NFL Player News

Jefferson was named the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Jefferson has taken a step forward in production in each of his three seasons in the NFL, and he finished 2022 with 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns across 17 games. He consistently put up big receiving lines to reach those marks, surpassing 100 receiving yards in 10 games and 150 yards on four occasions. The Vikings will almost certainly pick up Jefferson's fifth-year option on his rookie deal that guarantees he will remain with the team through 2024, though it's also possible that he'll reach a long-term deal with Minnesota this offseason.

Toney (ankle/hamstring) was a full practice participant Thursday.

The Chiefs held Toney out of drills during the first week of prep for Super Bowl LVII due to a combination of ankle and hamstring injuries. He kicked off this week with a cap on his reps Wednesday, a practice in which coach Andy Reid said Toney was "doing everything," per James Palmer of NFL Network. While his listing during that session said otherwise, Toney appears to have put any questions about his health behind him following Thursday's session. After Kansas City placed Mecole Hardman (pelvis) on injured reserve Monday, the team now is prepared to roll with JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Toney as its top three wide receivers Sunday versus the Eagles.

Toney (ankle/hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

After Toney didn't take part in drills last week due to ankle and hamstring injuries that he sustained in the AFC Championship Game, he got back on the field Monday. Now with an official capped session in his back pocket this week, Toney has two more chances to get back to full activity before the team potentially hands him a designation for Super Bowl LVII. With fellow wide receiver Mecole Hardman (pelvis) now on injured reserve, Toney could make a mark Sunday versus the Eagles alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, assuming Toney is active.

Smith-Schuster (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.

Smith-Schuster was held out of on-field work last week due to swelling in his left knee before he was listed as questionable for Super Bowl LVII. Now with an uninhibited session under his belt this week, he's on pace to be available to Kansas City's offense Sunday against the Eagles. Questions remain in the Chiefs' receiving corps, however, after Mecole Hardman (pelvis) was placed on injured reserve Monday and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) was a limited participant Wednesday. At the moment, Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson and Skyy Moore are the healthy wideouts on the team's active roster.

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Smith-Schuster (knee) practiced Monday and will likely do so again Tuesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Kansas City is holding light practices for their two unofficial workouts to begin the week before moving on to a more intense session Wednesday, when the team will release its first official injury report for the second week of prep leading up to Super Bowl LVII. How Smith-Schuster is listed on Wednesday's report will be more telling with regard to where he stands in his recovery from a left knee injury, but he already appears to be in a better spot on the health front compared to where he was at last week. Smith-Schuster was listed as a non-participant on each of last week's three injury reports, and he's tentatively tagged as questionable for this Sunday's title game against the Eagles.

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Toney (ankle/hamstring) practiced Monday and will likely do so again Tuesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Kansas City is holding light practices for their two unofficial workouts to begin the week before moving on to a more intense session Wednesday, when the team will release its first official injury report for the second week of prep leading up to Super Bowl LVII. How Toney is listed on Wednesday's report will be more telling with regard to where he stands in his recovery from the pair of injuries to his left leg, but he already appears to be in a better spot on the health front compared to where he was at last week. Toney was listed as a non-participant on each of last week's three injury reports, and he's currently tagged as questionable for this Sunday's title game against the Eagles.

Johnson signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Johnson appeared in four games during the 2022 season, two with the Raiders and two with the Texans. The 27-year-old has also spent time with the Jaguars and most notably the Chargers, with whom he had 20 catches on 26 targets for 398 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie 2020 campaign. He'll work to make the most of his new opportunity in San Fransisco in 2023.

Kansas City placed Hardman (pelvis) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hardman had been sidelined since Week 9 due to the pelvic injury before he returned to action in the AFC Championship Game against the Bengals. However, he aggravated the issue in the second half of the contest and was considered doubtful for Super Bowl LVII after the first week of preparation. It's not surprising to see the speedy wideout ruled out for the final game of the season, but his move to IR opens up a roster spot for the Chiefs, who've filled the vacancy by activating Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) from IR.

Jennings finished with 35 receptions (56 targets) for 416 yards and a touchdown in 16 regular-season games with San Francisco this season.

Jennings saw his offensive usage rise as the 49ers' slot receiver in his sophomore campaign. However, the 6-foot-3 wideout was unable to break through as a fantasy asset due to a lack of touchdowns. Jennings is scheduled to become a free agent this upcoming offseason, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him stay in San Francisco after carving out a solid role this year.

Hardman (pelvis) is listed as doubtful after the first week of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Making his first appearance since Week 9 during this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Hardman aggravated his pelvic injury in the second half and now appears to be trending toward an absence from the upcoming Super Bowl, as coach Andy Reid intimated Thursday to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Still, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Thursday that the Chiefs are seeking additional opinions on Hardman to see if he may have a chance to suit up Feb. 12. Hardman's activity level next Wednesday through Friday likely will be the determining factor in that regard.