NFL Player News

Dotson departed Sunday's game in Philadelphia due to an ankle injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Dotson had just two catches (on six targets) for 12 yards at the time of his exit late in the third quarter. As long as Dotson is sidelined, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle and Jamison Crowder are the healthy and available wide receivers behind the Commanders' top option Terry McLaurin.

Jennings (shin) is inactive for Sunday's contest versus the Cardinals, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

A shin injury thus will sideline Jennings for Week 4 action, thereby giving Ronnie Bell, Ray-Ray McCloud and potentially Willie Snead expanded opportunities for wide receiver reps behind Deebo Samuel (ribs/knee) and Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder). Jennings will set his sights on returning to practice once the 49ers reconvene for Week 5 prep on Wednesday.

Samuel (knee/ribs) is active for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Samuel emerged from the 49ers' Week 3 win against the Giants with sore ribs, but a knee injury seemingly was the reason his status was in question for Week 4. The health concerns capped him to one limited session this week, but his fortunes turned for the better after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported early Sunday that the wide receiver was in line to play. With Samuel available to San Francisco's offense, he and Brandon Aiyuk will be among the top pass catchers for quarterback Brock Purdy along with RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle on Sunday.

Brown (thumb) is active for Sunday's game in San Francisco.

The Cardinals tacked Brown onto the practice report Thursday as a limited participant due to a thumb injury. He maintained that activity level Friday before getting a questionable tag for Week 4. There was an expectation that Brown would be a game-time call, and he indeed avoided being listed as inactive prior to Sunday's kickoff. Through three contests this season, he's made up for lacking receiving totals (14 catches for 143 yards on 22 targets) with a touchdown in back-to-back outings.

Higgins won't return to Sunday's game against the Titans due to a rib injury.

Prior to being forced out of the contest, Higgins caught two of his four targets for 19 yards. In his absence, Trenton Irwin and Andrei Iosivas are candidates to see added WR snaps behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd.

Evans (hamstring) was downgraded to out and won't return to Sunday's game against the Saints, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Evans recorded three receptions for 40 yards on three targets before exiting the contest in the second quarter with the hamstring injury. According to Patrick Magee of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Evans received treatment on the sideline after suffering the injury in anticipation that he might be ready to return for the second half of the contest, but he ultimately didn't feel well enough to continue. The Buccaneers are on bye Week 5, so Evans will have extra time to heal in advance of the team's next game Oct. 15 versus the Lions.

Shakir is being evaluated for a head injury and is uncertain to return to Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Shakir went into halftime with a potential head injury and his status for the rest of the game is now in question. More information on Shakir will likely come when the third quarter starts.

Evans exited Sunday's game at New Orleans due to a hamstring injury.

It's unclear how Evans suffered his current health concern, but he had three catches (on three targets) for 40 yards prior to his departure late in the second quarter. In Evans' absence, Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins and Rakim Jarrett should see increased involvement in the Buccaneers offense alongside Chris Godwin.

London caught three of seven targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Jaguars.

After hauling in a 15-yard strike from Desmond Ridder on the Falcons' first possession of the second half, London very nearly caught a second score in the fourth quarter but couldn't get a second foot down at the back of the end zone. The second-year wideout scored only four TDs in 17 games as a rookie, so his red-zone usage early in 2023 is encouraging; however, his target volume and the erratic play of Ridder have put a firm ceiling on London's fantasy value so far. He could have a hard time breaking out in Week 5 against a Texans defense that's been easier to beat on the ground than through the air.

Kirk caught eight of 12 targets for 84 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Falcons.

Kirk led the Jaguars in catches, targets and receiving yards, but it was teammate Calvin Ridley who hauled in their only offensive touchdown of the day. Had quarterback Trevor Lawrence spotted him, Kirk was open in the end zone a couple times without being thrown to. Still, with at least 80 yards or a touchdown in three straight weeks, Kirk approaches next Sunday's game against the Bills in London in good form.