NFL Training Camp: Tracking News, Position Battles, Injuries And More

NFL Roster Cut Down Dates, Practice Squads And More

NFL roster cuts are coming next week as teams will cut down from 90 to 75 players and then again from 75 to 53 players.

No Michael Vick But Plenty Of Nick Foles In Friday's Preseason Games

Week 3 of the preseason continues on with six more games on Friday night including the Vick-less Eagles, Seattle's quarterback competition and the clash of two of the NFC's best teams.

Torell Troup's Injury Lands Him On Injured Reserve

The Buffalo Bills announced on Thursday that defensive tackle Torell Troup has been placed on injured reserve. This means that the third-year player out of Central Florida will miss the entirety of the 2012 season.

Bills announced that they placed DT Torell Troup on IR.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) August 23, 2012

Troup missed the majority of the 2011 season due to a small fracture and disk problem in his back. After undergoing spinal fusion surgery late last year, he had problems practicing and admitted that he has been in significant pain since the procedure.

With 2012 out of the picture, Troup can focus on getting healthy over the course of the year in an attempt to return to the field for the 2013 season for the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.

For more on the Bills, please be sure to visit our blog Buffalo Rumblings along with our NFL Hub and SBNation.com for all the latest news and updates.

Redskins RB Tim Hightower Will Play Saturday; Roy Helu, Evan Royster Will Not

The Washington Redskins RB situation is still unsettled, much to the consternation of both Redskins fans as well as whatever fantasy owner ends up getting killed by Mike Shanahan's RB-by-committee approach.

Saturday's game could be a chance for fifth-year RB Tim Hightower to make his mark, since his two main competitors for the job -- Roy Helu and Evan Royster -- will be out:

Mike shanahan says hightower will play saturday. Helu, royster (knee) won't play. Royster hurt couple days ago. #redskins

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 23, 2012

Hightower only rushed for 84 yards in 2011, as he was behind Royster (328 yards on 56 carries) and Helu (640 yards on 151 carries), who were both in their rookie seasons in the NFL.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more news from NFL training camps. For additional coverage of the Redskins, check out Hogs Haven as well as SB Nation DC.

NFL Preseason, Week 3: Less Meaningless, But More Berman

Three more games on tap for Thursday night football which include a quarterback battle, a first-year starter, the MJD-less Jaguars and a Cedric Benson sighting.

Wayne Hunter Benched By New York Jets

New York Jets offensive lineman Wayne Hunter was told on Thursday morning that he will not start for the team. The right tackle will still have a "very valuable role," according to head coach Rex Ryan.

Related: This Is Why The Jets Tried To Trade For Jeff Otah

Hunter struggled in the Jets' 26-3 loss to the Giants on Aug. 18 -- he allowed four sacks in the first half alone.

Hunter is entering his ninth season in the NFL and his fifth with the Jets. He started all 16 games in 2011, which was his first season as a regular starter. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in 63 games and made 21 starts.

The Jets return to the field Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more news from NFL training camps. For additional coverage of the Jets, check out Gang Green Nation as well as SB Nation New York.

Jermichael Finley Won't Play In Packers Preseason Game Due To His New Baby

Jermichael Finley was in Ohio preparing for the Green Bay Packers' upcoming preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the birth of the standout tight end's new baby will keep him from playing this week.

Finley had dealt with a concussion earlier in the preseason, but was fully healthy heading into this week's preseason action. The tight end announced on his Twitter account that he's decided to be at home with his family, though, instead of getting preseason snaps.

Sorry Fans 88 is Heading back to GB from Cinny to take care of my Family. #Family1st

— Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) August 23, 2012

It definitely makes sense that Finley has chosen to head home to be with his family -- he tweeted earlier Thursday morning about the baby's arrival. In the meantime, it sounds like Tom Crabtree will get the starting nod in his place as D.J. Williams has been dealing with a recent ankle injury.

For more on the Green Bay Packers, check out Acme Packing Company.

Eddie Royal Finally Returns To Chargers Practice

Eddie Royal finally returned to San Diego Chargers practice on Wednesday after having to sit out nearly an entire month from a hip injury. He's been resting in hopes of not re-aggravating his groin injury before the regular season begins.

Royal isn't expected to play Friday night and might not even play in the Chargers' preseason finale next week, but that didn't stop him from being excited about getting back on the field for Wednesday's practice. He didn't hide that feeling in his comments to the North County Times, either.

"I caught my first ball in live action in quite some time, and it felt really good," Royal said. "It's one thing to be watching and another to be in the huddle. It makes you feel more a part of the family. I'm happy to be back."

Royal apparently was only allowed to go half-speed on Wednesday, but it's looking good for him to be fully healthy once the regular season begins in September.

For more on the Chargers, head to Bolts From the Blue.

Marshawn Lynch Expected To Miss Seahawks-Chiefs Game

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday and appears unlikely to play in the team's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night. Lynch has been bothered by a back injury, which does not appear to be serious.

Related: Seahawks Vs. Chiefs: A Quick Scouting Report

Lynch played in the Seahawks' most recent preseason game, which Seattle won, 30-10. He carried the ball six times for 37 yards. He's coming off a 2011 season in which he started 15 games, ran for 1,204 yards and scored a total of 13 touchdowns. The yardage and touchdown totals are career highs. It was his first 1,000-yard season since he crossed that barrier in 2008 while playing for the Buffalo Bills.

The Seahawks meet the Chiefs at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.

For more in-depth coverage of the Seattle Seahawks, visit Field Gulls as well as SB Nation Seattle.

Darren Sproles Injury: Saints Likely To Wait Until Week 1

Due to a knee injury, New Orleans running back Darren Sproles will be held out of game action until the first regular season game, according to The Times-Picayune. While Sproles said he could play right now for the Saints, there's no point in risking it in either of two remaining preseason games.

"The important thing his for him to get ready for that Week 1 game with him," offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael told the newspaper. "But he's going to get a chance to get back here in practice before that game. So we're good."

Sproles injured the knee in the Saints Week 2 preseason game against the New England Patriots, and hasn't practiced in full capacity since. The 5-foot-6, 190-pound back has been doing individual drills and said he feels almost completely healthy.

Neither the running back nor his coaches think Sproles's lack of practice time will hurt come the Saints' opener against the Washington Redskins on Sept. 9. He told The Times-Picayune that timing could be the only issue when he returns, but that shouldn't take to long to get a handle on. Sproles said he's worked with quarterback Drew Brees extensively through the offseason and into training camp.

The Saints will next be without Sproles Saturday against the Houston Texans.

Check out more news on the New Orleans Saints at Canal Street Chronicles or hit up SB Nation's NFL hub.

Panthers' Steve Smith Misses Practice With Foot Infection

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith missed Wednesday's practice with an infection in his left foot, according to The Charlotte Observer. Smith returned to Bank of America Stadium on crutches with the team trainer, but he is not expected to miss any significant time. Smith caught one pass for 15 yards in last week's exhibition win over Miami, but has only practiced once since.

Entering his twelfth season, Smith has become the main receiving target for Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. Smith had 79 catches for nearly 1400 yards and seven touchdowns last season. According to the Observer, Carolina's No. 2 receiver Brandon LaFell didn't seem too concerned about the injury, calling Smith "an Ironman."

Panthers coach Ron Rivera hopes to have more information on Smith after talking to the team medical staff. The Panthers take on the Jets in their next preseason game, this Sunday at 8:00 EST. They open the season on September 9 at Tampa Bay.

For more on the Panthers check out Cat Scratch Reader.

Roy Helu Returns To Practice

Washington Redskins running back Roy Helu returned to practice Wednesday, head coach Mike Shanahan told the Washington Post after his club's practice. Helu, who's been nursing a sore Achilles tendon for the last week and a half, was limited in his participation and its still unknown when he will be back to full strength.

Shanahan also told the Post that he still does not know whether or not Helu or starting tailback Tim Hightower, who's recovering from knee surgery, will be ready for Saturday's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, or the season opener vs. the New Orleans Saints, Sept. 9.

Because Hightower is still rehabbing from a knee surgery, it was expected Helu would make a push for the Skins' No. 1 running back job. However, the former Nebraska Cornhusker has struggled to stay healthy. A return to the field for a long period of time would help build confidence in the second-year back, as right now there's still a lot of question marks.

For more on the Redskins, visit Hogs Haven and SB Nation DC.

Sidney Rice Makes Preseason Debut This Week

Sidney Rice will hit the field for the Seattle Seahawks this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, which will be his first action since being placed on injured reserve last year. He finally practiced during training camp in full yesterday, and he's ready to get into action on the field this preseason.

#Seahawks WR Sidney Rice will play this Friday night in KC.

— Liz Mathews 710 ESPN (@Liz_Mathews) August 22, 2012

Rice has not played since November 27 of last season. He was placed on injured reserve soon thereafter and missed the rest of the 2011 season. He caught 32 passes for 484 receiving yards during 2011, but at his peak in 2009 he caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards for the Minnesota Vikings. That season helped earn him the five-year, $41 million contract with the Seahawks.

Kenneth Arthur explains the fantasy implications of Rice returning to the lineup at our SB Nation fantasy hub. Rice being ready to go for a preseason game is an encouraging sign for his long-term development, and he has proven that he's a number one receiver when he's healthy. His return could do wonders for the Seahawks offense.

For more on the Seahawks, check out SB Nation Seattle and Field Gulls.

Jason Pierre-Paul Ruled Out For Giants 3rd Preseason Game

Giants pass-rushing phenom Jason Pierre-Paul was ruled out of New York's third preseason game against the Bears on Friday. Pierre-Paul was not at Giants' practice on Wednesday and head coach Tom Coughlin told the media afterwards that he was experiencing back spasms. While the third preseason game is often considered a "dress rehearsal," the Giants plan to be extra-cautious with one of their most valuable defensive players (via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News):

Jason Pierre-Paul will not play Friday night. Tom Coughlin said he'll be held out for "precautionary" reasons.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) August 22, 2012

The Giants have been marred by back issues this preseason, with many linemen on both sides of the ball blaming small and uncomfortable beds at their training camp dorms.

Pierre-Paul, a speed rusher from South Florida, led the team with 16.5 sacks last season.

For more on the Giants, visit Big Blue View and SB Nation New York.

Joe Haden Gets Scolded At Browns Practice For Unnecessary Roughness

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden was kicked out of practice by head coach Pat Shurmur on Wednesday for unnecessary roughness. According to reports from Browns practice, Shurmur sent Haden off after the corner tackled rookie wide receiver Travis Benjamin in 7-on-7 drills.

#Browns Haden was ordered off the field for unnecessary roughness, by Shurmur.

— Jeff Schudel (@jsbrownsinsider) August 22, 2012

Update: Here's the video of the play.

Shurmur later apologized for directing foul language at Haden while both were in the earshot of fans and onlookers. Haden was reportedly followed into the team's facility by Browns president Mike Holmgren, but Holmgren did not address the incident with reporters after practice.

Haden, of course, is having a tumultuous offseason, as he's currently facing a four-game suspension for using a substance banned by the NFL.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out Dawgs By Nature and SB Nation Cleveland. More news, notes and analysis from around football, visit SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Beanie Wells Will Play In Cardinals-Titans Game

Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells will make his preseason debut against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on Thursday, according to Cardinals head coach Ken Wisenhunt.

"I'm excited to see him in a game," Whisenhunt said. "There’s no concern with him at all with his health."

Right-knee injuries plagued Wells for most of the Cardinals' 2011 campaign, prompting him to undergo arthroscopic surgery in January. He returned to practice on Aug. 7, 2012, after being removed from the physically unable to perform list. Barring any unexpected setbacks, Wells is expected to win the starting running back job over second-year player Ryan Williams, who is coming off a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.

Wells was the Cardinals' leading rusher in 2011, rushing for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns on 245 carries.

For more on the Arizona Cardinals, follow Revenge Of The Birds. For more on the NFL, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Concussion Symptoms Sideline Vikings CB Chris Cook

Minnesota Vikings CB Chris Cook will not play in the Vikings' third preseason game on Friday against the Chargers due to concussion symptoms. Cook will be replaced in the lineup by Chris Carr or Josh Robinson.

Cook suffered a concussion in the Vikings' second preseason game against the Bills and has yet to return to the practice field. Cook is in his third year, but has only played in 12 regular season games to this point. He missed ten games with two knee injuries his rookie season and then missed most of last season due to off the field issues. Cook faced two charges of felony assault but was acquitted of all charges this March.

Cook had been having a good training camp and was winning back the respect of his teammates prior to his injury, but now is stuck waiting to get back on the field again.

For more on the Vikings; check out Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Eugene Monroe Injury: Status For Preseason Week 3 In Doubt

Jaguars left tackle Eugene Monroe is still not practicing with the team and seems unlikely to play in Jacksonville's Week 3 preseason game on Thursday night against the Saints. It had been reported days ago that Monroe was traveling with the team but unlikely to play after suffering a concussion last Wednesday during practice.

Tyson Alualu, who recently made the switch from defensive tackle to offensive tackle, is expected to start in Monroe's place. No official timetable for Monroe's return has been set, but keeping him out of Thursday's game is a precaution considering this is a head injury and Monroe hasn't practiced in almost a week.

The Jags have seen their fair share of issues on the offensive line, with injuries to Will Rackley (high ankle sprain), guard Jason Spitz (foot injury) and center John Estes (knee injury)

Read more on the Jaguars at Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

John Carlson Injury: Expected To Miss Vikings' 3rd Preseason Game

John Carlson is expected to miss the Minnesota Vikings' next preseason game, delaying his debut in Minneapolis yet another game as he recovers from a knee injury.

There was originally speculation that he'd be able to return on Aug. 13, but the knee sprain is apparently more severe than initially thought. The tight end has already missed the Vikings' first two preseason games and, according to the Pioneer Press, a third is on its way.

Tight end John Carlson (knee) did not practice Monday, Aug. 20, and is not expected to play in the Vikings' preseason game Friday, Aug. 24, against the Chargers.

