NFL Player News

Sanders will serve as the Jets' kicker this week, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Sanders won a job battle against Cade York this summer, but the Jets weren't confident in either kicker and decided to sign Blake Grupe while moving Sanders to the practice squad. It now seems Grupe didn't show enough in practice to win the Week 1 placekicking job, but the Jets may keep him around in case Sanders struggles.

Love (ankle) is expected to play Sunday against the Chargers, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Love managed limited practice participation Wednesday and Thursday, so a full practice Friday would go a long way toward giving his fantasy managers confidence. It's not yet clear if the practice upgrade will happen, but Love apparently is expected to play in any case. It's also not clear how backfield work will be divided between the rookie and Tyler Allgeier.

Samuel brought in six of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown, rushed once for 12 yards and returned two kickoffs for 74 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

The versatile Samuel made a splash in his return to the 49ers following a one-year stint with the Commanders, tying for the team lead in receptions and for runner-up status in targets as well with new teammate Mike Evans. Samuel's production was boosted by the second-quarter exit of De'Zhaun Stribling due to an ankle injury, and the highlight of the former's performance came when he recorded a 15-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter by mirroring Brock Purdy's movement across the field as the quarterback extended the play. Samuel's Week 1 usage implied he'll fill the same type of diverse role he previously thrived in within head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, and the veteran receiver is likely to remain busy in a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Kittle brought in two of five targets for 12 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Kittle headed into the game without an injury designation, making a remarkable recovery from January's Achilles tear to suit up Week 1. The veteran tight end wasn't much of a factor despite the fact San Francisco lost rookie De'Zhaun Stribling in the first half to what may be a serious ankle injury. However, Kittle did help the 49ers' ground attack generate an impressive 5.8 yards per carry, and he's likely to see his participation rate progressively increase in coming weeks. Kittle's position mate Jake Tonges also suffered a potentially significant knee injury, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, a development that could accelerate Kittle's return to a full complement of snaps.

Corum rushed 10 times for 54 yards and wasn't targeted during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

Corum's backfield mate Kyren Williams worked as the starting running back and logged his first carry on the Rams' second play from scrimmage, but Corum garnered his first touch to start Los Angeles' second drive and ripped off a nine-yard run. The third-year pro would go on to outpace Williams by 13 rushing yards on one fewer carry, although Corum's lack of a pass-game role was a disappointment. Nevertheless, it appears preseason talk about an even closer division of labor between the two backs this season could have some credibility as a Week 2 home matchup against the Giants on Monday night, Sept. 21 approaches.

Black rushed 14 times for 65 yards and brought in his only target for five yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

The rookie third-round pick opened the season as Christian McCaffrey's primary backup, but he actually ended up outpacing his star backfield mate by four carries as the 49ers progressively took control in the second half. Black earned the touches with multiple productive runs that showed off his explosiveness, and his ability to help keep McCaffrey fresh throughout the game should only help lead to more opportunities for the first-year back going forward. Black garnered the No. 2 job thanks to an impressive two-game preseason where he performed similarly to Week 1, lending credence to the notion the Indiana product could maintain his fantasy relevance, particularly in deeper formats, as his first NFL season unfolds.

Adams secured three of six targets for 26 yards during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

The veteran receiver's final line underscores the kind of game it was for the Rams' air attack, which netted only 168 yards overall. Adams' numbers, modest as they were, still enabled him to tie for second in receptions while also checking in as the runner-up in both receiving yards and targets for Los Angeles. The only game during Adams' debut campaign in L.A. last year in which he generated a lower stat line was a Week 11 win over the Seahawks, when his only catch went for a one-yard touchdown, and he should have a chance to put together a more voluminous line during a Week 2 home matchup against the Giants on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Lake recorded 10 tackles (seven solo) and three defensed passes, including an interception, in the Rams' Week 1 loss to the 49ers.

Though Los Angeles was unexpectedly routed in both teams' season opener, Lake made a strong impression, leading the Rams in stops and defensed passes. Among the latter was a second-quarter interception of Brock Purdy that halted a San Francisco drive in Los Angeles territory. Lake missed the Rams' final seven regular-season games last year due to an elbow injury, but he returned to play every one of the team's defensive snaps in the postseason and appears fully healthy to begin 2026.

Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while rushing twice for minus-1 yard during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

The reigning NFL MVP looked anything but during a shockingly poor performance by his side of the ball, and Stafford finished with his lowest passing yardage total since Week 11 of last season. The veteran signal-caller tossed his one interception shortly before the halfway point of the second quarter on a pass intended for Puka Nacua just inside the 49ers' 15-yard line, a play that was costly both from the standpoint of the potential scoring opportunity it short-circuited and the fact it led to a San Francisco touchdown. Stafford's first chance to atone comes in a Week 2 home matchup against what is expected to be a fearsome Giants pass rush on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Warner finished the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win against the Rams with 11 tackles (five solo) and a defensed pass.

Warner logged his first game action since Week 6 of last season, which is when he suffered a campaign-ending dislocated right ankle. The veteran linebacker looked like his old self against Los Angeles in his return to the field while frequently making big plays -- including a forced fumble when he punched the ball out of tight end Tyler Higbee's grasp early in the fourth quarter -- and leading San Francisco with 11 stops. Warner has long been considered one of the league's top linebackers, and it appears last season's injury isn't going to prevent him from retaining that status in his ninth NFL campaign.