NFL Player News

The 49ers signed Martinez from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Thursday's game against the Rams.

Martinez was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad to the active roster for Week 2 and 3 to serve as Mac Jones' backup in the absence of Brock Purdy (toe). Purdy returned for Week 4 against the Jaguars but has been ruled out for Thursday's game in Los Angeles, so Martinez will once again be the QB2 while Jones makes his third start of the regular season.

Daniels (knee) practiced fully Thursday.

Coach Dan Quinn announced Wednesday that Daniels was medically cleared from the knee sprain that sidelined him Weeks 3 and 4 and was slated to be a full practice participant this week, per Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Daniels has done just that Wednesday and Thursday, but he also told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post after the former session of the knee brace he'll be wearing for the foreseeable future, "I'm not the biggest fan of it, but if that's what I have to wear, I'll do anything." Daniels also will be working without at least two of his top pass catchers Sunday against the Chargers, as Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (knee/groin) didn't travel with the team to Los Angeles and Deebo Samuel (heel) has yet to practice this week.

Jackson (hamstring) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Hensley noted Wednesday that the Ravens have been tight-lipped about Jackson's chances of playing Sunday against the Texans, but back-to-back DNPs don't bode well for the star QB's Week 5 availability. In any case, Friday's final injury will provide context in that regard, but if Jackson is unable to play this weekend, Cooper Rush would be in line to start in his place, with Tyler Huntley a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad.

Mayfield (knee/biceps) was spotted practicing during the portion of Thursday's session that was open to the media, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Mayfield sat out Wednesday's walk-through session due to knee and right biceps injuries, though his absence may have been more of a maintenance day than anything. His presence on the field Thursday is a good sign that Mayfield will be available to play this weekend in Seattle, though it won't be known until after practice concludes whether the quarterback was a limited or full participant. Assuming he's ultimately cleared in advance of Sunday's contest, Mayfield will be working behind a beat-up offensive line and could be without two key players in running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and wideout Mike Evans (hamstring), neither of whom has been able to practice so far this week.

McCarthy (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Though he wasn't donning a jersey like his healthy teammates, McCarthy was spotted on the practice field during warmups Thursday and was doing some throwing. However, until McCarthy is taking reps under center and mixing into drills, his return to game action shouldn't be viewed as imminent. McCarthy appears on track to be ruled out for a third straight game ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Browns in London, but the second-year signal-caller could have a more realistic chance at being available coming out of the Vikings' Week 6 bye. Whether McCarthy will reclaim the starting quarterback role upon getting back to full health is still undetermined, and it could hinge on how Carson Wentz fares this weekend in his third consecutive start.

Mayfield didn't take part in Wednesday's walkthrough due to knee and right biceps injuries, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Mayfield was among a number of key skill-position players that were held out of drills to begin Week 5 prep -- the others being RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and WRs Mike Evans (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (foot). Meanwhile, WR Chris Godwin (ankle) emerged from his first game action since last season as a full participant Wednesday. Mayfield was limited in all three sessions last week due to a right biceps injury, so the addition of the knee issue indicates he's a bit more banged-up this time around. He'll have two more chances to practice this week to prove his health ahead of Sunday's contest at Seattle.

Jones (knee) will start Thursday at the Rams after Brock Purdy (toe) was ruled out for that contest, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Purdy returned from a two-game absence this past Sunday versus the Jaguars but came out of the outing with toe soreness, which didn't allow him to practice this week. Meanwhile, Jones is past the PCL sprain that he dealt with last week following three straight full listings this week. With Purdy sidelined for the third time this season, Jones will retake the reins of the 49ers offense, but the skill positions also will be without WRs Jauan Jennings (ankle/rib) and Ricky Pearsall (knee), meaning RB Christian McCaffrey, WRs Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson and Skyy Moore and TE Jake Tonges will be the top available options in the passing game.

Purdy (toe) has been ruled out for Thursday's game at the Rams, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

In his first game action since Week 1 this past Sunday against the Jaguars, Purdy completed 22 of 38 passes for 309 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, had two carries for 13 yards and lost a fumble. On Monday, coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Purdy was dealing with toe soreness, which likely is related to the turf toe variant that sidelined him Weeks 2 and 3. With the 49ers afforded a short week to prepare for Thursday's contest, Purdy didn't have enough time to get healthy, and the 49ers now will turn to Mac Jones under center yet again Week 5.

Dart (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Dart emerged from his first NFL start this past Sunday versus the Chargers with a hamstring injury after taking five sacks during a 13-for-20 passing performance and two total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). Prior to Wednesday's session, coach Brian Daboll told Dan Duggan of The Athletic that Dart wouldn't be limited, which has come to pass. Dart thus will resume his standing as the Giants' No. 1 signal-caller as the team prepares for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

Jackson (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

A hamstring injury forced Jackson out of this past Sunday's loss to Kansas City, which clouds the star QB's status for this weekend's game against the Texans. While coach John Harbaugh has yet to provide an update on Jackson, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun suggested Tuesday that the signal-caller isn't likely to face Houston and could miss two-to-three weeks. If Jackson is indeed sidelined Sunday, Cooper Rush would draw the start in his place.