The Vikings will have some depth chart issues if that's the case, as fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph underwent concussion tests following the team's second preseason game.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Panthers' Jon Beason, Thomas Davis Hope To Be Ready By Week 1

Carolina Panthers linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis are both on the road to recovery from their respective injuries and hope to be ready to play Week 1 in Tampa Bay. Davis injured his calf on the second night of training camp, and according to reports, he's made slow progress since then. He's also trying to come back from three surgeries to repair his ACL on the same knee.

Beason doesn't have as long a road to travel as Davis, as he recovers from a hamstring issue that didn't keep him from participating in a walk-through on Monday. But Beason also had surgery last season after rupturing his Achilles, so there are obvious health concerns with him as well.

Still, both linebackers want to be on the field against the Buccaneers. Davis has Tuesday off, but will be back to work on Wednesday. Beason said he'll only play against the Jets in Carolina's third preseason game if he's 100 percent.

Read more on the Panthers at Cat Scratch Reader and our NFL hub page.

Cordy Glenn Named Bills Starting LT

The Bills have put the job of protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick's blind side in the hands of a rookie, as Cordy Glenn will start for the squad at left tackle.

Glenn was the fourth offensive lineman off the board in April's NFL Draft, selected by Buffalo 41st overall. The news isn't altogether surprising: Although Glenn was given nominal competition for the position by 2011 fourth-round pick Chris Hairston, the Georgia product was the favorite for the spot.

Glenn took the majority of snaps with the first team while Hairston took a smattering of reps at left tackle when likely starting right tackle Erik Pears sat out with a groin injury. Hairston will continue to fill in while Pears recovers.

While much of Glenn's playing time in college actually came as an offensive guard, not offensive tackle, the Bills never considered playing him inside.

For more on the Bills, check out Buffalo Rumblings.

Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne Could Be Done For Saints Preseason

New Orleans Saints linebackers Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne are both out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain and a torn meniscus, respectively, meaning the pair are likely done for the preseason and could possibly miss more time after that:

[Head coach Joe] Vitt is not specifying which leg either player hurt. He says he is hopeful Lofton will return for the Redskins game and possibly before the preseason ends.

According to reports, Lofton's place at starting middle linebacker will be taken by Ramon Huber. Lofton was signed away from the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason and was projected to be a de facto leader for the defense in the wake of Jonathan Vilma's suspension from the NFL for his role in the bounty scandal. Hawthorne was signed in 2012 after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Saints have two remaining preseason games, hosting Houston on Saturday and at the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, August 30. New Orleans opens its season at home September 9 against the Washington Redskins.

For more on the New Orleans Saints, be sure to check out SB Nation's Saints blog, Canal Street Chronicles, as well as SB Nation's NFL page.

Dez Bryant Leaves Cowboys Practice With Knee Injury

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has left the team's practice on Monday with an apparent knee injury, according to reporter Clarence Hill. The 6-foor-2, 220 pound wide receiver was seen with trainers examining his knee, officials told Hill.

Bryant caught two passes for 15 yards in Saturday's 28-20 preseason loss to the San Diego Chargers.

Before the Cowboys' first preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, Bryant was banged up with a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice and only participating in walkthroughs. Two days after suffering the hamstring injury, he caught one pass for 24 yards and only played in one possession.

In three years in the NFL, the Oklahoma State product has pulled in 108 passes for 1,489 yards for the Cowboys. Last season was by far his best, as he nearly reached the 1,000 mark with 928 yards.

Check out Blogging the Boys for more on the Dallas Cowboys, or hit up SB Nation's NFL hub.

Mikel Leshoure Returns To Practice, Hopes To Play Saturday

Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure went through team drills in practice Sunday for the first time since the second day of training camp and hopes to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press.

The Lions need all the help they can get at running back with Jahvid Best battling concussions and Stefan Logan missing practices with an injured ankle. Kevin Smith is the likely Week 1 starter.

Leshore, a second-round pick out of Illinois in 2011, missed the entire season last year after tearing his Achilles' tendon. He said he wants to get his feet wet before the season starts. However, he won't see the field before Week 3 after being suspended the first two weeks for two offseason arrests.

For the latest on the Detroit Lions, be sure to check out Pride of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit. Head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for even more NFL news. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video commentary.

NFL Debrief: Andrew Luck, RGIII Aren't Perfect, But Some Players Were

The second week of the NFL preseason has seen 15 games so far. Here's what you missed over the weekend.

Miles Austin Injury: Cowboys WR Likely To Miss Rest Of Preseason

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, who's dealing with hamstring problems, will likely be on the shelf for the remainder of the preseason. Austin has not played in the Cowboys first two preseason games, and owner Jerry Jones indicated that it's unlikely he'll return next week for their third preseason game against the Rams. Via Josh Ellis of DallasCowboys.com:

"He's not one of the ones I'm thinking will be back," Jones said. "I wouldn't discount it, but he's not one of the ones that I have coming back."

Austin missed the entirety of the 2011 preseason with persistent hamstring problems, and it's likely Jason Garrett and the Cowboys will hold him until the start of the regular season next month.

Teams typically rest their starters in the fourth preseason game, so if he doesn't return next week as Jones indicated, he won't be in uniform until the league opener September 5 against the Giants. The Cowboys do not expect the issues to carry over into the regular season.

For more on the Cowboys and updates on Austin's status, check out Blogging The Boys.

Greg Jennings Injury: Packers WR Returns To Practice

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings was back at practice with the first-team offense Sunday after missing time with a concussion, as Ty Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Jennings has sat out the past two-plus weeks with the head injury, but he's shown steady improvement.

According to Dunne, the Packers expect to have Jennings back in the lineup for their third preseason game. Green Bay has been cautious with its top pass-catcher given the nature of the injury, but it doesn't seem he'll be impacted during the regular season.

Jennings, 28, suffered the concussion during a scrimmage on Aug. 3, and he didn't return to the field until Sunday morning. After catching 67 passes for 949 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games during a relative down year in 2011, he should be able to pass the 1,000-yard plateau again in 2012 if healthy.

For more on Greg Jennings and the Green Bay Packers, visit Acme Packing Company.

Jacoby Ford Injury: Raiders WR Gets MRI, According To Report

Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford is getting an MRI on his foot after he was injured during Oakland's preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals Friday night, according to a report from ProFootballTalk.com.

Ford, who missed eight games last season, was apparently injured after catching a pass midway through the first quarter. After leaving the game, Ford was later seen on crutches on the sideline.

A serious foot injury would be a major disappointment for Ford, who is expected to be a major part of the Raiders offense this season. He's shown plenty of big play ability during his two-year NFL career, but missed six of the final seven games last season with a foot sprain.

Ford has caught 44 passes for 749 yards and three touchdowns during his two seasons in Oakland, in addition to being one of the NFL's most dangerous return men.

For more on the Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride. For more on the NFL in general, please check out SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Giants-Jets, Redskins-Bears Highlights Week 2 Preseason Action

The second week of the preseason cruises along with six games on Saturday night.

No Surgery For Isaac Redman, Out This Week

Following test results, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman will avoid surgery on his injured hip, but will also miss the Steelers' preseason game on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. However, Redman could return to Steelers practice as early as next week.

In addition to the hip problem, Redman has also been slowed in the preseason by a groin injury. The Steelers expected Redman to enter the season as the starter as Rashard Mendenhall (torn ACL late last season) has just recently been removed from the physically unable to perform list. With this latest news, Redman could still be on track to be the feature back for the start of the season.

Jonathan Dwyer, who had been battling a shoulder injury, is projected to start against the Colts on Sunday at the running back position.

For more coverage of the Steelers, visit our blog Behind The Steel Curtain or SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Buccaneers Activate OT Donald Penn

Donald Penn has been cleared to return to Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice.

DeMarcus Ware's Injury Will Keep Him Out Of Cowboys 2nd Preseason Game

DeMarcus Ware will miss the Dallas Cowboys' preseason game on Saturday against the San Diego Chargers with a hamstring injury. Luckily for Ware and the Cowboys, the injury is considered very minor and Ware said that he would have played if it was a regular season game.

Ware tweaked his hamstring in practice on Thursday and was limited in the Cowboys' walkthrough on Friday so it is no surprise that he will not play. Alex Albright is expected to play in Ware's place against the Chargers.

The Cowboys expect Ware to be back in practice next week and ready to play in their last two preseason games. That should give him plenty of time to get ready to go for the Cowboys' season opener on September 5 against the New York Giants.

The injuries are really piling up for the Cowboys, who could be without as many as 20 players on Saturday. Hamstrings have been especially bad in Dallas, with Miles Austin, Anthony Spencer, Lance Dunbar, Jason Hatcher and Matt Johnson all battling hamstring injuries.

For more on the Cowboys and updates on Ware's status, check out Blogging The Boys.

Jordan Shipley Waived By Cincinnati Bengals

Former third-round pick Jordan Shipley has been waived by the Cincinnati Bengals, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Shipley tore his left ACL early last season and with a young receiving corps in Cleveland, his knee hasn't been able to get back to pre-injury form.

#bengals have waived WR Jordan Shipley and K Thomas Weber

— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) August 17, 2012

I saw Shipley walking to the bus last night with a huge icepack on his knee. The knee was not responding. Tough break for him #bengals

— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) August 17, 2012

Shipley was selected by the Bengals in the third round in 2010 out of Texas. As a rookie, he had 52 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns. He played two games in 2011 before the season-ending injury.

For more on the Browns, head over to Dawgs by Nature. For more on the NFL, stay tuned to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Cowboys Waive Former TCU RB Ed Wesley

The Cowboys have begun making cuts at the tailback position.

Rolando McClain Has Been 'Exceptional' At Raiders Training Camp

Oakland Radiers head coach Dennis Allen took some time on Friday to join 'The Wheelhouse' on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco to discuss how training camp has been going thus far, having some exemplary things to say about linebacker Rolando McClain.

When asked whom he's been impressed with the most in camp, Allen was quick to mention McClain and the hard work he's been putting in:

A guy I think that has been exceptional has been Rolando McClain. He's been a guy that has done everything we have asked him to do. He's smart. He understands the defense and the concepts we are trying to run and if he continues to improve the way he has been improving and continues to fit within the scheme the way he has done so far I would expect him to have a good year.

McClain is still dealing with some off the field issues, but has seemingly figured it out on the field so far in camp. He recorded 99 tackles and five sacks for Oakland last season.

For more on the Oakland Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride. For more on the NFL in general, please check out SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

NFL Preseason Schedule For Friday Highlighted By 3 More QB Competitions

Six more games are on the preseason schedule for Friday night, including three quarterback competitions.

Lions Claim Bill Nagy Off Waivers After Placing Drew Coleman On IR

The Detroit Lions have claimed offensive lineman Bill Nagy off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys after placing cornerback Drew Coleman on injured reserve, according to DetroitLions.com's Tim Twentyman.

Nagy, a guard/center, was waived by the Cowboys on Wednesday, the same day he underwent surgery to repair an injured ankle -- his second such surgery since the original injury occurred last year in a game against the New England Patriots. The Cowboys intended to place Nagy on IR, but he had to successfully clear waivers first, which he did not.

Nagy started four games for Dallas last season before suffering the season-ending injury. The Cowboys drafted the University of Wisconsin product in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Coleman, meanwhile, has been dealing with concussion issues. The Lions signed the former Jacksonville Jaguars corner to a one-year deal just three weeks ago. He was cut by the Jags in May. Prior to that, Coleman spent five years with the New York Jets, accumulating 67 games played, including eight starts.

For more on the Lions, head over to Pride Of Detroit. For the latest on the Cowboys, be sure to visit Blogging The Boys.

Denarius Moore, Taiwan Jones Will Miss Raiders Game On Friday

Hamstring injuries will sideline two key playmakers for the Raiders in Friday night's preseason game against Arizona.

Redskins Sign DT Marlon Favorite

The Washington Redskins signed defensive tackle Marlon Favorite on Thursday.

Favorite (6-foot-1, 317 pounds) was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of LSU by the Carolina Panthers in 2009. After the Panthers released him, Favorite spent time on the practice squads for a number NFL teams, including two stints with the St. Louis Rams. Favorite played in 40 games during his three-year career at LSU, making 17 starts.

In addition to signing Favorite, the Redskins placed defensive tackle Chris Neild and wide receiver Darius Hanks on injured reserve on Thursday. Neild, who is in his second season as the Redskins' backup nose tackle, tore the ACL in his left knee on Monday. Hanks was ruled out with shoulder and clavicle injuries last week. He was signed by Washington in 2012 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of the University of Alabama.

For more on the Redskins preseason, visit Hogs Haven and SB Nation DC.

Giants Sign DT Marcus Thomas

It was only a matter of time before the Giants signed free agent defensive tackle Marcus Thomas after reports surfaced earlier Thursday that the two parties were close to a deal. Mike Garafolo on nj.com cites a source, via Twitter, that says Thomas has indeed signed a one-year deal with the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Giants have a need at defensive tackle considering the season-ending injury suffered by Shaun Rogers on Monday.

The 6-foot-3, 316 pound free agent has appeared in 76 games since 2007, including 11 starts in 2011. In his career, Thomas has 147 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack.

Thomas rejected a one-year deal with the Broncos after expecting a much lucrative contract from the team. Now he'll get to fill a void for the Giants as they attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

Read more on the Giants at Big Blue View and SB Nation New York.

John Elway Says Peyton Manning Is In Prime Form

It might just be his job to say so, but Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway said Thursday that new starting quarterback Peyton Manning looks as good as ever and has (possibly) the quickest release of his career, according to USA Today's Jim Corbett:

"That's why he's back playing, he loves the game,'' Elway said. "He's proven everything else as a quarterback. Now for Peyton, at the end, the measuring stick goes to how many Super Bowls have you won as a quarterback?

"Hopefully, we can get him a couple of more."

