NFL Player News

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.

The Texans signed Lachey to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Selected by the Texans in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Lachey spent his entire rookie season on Houston's practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was not elevated to the active roster, but he'll be part of the Texans' 90-man roster for the offseason and will be eligible to participate in OTAs in minicamp.

The Texans signed Kelly to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Kelly spent the entire 2025 season on the Texans' practice squad after failing to make the Cowboys' 53-man roster at the end of training camp in late August. He didn't appear in a regular-season game, but by signing a future contract, he'll be on Houston's 90-man roster for the offseason and will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp.

Chicago signed Richardson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Richardson signed with the Bears in April as an undrafted free agent and opted to stay in Chicago on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster following the conclusion of training camp. His lone elevation to the active roster came in Week 17 against the 49ers, though he didn't end up seeing the field. Richardson will have the opportunity to participate in OTAs and minicamp during the offseason as a member of the Bears' 90-man roster.

The Bears signed Kalinic to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Kalinic joined the Bears' practice squad in late August after failing to make the Falcons' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was elevated to Chicago's active roster four times, including in each of the Bears' two playoff games, though he did not record a target. Kalinic will be a part of the Bears' 90-man roster for the offseason and will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp.