he produced in 2023. John Lynch said in late September the sixth-year veteran was “not close” returning, but Shanahan’s update does provide a semi-positive sign a reemergence near the midseason point is still in play.
Like the IR-return process, the 49ers would have a 21-day period to observe Aiyuk in practice before activating him. Given the length of Aiyuk’s rehab process, it would surprise if he suited up the week he was designated for return. It should be expected, based on this timeline, Aiyuk would be in the PUP-return window soon. But the 49ers will continue to make do with a ravaged receiver depth chart for the time being. Though, Kittle’s return will help the passing attack considerably while Aiyuk hits the recovery homestretch.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/13/25
Here are the latest practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Jordan Akins
- Released: TE Qadir Ismail
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Tariq Castro-Fields
- Released: CB Eli Ricks
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: OL Kilian Zierer
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/13/25
Here are the latest moves from around the NFL,including practice squad elevations for all four teams playing on Monday Night Football:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Keith Taylor, WR Deven Thompkins
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Jordan Poyer, DT Jordan Phillips
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DT Jonathan Ford, K Jake Moody
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: OT Thayer Munford Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Ravens’ practice squad: S J.T. Gray
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): S Reuben Lowery
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Jason Brownlee
New England Patriots
- Waived from IR: G Layden Robinson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on reserve/retired list: DE Za’Darius Smith (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: OL Isaac Alarcon
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Ja’Corey Brooks, WR Tay Martin
The Bears elevated Moody to kick in their Monday night matchup with the Commanders with Cairo Santos sidelined by a quad injury.
49ers LB Fred Warner Out For Season
10:34pm: According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has revealed Warner’s diagnosis to be both a broken and dislocated ankle. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner quickly followed the report confirming that Warner will require surgery, and the injury will be season-ending.
5:07pm: The 49ers have been ravaged by injury throughout this young season, but they may have taken their biggest hit today. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has been diagnosed with a dislocated ankle. Russini reports that Warner will meet with doctors to determine his exact prognosis, but given the nature of the injury, it has the potential to be season-ending. 
We saw Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin suffer an ankle dislocation about a week later into the season last year, and though he had intentions to be ready for the postseason after undergoing surgery, he didn’t play another snap that season. Godwin then needed a second procedure on his ankle that held him out for the full offseason, training camp, and the first three weeks of this year’s regular season. Obviously, we can’t project this onto Warner, whose details are not yet known, but Godwin’s recent example serves as a possible outcome for this type of injury.
No matter how long the absence is, unless the 28-year-old comes back two weeks from now, this is uncharted territory for Warner. Since getting drafted by San Francisco in the third round back in 2018, Warner has appeared and started in every possible game except for one. While the four-time All-Pro will have his own new challenges to tackle over a potentially extended absence, the 49ers’ uncharted territory of fielding a defense for multiple games without Warner poses other serious challenges.
Warner’s backup at middle linebacker is Tatum Bethune. A seventh-round pick out of Florida State last year, Bethune spent his rookie year almost exclusively on special teams. Active for 11 games, he only appeared on the field for 12 defensive snaps before starting San Francisco’s season finale. This year has been more of the same for the 24-year-old; after appearing in three defensive snaps in Week 1, Bethune has been all special teams before today.
At the very least, Warner will end up adding to an injury report that featured 18 other players this week for the 49ers. If the injury ends up being as serious as it looked, Warner could be the 12th Niner placed on injured reserve this season. He would join such stars on the IR as pass rusher Nick Bosa and tight end George Kittle, with more starters like quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall merely sporting “out” designations on the injury report.
While the injury suffered by Warner today looked bad, no determinations have been made on the severity of his ankle injury just yet. Once more is learned, San Francisco will be able to formulate a plan for return. Until then, they’ll continue to do as they have been doing, fielding the next man up and relying on their depth to put themselves in as good a position to win as possible.
49ers WR Jauan Jennings Playing With Broken Ribs
There was a bit of a scuffle on the 49ers’ sideline in today’s loss to the Buccaneers. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings was seen arguing with head coach Kyle Shanahan, and when asked about it, Jennings directed the media to his head coach for any information. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Jennings also added that he has been playing with five broken ribs. 
Seeing how injured the 49ers roster is at this moment, it’s no wonder Jennings is pushing through. The team’s reserve/non-football injury list and reserve/physically unable to perform list still each hold a player, 11 players are currently on injured reserve, and 16 more appear on the injury report. Those numbers don’t even include the loss of four-time first-team All-Pro Fred Warner, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury today. With the roster so thin throughout, any players dealing with injuries that can be played through are likely being asked to play through those injuries.
Playing through broken ribs is nothing uncommon. Multiple quarterbacks renowned for their toughness — Steve McNair, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Ben Roethlisberger — reportedly played through rib injuries. Last year, it was reported that Saints running back Alvin Kamara played through a rib injury, as well. That certainly doesn’t mean it’s a pleasant or easy thing to do, though.
Whether or not the source of the animosity on the sideline stemmed from Jennings’ ribs is unknown, but the veteran receiver was clearly dealing with frustrations on and off the field today. Until his teammates start disappearing from injury reports and injured lists, Jennings will likely continue to work through those frustrations.
49ers Activate Malik Mustapha From Reserve/PUP List
The 49ers will get a key defender back in time for their Week 6 matchup with the Buccaneers. The team announced that it has activated safety Malik Mustapha from the reserve/PUP list.
