SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Mac Jones came to the 49ers to back up Brock Purdy after washing out in both New England and Jacksonville, working his hardest to be ready when called upon.

It happened sooner than anyone imagined when Purdy came out of a season-opening 17-13 win over Seattle with toe and left shoulder injuries, which could sideline him ...Read more

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — A few short weeks ago, it was easy to believe that Ben Johnson's return to Ford Field would be a high-intensity slugfest between teams looking to establish dominance as the division's top dog.

Instead, both teams are simply hoping to avoid starting 0-2 on the season and in the NFC North. The Lions lost at Green Bay, 27-13,...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The 49ers knew they would be without Brock Purdy and George Kittle.

Now the status of left tackle Trent Williams is up in the air as the 49ers depart for their Week 2 road assignment in New Orleans.

Williams and wide receiver Jauan Jennings were officially listed as questionable by coach Kyle Shanahan on Friday ...Read more

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill on Friday declined to comment on his estranged wife’s allegations of domestic abuse but said the NFL has not contacted him, as the league begins to investigate the matter.

Amid trade speculation, Hill also reiterated that he’s happy playing for the Dolphins. The team has not been trying to trade him.

Hill ...Read more

After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy returned Thursday and Friday. The team officially listed Worthy as a “limited” participant in both workouts.

While Worthy continues to progress, it still seems unlikely that he will be healthy enough to take the field Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Jamel Dean said he changed his diet, and although he still stands 6 feet 1 and weighs 205 pounds, he feels faster and leaner to start the season.

At the very least, his wallet is significantly lighter.

Dean, 28, agreed to a massive pay cut three weeks ago to remain with the Bucs.

He was scheduled to earn $12.5 million this ...Read more

The Miami Dolphins pass rush was supposed to be a game-changer.

With Zach Sieler rewarded with a hefty extension, the star defensive tackle would lead a unit bolstered by the “Big Dawgz,” the edge rusher’s self-proclaimed nickname. The issue, however, was that the pass rush lacked bite in Week 1 as the unit only finished with a single ...Read more

Here’s a look back at Week 1’s action and fantasy advice for the week ahead:

WEEK 1 RECAP

Eagles 24, Cowboys 20: Dallas’ first two drives both ended with a touchdown by Javonte Williams. Who’s to say how things would’ve played out if Philadelphia’s All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter had kept his saliva to himself, but Williams ...Read more

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups and makes his predictions for Week 2 of the NFL season.

Last week, Farmer posted a 10-6 record (.625).

Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, his record against the spread in Week 1 was 8-8 (.500).

All times are Pacific and TV reflects broadcasts for the Los Angeles ...Read more

Two things are true about last week, chronologically: 1). The Dolphins in their 33-8 loss in Indy stunk like Limburger cheese left in a car trunk. It was top-to-bottom ineptitude so flagrant it was the talk of the league. 2). Everybody overreacted. No matter the faith-jarring result ... It was one bleepin’ game! Yet the outcry was fire-...Read more

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not face discipline from the NFL for shoving a Bills fan during Sunday night’s season-opening loss to Buffalo at Highmark Stadium, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Thursday.

“The matter has been addressed by the club and there is no further action from the league,” he ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — As if the depth and breadth of Jalen Carter’s dumbness in spitting on Dak Prescott wasn’t immediately apparent Thursday night, the NFL’s oldest and wisest defensive coordinator spent a few minutes Tuesday making sure everyone understood it. Vic Fangio has a way of speaking — in short, declarative, bladelike sentences, no...Read more

SEATTLE — Let's start with disclaimer No. 1: Seahawks general manager John Schneider did not trade DK Metcalf and Geno Smith because he thought they weren't skilled. He simply thought they weren't worth the money each was seeking long-term.

It's hard to know whether he thought Cooper Kupp or Sam Darnold would be equals — let alone upgrades ...Read more

MIAMI — This era (or error) of the Miami Dolphins franchise is terminal.

You know it. I know it. The national media knows it. And if we’re being honest, deep down the players know it, too.

Owner Steve Ross also knows as well. The look on his face every time I’ve seen Ross around the team he owns this year serves as my proof.

I’m ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — If you listened closely enough this summer, the Steelers weren’t fretting over their receiving corps the way many on the outside were.

General manager Omar Khan made his feelings known on the first day of training camp when he was asked for the umpteenth time about acquiring a No. 2 receiver before the season started.

“I'll ...Read more

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams faced some notable struggles during the season opener Monday in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

He led the Bears on a 61-yard touchdown drive to open the game, but that proved to be the highlight for coach Ben Johnson’s offense. Williams finished the night 21-for-35 passing for 210 yards ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Per 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, quarterback Brock Purdy is a “long shot” to play in the 49ers’ Week 2 game in New Orleans.

And suddenly, that term — long shot — feels terribly apt in describing just about everything surrounding the 2025 San Francisco 49ers.

We made it one whole week before the walls of Levi’s...Read more

BALTIMORE — Derrick Henry had just fumbled, injecting a shot of life into the Buffalo Bills and their crowd with just over three minutes remaining Sunday night in Orchard Park, N.Y. Meanwhile, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needed a dose of pickle juice.

Jackson, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player who last season became the ...Read more

COMMANDERS (1-0) at PACKERS (1-0)

Line: GB by 3 1/2.

Cote’s pick: GB, 30-17.

TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.

If the NFL’s biggest Week 1 takeaway was that the Dolphins had the worst opening since Moose Murders on Broadway, second place may have been, “Wait a second. Are the Packers the new favorite in the NFC!?” If not, they...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Quarterback Brock Purdy’s toe injury makes him a “long shot” to play in the San Francisco 49ers’ game Sunday at New Orleans, and he could be out multiple games, coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday.

Purdy is also dealing with a left-shoulder injury and did not practice, but it is his toe injury that is a greater ...Read more