Elway won two Super Bowls in his last two years as the Broncos' quarterback after 14 years of regular-season and playoff success that had previously ended just shy of a title. After throwing his first game balls in 577 days last Thursday against the Chicago Bears, longtime Indianapolis Colts signal-caller Manning will look to surpass Elway in the Super Bowl wins category as a Bronco.

Visit Mile High Report for more on Denver Broncos football, and SB Nation Denver for more on all Colorado sports.

Giants 'Shut Down' OT Will Beatty

New York Giants offensive tackle Will Beatty has reportedly been "shut down" by the organization because of a back issue.

Beatty has been battling his aching back during training camp and he missed the Giants' first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars because of it. Beatty had returned to practice on Sunday after missing time. The offensive lineman being in and out of practice has been a recurring theme since spring practice.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin showed some frustration with the latest 'shut down' of Beatty. "He's back on the shelf," coach Tom Coughlin said after practice. "He's back in the training room." About the possibility of seeing Beatty against the Jets on Saturday, Coughlin said, "I have no idea."

Beatty has started 16 games (10 in 2011) and played 34 for the Giants since joining the team in 2009. Beatty was not playing during the Giants' Super Bowl run last season due to an eye injury.

For the latest news from Giants training camp, check out SB Nation New York's StoryStream and Big Blue View.

Terrell Owens Will Play This Weekend For Seattle

A little more than two weeks after the Seattle Seahawks signed veteran wide receiver Terrell Owens to a one-year deal, the team has announced he will see his first preseason action this weekend. According to a report from Seahawks camp, Owens will suit up and play against the Denver Broncos on Saturday night. There was no word on how many snaps or series he's expected to play.

Pete Carroll says @terrellowens will play at Denver on Sat #Seahawks

— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) August 16, 2012

T.O. had reportedly looked great in an individual workout with the team and is hoping to finish his career on a high note.

Seattle has been determined to find a veteran receiver to improve a unit that struggled last season, looking at any and all options this past offseason. Owens, 39 in December, isn't the athlete he once was, but perhaps he can develop a nice rhythm with whichever quarterback is named the Seahawks' starter in the coming weeks.

Kickoff from Sports Authority Field is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT on Saturday.

For more on the Seahawks, visit Field Gulls and SB Nation Seattle.

Seattle Seahawks' Braylon Edwards Is Fully Recovered, 'Consistently Making Explosive Plays' In Practice

Could Seattle finally be the place where Braylon Edwards fulfills all his potential? Coming off knee surgery during the offseason and battling for a roster spot, the 29-year-old veteran had a good start with a 39-yard touchdown catch against Tennessee in the Seahawks' preseason opener. And Eric D. Williams of the News Tribune says Edwards is making the most of his practice snaps.

With 13 (yes, 13) wide receivers on the roster right now, Seattle has a lot of decisions to make at the position. Right now, Edwards is listed on the depth chart as a third option behind starters, Golden Tate and Ben Obomanu. The former Michigan Wolverine also has to compete with fresh-as-a-daisy, 38-year-old Terrell Owens as well as Sidney Rice and second-year pros Ricardo Lockette and Kris Durham.

Edwards said he's trying to make every snap count.

"It definitely drives me," Edwards said. "We definitely have some guys that are notable, as well as guys that are out here working hard and making plays. So you definitely want to be at the top of your game every practice because you don’t get many opportunities. So when you get them, you’ve got to make them count."

Seattle's next preseason game is agains the Denver Broncos. Another strong showing and continued strong practices, and Edwards could finally have a place to call home and flourish.

For the latest on the Seattle Seahawks, be sure to check out Field Gulls and SB Nation Seattle. Head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for even more NFL news. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video commentary.

Ronnie Hillman Likely To Miss Broncos 2nd Preseason Game

Denver Broncos' running back Ronnie Hillman aggravated his right hamstring at practice on Tuesday. The latest injury means that his preseason debut will probably not happen this week against the Seahawks, according to a report from The Associated Press.

Hillman pulled his hamstring during the opening days of training camp. That put him on the shelf for 10 days as well as the Broncos' 31-3 win over the Bears in their preseason opener last weekend. He returned to practice over the weekend.

The Broncos used the fourth pick in the third round of the draft on Hillman. Touted as a speedy change-of-pace back, the San Diego State product was being counted on as a second back behind Willis McGahee and an option for Peyton Manning on screen passes and other plays designed to take advantage of his legs. Another setback with an injury will take away valuable reps he needs to learn the offense.

For more on Hillman and the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Can Ryan Tannehill Save The Miami Dolphins?

Ryan Tannehill, the Miami Dolphins' rookie quarterback, is exceeding expectations in the preseason. Is he just what the Dolphins have been looking for all these years?

Redskins' Roy Helu Likely Out Vs. Bears

Redskins second-year running back Roy Helu will likely sit out for Washington's second preseason game against the Bears. Helu is experiencing issues with his left Achilles. The team has cited the problem as tendonitis, and Helu spent practice this week on the sidelines with his helmet off during 11-on-11 scrimmaging. On Wednesday, head coach Mike Shanahan said the problem will likely keep him out for the Bears game on Saturday night (via Chris Russell of ESPN 980):

Roy Helu is very likely out, per Mike Shanahan for Chicago

— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) August 15, 2012

Shanahan is well-known for using a running-back-by-committee system and Helu is battling with Tim Hightower and Evan Royster for the starting spot. He came on strong and productive at the end of last season, even breaking Art Monk's single-game receptions record at one point.

Helu did play in the Skins first preseason game in Buffalo, carrying the ball four times for 17 yards. But with soreness around such a dangerous tendon, Shanahan and the Redskins are certainly going to be cautious during the preseason.

For more on the Redskins preseason, visit Hogs Haven and SB Nation DC.

Santonio Holmes Could Miss Rest Of The Preseason

New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes potentially could miss the remainder of the preseason due to tightness in his back, according to a statement made by Jets head coach Rex Ryan on Wednesday. The discomfort in Holmes' back forced him to miss practice while he received treatment in the training room.

While Ryan stated that the 28-year-old receiver could miss the team's final three preseason games, he personally believes he will play prior to the start of the regular season.

Rex says it is "certainly possible" that Santonio Holmes could miss rest of preseason,but he thinks Holmes will play in preseason at some pt

— Manish Mehta(@MMehtaNYDN) August 15, 2012

Holmes has spent the last two seasons with the Jets, compiling 103 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in 28 games played.

For more on the Jets, please be sure to check out our blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Leonard Hankerson Is Hydrated, Practicing Again

Washington Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson had a bit of a scare on Tuesday during training camp, when he left practice with a heat illness. Both Hankerson and fellow wideout Josh Morgan were affected by the temperatures in what was the final public practice at Redskins Park. With camp breaking, the Skins are back at it on Wednesday, and Hankerson is back in action as well, Zac Boyer of the Fredricksburg Free Lance-Star reports.

#Redskins' Hankerson reports no effects from heat illness yesterday at practice. In good spirits. Has happened before, he said.

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) August 15, 2012

Mike Shanahan and the Washington coaching staff were hoping Hankerson would step up and take on a bigger role as one of the team's featured pass-catchers. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III looked to be well on his way to establishing chemistry with new receiver Pierre Garcon last week. In limited work, Hankerson had one catch for 12 yards against the Bills last Thursday.

For more on the Redskins preseason, visit Hogs Haven and SB Nation DC.

MRI Scheduled For Isaac Redman

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his injured groin, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Redman initially sustained the injury during a night practice on Aug. 3 and has been forced to miss some practice time since.

#steelers starting RB Isaac Redman to have MRI on groin injury

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) August 15, 2012

Despite the injury, the 27-year-old back was able to play in the Steelers' first preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field against the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday. Redman finished the game with five carries for a total of 14 yards rushing, in addition to two receptions for four yards receiving.

Since being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Bowie State in 2009, Redman has registered 726 rushing yards (162 attempts), 150 receiving yards (27 receptions) and five total touchdowns in 33 career games with the Steelers.

For the latest on the Steelers, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out Behind the Steel Curtain, SB Nation's Pittsburgh Steelers blog.

Sione Pouha Not Expected To Play In Preseason

New York Jets defensive tackle Sione Pouha will likely miss the rest of the preseason. The veteran out of Utah indicated Wednesday morning that he continues to have a tight back and was not expecting to play in the remaining three preseason games, via Brian Costello of the New York Post:

Sione Po'uha said he has a tight back. Doesn't expect to play in preseason. #nyj

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 15, 2012

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported that an MRI revealed no structural damage in the back, but Pouha is still working to rehab the tightness. Pouha has had a couple doctors check out the back, but the main treatment so far has been rehabbing in a pool.

Pouha has played all seven years of his career with the Jets and started 15 of 16 games last season, accumulating 58 total tackles and one sack.

The Jets' next preseason game will be Saturday night against their MetLife Stadium co-tenant, the Giants. Despite the missed time in August, he is planning to ready for the opener on Sept. 9 against the Bills.

For more on Jets, visit Gang Green Nation.

Jahvid Best Likely To Start Season On PUP List

As he continues to recover from a major concussion suffered last season, Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best isn't expected to be a part of the team's offense early in the season. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Best will likely be placed on the physically unable to perform list soon, which would force him to miss the first six games of the season.

Lions RB Jahvid Best is likely to start this season on physically unable to perform list, which would sideline him at least first six games.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 15, 2012

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said recently that Best isn't close to returning to the field, and now it appears that he won't be eligible to return to game action again until Week 7. The 2010 first-round pick only appeared in six games last season before being lost to a head injury, but he's already compiled 1,719 total yards over 22 games in his two-year NFL career.

For now, Kevin Smith becomes the top running back on Detroit's depth chart, although the team should get 2011 second-round pick Mikel Leshoure back sometime before Best's return. Leshoure is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but he's sure to miss the first two games of the season with a drug-related suspension from the league.

For more on the Lions, visit Pride of Detroit.

Arrelious Benn Running Again, Return Still Weeks Away

After missing weeks of training camp with a knee injury, WR Arrelious Benn's status is still unknown.

Greg Jennings Likely To Miss Preseason Week 2

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is still dealing with the lingering effects of his concussion, and will almost certainly miss the Packers' second preseason game of the year Thursday night against the Browns. Jennings suffered the concussion in a scrimmage on Aug. 3, and hasn't practiced or played since that date.

In 2011, Jennings caught 67 balls for 949 yards and nine touchdowns. Candidates to replace him in the starting lineup include veteran James Jones and Randall Cobb, who has electrified onlookers in training camp so far this year. Across the field will be Jordy Nelson, who may have replaced Jennings as Green Bay's top receiver.

Jennings has been relatively healthy throughout his career, never missing more than three games in any season and playing a full 16 games in three of his six seasons in the NFL. In 2011, he missed the final three games of the season with a knee sprain before returning for Green Bay's playoff loss to the New York Giants.

For more on Greg Jennings and the Green Bay Packers, visit Acme Packing Company.

Jaguars' Eugene Monroe Exits Practice After Hit To Head

Jaguars left tackle Eugene Monroe was removed from practice Wednesday after suffering a blow to the head.

Monroe hit in head. Could have some tests. No word on if he will play Fri.

— Rick Ballou (@Ballou1010xl) August 15, 2012

It has been a rough offseason for the Jaguars' offensive line. Left guard Will Rackley, backup guard Jason Spitz and center John Estes are all out with injuries.

Monroe was the team's first-round pick in 2009. Since joining the Jaguars, he has played in 45 games, starting in 42 of them.

If he cannot play against the New Orleans Saints on Friday, the depth along the offensive line will be tested for Jacksonville.

For the latest on the Jacksonville Jaguars, be sure to check out Big Cat Country as well as SB Nation Tampa Bay. For comprehensive coverage of the NFL, visit SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Mikel Leshoure Returns To Lions Practice

Mikel Leshoure was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of last year's NFL Draft, but an ACL injury early in training camp forced him to miss his entire rookie season. The former Illinois standout has missed the better portion of this year's training camp with a hamstring injury, too, but he was able to return to practice on Wednesday for the first time in August.

It's unclear where exactly a healthy Leshoure falls on the Lions depth chart, but with Jahvid Best still dealing with concussions, there's a chance that LeShoure could claim a bulk of the Detroit carries with a solid preseason as he competes with Kevin Smith, Keiland Williams and Stefan Logan.

Unfortunately for Leshoure and the Lions, however, he'll have to sit the first two games of the season -- regardless of where he's at on the depth chart -- due to a suspension handed down from the NFL after a pair of marijuana busts in the offseason.

For more on the Detroit Lions, check out Pride of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Michael Jenkins Takes Paycut To Improve Odds Of Making Vikings, According To Report

Veteran wide receiver Michael Jenkins has agreed to restructure his contract with the Minnesota Vikings in hopes of increasing his odds of making the team. The new arrangement involves a significant paycut for Jenkins, who signed a three-year contract with the Vikings in 2011. Jenkins' 2012 base salary has been reduced from $2.5 million to $1 million, and his 2013 base salary has been reduced from $2.5 million to $825,000.

Jenkins could earn more money if he hits escalators in his contract, but the wide receiver is still recovering from a knee injury that cut short his 2011 season. In 11 games last season before the injury, Jenkins made 38 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns. In the team's first preseason game of 2012, he caught one ball for six yards.

Jenkins' chances of making the 2012 roster increased when the Vikings waived 2012 fourth-round draft pick Greg Childs, who tore the patella tendons in both of his knees earlier in training camp.

For more Vikings news and analysis, be sure to visit Daily Norseman. Head over to SB Nation's Minnesota's Training Camp StoryStream for more training camp coverage. Also make sure to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more football news.

James Harrison May Need Knee Surgery Before Week 1

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison may need arthroscopic surgery on his knee before the regular season opens, according to Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times. Harrison is currently on the preseason PUP list because of swelling behind his knee cap. An arthroscopic procedure may be required to clean out the irritation that is causing the swelling.

