Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/20
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: RB Dontrell Hilliard
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB LeVante Bellamy, LB Derrek Tuszka
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LS Taybor Pepper
- Released: LS Kyle Nelson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: S Ryan Neal
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/29/20
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: RB Artavis Pierce
- Placed on IR: RB Tarik Cohen (story)
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: S Jovante Moffatt
- Placed on IR: WR JoJo Natson (story)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed off Cowboys’ practice squad: DT Ron’Dell Carter
- Released from IR: RB Bruce Anderson
New York Giants
- Signed off Raiders’ practice squad: DB Madre Harper
New York Jets
- Designated to return from IR: WR Jeff Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated to return from IR: WR Quez Watkins
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed off Buccaneers’ practice squad: TE Daniel Helm
Seattle Seahawks
- Released from IR: LB Emmanuel Ellerbee
- Waived: LB D’Andre Walker
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: DE Nate Orchard
- Placed on IR: DL Matt Ioaniddis (story)
NFL Workout Updates: 9/29/20
Here are some of the key developments from the NFL’s workout circuit as of Tuesday:
Atlanta Falcons
- K Kai Forbath, K Elliott Fry
Baltimore Ravens
- S Marcus Gilchrist, CB Jamar Taylor, DB Mazzi Wilkins
Cleveland Browns
- WR Ryan Switzer (visit)
Detroit Lions
- WR Gary Jennings, QB Kyle Lauletta, WR Damion Willis
Houston Texans
- WR Trevor Davis
Miami Dolphins
- CB Teez Tabor
San Francisco 49ers
- LS Andrew DePaola, LS Taybor Pepper, LS Drew Scott, LS Garrison Sanborn
Seattle Seahawks
- LB Tim Williams
Washington Football Team
- LB Nigel Harris
49ers Place TE Jordan Reed On IR
Another year, another trip to the IR for Jordan Reed. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers will put the veteran tight end on the short-term injured reserve.
The 30-year-old was briefly sidelined during this weekend’s win over the Giants with an ankle injury. Reed ended up returning to the field, but he subsequently sustained an MCL injury, leading to his placement on IR. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Reed will likely be back in six to eight weeks (via Maiocco on Twitter).
Reed considered retiring this past offseason after missing the 2019 campaign with a concussion (at least his seventh since the start of his collegiate career). Reed has struggled to stay on the field in recent years, but there’s no denying his talent. Between 2013 and 2018, Reed racked up 329 catches for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns for Washington, and that was despite missing 31 regular season games. The veteran caught on with the 49ers this offseason, and he hauled in 11 receptions for 85 yards and two scores through his first three games with San Francisco.
Reed joins a long list of 49ers players who have been sidelined thanks to injuries. Fortunately, there could be some good news on the way; the team is set to evaluate quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle, and running back Raheem Mostert on Wednesday (via Can Inman of the San Jose Mercury on Twitter).
Reed wasn’t the only 49ers player to land on IR today. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reports (via Twitter) that linebacker Mark Nzeocha has also been placed on injured reserve with a quad injury. The veteran has spent the past four seasons with the 49ers, and he played in each of his team’s first three contests this season.
49ers DE Nick Bosa Has Torn ACL, Done For Season
Sep. 27: In addition to the torn ACL, Bosa sustained further cartilage damage in his left knee, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports. The 49ers are hopeful that the extra damage will not delay Bosa’s return, and the club remains optimistic that he will be back in time for the start of the 2021 campaign. Bosa will undergo surgery this week.
Sep. 21: Nick Bosa is done for the year. The 49ers announced that their star pass rusher has indeed suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted at the injury following yesterday’s win.
The injury is obviously a massive blow to the 49ers defense, as the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year was establishing himself as one of the top rushers in the game. The former second-overall pick earned a Pro Bowl nod last season after compiling 47 tackles, nine sacks, and a forced fumble. He had another forced fumble during the 49ers’ Week 1 loss to the Cardinals.
If there’s any consolation, Bosa should be good to go for the start of next season. Plus, other than core muscle surgery during his time at Ohio State, Bosa has generally stayed healthy during his playing career.
The 49ers are dealing with injuries throughout their roster. It sounds like defensive tackle Solomon Thomas also suffered a torn ACL, while defensive end Dee Ford is sidelined with a neck injury and cornerback Richard Sherman is sitting on IR with a strained calf. The offense isn’t immune; the team has a depth-chart worth of wideouts sidelined (including Deebo Samuel), tight end George Kittle is dealing with a knee ailment, and running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman will be out this weekend against the Giants. Fortunately, it sounds like quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s high-ankle sprain isn’t too serious.
The team has already added Ziggy Ansah to their squad, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the organization signs some more depth along the defensive line.