Mustapha will return to the field on Sunday for the first time since he suffered a right ACL injury in Week 18 last year. That was a sour ending to an impressive rookie season for Mustapha. The former Wake Forest defender played in 16 games (12 starts) and totaled 72 tackles, five passes defensed, and an interception in 2024.
Without Mustapha (and several other injured players) around this year, the 49ers have still managed a 4-1 start. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has deployed safeties Marques Sigle and Jason Pinnock on 100 percent of snaps in Mustapha’s absence. Ji’Ayir Brown has seen action on just over 15 percent of snaps. Mustapha should reemerge as an important part of the back end of San Francisco’s defense, leading to less playing time for any or all of Sigle, Pinnock, and Brown.
Along with activating Mustapha, the 49ers elevated defensive lineman Trevis Gipson from their practice squad and waived fellow D-lineman Robert Beal Jr.
Gipson is getting his second standard elevation of the season after playing 14 snaps (eight on defense, six on special teams) in a win over the Rams in Week 5. Beal has appeared in one game this year, the 49ers’ loss to the Jaguars in Week 4, and played 30 snaps (12 on defense, 18 on special teams).
49ers Working Out QBs Amidst Injuries In The Room
A lengthy 49ers injury report this week gave some context to a workout today that included three quarterbacks. Starter Brock Purdy has already been ruled out for this weekend after missing practice all week, and primary backup passer Mac Jones is questionable after being a limited participant in every session this week. This leaves only one fully healthy option on the roster. 
It’s still assumed that Jones should be good to go on Sunday, but if he isn’t, Adrian Martinez will be waiting in the wings for the opportunity to make his NFL debut. But if the team’s injury luck continues to disappoint, some planning ahead would certainly be worthwhile. To that end, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, San Francisco hosted three quarterbacks — Desmond Ridder, Nathan Peterman, and Quinten Dormady — for a workout today.
Oddly enough, Ridder, the youngest of the three, was the most experienced passer at the tryout. Over two years in Atlanta, Ridder started 17 contests, including most of the 2023 season. He went 8-9 as a starter for the Falcons, only throwing around 187 yards per game with 14 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
Despite being drafted five years before Ridder, Peterman has appeared in fewer games than Ridder has starts. In two seasons apiece with the Bills, Raiders, and Bears, Peterman has made five starts in 15 appearances, going 1-4 in his starts. After completing only 52.3 percent of his passes in Buffalo and throwing only three touchdowns to 12 interceptions, Peterman’s opportunities have been few and far between. In his 2018 season alone, he threw more touchdowns to opposing defenses than he did his own team. He failed to make an appearance in both the 2019 and 2024 seasons.
If Dormady was signed, it would be his first NFL contract. Transferring out of Tennessee after three years in college, Dormady spent a year at Houston before transferring again to Central Michigan, where he was finally able to play most of a season as a starter for the Chippewas. After an average season at CMU, Dormady went undrafted and signed briefly to a Canadian Football League practice roster. After off and on stints in Montreal, he became a backup for Paxton Lynch in the XFL. He eventually overtook Lynch for the starting job and, when the XFL folded, found his way to the UFL as a backup in San Antonio and Memphis before, ultimately, announcing his retirement from the sport.
While his presence at the tryout makes it seem very likely that he would unretire for a chance at the NFL, no contracts were signed after today’s auditions. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Purdy was seen at practice pushing a weight sled, which sounds like some pretty serious work for his injured toe, and Jones was throwing today after staying away from that activity earlier in the week. Both players are clearly on the mend with hopes that other help will be on the way, as well.
For now, until there’s any word to the contrary, it’ll be Jones under center when the 49ers host Tampa this weekend, and Martinez will be ready and waiting on the sideline. As long as Purdy stays on track and Jones stays healthy enough, a contract for Ridder, Peterman, or Dormady may not be necessary.
49ers GM John Lynch: Conversations Ongoing For DE Trade
Since Nick Bosa‘s ACL tear, many have pointed to the 49ers as a logical candidate to pursue a pass rush addition before next month’s trade deadline. The latest comments on the matter from general manager John Lynch point in that direction. 
“I’m having a lot of conversations, a lot of good and productive ones,” Lynch said during a Thursday appearance on KNBR radio when speaking about a defensive end trade (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). “If we find a way to make our football team better and it aligns, then we will not be shy on pulling the trigger.”
The 49ers have a track record of making in-season moves, and the likes of Charles Omenihu, Randy Gregory and Chase Young have all been acquired via trade to provide depth along the edge. A clear expectation exists for San Francisco to make at least one move over the coming weeks, and it would come as no surprise if a Bosa replacement were to be targeted. Finding production along the edge has proven to be a challenge so far.
In addition, Yetur Gross-Matos is among the latest members of the 49ers to encounter injury troubles. Especially if he misses notable time, the 49ers could be forced to move with urgency in terms of making an addition. San Francisco sits near the top of the league with nearly $24MM in cap space at the moment; much of those funds will be earmarked for carrying over to next season, but swinging a trade for a rental should still be feasible.
The 49ers are 4-1 despite the list of players who have been sidelined for a considerable period so far. That, coupled with the Bosa injury, could very well drive the decision to make another midseason acquisition along the edge. Few established options at that spot are known to be on the market, but the list of pending free agents includes Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals).
No links with specific players have been made yet in terms of who Lynch and the 49ers could be targeting. Based on today’s remarks, though, San Francisco is certainly in the market.