Regardless of whether surgery is needed, the Steelers feel he will be ready for their season opener next month. Bires spoke with Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, who indicated the Steelers may take him off the PUP list in the next couple weeks and if things don't go smoothly in practice, they'll opt for the scope. Parise also stated Harrison is perhaps the healthiest he's been in three years, and he's confident his client will be ready for the opener, via Bires:

"He's OK. We're just trying to make sure that we have the player we want for the regular season," Parise said. "Right now, James is doing all right. He's just working through the process. If you see him, he's probably as fit as he's ever been. He looks great. His attitude is great. Right now, it's just a matter of him getting that knee better.

At this time, James is looking to play in the opener. We all think James will play in the opener."

The Steelers being their season on the road in primetime, facing Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos Sept. 9, on Sunday Night Football.

For more on the Steelers, visit Behind The Steel Curtain and SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Matt Flynn Draws The Start For Seahawks In Week 2 Of Preseason

Quarterback Matt Flynn will again start for the Seattle Seahawks in their second preseason game, according to the Everett Herald. And just as head coach Pete Carroll handled a 27-17 victory against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, rookie quarterback Russell Wilson will get the nod in the second half of this week's game against the Denver Broncos.

Both Flynn and Wilson had successful outings on Saturday. Flynn, who was acquired this offseason from the Green Bay Packers, went 11-for-13 and threw 71 yards through the air in his debut. He had no touchdowns and one interception.

Wilson, the rookie out of Wisconsin, impressed with 124 yards passing while connecting on 12-of-16 throws to go with one touchdown and a pick.

Tarvaris Jackson is still in the mix at the quarterback position, Carroll said, but the veteran didn't play against Tennessee.

Check out Field Gulls for all your Seattle Seahawks news and analysis.

Justin Blackmon Could See A Lot Of Reps In Jaguars-Saints Game

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon is still fairly fresh at training camp. Despite not having as much practice as the rest of the players, there is a good chance that he could see a lot of reps in the Jaguars' second preseason game on Friday against the New Orleans Saints.

If Blackmon doesn't show fatigue, he could play entire first half Friday in New Orleans, per Mularkey. #Jaguars

— Paul Kuharsky (@espn_afcsouth) August 14, 2012

Blackmon missed the Jaguars' first preseason game against the New York Giants since it had been less than a week since he signed his rookie contract and reported to training camp. The fact that he could get an entire half of reps on Friday speaks highly to the faith that Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey has in him.

For more information on the Jacksonville Jaguars check out Big Cat Country. For more news and information on the NFL, check out the SB Nation NFL Hub Page.

Calvin Johnson Returns To Lions Practice

Superstar Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson returned to practice with the team on Tuesday. Johnson played the full practice with a splint on his left index finger after missing Monday's practice.

According to SB Nation Detroit, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz insisted that Johnson's missed practice on Monday was not due to his finger injury, but was a scheduled day off. Regardless, Lions fans will be pleased to hear that Johnson is already back in action.

It was not all good news for the Lions at Tuesday's practice, however. SB Nation Detroit also reports that defensive tackle Nick Fairley was banged up during practice and was walking with a "heavy limp." The second-year player opted to finish practice with the limp, rather than retiring to the sidelines. Fairley missed a significant portion of playing time in his 2011 rookie season after breaking his foot in training camp.

For more on the Detroit Lions, check out Pride of Detroit. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Leonard Hankerson Injury: Washington Redskins' WR Carted Off Field At Practice

Leonard Hankerson left the practice field on Tuesday due to an unknown injury.

A Look At NFL Position Battles After A Week Of Preseason Fun

The first week of preseason play in the NFL is over. Where do things stand with the league's biggest roster battles?

Bears' Brian Urlacher Undergoes Knee Surgery

Brian Urlacher underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday morning.

Steelers Remove Max Starks From PUP List

Max Starks' rehab from an offseason ACL surgery is nearing completion, and the veteran left tackle should be able to return to the Steelers' pieced-together offensive line soon.

Starks injured his knee in the Steelers' overtime playoff loss to Denver, and has been on the physically unable to perform list. He's now off that list, meaning he's eligible to play. He still has more rehab work to do -- he won't participate in anything at training camp, nor will he play in this weekend's preseason game against Indianapolis -- but the lineman is getting there.

Pittsburgh had been playing second-year player Marcus Gilbert at left tackle a year after he started 13 games at right tackle, while the unproven Ramon Foster replaced Gilbert over at right tackle. With Starks back, the Steelers will look to shift Gilbert back to the right side with Starks reclaiming his spot starting at left tackle. Starks has been a mainstay of the Steelers' o-line since being drafted in 2004, starting most of the time, so his presence will be no surprise for anybody.

For more on Steelers' football, check out Behind the Steel Curtain as well as SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi Returns To Practice Tuesday

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi returned to practice Tuesday morning, according to ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi. Massaquoi had been out since reportedly suffering a concussion during Cleveland's first preseason game on Friday. The injury occurred on the Browns' first series after Massaquoi caught a pass from rookie Brandon Weeden and was hit by Lions safety Erik Coleman.

Massaquoi has suffered concussions in each of the past two seasons, including one in October that forced him to leave a game against the Seahawks. He also missed time in October 2010 after a James Harrison hit knocked Massaquoi out of a game against the Steelers. In total, he has missed three games in the last two seasons due to concussions.

Massaquoi added to this week's drama by taking to Twitter and refuting the Browns' report that he had suffered a concussion. He wrote, "No! Precautionary! Cant wait to get back to work!"

For more Browns updates, check out our blog, Dawgs By Nature.

Nnamdi Asomugha Not At Eagles Walk Through Following Monday's Collision

Philadelphia Eagles fans breathed a sigh of a relief Monday, when they learned the collision between cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and safety Nate Allen didn't lead to a concussion to either player -- more importantly to the All-Pro Asomugha.

But because of the head injury, Asomugha did not participate in the Eagles' walk-through Tuesday at Lehigh University. The news isn't a complete shock considering Asomugha was seen laying motionless being being carted off the field after the collision, which took place during a 7-on-7 drill.

This was Asomugha's second head injury in less than a year, as last season the cornerback suffered a concussion against the Seattle Seahawks in December. Asomugha had a quick recovery, returning to the practice field after missing just four days.

For more coverage of the Eagles, head over to Bleeding Green Nation and SB Nation Philly. For all your NFL injury news, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Viking Matt Kalil Leaves Practice With Thumb Injury

Minnesota Vikings' left tackle Matt Kalil left practice on Monday with an apparent injury to his right thumb. After he departed with a team trainer, Charlie Johnson filled in at tackle for the first team.

Fans in attendance at Minnesota State were relieved to see Kalil return later that day with his thumb taped. An MRI revealed no damage to Kalil's right thumb, and he finished practiced with the first team.

Vikings fans are expecting big things out of Kalil this season, after the team used the fourth overall selection to grab the USC lineman in this year's NFL draft.

If something were to happen to Kalil, it seems that Johnson would be his backup. Although it was not his primary position, Johnson started all 16 games at left tackle last year for the Vikings. Left tackle was a problem for the Vikes last year after they released Bryant McKinnie during training camp.

Nnamdi Asomugha Injury: No Concussion Symptoms For Eagles CB

When Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha collided with a teammate during practice Monday, it was initially thought Asomugha may have suffered a concussion. That didn't turn out to be the case, however, as the Eagles said Asomugha has no concussion symptoms, according to a report from Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The injury occurred when the Eagles were going through 7-on-7 drills. Asomugha collided with safety Nate Allen and laid motionless face down on the field for several minutes before being taken off on a cart. Asomugha was evaluated for a concussion following the collision but has only a lip laceration and a sore neck, according to SB Nation's Bleeding Green Nation.

Allen was also shaken up during the incident, but he was able to return to practice Monday.

For more coverage of the Eagles, head over to Bleeding Green Nation and SB Nation Philly. For all your NFL injury news, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Jake Locker To Start Against Buccaneers

Jake Locker will start Tennessee's next preseason game.

Nnamdi Asomugha Collides With Teammate, Carted Off At Eagles Training Camp

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha collided with teammate and safety Nate Allen on Monday at Eagles practice and Asomugha may have sustained a concussion.

Allen and Asomugha collided going after a pass during 7-on-7 drills. The two players hit helmet-to-helmet on the play in mid-air. Allen got up soon after the collision but Asomugha stayed down on the ground motionless for "several minutes" before being carted off the field. He will be given a concussion test in the locker room. There will likely be no status update on Asomugha until after practice.

Allen is practicing once again. Asomugha has been replaced by Joselio Hanson. Asomugha suffered a concussion last season against the Seattle Seahawks, but returned to practice just four days after the concussion occurred.

For more coverage of the Eagles, head over to Bleeding Green Nation and SB Nation Philly. For all your NFL injury news, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Chad Clifton Plans Workout With Patriots, According To Report

Chad Clifton is heading to New England this week for a visit and a physical.

Pat Angerer Injury: Colts LB Breaks Foot, Out 6 Weeks

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Pat Angerer will miss six weeks with a broken foot.

Antonio Cromartie Runs WR Drills At Jets Training Camp

On Monday, New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie finally earned a shot to show off his talents on the offensive side of the ball when he participated in drills with the wide receivers group for the first time.

Cromartie had stated earlier in camp that he was the second best receiver on the team and will now have an opportunity to backup the claim.

Via NJ.com:

"I bugged Rex every opportunity to put me on offense, so I finally get my chance," Cromartie said. "I got a couple plays last year, but this year, I'll actually get a chance to play a little more receiver."

Cromartie reportedly has a small package of offensive plays that the coaching staff can use him in. As of this time, he is unaware of how much work the staff is going to have him to put in with the offense.

For more on the Jets, please be sure to check out our blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Patriots TEs Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez Sit Out Practice

The New England Patriots sat both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez for practice Monday, according to Greg A. Bedard of the Boston Globe. The team gave no reason for their absence. Gronkowski also sat out Sunday's light session with an "unknown ailment."

Hernandez joins Gronkowski as being out of this practice.

— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) August 13, 2012

Hernandez was able to participate Sunday, and both players caught passes in Saturday's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, Bill Belichick is still Bill Belichick, so don't count on much concrete information coming to the surface if the reason isn't a long-term issue. Considering the fact that Brandon Lloyd is out as well, there's a chance that the Pats are simply giving the players a day off. That, or New England's receiving corps has been quietly decimated.

Of course, the Patriots have no shortage of tight ends. Visanthe Shiancoe is a more than capable target if either Gronkowski or Hernandez were to miss extended time somehow.

For more on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston.

Greg Jennings Still Out With Concussion; Status Unclear

Wide receiver Greg Jennings remains out for the Green Bay Packers as he recovers from a concussion sustained August 3rd during an intrasquad scrimmage. According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, head coach Mike McCarthy cannot put a time table on Jennings' return.

"I'm shooting in the dark here," McCarthy said after practice Sunday afternoon. "There's testing that's involved, and it's not going as well as I know Greg would like. Could be a couple days."

Jennings has now been held out of football activities for ten days, missing one preseason game against the San Diego Chargers and expected to miss the upcoming contest against the Cleveland Browns. Teammate and fellow wide receiver James Jones believes that Jennings' absence is just precautionary saying, "It's preseason and all that so he's not (missing as much). I'm sure if it were regular season he wouldn't miss this one".

Jennings enters 2012 as the Packers No. 1 receiver and, production-wise, a top wideout in the NFL.

For more on Greg Jennings and the Green Bay Packers, visit Acme Packing Company.

Jets Get The Wildcat Going At Training Camp Practice

On Monday morning, the New York Jets practiced the team's wildcat package with Tim Tebow for the first time in front of the media. While glimpses of the formation had been seen in goal-line drills earlier in August, the full extent of the scheme had not been made readily available.

With the practice closed to the public, the media is restricted to the extent that they can report on the formation, as they are unable to provide what personal was involved or how the team plans to use it.

However, it appears as though the package will be included in offensive coordinator Tony Sparano's offensive attack and that Tebow will be in the mix. Sparano assisted in reviving the wildcat during his tenure as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

For more on the Jets, please be sure to check out our blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Justin Blackmon Already Working With Jaguars First Team

Justin Blackmon signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, and it hasn't taken long for the Oklahoma State product to work his way up the depth chart. Blackmon is already practicing with the first team offense, as Jacksonville head coach Mike Mularkey wants Blackmon and quarterback Blaine Gabbert to work together as much as possible.

"I’m trying to get him reps, as many reps as we can with Blaine," head coach Mike Mularkey said after practice. "He’s got to hear those plays and rep those plays as quickly and as fast as we can get him going."

Related: Roster Moves Show Jaguars Have Confidence In Receivers Group

Blackmon caught 121 passes for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns for Oklahoma State in 2011.

For the latest on the Jacksonville Jaguars, be sure to check out Big Cat Country as well as SB Nation Tampa Bay. For comprehensive coverage of the NFL, visit SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Jimmy Graham Returns To Saints Practice

A back injury on Wednesday for Jimmy Graham initially had the New Orleans Saints concerned for the tight end's health. But on Monday, Graham was already back on the field at practice.

Both are practicing RT @theshotdr @saints Can I get an update if Ingram and Graham are practicing today?

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 13, 2012

The injury came when he fell hard in practice. It sidelined him for the team's first preseason game. The back injury is not expected to linger for Graham.

The Saints need Graham after his breakout season in 2011. That year he caught 99 balls for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns. He quickly has become Drew Brees' favorite target in the New Orleans offense.

He is expected to make his preseason debut Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For more on the Graham and the Saints, check out the SB Nation blog Canal Street Chronicles.

Calvin Johnson Sitting Out Lions Practice With Apparent Finger Injury

Calvin Johnson played in the Detroit Lions' first preseason game of the season without any apparent incident, but the All-Pro wide receiver has apparently suffered some sort of injury since Friday night's game, as the man known asMegatron didn't participate in Monday morning's practice.

