NFL Player News

New Orleans signed Merritt to its practice squad Thursday.

Just two days after being cut by the team, Merritt is back with the Saints' organization. With Jamaal Williams (hamstring) still missing from practice, it would not be surprising if New Orleans saw fit to elevate a running back for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Jennings is expected to be in line for more playing time in Thursday's game with Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) inactive for the contest, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey are likely to rank as the top priorities in the Niners passing game Week 3, but the absence of Aiyuk at least opens up more opportunities for Jennings and Ronnie Bell to play alongside Samuel in two- and three-wide sets. While serving as the 49ers' No. 3 wideout in the first two games of the season, Jennings has handled 33 percent and 48 percent snap shares between Weeks 1 and 2 while accruing a 2-51-0 receiving line on four targets.

Aiyuk (shoulder) is listed as inactive Thursday against the Giants, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Aiyuk played through a left shoulder injury during the 49ers' Week 2 win at the Rams, handling 30 of 57 offensive snaps on his way to three catches (on six targets) for 43 yards. He proceeded to be listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate before capping Week 3 prep with back-to-back limited listings. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Thursday afternoon that Aiyuk was unlikely to suit up versus New York, and indeed that has come to pass. With Aiyuk sidelined, Jauan Jennings is the top candidate to absorb the former's typical workload alongside Deebo Samuel, but rookie Ronnie Bell, Ray-Ray McCloud and practice-squad call-up Chris Conley also may get in the WR mix for San Francisco.

Meyers (concussion) was listed as a full practice participant Thursday.

Meyers, who was inactive for the Raiders' Week 2 loss to the Patriots, was a limited practice participant Wednesday, but the wideout's full participation in Thursday's session has him trending toward a return to action Sunday against the Steelers. The Raiders haven't yet confirmed whether Meyers has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, but added clarity on that front will arrive no later than Friday, when Las Vegas posts its final Week 3 injury report.

Watkins (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.

Watkins left Week 2 early with a hamstring strain and never returned. In his place, veteran Olamide Zaccheaus ran 18 routes as the slot receiver but wasn't targeted against the Vikings. With the Eagles playing Monday night, Watkins has an extra day to heal up.

San Francisco elevated Conley from its practice squad ahead of Thursday's game versus the Giants, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) trending towards sitting out in Week 3, the 49ers saw fit to bring Conley up from their practice squad to provide depth at wide receiver. However, given Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey are all healthy, Conley's path to targets is nearly nonexistent.

Dell (thigh) was upgraded to a full practice Thursday.

Dell was limited in Wednesday's session but sounds ready to play for Week 3 against the Jaguars. With Noah Brown (groin) on injured reserve, Dell started alongside Robert Woods in Week 2 and played 79 percent of the offensive snaps. He posted a 7-72-1 line on a team-high 10 targets against the Colts. Dell has put himself on the WR3 map in fantasy.

Duvernay (shoulder) logged a full practice Thursday.

After getting in just a limited practice Wednesday, Duvernay was a full go Thursday, which should erase any concerns about his availability for Sunday's game against the Colts. With Odell Beckham (ankle) logging a second straight DNP and looking extremely questionable for the contest, Duvernay could see extra opportunities Sunday.

Hill (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

An ankle injury capped Hill's reps during Wednesday's session, but his full participation in practice a day later clears up any lingering concern regarding his status for Sunday's game agains the Broncos. Hill already enters Week 3 action ranked first in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (three), third in receiving yards (255) and tied for fourth in receptions (16), but he could have more target volume headed his way Sunday if fellow starting wideout Jaylen Waddle (concussion) isn't able to play. Waddle remained a non-participant in practice Thursday for the second day in a row after being forced out of last Sunday's win over the Patriots.

Smith was limited at Thursday's practice due to hamstring and thigh injuries.

Smith has been clicking with quarterback Jalen Hurts through the first two contests of the season, notching 11 catches (on 15 targets) for 178 yards and two touchdowns while playing 140 of 141 offensive snaps. Now, though, Smith made an appearance on the Eagles' first Week 3 injury report. He'll thus have two more opportunities to log a full session before the Eagles potentially hand him a designation for Monday's contest at Tampa Bay.