NFL Player News

Winters (ankle) did not practice in Wednesday's session, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Winters sustained an ankle injury in last Saturday's loss to the Seahawks, and the weakside linebacker's playoff status is now in jeopardy. The 25-year-old will have two more opportunities to increase his practice participation in an attempt to dodge any injury designation ahead of Sunday's playoff game against the Eagles. If Winters cannot suit up, the 49ers' linebacker corps, which typically consists of eight players, will be down to just four at most. Linebacker is the most likely position to be elevated from the practice squad for the 49ers on Saturday.

The Seahawks announced Wednesday that Arroyo (knee) has been designated to return to practice from IR, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Arroyo will have a 21-day window wherein he can practice without counting against the active roster. If deemed healthy, the rookie second-round pick can be activated to the 53-man roster and return to action at any point in that span. Seattle has secured a bye in the first week of the NFC playoffs, meaning Arroyo's next chance to play will come in the divisional round.

Johnson (ankle) was deemed a non-participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Johnson is considered day-to-day, with the RB presumably having suffered his ankle injury during a Week 18 win over the Jets. If Johnson isn't ready for Sunday's game at Jacksonville, the Bills might use Ray Davis a bit more and/or give James Cook most of Johnson's usual work in passing situations.

Williams (hamstring) won't participate in practice Wednesday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Williams missed San Francisco's season finale against Seattle with a hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 17. The 37-year-old needs to upgrade to limited or full participation in practice Thursday or Friday to have a chance at playing in a crucial wild-card round matchup against the Eagles.

Allen (foot) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice report.

Allen didn't practice much last week, and he was removed from the Bills' Week 18 win over the Jets after taking just one snap (in order to extend his consecutive starts streak). There was never much concern about his availability for the playoffs, with Allen now in line for full practice participation ahead of Sunday's game in Jacksonville.

The 49ers designated Cowing (hamstring) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Cowing has not played a snap in the 2025 season due to the hamstring injury he suffered during training camp. The wide receiver's return for the wild-card matchup with the Eagles would be a great for a corps that could be without No. 2 wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (PCL). Cowing will have three days to increase his practice participation and prove he is ready to suit up for Sunday's contest.

The 49ers placed Bethune (groin) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Bethune suffered a groin injury late into the 49ers' Week 18 loss to the Seahawks. The injury has proven to be season-ending, and the team will now grow even thinner at linebacker as they enter the playoffs. The recent signing of Eric Kendricks to the active roster will hopefully be enough to sustain the team until it can potentially regain the help of All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner (ankle).

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Pearsall (knee) will not practice Wednesday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Pearsall missed the 49ers' regular-season finale against the Seahawks in Week 18 due to the lingering PCL sprain in his right knee, and it appears his status is still uncertain heading into Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Eagles. The second-year wideout will have two more chances to retake the practice field prior to Sunday's matchup. If Pearsall is unavailable, Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne will again handle increased opportunities behind Jauan Jennings.

The 49ers signed Kendricks from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.

Kendricks made a strong impression in his practice squad elevations, accumulating six tackles (three solo) over 46 defensive snaps and 39 special-teams snaps. The middle linebacker is set to start in Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles. If Kendricks can sustain the defense for a few weeks, the hope is Fred Warner (ankle) could return to finish a deep playoff run.

The Eagles designated Ojulari (hamstring) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Ojulari played in just three games this season, totalling 67 defensive snaps for six tackles, including two solo tackles. The weakside linebacker was a healthy scratch to start the season, but with Jaelan Phillips (ankle) questionable for Sunday's wild-card contest against the 49ers, Ojulari is primed to provide perfect depth for the Eagles' defense. The 25-year-old will have three practices to dodge any injury designation and prove he should be activated for Sunday's contest.