Johnson sat out of practice with "tape on his left index finger and no helmet," according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. No further details were known at the time of his initial report, though there could be an update later Monday.

The 26-year-old wide receiver started all 16 games for the Lions last season, recording 96 receptions for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Lions were also missing wide receivers Patrick Edwards and Ryan Broyles, running back Mikel Leshoure, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and safety Don Carey from Monday morning's practice. In better news, RonnellLewis and Justin Durant both returned to the field after having to sit out part of Sunday's practice due to injury.

Stay with this StoryStream for more coverage of the Lions' training camp, and be sure to check out Pride of Detroit for more Lions coverage. Also head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for more football coverage throughout the preseason.

Andre Johnson Injury Update: Johnson Expected To Play Against 49ers

On Sunday night, Houston Texans fans saw a welcome sight, as quarterback Matt Schaub played in his first game since Nov. 13. When the Texans take on the 49ers in their second preseason game on Saturday, Texans fans will likely see another one of their star players on the field.

Andre Johnson, who missed Sunday's game because of a groin injury, is expected to play Saturday when the Texans host the 49ers. Johnson practiced all week leading up to Houston's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, but Gary Kubiak and Houston's coaching staff opted to hold Johnson out of the first preseason game.

Assuming all goes well this week in practice, Schaub should be throwing to Johnson on Saturday night, for the first time in a game in roughly nine months.

For the latest on the Houston Texans, be sure to check out Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

Packers Sign Cedric Benson, According To Report

The Green Bay Packers have had quite a few injury issues thus far in training camp, but they made a solid move to shore up their offensive backfield on Sunday afternoon. With projected starter James Starks week-to-week with turf toe and top backup Alex Green still on a snap count, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Packers have signed former Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson.

The 29-year-old running back has experience playing in the NFC North, as he started his career with the Chicago Bears. Benson recently completed a four-year stint with the Bengals, culminating in 1,067 yards rushing as a 15-game starter last season.

There's been no indication as to what role Benson will play for the Packers considering how recent the signing is, but with projected starter Starks hobbled, Green still recovering from last year's torn ACL and fellow running backs Brandon Saine and Du`ane Bennett out due to injuries of their own, it wouldn't be crazy to see Benson in the mix as a potential Packers starter.

For more on the Green Bay Packers, check out Acme Packing Company.

Jaguars Release Lee Evans, Waive Taylor Price

The Jacksonville Jaguars have released veteran wide receiver Lee Evans and waived/injured wide receiver Taylor Price, according to a release on the team's official website.

Evans was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, as the Jaguars were looking to make upgrades to a passing offense that ranked dead last in the NFL in 2011, as their wide receiver group was one of the worst in the NFL.

Taylor Price was waived/injured, though his injury was not disclosed. Price did suffer a broken foot in mini-camp and was forced to miss all of OTA practices and the first day of training camp. If Price clears waivers, he will revert to the Jaguars injured reserve list.

The team is expected to add another wide receiver and possibly an offensive lineman to their roster, according to Vito Stellino of The Florida Times-Union.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Zach Miller Injury: Seahawks TE Suffers Concussion Vs. Titans

The Seattle Seahawks revealed that tight end Zach Miller suffered a concussion in their matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

Tight end Zach Miller suffered a concussion on the hit that followed his second catch of the game. Coach Pete Carroll noted that it didn't appear to be a severe concussion, but that it was a concussion, and Miller would follow the league protocol before he would return to practice.

The NFL has put emphasis on concussions the past few seasons so, despite how "severe" the concussion is, Miller will have to go through the myriad of tests before returning to the football field.

Miller has dealt with concussions before in past seasons, suffering one last season with the Seahawks and two in one season back in 2009 with the Oakland Raiders, the team that originally drafted him in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

For more on the Seattle Seahawks, visit Field Gulls and SB Nation Seattle.

Plaxico Burress Working Out For Patriots, According To Report

Plaxico Burress is visiting and working out with the New England Patriots on Sunday, according to ESPN.com. Burress has been a growing topic of discussion lately after it was reported, then refuted, last week the Dallas Cowboys were interested in the wide receiver. The Pats appear to have legitimate interest.

Free-agent WR Plaxico Burress is flying today to New England to work out for the Patriots, the team he helped beat in SBXLII. More on ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 12, 2012

The Patriots have taken on Randy Moss and Chad Johnson in the past despite the reputations that preceded them. Burress, of course, was sentenced to two years in jail on charges stemming from an incident in which he accidentally shot himself in his own thigh at a nightclub in 2008.

He came back strong last season, however, catching 45 passes for 612 yards and eight touchdowns for the New York Jets.

For more on the Patriots, check out Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston.

Adrian Peterson Activated From Vikings' PUP List

Adrian Peterson has been activated from the Minnesota Vikings' physically unable to perform list, apparently. The team did not announce anything officially, but the running back was spotted taking a handoff during the team's walkthrough Sunday. Peterson is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL injury that ended his 2011 season prematurely.

Adrian Peterson must be off the PUP list. He just took the first handoff in the offensive part of the #Vikings walkthrough.

— VikingUpdate.com (@VikingUpdate) August 12, 2012

Prior to Sunday's news, Peterson was expected to return by the start of the regular season, but not too long before. He was placed on the active/PUP list, giving the Vikings an extra roster spot to work with during training camp. The fact that the veteran was taken off the list so soon has to be encouraging to fans, but expect coaches and staff to continue to be overly cautious.

For more on the Vikings, visit Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Cowboys Say 'There's No Excuse' For Morris Claiborne Not Playing Hurt

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne has missed much of the training camp work before his rookie season with a host of injuries: surgery to repair his wrist kept him out of rookie camp and some OTAs, and an MCL sprain has sidelined him of late. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones isn't having that.

"Our young guys got to get healthy," Jones told the Elf & Slater Show on 105.3 [KRLD-FM]. "There’s no excuse. All of them."

Jones then mentioned rookie safety Matt Johnson and rookie defensive end Tyrone Crawford before saying, "Mo Claiborne’s got to get out there. The times he’s been out there, it’s been impressive. But he certainly can’t make the club in the tub, if you will. He’s got to get out there. It’s time. We got to start having a mentality that we’re going to play through things."

Stephen Jones is the son of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and he's got a point: Claiborne doesn't have much value to the team if he's on the sidelines, and certainly not the value they expected him to have when they selected him with the sixth pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

But Claiborne doesn't have value commensurate to that pick if he's playing hurt and it diminishes his play, and certainly wouldn't have value commensurate to it if he aggravates an injury. And the executive vice president of the team who happens to be the son of the owner telling the football player to suck it up sure runs the risk of sounding callous.

For more on the Cowboys, visit Blogging The Boys and SB Nation Dallas.

Eagles Backup QB Mike Kafka Breaks Hand, Out 2-3 Weeks

Mike Kafka will miss two to three weeks after fracturing his non-throwing hand during the Eagles' preseason opener Thursday. Rookie Nick Foles now assumes the team's top backup spot behind Michael Vick.

Michael Vick Expected To Practice Saturday

Michael Vick gave fans a scare on Thursday night when he left the Philadelphia Eagles' preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after suffering a thumb injury in the first quarter. It appears that the quarterback will be okay, however. Vick is reportedly expected to practice Saturday.

Vick sustained the injury after his throwing hand landed on the helmet of center Jason Kelce during a pass attempt. Vick never left the Eagles' sideline for more extensive medical treatment, however, and X-rays taken of the thumb that evening came back negative.

On the face of the story, it does not appear that Vick's long-term status is any jeopardy. It will be interesting to see how the team handles him for the rest of preseason, however. No one would blame the Eagles for being extra cautious with what is arguably their most indispensable player.

For more on the Eagles, visit Bleeding Green Nation and SB Nation Philly.

The RGIII Show Debuts, And Other NFL Preseason Story Lines

Six NFL preseason games are on the schedule for Thursday night, including the debut of Robert Griffin III as a Redskin and Peyton Manning as a Bronco.

Jimmy Graham's Injury Doesn't Look Like A Big Deal

Jimmy Graham suffered what initially appeared to be serious back injury when he landed hard while making a touchdown grab during Wednesday's joint New Orleans Saints-New England Patriots practice. Interim head coach Joe Vitt said that he does not believe the injury will be a long-term problem, however.

"He's fine. He's fine. ... If it was anything, I'd have a report from the trainers," Vitt said.

Graham landed directly on his back on the catch during the non-padded session. After jogging to the sideline, the tight end fell to the turf in pain and stayed there for about a minute before standing up and stretching his back. Graham was able to walk around gingerly, but did not return to practice.

Despite Vitt's optimism, there is still no word yet on Graham's status for Thursday's preseason opener against the Patriots.

For more on the Graham and the Saints, check out the SB Nation blog Canal Street Chronicles.

Texans' Brian Cushing Hospitalized With Illness, Misses Practice

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing was hospitalized with an illness late last night, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain reports. Cushing missed a Wednesday practice as a result.

It is unclear whether the illness, reportedly a virus with flu-like symptoms, will keep Cushing out of the Texans' first preseason game on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers.

Cushing has been remarkably injury-free in his three years in the NFL. Since being drafted by the Texans in 2009, he's missed just four of 48 possible regular season contests, and those four were the result of a suspension for testing positive for banned substances served at the beginning of the 2010 NFL season.

Cushing blamed overtrained athlete syndrome for the result that caused that positive test.

For more news from around the league, stay with our StoryStream of 2012 NFL training camp news and notes. For more on the Texans, visit Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

Mike Goodson Injury: Raiders RB Taken To Hospital After Helmet-To-Helmet Collision

Oakland Raiders running back Mike Goodson left practice on Tuesday in an ambulance after a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Trent Richardson Sits Out Practice, Could Miss Week 1 Of Preseason

No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson is preparing for his first pro season with the Cleveland Browns, but he may have hit a bit of a road block as the preseason gets underway. A knee injury may sideline Richardson for the rest of this week, including the preseason opener.

Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns beat reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reported that Richardson sat out of Tuesday's practice due to a sore left knee. It is possible that Richardson may have to miss the Browns' first preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Friday.

Richardson had a sleeve on his left knee following Tuesday's practice and would not discuss the injury with the media. He had previously had his left knee scoped in February. He will be evaluated by team doctors later on Tuesday.

For all news and information regarding the Cleveland Browns, please visit Dawgs by Nature or stop by SB Nation Cleveland.

Matt Flynn Will Start Seahawks Preseason Opener

Quarterback Matt Flynn will start the Seattle Seahawks' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans this Saturday, according to reports. Rookie signal-caller Russell Wilson will start the second half, according to the SB Nation blog Field Gulls, as Seattle attempts to figure out what it has in its two quarterback acquisitions from the offseason.

Pete Carroll said that the Seahawks are going to give Matt Flynn the No. 1 reps the rest of this week and start Saturday's preseason game

— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) August 7, 2012

What this means for last year's starter, Tarvaris Jackson, is up for some debate. Jackson has made 34 starts in his six-year NFL career, compared to a combined two for the duo of Flynn and Wilson, so the Seahawks' coaches have a pretty good idea of what they have in the quarterback. Jackson may be slipping down the depth chart, or the coaching staff may just want to see more from the unproven commodities.

For more on the Seattle Seahawks, visit Field Gulls and SB Nation Seattle.

Sidney Rice's Week 1 Availability Called Into Question

Sidney Rice may not be ready for Week 1 with the Seattle Seahawks this season, according to SI's Peter King. When writing about Terrell Owens chances of making the team's final roster, King mentioned that Rice is still recovering from two offseason shoulder surgeries.

He's gone to the right place because only Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate and Sidney Rice are near-locks for roster spots -- and Rice might not be ready to start the season after two offseason shoulder surgeries. But he's hardly a roster lock.

Rice has played in just 15 total games over his last two seasons thanks to hip, shoulder and concussion issues. His health may have been a major factor in Seattle's surprising decision to pursue Owens. There is no denying that Rice could be an elite wideout when healthy. Considering the Seahawks' unsettled quarterback situation, Rice's presence could make a world of difference early in the season.

For more on the Seattle Seahawks, visit Field Gulls and SB Nation Seattle.

Beanie Wells Exits Cardinals PUP List

Beanie Wells has reportedly made his way off the Arizona Cardinals' physically unable to perform list. According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, Wells took part in the Cards' walk-through Tuesday at training camp.

Beanie Wells taking part in walk through. Means he's off PUP list. #CardsCamp

— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) August 7, 2012

Wells began training camp on the PUP list while recovering from January surgery on his right knee. Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt had said he hoped to have Wells ready for the team's Aug. 17 preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. The running back will presumably be ready for the game now that he is back in practice.

Wells rushed for 1,047 yards last season, surpassing 1,000 yards for the first time in his NFL career. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry on his way to scoring 10 touchdowns while playing in 14 games.

For more on the Cardinals, visit Revenge of the Birds and SB Nation Arizona.

Bucs Depth Chart: LeGarrette Blount Over Doug Martin For Now

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their first depth chart of the year and LeGarrette Blount, not Doug Martin, sits atop the running back depth chart. Blount is the incumbent, rushing for 781 yards last year, while Martin is the rookie, a first-round pick by the Bucs in April.

Martin has looked sharp early on and some expect him to shoulder the majority of the load. For now, though, Blount remains the top option on the depth chart. Look for the coaching staff to give these two plenty of touches in the preseason to determine who will be carrying the load.

SB Nation's Bucs Nation writes that Blount over Martin "appears to be running counter to everything we've heard out of training camp, where Martin has consistently taken the majority of first-team reps and has led the way in most individual drills."

In reality, they'll likely be sharing carries throughout the season. Greg Schiano comes across as an old school coach so perhaps keeping the rookie off the first team is a motivational tool.

The Bucs are setting themselves up for what could be a solid season, especially on the ground. With the addition of Carl Nicks, they have a good offensive line across the board. Add in Vincent Jackson and this offense should be much better.

