NFL Player News

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects Jones to be with the 49ers for 2026, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

General manager John Lynch also praised Jones but didn't comment on expectations for next season. Jones went 5-3 as a starter while completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 7.4 YPA, giving the 49ers a fantastic return on their investment in the first season of a two-year, $8.4 million contract. He probably won't be content to return to San Francisco as an underpaid backup, but his contract does give the team some leverage in discussions about a trade or raise.

Coach Mike Vrabel said that that the Patriots won't open Hollins' (abdomen) practice window Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

Hollins was placed on IR back on Dec. 27, but at this stage the wideout isn't ready to return to practice as the Patriots begin their preparation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos. For now, the team's available WRs are Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism. In 15 regular-season games prior to suffering an abdomen injury, Hollins caught 46 of his 65 targets for 550 yards and two TDs.

Houston general manager Nick Caserio said Wednesday that he expects Dell (knee) to be available for offseason activities, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Caserio acknowledged that the team will have a better idea about where Dell stands in his recovery from the pair of surgeries he underwent in early 2025 to address a major left knee injury once he gets on the field during OTAs. The GM's comments echo those of head coach DeMeco Ryans, who told Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle on Tuesday that Dell pushed hard to return toward the end of this past season. Dell's return should bolster an offense that was often out of sync in 2025, though it's fair to wonder if the fourth-year wideout's explosiveness might be compromised to some degree coming off surgery. Before sitting out the 2025 campaign, Dell registered 98 receptions on 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games over his first two NFL seasons.

Bills GM Brandon Beane noted Wednesday that Allen may need a procedure done on his right foot, but if that is the case, the QB's availability for OTAs would not be impacted, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Per ESPN.com, Allen initially hurt his foot during Week 16 action, which resulted in soreness that lingered in subsequent weeks. Additionally, Allen managed issues with his left knee and right finger following the Bills' wild-card win over the Jaguars. In terms of a possible foot procedure for Allen, Beane did not provide a timeline Wednesday for when that might occur. Either way, Allen has time to recover from his injuries before his team returns to the field, at which time he'll be working with a new head coach following the dismissal of Sean McDermott in the wake of Buffalo's divisional-round loss to the Broncos.

The 49ers signed Apple to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Apple caught on with the 49ers on the practice squad after being released during training camp in early August. The veteran corner appeared in two regular-season games for San Francisco, logging one solo tackle while serving mostly on special teams. Under a future contract, Apple will be a member of the 49ers' 90-man roster when the offseason officially starts Feb. 9.

The Texans signed Merriweather (knee) to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Merriweather ended the season on the Texans' practice-squad injured list due to a knee injury he sustained in Week 18 against the Colts. He appeared in 13 regular-season games between the Texans (one game) and Buccaneers (12 games) and totalled 11 tackles (six solo) while serving mostly on special teams. Merriweather will be on Houston's 90-man roster during the offseason, and if he's fully recovered from his knee injury, he would be permitted to participate in OTAs and minicamp.

The Broncos signed Johnson to the practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Johnson's addition to the practice squad gives the Broncos an additional option for elevation to the active roster in case one or both of Troy Franklin (hamstring) and Pat Bryant (concussion) are unable to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots. Johnson spent time with the Buccaneers and Steelers on their respective practice squads in 2025 and last saw regular-season action in Week 8 of the 2024 season with Pittsburgh.

The 49ers signed Turner to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Turner spent the entire 2025 season on the 49ers' practice squad after not making the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He appeared in four games for Niners, including in their NFC wild-card win over the Eagles, when he played four snaps on offense while failing to haul in his lone target. As a member of the 49ers' 90-man roster, Turner will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp, where he'll look to make a good impression on the coaching staff before the start of training camp in July.

Bergen signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on Tuesday.

Bergen was the 49ers' seventh-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. By signing a future deal, Bergen will be eligible to participate in offseason programs with the 49ers, including OTAs and minicamp.

Wayne signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on Tuesday.

Wayne spent most of the 2025 season on the Texans' practice squad and was elevated for Week 8 against the 49ers, when he played 35 offensive snaps and caught both of his targets for 20 yards. He'll be on Houston's 90-man roster when the offseason commences Feb. 9, which allows him to participate in OTAs and minicamp and make a good impression on the coaching staff before the start of training camp in July.