Injury Notes: Baker, Thomas, Hunter
Cardinals star safety Budda Baker is playing through a torn UCL in his thumb, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. Baker plans to play in Arizona’s game against the Lions this afternoon and then undergo surgery this week. Although the same injury sidelined Saints QB Drew Brees for six weeks last season, Baker obviously does not have to throw the football and believes he will miss only the Cardinals’ Week 4 contest against the Panthers before returning to the field to take on the Jets in Week 5.
Now for more injury-related news regarding a few of the league’s high-profile players:
- There has been a great deal of talk about Brees’ struggles early this season, but the Saints‘ signal-caller may soon have his top target back. Wide receiver Michael Thomas has looked good in workouts and is eyeing a Week 4 return, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
- The Vikings need a boost on both sides of the ball, and they are clearly missing DE Danielle Hunter. As Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network tweets, Hunter, who is dealing with a herniated disc in his neck, is eligible to come off IR next week but is unlikely to be ready to return by then. However, he is regaining strength, and the team remains optimistic that he will be back this season.
- Titans WR A.J. Brown is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, and the injury is a significant one, according to Schefter (via Twitter). Brown’s knee has not responded as well to treatment as the team had hoped, and he might end up missing more than just this afternoon’s game against Minnesota.
- More difficult news for Tennessee. Titans CB Adoree’ Jackson is eligible to come off IR this week, but Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com hears that Jackson may not be sufficiently recovered from his knee injury for that to happen (Twitter link). It’s unclear how much additional time the 2017 first-rounder will miss.
- 49ers WR Deebo Samuel is likely to return to practice this week, as Rapoport notes (via Twitter). Samuel will be eased into action, and while he probably won’t play in Week 4, the Niners’ top wideout is expected back for the team’s Week 5 bout with the Dolphins.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/26/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: RB Jonathan Ward
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: LB Deon Lacey
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: DT Kahlil McKenzie
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: CB A.J. Green
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB LeVante Bellamy, CB Kevin Toliver
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: TE John Lovett, WR Darrius Shepherd
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on IR: LB Matthew Adams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: LB Kyle Emanuel, CB Madre Harper
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DT Nick Thurman, WR Isaiah Zuber
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: WR Bennie Fowler, DL Margus Hunt
- Placed on IR: RB Ty Montgomery
- Waived: OL Will Clapp
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Johnny Holton
New York Jets
- Promoted: Lawrence Cager, OL Jimmy Murray
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DB Grayland Arnold, WR Deontay Burnett
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: OL Hroniss Grasu, RB JaMycal Hasty, LB Joe Walker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: RB Kenjon Barner
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: WR Cameron Batson
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: G Joshua Garnett, LB Jared Norris
George Kittle, Jimmy Garoppolo To Miss Week 3
The 49ers will be starting backups at nearly every non-offensive line position on offense against the Giants on Sunday. Despite George Kittle getting in three limited practices this week, the 49ers will hold their All-Pro tight end out.
Same goes for Jimmy Garoppolo, though San Francisco’s staring quarterback did not practice this week. The 49ers will play a game without their starting quarterback, their top two running backs from Super Bowl LIV, their No. 1 wide receiver and their recently extended tight end.
Kittle is on his way back from a knee sprain, and the three limited practices point to the 49ers having him ready to go against the Eagles in Week 4. But the 27-year-old star pass catcher will miss two games for a second straight season.
Nick Mullens will start for Garoppolo, who ended up receiving better-than-expected news about his high ankle sprain, and a currently healthy Jordan Reed will line up as the 49ers’ first-string tight end at the same MetLife Stadium venue that further depleted the team’s depth chart.
The list of would-be 49ers starters/key contributors who will not be in uniform against the Giants: Garoppolo, Kittle, Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Deebo Samuel, Weston Richburg, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Solomon Thomas, Dre Greenlaw and Richard Sherman.
49ers To Place Tevin Coleman On IR
The 49ers are preparing to place running back Tevin Coleman on injured reserve, head coach Kyle Shanahan says (Twitter link via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News). Between this and Raheem Mostert‘s knee strain, the Niners’ backfield is looking thin. According to Shanahan, Coleman’s issue is also more severe than Mostert’s. 
Coleman, 27, joined the 49ers last offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career in Atlanta. The veteran was solid in his 14 games (11 starts), compiling 544 yards and six scores on 137 carries. He also hauled in 21 receptions for 180 yards and one touchdown. The emergence of Mostert relegated Coleman to more of a backup role, although he still had 18 totes (albeit for only 30 yards) through his team’s first two games this season.
The injury bug has shown no mercy to the 49ers, nor has it been exclusive to the offensive side of the ball. In the past week, the 49ers have also lost star defensive end Nick Bosa and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas to season-ending ACL tears.
Meanwhile, they received better-than-expected news on Jimmy Garoppolo‘s high-ankle sprain, but Nick Mullens is still likely to start in his place on Sunday against the Giants. The Niners – currently at 1-1 – will hope to have Jimmy G under center in Week 4 against the Eagles.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/20
Today’s practice squad adds and drops:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Marcus Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Cale Garrett
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Austin Walter
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Ross Cockrell, C Zach Shackelford