NFL Player News
-
Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Seahawks' Sam Darnold: Looks prepared to start
Darnold (oblique) took all of the reps with the starting offense during warmups for the Seahawks prior to Saturday's divisional-round game against the 49ers, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.
Darnold appeared on the injury report Thursday, and his throws during warmups were his first since originally suffering the injury. Multiple social media posts from Seattle's official accounts also suggest that Darnold will be ready to start Saturday's playoff matchup. If there was a last-minute change to Darnold's status, Drew Lock would be set to take over under center.
-
Luke Gifford LB | SF
49ers' Luke Gifford: Gearing up Saturday
Gifford (quadriceps) will play in Saturday's divisional-round game versus the Seahawks.
Gifford missed the wild-card win over the Eagles, but he'll return to the lineup to take on the 49ers' division rival. Gifford's defensive usage varies on a week-to-week basis, but he has played more than 10 defensive snaps just once in the past seven games. The veteran linebacker will certainly have a key role on special teams, though.
-
Ed Oliver DT | BUF
Bills' Ed Oliver: Exits with knee injury
Oliver exited Saturday's game versus the Broncos with a knee injury.
Oliver tore his biceps earlier this season and subsequently underwent surgery in December to repair the meniscus in his knee, and this was his first game action since Week 8. It's unclear if this knee injury is an aggravation or a new injury altogether, but the Bills' run defense takes a step back without his presence.
-
Drew Lock QB | SEA
Seahawks' Drew Lock: Remains No. 2 with Darnold active
Lock is poised to remain the backup QB behind Sam Darnold (oblique) after the latter was deemed active for Saturday's divisional-round game against the 49ers, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.
Darnold's status for Seattle's postseason opener came into question after he made an early exit from Thursday's practice due to an oblique injury. Both Darnold and coach Mike Macdonald remained confident that the quarterback would be able to suit up, but in the meantime Lock was getting the first-team reps, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Now that Darnold is active and Jalen Milroe is inactive as the emergency third quarterback, Lock will settle back into his normal role.
-
Dee Winters LB | SF
49ers' Dee Winters: Good to go Saturday
Winters (ankle) is active for Saturday's divisional-round matchup versus the Seahawks, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
Winters is healthy again after missing last week's wild-card win over the Eagles due to an ankle injury. He should resume his role as one of San Francisco's starting linebackers alongside Eric Kendricks and Luke Gifford during Saturday's game.
-
Jalen Milroe QB | SEA
Seahawks' Jalen Milroe: Emergency QB vs. 49ers
Milroe (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the emergency third quarterback for Saturday's divisional-round matchup versus San Francisco.
Milroe will once again serve as the team's emergency quarterback and will be allowed to enter the game only if both Sam Darnold and Drew Lock exit due to injury, illness or ejection. However, it isn't out of the question that Milroe sees playing time, as Darnold is currently dealing with an oblique injury.
-
Ricky Pearsall WR | SF
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Back in action Saturday
Pearsall (knee) is listed as active Saturday in Seattle, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
Pearsall thus will be making only his second appearance since Week 15 due to the PCL injury that has forced nine absences this season, including last Sunday's wild-card win at Philadelphia. The 49ers lost TE George Kittle to a torn Achilles in that contest, so a few more targets will be available to the rest of the team's pass catchers Saturday. In five outings in the second half of the campaign, Pearsall hauled in 16 of 24 targets for 201 yards and no touchdowns.
-
Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Seahawks' Sam Darnold: Active Saturday
Darnold (oblique) is listed as active Saturday against the 49ers.
Darnold injured his oblique at Thursday's practice, which caused the Seahawks to list him as questionable ahead of their divisional-round matchup. He proceeded to tell John Boyle of the team's official site that he felt like he'll "be ready to go for Saturday," and coach Mike Macdonald then relayed to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic on Friday that he wouldn't "put him out there if he couldn't do his job." Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Saturday morning that Darnold hasn't thrown since Thursday, but Seattle still was of the belief that he'd be able to start, which now at least seems likely. Drew Lock and emergency third QB Jalen Milroe are on hand in the event Darnold can't direct the offense at any point.
-
Troy Franklin WR | DEN
Broncos' Troy Franklin: Won't return Saturday
Franklin (hamstring) won't return to Saturday's divisional-round game against the Bills, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
The Broncos now have lost two wide receivers to injury in their playoff opener, the other being Pat Bryant (concussion). Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Lil'Jordan Humphrey are the available options at the position for Denver for the rest of Saturday's contest.
-
Cam Lewis CB | CHI
Bills' Cam Lewis: Returns vs. Denver
Lewis (undisclosed has returned to Buffalo's divisional-round matchup versus the Broncos on Saturday, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.
Lewis is back in action after briefly exiting the game at the end of the first half due to cramping. Darnell Savage filled in at safety while Lewis was sidelined.