For more on the Bucs, visit Bucs Nation and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Still Holding Out: Dwayne Bowe, Mike Wallace And Maurice Jones-Drew

Dwayne Bowe, Mike Wallace and Maurice Jones-Drew continue their holdouts more than a week into training camp.

Brandon Weeden Officially Named Cleveland Browns Starting QB

The Browns officially named Brandon Weeden the team's starting quarterback.

Broncos To Sign Keith Brooking, According To Report

The Denver Broncos are adding experience and depth to their linebacker corps as they plan to sign veteran linebacker Keith Brooking, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Broncos plan to sign former Cowboys and Falcons LB Keith Brooking.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2012

The 36-year-old Brooking has played 14 seasons in the NFL including the last three for the Dallas Cowboys. After starting 176 of 192 games during the first 13 years of his career, Brooking shifted into a reserve role last season, starting just three of 16 games.

In Denver, Brooking will likely add depth at middle linebacker. Joe Mays is currently projected as the starting middle linebacker after he started 12 games last season. The Broncos also have reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Von Miller and eight-year veteran D.J. Williams.

For more on Brooking and the Broncos, check out Mile High Report and SB Nation Denver.

Brodney Pool Doesn't Make It Out Of Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Safety Brodney Pool made sense for the Dallas Cowboys when they signed him back in March. The team was losing Abe Elam and Pool had played under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in Cleveland.

But after a week of Cowboys training camp, the team cut ties with him and released Pool on Monday. The move can't be classified as a surprise considering Pool failed his initial conditioning test and was beaten out for the safety job by Barry Church.

Pool signed a one-year contract worth over $1 million in March but the guaranteed money of the deal, which is what truly matters, was just $100,000. That told you right there that Pool wasn't a lock for the 53-man roster.

The Cowboys secondary was a major concern entering the 2012 offseason but they've shored things up by adding Brandon Carr in free agency and drafting Morris Claiborne.

For more on the Dallas Cowboys training camp, visit Blogging The Boys and SB Nation Dallas.

VIDEO: Fight Breaks Out At Jets Training Camp

Peyton Manning, Broncos Draw Huge Crowd At Scrimmage

There was plenty of excitement in Denver when the Broncos signed Peyton Manning and judging by the attendance numbers at Denver's first scrimmage of training camp, that excitement hasn't waned. A record 41,304 fans turned out to Sports Authority Field to watch Manning and the Broncos practice Saturday.

That number was more than double the previous record of 20,782 which was set in 2010. The huge crowd didn't go unnoticed by Manning.

"Well, it was a great crowd," Manning said according to the Associated Press. "I know players were pumped; they were kind of feeding off the energy of the fans and everybody was into it."

A crowd of 41,304 would be a good preseason crowds, yet alone a training camp scrimmage. To put it in further perspective, it is more than the Cincinnati Bengals drew during three of their eight regular season home games last year.

For more on Manning and the Broncos, check out Mile High Report and SB Nation Denver.

Chris Gocong Injury: Browns LB Carted Off Field With 'Serious' Injury

Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Gocong was carted off the field on Saturday morning with an apparent serious injury to his right ankle.

Darren McFadden Looking Forward To A Healthy Season

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden has shown flashes of the form that made him one of the league's most promising young running backs throughout his first four season in the NFL. Entering 2012, the injury issues that have limited McFadden are gone, and McFadden is eager to get back to running hard.

McFadden told 95.7 The Game in San Francisco that his foot, which troubled him in 2011, feels just fine:

"I feel like my foot is doing great so far, it’s been holding up for me great. I’m just looking forward to getting out there on the field and showing everybody what a healthy Darren McFadden can do."

McFadden's also looking forward to a zone blocking scheme and a reunion with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who returned to Oakland in 2012. In Knapp's zone blocking scheme in his rookie season, McFadden averaged more than four yards per carry.

For more on the Raiders visit Silver and Black Attack and SB Nation Bay Area.

Titans Quarterback Battle: Jake Locker Struggling

The Tennessee Titans have a quarterback tussle on their hands in training camp: either second-year player Jake Locker will prevail and take the reins of the team for good, or Matt Hasselbeck will hold on to the job to begin the season, at least. After Locker started strong, Hasselbeck came back on Thursday night, standing out in a scrimmage, according to The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt.

Hasselback went 9-for-9 in team passing drills on Thursday, and is 26-of-31 in total over the last two practices; Locker, meanwhile, is 9-for-30 in the last two practices, and was 1-for-10 on Thursday.

Titans coach Mike Munchak isn't about to tip his hand, either. "We’re in training camp and there’s a lot of ups and downs in camp and (Locker) will be fine," he told reporters.

Hasselbeck started all 16 games for the Titans in 2011, but Locker saw action in five games, and threw four touchdowns to no interceptions.

For more on the Titans, visit Music City Miracles.

Ryan Tannehill A Contender In The Dolphins Quarterback Battle?

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill could be changing the dynamics of the three-way quarterback competition in South Beach. In practice this week, Mike Sherman's former pupil from Texas A&M was working with the first team and giving his coaches something to think about, said the Miami Herald.

Asked about Tannehill's chances of winning the starting job, head coach Joe Philbin had this to say:

"I think it's on an as-earned basis. He's throwing the ball well enough in the couple of days he's been at practice. It's been earned."

The Dolphins' first-round pick liked his chances as well, telling the press:

"I think I've gotten better every practice. ... I want to be the guy. It's not a goal to be a backup. I want to play; I want to get in there."

Matt Moore and David Garrard, a free agent addition this spring, were tabbed as the top two options in minicamp and OTAs during the offseason. The Dolphins' brass even made it clear that they were expecting one of those two to be their Week 1 starter.

Garrard is expected to win the top job, says the Palm Beach Post. Preseason play could change that, and Tannehill is expected to see plenty of work in those four games, which could push the decision further down to the wire than the Dolphins probably imagined.

For more on the Dolphins, visit The Phinsider.

Rethinking The NFL Position Rankings With Training Camp Underway

With almost two weeks of NFL training camp under our belts, SB Nation looks back on the offseason position rankings for all 32 teams.

Vikings To Reduce Snaps For Jared Allen

The Minnesota Vikings have one of the better pass rushers in the NFL in Jared Allen, but the team is concerned that he may have played too many snaps during the 2011 NFL season. The Vikings planned on putting Allen on a "pitch count" last season, but he wound up playing nearly every snap on defense.

In 2012 however, the Vikings plan to make sure to keep Allen fresh.

"We're going to make a concerted effort to try to get him off the field at times," Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier told reporters Thursday. "Without hurting the team. We don't want to hurt the team. He's our best pass rusher, one of the best in the NFL."

Allen finished 2011 with 22 sacks on the season, just a half-sack short of tying the NFL's all-time single-season record. Allen of course would rather skip out on practice reps than game reps.

For more on the Vikings, visit Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

How To Follow All 32 NFL Teams During Training Camp

NFL training camps are rolling along. Here is how to follow all of the action from practice through the preseason.

Falcons Expecting Breakout Season From Julio Jones

The Atlanta Falcons have a new offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter, replacing now Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey, and he will look to get the football in second-year receiver Julio Jones' hands. In his rookie season, Jones was just shy of 1,000 yards receiving despite missing three games in 2011.

Jones however, doesn't think he did that well last season.

"I don't think I did that great last year," Jones told reporters after practice. "I started coming on at the end because me and Matt stated getting our timing down and everything. I felt really good with the offense. It just carried over. I still feel great about everything we're doing. It's nothing different to me."

The Falcons have a very good No. 1 receiver in Roddy White, but a breakout season by Julio Jones has the potential to put their offense over the top.

For more on the Falcons, visit The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta.

Cardinals RB Ryan Williams Will Miss Hall Of Fame Game

The Arizona Cardinals have been dealing with some running back injuries as they get set to play in the Hall Of Fame Game on Aug. 5 on Sunday. Running back Ryan Williams is one of those running backs that is hurt and is officially out of Sunday's preseason game.

"I'm not going to play, maybe catch the next one. I'm in no rush to get back on the knee," Williams told reporters after practice. "I'm just chilling. Rehab is going well. It's just not worth it to risk it in a game that doesn't mean that much."

Williams was taken by the Cardinals in the second-round of the 2011 NFL Draft and saw his season cut short when he suffered a ruptured patella tendon against the Green Bay Packers in the 2011 preseason, forcing him to miss his entire rookie season.

For more on the Cardinals training camp, visit Revenge of the Birds and SB Nation Arizona.

Cardinals Expect Beanie Wells Back In Action On Aug. 17

Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, still recovering from the knee surgery he had back in January. Wells was expected to return sometime in the middle of camp, and on Thursday head coach Ken Whisenhunt said the plan is to have him play in their first preseason game on August 17. Via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com:

If things go according to plan, Whisenhunt said running back Beanie Wells would be able to play in the Oakland game, which would be the Cards' first preseason home game. There is a long time before then, however, and nothing is set in stone. Wells is still on track to start practicing some next week.

The Cardinals preseason begins this weekend against the Saints in the Hall of Fame Game. They're scheduled to play the Raiders on August 17 in their third of five preseason games.

Wells can be moved from the preseason PUP list to the active roster at any point during camp, and according to Urban, that could take place with him beginning practice next week.

For more on the Cardinals training camp, visit Revenge of the Birds and SB Nation Arizona.

Lions RB Jahvid Best Weeks From Return

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best is not going to be joining his team on the field at training camp in the immediate future. The third-year player continues to recover from a serious concussion sustained last season. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz delivered a pessimistic assessment to the media following Thursday morning's practice.

#Lions coach Schwartz on #NFL RB Jahvid Best:"The only thing I will say is we’re measuring Jahvid in weeks, not days. He’s not day-to-day"

— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) August 2, 2012

Best said earlier in the week that he was not experiencing post-concussion symptoms. The team is subjecting him to regular tests to monitor his recovery from the concussion he suffered last October.

Without Best on the field, Kevin Smith will be on top of the depth chart at running back. Injuries limited Smith to just seven games last season, and have weighed on his career since a strong rookie debut in 2008. Second-year running back Mikel Leshoure is dealing with a hamstring injury early in camp and is facing a two-game suspension to start the season for a pair of marijuana-related arrests during the offseason.

For more on the Lions, visit Pride of Detroit.

Jets Unveil Tim Tebow Wildcat Package

How Tim Tebow will be deployed with the New York Jets has been a subject of heavy speculation since he was traded in March. Most agreed that he wouldn't be used just as a backup quarterback, and the Jets confirmed as much when they said the former Heisman winner could be deployed as a personal protector on the punt team. The Jets took things a step further Thursday, showcasing Tebow in a wildcat-type package on goal-line drills during training camp.

While working with the second-team offense, Tebow scored three touchdowns during a four-play sequence. Two of the scores came on the ground, and the third came off a play-action bootleg pass. Tebow was reportedly "live" during running plays, but he was still able to get the better of the defense.

It remains to be seen whether the wildcat will be effective in an actual game. For now, the Jets seem pleased with what they have in Tebow.

For more on the Jets, head over to Gang Green Nation and check out SB Nation New York.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars Not Talking

The Jacksonville Jaguars need Maurice Jones-Drew. So far, the star running back has been missing from camp, holding out for a new deal with the team. The Jaguars say no new deal is coming, and the two sides have yet to have any conversations with the preseason opening in just a week, according to the Florida Times Union.

Jones-Drew has two years left on his contract. The team wants him to honor that deal rather than negotiate a new one. The cost of the holdout is snowballing for the running back. He is now subject to $300,000 in fines for missing the team's mandatory minicamp in the spring and the first week of training camp.

Head coach Mike Mularkey has not said whether or not the team will follow through on the fines once Jones-Drew does return to camp.

For more on the Jaguars and their training camp, be sure to visit Big Cat Country.

Eagles Defensive Line Ailing

The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the better defenses in the NFL last season, recording a league-high 50 sacks in large part to solid play from their defensive line. They'll likely need that sort of play out of the front four again this season, too -- but it probably won't be evident when the preseason gets underway.

The injury bug has bitten the Eagles' defensive line quite hard, it seems, as all four starters will likely miss Philadelphia's preseason opener. SB Nation Philly has a nice summary of what exactly is ailing each of the front four:

On Wednesday, the Eagles sent Cullen Jenkins for an MRI after the defensive tackle left practice with hamstring troubles. Trent Cole has not seen the field since injuring his AC joint on Monday. Jason Babin is out for 2-3 weeks with a calf strain, and Mike Patterson is still recovering from surgery to straighten out the blood vessels in his head.

The Eagles are hoping if they rest their obviously ailing defensive line during the preseasons, these injuries will be more unlikely to linger too far into the regular season. Hopefully, for their sake, they're right.

For more on the Eagles, please be sure to check out our blog Bleeding Green NationandSB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.

Giants Optimistic Terrell Thomas Will Play This Season

Terrell Thomas has quite a bit of experience with knee injuries considering he tore his right ACL in college as a member of the USC Trojans and then again during the preseason last year. The New York Giants don't think their cornerback has torn it for a third time, however, despite thoughts to the contrary when the injury originally occurred earlier this week.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin told ESPN that he's cautiously optimistic that Thomas will be able to play this year, but admitted he'll feel much more comfortable after Thomas gets a second opinion next week.

New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas is scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday in Pensacola, Fla., to determine the severity of the injury to his surgically repaired right ACL.

But doctors who have examined Thomas so far do not believe he has a torn ACL and are optimistic he may play again this season, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Considering the terrible luck Thomas has had thus far with injuries -- and his four-year, $28 million contract he recently signed -- one has to hope the Giants defensive back gets good news from Dr. Andrews.

For more on the Giants, visit Big Blue View and SB Nation New York.

Duane Brown Injured; Texans Await Tests

Duane Brown is undergoing tests after injuring his leg in practice Wednesday during Houston Texans training camp. The offensive tackle reportedly had another player fall into his leg. Head coach Gary Kubiak was not particular optimistic about the injury, according to Adam Schefter.

