NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan noted Monday that Samuel (knee/ribs) is viewed as day-to-day as Sunday night's game against the Cowboys approaches, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

In the 49ers' 35-16 win over the Cardinals in Week 4, Samuel (who had been listed as questionable for the contest) logged 48 of a possible 55 snaps on offense en route to recording three carries for six yards while not being targeted as a receiver. While there's been no reported setbacks for Samuel, Shanahan's comments suggest that the WR's practice reps could be managed ahead of Week 5 action.

Thompson was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Monday's game against the Giants, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Thompson started the season on the team's 53-man roster, appearing in each of their first three games, before being waived Wednesday. The 27-year-old then re-joined the Seahawks via their practice squad Friday and now finds himself back with the active roster. The Toledo product has only played on 10 snaps from scrimmage thus far and has yet to generate any stats.

The NFL reinstated Williams from his suspension related to the league's gambling policy Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Initially, Williams was handed a six-game ban to kick off the current campaign, but after the league and NFL Player's Association agreed to a new policy Friday, it was reduced to four games, making him eligible to return to action Week 5. Coach Dan Campbell spoke of Williams' role upon gaining clearance to play, telling Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com on Monday that "we'll see where it goes, and it's all about improvement." The Lions don't expect to give Williams a full complement of snaps off the bat, but he's in line to play some sort of role Sunday against the Panthers. His six appearances from the 2022 season included no more than a 24 percent share of offensive snaps in any given game, and while he was targeted nine times, he had only one 41-yard touchdown catch in addition to a 40-yard run, displaying the dynamic ability he showed off in 2021 at Alabama.

Jones caught his lone target for minus-one yard during Sunday's 23-7 win against Atlanta in London.

The 25-year-old played 59 percent of the offensive snaps and operated as Jacksonville's No. 3 wideout with Zay Jones (knee) and Jamal Agnew (quadriceps) sidelined Sunday but had a minimal role in the passing game. Tim Jones played 63 offensive snaps across the past two games but has just three catches for 10 yards on the campaign, so he won't necessarily see an uptick in production even if Zay Jones and Agnew miss more time.

McCloud caught both of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 35-16 win over Arizona.

McCloud was on the field for 13 offensive snaps (24 percent) while replacing the injured Jauan Jennings (shin) as the 49ers' slot receiver Sunday. It resulted in McCloud's first target and reception of the year after being eased back from a broken wrist suffered this preseason. The veteran return specialist will shift back to his usual role once Jennings returns, which could be as soon as Week 5's matchup against Dallas on Sunday.

Bell caught his lone target for seven yards in Sunday's 35-16 win over the Cardinals.

The 49ers were without one of their top three receivers for the second consecutive week, which afforded Bell nine snaps on offense (16 percent) Sunday. The rookie was unable to repeat last week's trip to the end zone, resulting in a quiet receiving day from the Michigan product. Jauan Jennings' shin injury doesn't appear to be serious, so Bell's playing time may vanish as soon as Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Dotson was estimated as a limited participant for Monday's walkthrough due to an ankle injury.

Dotson may have sustained the injury at some point during Washington's 34-31 overtime loss to the Eagles on Sunday, when he played 53 snaps on offense and logged a 4-27-1 receiving line on nine targets. With the Commanders facing a quick turnaround Week 5 with a Thursday night matchup with the Bears, Dotson's activity level will be worth tracking Tuesday and Wednesday.

McKenzie had one reception for six yards on three targets in Sunday's overtime loss to the Rams. He also returned one punt for 13 yards.

McKenzie played on seven of the offense's 64 snaps as he continues to have a limited role as the fourth receiver. He could have a larger role on special teams with Dallis Flowers' season-ending Achilles injury, as McKenzie may take over Flower's role as the primary kickoff returner as well.

Samuel was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report with a quadriceps injury.

Samuel might have picked up the injury in the Commanders' 34-31 overtime loss to the Eagles on Sunday, when he played 52 snaps on offense and finished with seven catches for 51 yards and a one-yard touchdown run. The Commanders held a walkthrough Monday, so Samuel's activity level Tuesday and Wednesday will be more telling with regard to his status for Thursday's game against the Bears.

Osborn had just one reception on two targets in Sunday's win at Carolina.

Neither Osborn nor Jordan Addison (no receptions) had much of a role in the passing game as Justin Jefferson was the only Viking with more than two receptions. Osborn played on 40 of the offense's 48 snaps compared to Addison's 28 snaps. Addison struggled in run blocking, which may be a reason Osborn continues to play more snaps on offense than the former despite inferior receiving stats.