NFL Player News

The 49ers continue to be extra cautious with their No. 1 wide receiver, whose expected return-to-play date falls in the Weeks 5-6 range. A recent beat report suggested Aiyuk is ahead of schedule and has a chance to suit up for Week 1, though this outcome should be considered somewhat unlikely at this time. The 49ers also placed OL Andre Dillard, DE Yetur Gross-Matos, S Malik Mustapha and LB Curtis Robinson on the active/PUP list while OT Ben Bartch and S George Odum landed on the active/non-football injury list.

Stewart will return to practice this week. The Bengals now have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve. The first-round rookie hasn’t played much this year because of ankle and knee injuries. He has six combined tackles and eight pressures in five appearances so far.

Higgins was checked for a concussion multiple times on Sunday but never officially left the game with an injury designation. He wound up scoring twice in a losing effort to the Bills. Higgins then reported concussion symptoms after the game and entered the league’s concussion protocol. That he is on the field practicing in any capacity today is a good sign for his Week 15 availability. Higgins will need to get up to a full practice before being cleared for action.

Tyrod Taylor was also a DNP on Wednesday after injuring his groin last week against the Dolphins. Undrafted rookie QB Brady Cook is set to see all the first-team practice reps ahead of the Jets’ Week 15 game against Jacksonville. Cook, who had 163 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions against Miami, would barley be startable even in superflex formats this week.

With Taylor and Justin Fields (knee) sidelined, Brady Cook will get all the first-team practice reps ahead of the team’s Week 15 game against the Jaguars, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Cook threw for 163 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 46.7 percent of his passes against the Dolphins in relief of Taylor last Sunday. He would be a significant downgrade for all New York pass catchers.

There seems to be no real plan for how to handle Daniels in the final weeks of a disastrous season for Washington. Daniels, after aggravating his elbow injury in Week 14 against the Vikings, has been ruled out for Week 15’s game against the Giants. Quinn said Daniels will practice this week for some reason. Marcus Mariota, who has a higher drop back EPA than Daniels this season, will draw another start and becomes a viable streaming play in 12-team leagues.

Daniels did not suffer structural damage to his injured left elbow last week against the Vikings, Quinn added. It appears the listless Commanders are intent on protecting Daniels from further setbacks in a lost season. Mariota, who has a higher drop back EPA than Daniels through Week 14, would profile as a superflex option against the soft Giants defense allowing the league’s fifth highest rate of yards per play this season.

It’s anyone’s guess for now how much Leonard practices after injuring his knee in Week 14’s loss to the Jaguars. Late-week practice participation for Leonard — who threw for 145 yards and an interception against Jacksonville — would suggest he can suit up in eek 15 against Seattle. Philip Rivers, 44, who signed with the Colts on Wednesday, could get the starting nod if Steichen determines Leonard isn’t ready to play. Both QBs would be big downgrades for every fantasy relevant player in the Colts offense.

The season is over for Benson, who never came back from the knee injury he suffered in October. He ends the season with 160 rush yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 13 receptions for 64 scoreless yards. Benson was set to function as the Cardinals’ lead back after James Conner went down for the year. That never materialized, and now Bam Knight serves as the nominal RB1 in the Arizona backfield. Knight, who has 25 touches over the past two games, profiles as a usable flex this week against the Texans.

Knox in Week 14 led the Bills in receiving with six grabs for 93 yards. If he doesn’t return to practice by Friday, Dalton Kincaid could see an expanded role, making him a must play in Week 15 against the Patriots. Twenty-five percent of the Bills’ targets have gone to the tight end position in 2025, the sixth highest rate in the league.

Bosa was sidelined last week against the Bengals with a hamstring issue but could return for the Bills’ critical Week 15 matchup against the Patriots. Buffalo’s vulnerable defense will need all the help it can get to slow down MVP frontrunner Drake Maye.