Texans OT Duane Brown had the outside of his leg rolled up on, now undergoing tests. "We'll hold our breath," said Texans HC Gary Kubiak.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 1, 2012

Brown has started on the Texans' offensive line since being selected with the 26th overall pick in the first round in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech. Last season he was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

Brown's absence would be a huge blow to what has been one of the NFL's best offensive lines the past few seasons. The Texans were second in the league last year averaging 153 yards rushing per game.

For more on Johnson and the Texans, check out Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford Is Recovered From Ankle Injury

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford is not bothered by the high ankle sprain that derailed his 2011 season. The team started training camp on Sunday, July 29, and so far Bradford is in tip-top shape. St. Louis' hopes for improving from their 2-14 season last year rest squarely on the shoulders of their third-year quarterback.

Bradford told the team's official website that his ankle is not bothering him. He was still recovering from the injury in spring OTAs and minicamp. Nevertheless, Bradford and the Rams are being extremely vigilant with his status.

"I feel really good right now," Bradford said. "My arm feels probably as strong as it's ever felt. I think a big thing for me is maintaining that. Obviously during camp you take a lot of reps, you make a lot of throws, so staying on top of my shoulder and my body, making sure that it stays in shape is something that I am going to be really aware of this year."

Keeping Bradford healthy will be the primary goal of the offensive line, a unit with several questions to answer as the season starts. As Jim Trotter from Sports Illustrated noted his camp report, Bradford was sacked or hit 83 times as a rookie and another 76 times in 2011, when he missed six games.

For more on the Rams, visit Turf Show Times.

Six Story Lines From A Week Of NFL Training Camp

NFL training camps are only a few days old but already story lines are developing. Here are six of them with less than a week into training camp.

Colts Send 2 Players To Injured Reserve

As is to be expected, the first week of NFL training camps have seen more than their fair share of injuries and question marks as players begin getting back into playing shape for the 2012 season. Over at the Indianapolis Colts camp, the news was a bit harsher, as two players have already been officially shut down for the year.

Phillip B. Wilson at the Indianapolis Star reports that offensive lineman Ben Ijalana and inside linebacker A.J. Edds are both out for the season with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligaments in their knees. The two players have been placed on the injured reserve list.

Brad Wells at Stampede Blue had previously reported that Ijalana, a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft, was already on the verge of getting cut before Colts camp began, so he may very well not return to the team in 2013. Ijalana only played in four games last year.

Edds had previously torn his left ACL in 2010 training camp with the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him in the fourth round that year out of Iowa. He missed all of his rookie season.

For all news and information regarding the Indianapolis Colts, please visit Stampede Blue.

Tim Tebow 'Not Sure' What His Role With Jets Will Be

The New York Jets traded for Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow even after presumed starter Mark Sanchez signed an extension with the team. Speculation has run rampant ever since, with some arguing that Tebow could take over the starting quarterback job and coaches hinting that he could play a role on special teams. Tebow spoke with Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco of ESPN New York, and said even he isn't sure just how he will be making an impact next season.

"I am not sure," Tebow said. "I think for me it is whatever I am being asked to do I do with all my heart. I try to do a great job at it. We are in day four, so [I'm] just continuing to learn and we are continuing to learn. The coaches are learning us, learning the offense, learning installs, so it's so early in the process that I have to say I can't give you a straight answer on that."

Tebow certainly isn't shying away from the competition with Sanchez, though he maintains that he will be rooting for the inconsistent former USC quarterback even while trying to take his job.

"I don't think you have to have an attitude where you have to say, ‘I don't want someone to do their best.' Absolutely not," Tebow said. "I want them to do their best. I just want to do my best and continue to develop to the best that I can be and if that's good enough to go out there and be a starting quarterback then that is great."

For more on the Jets, head over to Gang Green Nation and check out SB Nation New York.

Kevin Kolb, Not John Skelton, Will Start For Cardinals Vs. Saints

Arizona Cardinals' Kevin Kolb will be up first and start Sunday's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints .

Matt Hasselbeck Talks About Titans QB Competition

Matt Hasselbeck is entering his 14th season in the NFL and will be competing with two quarterbacks with a combined three years professional experience for the Tennessee Titans' starting quarterback job. Though most players of an advanced age prefer not to have prove themselves to coaches all over again, Hasselbeck is looking forward to the competition with Jake Locker and Rusty Smith.

"It's actually been a little bit energizing for me to be honest," Hasselbeck said. "I think it's a healthy thing having competition within the room in all areas. Rusty Smith ironically kind of has us on the chalkboard, he's the protections guru so I think just the group competing with each other and these guys are young guys and it's fun.

"I know I'm not going to play forever, that's not my goal. But my goal right now is to be the best that I can be and try to help this team again win the Super Bowl, win this division and accomplishments that are very hard to do but they are attainable."

Locker figures to have the best chance of unseating Hasselbeck after being drafted No. 8 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Locker attempted just 66 passes as a rookie, but played well throwing for 542 yards and four touchdowns to zero interceptions. Hasselbeck knows that Locker is the future. At the same time, he says he's happy simply for the opportunity to compete.

"This last year I was given an opportunity I never thought I would have," Hasselbeck said. "Going to a different team, getting to start on a team with a brand new coaching staff, a young group of guys, learning under some of the starters and some young guys that actually get to start for us, it's just a very different experience but it was one that I really enjoyed."

For more on the Titans' QB battle, check out Music City Miracles.

Andre Johnson's Return From Injury Could Come As Soon As Monday, Texans Say

Houston Texans fans were understandably nervous following a report Sunday that Andre Johnson had left practice early with a pulled groin. An MRI revealed the injury to be minor, however, and the wide receiver has been able to do some light jogging at practice since. Head coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday that he thinks Johnson will return sometime next week.

"I would say next week," Kubiak said. "I'd love to tell you that's Monday. I hope it's Monday, but I would say next week."

Johnson missed nine games last season with multiple hamstring injuries, and missed OTAs in May while recovering from knee surgery. The Texans drafted DeVier Posey out of Ohio State in third round of the 2012 NFL Draft to join Kevin Walter and Lestar Jean and help flesh out the depth chart at receiver.

For more on Johnson and the Texans, check out Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

Adrian Peterson Back At Vikings Training Camp After Allergic Reaction

The Minnesota Vikings have good news on Tuesday after running back Adrian Peterson was hospitalized on Monday. Peterson, who is currently on the Vikings PUP list due to his knee injury, was hospitalized after an allergic reaction to seafood, but is expected to be fine.

The headline from Daily Norseman on Monday says it all: 'Adrian Peterson Scares The Bejeezus Out Of Everyone'

Peterson was suffering from shortness of breath and swelling in the face due to the allergic reaction, a situation Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier called a "scary moment'. He's back with the team and appears to be fine, according to reports. Though he's back with the team, he's not practicing fully yet. He can't practice while on the PUP list but Frazier said on Tuesday that he expected Peterson to return to his rehab schedule.

Peterson is still hoping to be available by Week 1. If that happens, he will likely exit the PUP list at some point during training camp to get some work in before the season.

For more on the Vikings, visit Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Braylon Edwards Heads To Seattle On 1-Year Deal With Seahawks, According To Report

The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a one-year deal with receiver Braylon Edwards.

NFL Training Camp: Position Battles Highlighted By The QBs

All 32 NFL teams have started training camp and the task of sorting out their final rosters. Which position battles should you be keeping an eye on as the season gets closer?

Doug Martin Draws Ray Rice Comparisons

Doug Martin went No. 31 overall in the NFL Draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of a mini-run on running backs, and he's already drawing extremely high praise. His teammate, offensive guard Davin Joseph, is already drawing comparisons to some of the best running backs in football after only a couple of practices.

"He made some explosive runs (Sunday) where you really see why they drafted him so high. He reminds you of a Ray Rice or Maurice Jones-Drew. He's very crafty and he really understands the run game."

It would be surprising if Martin reached the level of Rice or Jones-Drew in his first year in the league, especially considering how shaky the Bucs' offense was last season. He put up incredible numbers at Boise State, however, and has fantastic hands for a running back.

His head coach, Greg Schiano, coached Rice in college. He stopped a bit short of that comparison, but said that Martin has a chance to become a regular every-down NFL back because of his build.

"I think what allows him to have a chance is he is a stout guy. If he was 5-9, 185, I would say not. He's close to 220 pounds. He's pretty rocked up."

For more on the Buccaneers, head over to Bucs Nation and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Jonathan Goff's Injury Is Torn ACL, Done For The Year

For the second consecutive season, inside linebacker Jonathan Goff has suffered a torn ACL that will end his season before it gets started. Last season, while with the New York Giants, Goff tore his ACL in practice prior to Week 1 of the regular season. He was picked up by the Washington Redskins in the offseason and was going to have a very good chance of making the team if he remained healthy, but his season is already over with another torn ACL.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan talked about the injury and Goff on Monday.

"Really a shame, he's come in here and worked so hard to make this football team, everything you could possibly do in the offseason. I was really pulling for him. He's a class individual."

Goff started in all 16 games for the Giants in 2010 and made 52 tackles with 26 assists. He was behind London Fletcher and Perry Riley entering Redskins camp, but was expected to make the team. He now faces a long road back to playing in the NFL after suffering another season-ending injury.

For more on the Redskins, head over to Hogs Haven and SB Nation DC.

Terrell Thomas' Injury Involves ACL; Damage Unclear

The New York Giants' quest for a repeat could be coming without cornerback Terrell Thomas, who suffered an ACL injury at training camp over the weekend. It's still unclear exactly the extent of the damage but it's possible that Thomas has torn his ACL for the second consecutive season. A complete tear would end his season; a partial tear could keep open the possibility of a return this year.

As SB Nation's Big Blue View notes, you have to wonder what this injury will do to not only this season, but his career.

If the surgery reveals another tear, Thomas' NFL career could be over. No player has ever made it back from three torn ACLs to the same knee. Even if the damage is not that severe, you have to think it will be a long while before Thomas plays in an NFL game again.

In other words, don't count on major contributions from Thomas this season.

The Giants have said Thomas will undergo a surgery to determine the damage.

"Terrell re-injured his ACL," said Giants senior vice president of medical services Ronnie Barnes. "At this point, he will most likely undergo an arthroscopic procedure to determine the extent of the injury to the ACL. However, no decision has been made at this point. Terrell is going to consult with Dr. (Arthur) Ting, who performed an allograft reconstruction of the ACL in September."

The Giants signed Thomas to a four-year deal in free agency, despite the fact he was coming off ACL surgery.

For more on the Giants, visit Big Blue View and SB Nation New York.

Ryan Tannehill Looks Good Early At Dolphins Training Camp

Ryan Tannehill is looking surprisingly solid early on at Miami Dolphins training camp. I say surprisingly because he signed his rookie contract a little late and missed the initial portion of camp. But that doesn't seem to be bothering as the Palm Beach Post reports that Tannehill has been impressive in his first two days of camp.

But it's been hard not to notice how good Tannehill has looked throwing the football, showing good velocity, accuracy and anticipation. Coach Joe Philbin said Monday that Tannehill had 53 "competitive snaps" in Sunday's practice, and completed over 40 of those throws. Monday's practice wasn't as smooth, especially early on, but Tannehill is showing well so far.

Granted, he's also working against the second and third team defense, but this is a promising start for Tannehill. The concern with him, a former receiver, was the learning curve needed to succeed at quarterback. He seems to be showing early on that it's not too big for him to learn.

As Philbin said, he's doing "very well" for a rookie quarterback. He's competing with David Garrard and Matt Moore for the starting job but the two veterans appear to have a leg up on him for the time being.

Check out SB Nation's The Phinsider for news and notes on day four of Dolphins camp.

Felix Jones Fails Conditioning Test At Cowboys Training Camp

Felix Jones failed his conditioning test at Dallas Cowboys training camp Monday. He is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but the news still comes as a shock from one of the team's best athletes. Jones should factor heavily into Cowboys' offense this season as a change-of-pace running back.

Ouch. Felix Jones among those who failed the conditioning test, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett says. Says he'll do remedial running now.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 30, 2012

Jones split carries with DeMarco Murray last season. Murray was the much more effective back when healthy, but Jones still played an important role, especially as a receiver. Jones finished with 575 yards rushing on 127 carries, and 221 yards on 33 receptions.

Jones should get another opportunity to pass the test and he will be expected to pass in due time. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have a few other concerns with training camp in full swing:

For more on the Cowboys, head over to Blogging The Boys and check out SB Nation Dallas.

Finally, Jason Babin Has Pooped

Jyles Tucker Cut After Leaving Panthers Training Camp

Hybrid defensive end/linebacker Jyles Tucker has been cut from the Carolina Panthers after leaving training camp, the Charlotte Observer reports. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera did not say why Tucker left, only that it was necessary.

"It was something he had to. So we'll leave it at that and go from there," Rivera said Monday. "It was strictly a personal instance. There's nothing bad, nothing like that."

Tucker was expected to provide the Panthers some depth and versatility whenever the defense lined up in a 3-4 alignment. The 28-year-old had played for Rivera in San Diego, and signed with Carolina on a one-year, $700,000 veteran's minimum contract during the offseason. Tucker spent last season out of the league, and had reportedly been considering retirement before showing up at camp.

The Panthers have not yet announced a corresponding roster move.

For more on Tucker and the Panthers, head over to the SB Nation blog Cat Scratch Reader.

Why Your Team Will Make The Playoffs, AFC Edition

Can your team make the playoffs? The answer is yes. SB Nation makes a case for each team making it to the postseason in 2012.

Blaine Gabbert In Midseason Form At Jaguars Training Camp

Peyton Manning Doesn't Feel 100 Percent Yet

In Sports Illustrated NFL writer Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column, the veteran writer wrote about touring NFL training camps and sitting down with different quarterbacks for interviews, including an informative session with Drew Brees about his reaction to the Saints' bounty scandal thus far. It's a worthwhile read in its entirety, but there was one newsy tidbit about newly-minted Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.

