Team news: San Francisco 49ers | Page 29

Packers running back Aaron Jones looks like he’s going to miss Thursday’s game in Detroit.

Jones hurt his knee in Sunday’s win over the Chargers and Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that he has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain. He is considered unlikely to play on Thanksgiving and will be week-to-week moving forward.

Related players: A.J. Dillon, Emanuel Wilson, Patrick Taylor, James Robinson

The story went on to say the Packers had Wilson go down with a shoulder injury shortly after Jones was injured and both players were listed as non-participants in practice on Monday. The Packers signed Taylor to the active roster to go with Dillon, and Robinson was added to the practice squad. The team will likely roll with Dillon as their main back in a tough matchup against the Lions

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will be making the call on the team’s starting quarterback for this week’s game against the Giants and he wasn’t in a sharing mood when it came to his thoughts on the matter on Tuesday.

“I’ve told all the players the same thing: Be ready to go. Hopefully they will be,” Belichick said.

Related players: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier, Malik Cunningham

As the story said, Jones has started every game this year, but he was pulled in favor of Zappe for the final drive of the team’s Week 10 loss to the Colts. Grier is also on the 53-man roster and Cunningham is on the practice squad, but Belichick didn’t bite when asked at his press conference if he’s made a decision about who will be under center on Sunday. From a fantasy standpoint, this isn't a decision that should impact most leagues outside of the very deepest.

The Patriots will come off their bye this week to take on the Giants on the road. At this point, there’s not much clarity as to who will be the starting quarterback.

Related players: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier

We may have to wait another day or two to find out who will get the start, but despite a matchup against the Giants, the starter will likely not be a great fantasy option anyway.

Mike Evans was listed with a quad injury Wednesday. Just working with a trainer early today, but he’s usually a guy to push through injury whenever possible. Something to watch.

Related Players: Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins

The target tree has been quite succinct in Tampa Bay this year, with Evans, Godwin, and Cade Otton being the biggest beneficiaries. Godwin could have a throwback target hog performance if Evans were to miss Week 11.

Question: Is Mac Jones still the team’s No. 1 quarterback?

Bill Belichick: “We have a lot of things to work on this week as a team. We’ll work through those. That is what we are going to do this week.”

Related players: Will Grier, Bailey Zappe

At this point, it's anyone's guess what the Patriots do at QB heading into Week 11. Jones was 15-for-20 for 170 yards but did throw another interception. Strangely, the team went to Zappe on their final drive needing a touchdown to win. Zappe eventually threw an interception to end the game. If Jones doesn't start, it could be Zappe or maybe Grier - or maybe Malik Cunningham makes a return. Those in deep two-QB or superflex leagues should pay attention to this situation this week.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson says Zay Jones is a longshot to play Sunday. Tyson Campbell and Andre Cisco look ready.

Related Players: Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram

Jones has only been involved in three games this season, opening the door for Jamal Agnew and Tim Jones to log more snaps. Kirk and Engram have continued to thrive in this offense after their respective breakouts in 2022.

For a second straight day, 49ers’ WR Deebo Samuel was a full participant at practice and is on track to play Sunday at Jacksonville.

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, Ray-Ray McCloud, George Kittle

Looks like the bye week did Samuel some good, and if he's a full participant already, we should expect his normal workload upon his return. He has 397 yards and two all-purpose touchdowns through six games this season, and should be boosted back into WR2 consideration this week.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Bengals.

Purdy was a full participant in practice Friday and now has no official injury designation for the game. There was concern early in the week that Purdy would not be able to go and that Sam Darnold would get the start. But his progress improved over the week, a short one at that, and now Purdy is back. Even with Deebo Samuel still out, Purdy is still a top-10 option for us this week.

49ers QB Brock Purdy (concussion) is present and participating during early open portion of practice.

Related Players: Sam Darnold

Purdy is for sure not still in the clear to start in Week 8, but a Thursday practice swings the probability positively. Players in the confusion protocol have been historically unlikely to play the following week, but it's still in the cards. Friday's practice should give us more insight.