Manning, as you may recall, missed all of the 2011 season because of neck surgery and was cut by the Colts because they felt they couldn't risk more than $26 million guaranteed on a quarterback they didn't know whether would ever be fully healthy again. Manning is now participating in full practices with the Broncos — King said he looked accurate and could make all his throws — but is operating at less than 100 percent. "I hate it," Manning told King when asked about it.

"Where I'll be, percentage-wise, I don't know,'' Manning told me. "I don't know if I'll feel the way I've always felt again. Everybody wonders, 'Can he get back to where he was?' That bar was set pretty high. Now, my goal is to feel as good as I possibly can -- right now.''

After sinking five years and $96 million into Manning's right arm, the Broncos can't feel too comfortable after seeing that statement. But, based on King's assessment, Manning should be just fine this year and moving forward.

For more on Manning and the Broncos, check out Mile High Report and SB Nation Denver.

Andre Johnson Injury: Texans Receiver Leaves Practice With Groin Injury

Andre Johnson left Sunday's practice with a groin injury during Houston Texans training camp, according to reports. Johnson started as a full participant in the morning session, but pulled up during a one-on-one drill before leaving. Head coach Gary Kubiak said afterwards that he does not believe the injury is serious.

''We don't think it's anything significant,'' Kubiak said. ''Obviously, Andre's worked so dang hard to get back and get back on the field full speed, so it's disappointing. But I don't think we're staring at anything significant.''

Johnson missed nine games last season due to multiple hamstring injuries, so there's good reason for concern. He also misses organized team activities in May while recovering from knee surgery. Kubiak was unable to give a timetable for Johnson's return, saying "we want him out there as soon as possible."

For more on Johnson and the Texans, check out Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

Michael Crabree Injury: 49ers Wide Receiver Hurts Ankle ... We Think

Michael Crabtree had to sit out practice at San Fransisco 49ers training camp on Saturday, but the team isn't exactly being forward about his injury. He had to leave practice on Friday because of an injury to his right ankle, but the extent of that injury, or what he specifically did to his ankle isn't known. Check out what a team spokesperson had to say about Crabtree's absence from practice.

49ers spokesman, officially, says of Michael Crabtree, "He's working through something."

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) July 29, 2012

It's unlikely that anyone from the league is going to have a word with the 49ers for being ambiguous about an injury during training camp, but they're not going to be able to get away with this kind of thing during the regular season. Crabtree could return on Monday or could be seriously injured, for all anyone outside of the organization knows.

For more on the 49ers and Crabtree's possibly real injury, head over to Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area.

Riley Cooper Injury: Eagles WR Suffers Broken Collarbone In Training Camp, According To Report

Riley Cooper reportedly suffered a broken collarbone in Eagles training camp on Saturday.

Detroit Lions RB Jahvid Best Starts Camp On The PUP List

Jahvid Best has been placed on the Detroit Lions' physically unable to perform list, the team announced Friday. Best was expected to be cleared for practice by the start of training camp after sitting out much of last season due to concussion symptoms.

If Best is still on the PUP list by the start of the regular season, he will be forced to sit out until after Week 6 per NFL rules. At this point, Lions fans have plenty of reason to be pessimistic about the running back. Best has struggled to stay healthy throughout his two-year career, and played in just six games last season. Considering the recurring nature of concussions, there is a chance his career is in jeopardy.

The Lions now have three players on PUP list. Along with Best, cornerback Chris Greenwood and linebacker Ronnell Lewis are also waiting to be cleared to participate in training camp.

For more on the Lions, check out Pride of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit.

Browns Top Training Camp Battle Is At QB

The Cleveland Browns are hoping to make major progress from a 4-12 season that put them well into cellar of what is arguably the NFL's toughest division. If the Browns hope to compete with the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals this year, they will need solid production from the quarterback position. Colt McCoy completed just 57.2 percent of his passes last season for 2,733 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Browns drafted 28-year-old Brandon Weeden out of Oklahoma State in the first round with the assumption that he would take the starting job away from McCoy. Speaking with ESPN 850 WKNR, however, head coach Pat Shurmur said he still doesn't know when he is going to name a starter between the two.

"I have a plan for how I think this thing will work out and I've been through this before when you're trying to get a starter and a backup and a third quarterback ready to go and so it will happen in a timely fashion," Shurmur said.

"There's so much good work that happens here and the most important thing is of course is that the quarterback is getting work with the receivers he's going to play with and we're working in new receivers and what you would consider the first and second group."

For more on the Bengals, head over to the SB Nation blog Dawgs By Nature, and check out this training camp preview from SB Nation Studios:

Falcons' Michael Turner Will See Lighter Load This Year

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner has been a workhorse since coming over from the San Diego Chargers in 2008. This season, Turner is going to have a lighter load, says Falcons head coach Mike Smith.

Smith was on WCNN in Atlanta discussing his team's 2012 season when asked about Turner. From the transcript at Sports Radio Interviews:

"I don't envision that Turner will have over 300 carries this season. I think it's too much. When you multiply that, 3 out of 4 years, we need to reduce his workload. There are different ways [to spread the ball around]. We need to distribute the touches more evenly and not have one guy have over 300 touches."

That will mean more work for running backs Jason Snelling and Jacquizz Rodgers. The pair combined for 101 carries last season versus 301 for Turner. Running backs typically start to decline around age 30.

Turner averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season, the best mark on the team. However, he failed to average over 4 yards per carry in five of the Falcons' last six games last season.

For more on the Falcons, visit The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta.

Jets' Mark Sanchez, Rex Ryan Say Tim Tebow Won't Be A Distraction

How big a deal is Tim Tebow? The biggest story in training camp involving a New York team will likely be how he fits in with the Jets — and the Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions. For their part, though, the Jets say the potential quarterback battle between incumbent starter Mark Sanchez and Tebow, who led the Broncos to the playoffs and a surprising Wild Card round win over the Steelers in 2011, won't be a distraction.

Sanchez chatted with The Michael Kay Show on Thursday and reiterated that he and Tebow are both on the Jets roster to help the team:

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Mark Sanchez vs. Tim Tebow. Is that going to be a distraction?

"It would be real weird if we were married? No, it's great. He's a huge help for our team. He's a hard worker and he pushes everybody."

Sanchez's completely incomprehensible joke about marriage aside, he also went on to say that there's no ego involved in his play, and that he would be fine with being replaced by Tebow near the goal line in special packages.

Rex Ryan concurred with his quarterback's assesment:

Will there be a distraction with Tim Tebow?

"Well again I guess it may be a distraction to some people, but I don't think it will be to us. I really don't. I think we are so focused on winning and building a football team. I don't feel like we will be distracted. Now how it will be played out in the media may be a lot different."

While Ryan and Sanchez are saying this now, though, what else would they say? "Yeah, Tebow's gonna be a distraction" might be honest, but there's nothing to be gained from saying that.

For more on the Jets, visit Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York; for more from Mark Sanchez, let's all watch SB Nation's interview with him.

Peyton Manning Isn't Looking For A James Harrison Blindside Hit

It's been almost 20 months since Peyton Manning's last snap in an NFL game. And, after extensive rehabilitation after neck surgery, the Broncos' new field general is not looking for his next one to come from infamously vicious Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

Manning told ESPN's Tom Jackson that while he's not looking forward to seeing Harrison and the Steelers defense in the Broncos' season opener on Sept. 9, he's comfortable that he'll be able to absorb the blow.

"I'm not begging James Harrison to blindside me by any means but I feel I'm going to be able to handle that."

...

"So James, I love you and don't take this as a challenge now," Manning said, presumably only half-joking. "Go easy on me if you can."

Manning's quick release (and, in Indianapolis, the Colts' sturdy offensive line) has helped make him one of the league's least-frequently sacked quarterbacks. He was brought down on just 2.3 percent of dropbacks in 2010, best in the NFL, and that was his third time topping the league in that stat.

Of course, the Denver line might be a bit more porous than the ones Manning played behind in Indy: Broncos quarterbacks were sacked 42 times in 2011.

For more on Manning and the Broncos, visit Mile High Report and SB Nation Denver.

Charlie Whitehurst Injured; Chargers Sign Kyle Boller

The San Diego Chargers don't have a lot of depth at quarterback behind their perennial Pro Bowler, Philip Rivers. You can tell this because Charlie Whitehurst was a backup to Rivers, and because when Whitehurst can't go, the Chargers seek help from an even less impressive NFL player:

After backup QB Charlie Whitehurst got hurt at camp yesterday, #Chargers sign Kyle Boller.

— Pro Football Weekly (@ProFootballWkly) July 27, 2012

Yep, that's right: Kyle Boller is still in the NFL. Sort of.

Whitehurst's injury forced him out of practice on Thursday and left him sitting with his left knee wrapped on the sideline. Whitehurst is expected to miss a few weeks of action with his injury, so the Boller signing is to give San Diego another live arm for preseason play, more than anything.

At least, it should be: Boller threw just 32 passes in his last two seasons with the Oakland Raiders, and four of them were intercepted.

For more on the Chargers, head to Bolts From the Blue.

Bryant McKinnie Already Fined $30,000 By Ravens, According To Report

The Baltimore Ravens have only been holding training camp for a couple of days, and they already have a holdout on their hands. Veteran offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is, somewhat unsurprisingly, the source of it — but the surprise is that he was expected to be at camp:

Ravens have already fined McKinnie $30k for missing Wed report day

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeYahoo) July 27, 2012

McKinnie's likely going to be fined more than that going forward, as the $30K is the daily fine for missing camp. McKinnie's absence is reportedly due to a personal matter, but that could mean pretty much anything when it comes to the mammoth tackle, who has long been had one of the NFL's larger gulfs between innate talent and dedication to the game.

McKinnie spent much of the 2011 lockout working on recording music, and showed up to Ravens camp out of shape; that pattern continued when he showed up heavier than the Ravens wanted for OTAs in 2012.

For more on the Ravens, visit Baltimore Beat Down and SB Nation DC.

Adrian Peterson's Injury Keeps Him On Vikings' PUP List

Adrian Peterson hopes to be ready for the Minnesota Vikings' first regular season game but he's not quite there yet. Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier told reporters on Friday that Peterson would start the season on active/PUP. This is different from the regular season PUP and it's not as concerning.

A player can't be added to the active/PUP list during training camp. He has to be placed there before it starts. So this gives the Vikings and extra roster spot for camp while Peterson continues his rehab.

If he's going to be ready for Week 1, he'll need to come off that list sometime during camp.

Earlier this month, Frazier said the team will "be smart" with Peterson's rehab.

"He's so valuable to our organization that we have to be smart. We'll tread lightly as far as Week 1 and how much he'll contribute on the field. Even when we get to training camp, he's going to be chomping (sic) at the bit but we'll have to be smart."

For more on the Vikings, visit Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Packers' Jermichael Finley Out With A Concussion

The Green Bay Packers will be without tight end Jermichael Finley for a few days as he recovers from a concussion. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed to reporters on Friday that Finley suffered a "mild" concussion and will be out "a couple days" as he recovers.

Finley's wife tweeted about the concussion and said it's protocol to sit out a few days. "He's going crazy because he feels amazing & wants to be out there with his team but he understands the precautionary measures." (Note: The tweet has since been deleted because teams don't like injury information out there.)

Finley is expected to have a big season as he comes off a career year with 767 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

Concussions are especially concerning considering the emphasis the league has recently put on player health and safety. For now, this appears to be just a minor hiccup.

For more on the Green Bay Packers, check out Acme Packing Company.

Redskins' Jammal Brown Suffers 'Setback,' Placed On PUP List

Training camp is underway for the Washington Redskins, but it appears as though they already have a bit of bad news. Right tackle Jammal Brown is still suffering from a hip issue that has plagued him since last season.

Stephen Whyno of The Washington Times reports that Brown has been placed on the physically unable to perform list. He is still suffering from hip soreness, the same issue that kept him out of four games in 2011.

"You knew it was sore. You knew it could happen at any time, something like this," coach Mike Shanahan said. "You're just hoping it's a little flare-up, nothing major."

Tyler Polumbus will take the snaps with the first string while Brown is out. He will compete with Maurice Hurt and Willie Smith for the job until Brown is able to return.

For all news and information regarding the Washington Redskins, please visit Hogs Haven and stop by SB Nation DC. To stay up to date on training camp news and notes, stick with SB Nation NFL.

Dashon Goldson Signs Franchise Tender, Will Report To 49ers Training Camp

It was an offseason of worry for San Francisco 49ers fans, but Thursday brought relief, as the team has announced that free safety Dashon Goldson has signed a one-year franchise tender to stay with the team.

With the move, worth just over $6 million, Goldson will report to camp Thursday with the rest of the team's veterans.

As SB Nation's Niners Nation points out, it would have been interesting to see defensive backs C.J. Spillman and Trenton Robinson get more reps with the first team with Goldson not around, but it's far more important to have the all the starting defensive players in camp and on time on the heels of a strong 2011 season.

The one-year deal means that the team cannot try to sign Goldson, 27, to a long-term extension until after the 2012 season, something the Pro Bowl safety seems to be looking for that pays him well.

Last year, Goldson missed first two weeks of training camp before also signing a one-year deal to return to San Francisco, delivering with a career high six interceptions as the team advanced to the NFC Championship.

Stay up to date on the latest San Francisco 49ers news by checking out SB Nation's Niners Nation.

Jahvid Best Not Cleared By Detroit Lions Yet

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best suffered a concussion last season that forced him onto the injured reserve list. The Lions are reporting for training camp on Thursday, but Best has not been cleared to get back on to the football field yet.

The plan, according to Chris McCosky, is for team doctors to test Best on Friday, and he could be cleared for contact. Best's concussion symptoms were so bad at one point that the young running back had considered retiring from football.

Best had nearly 400 rushing yards in six starts for the Lions last season with nearly 300 receiving yards and was coming off a spectacular performance against the Chicago Bears before he suffered a concussion the next week against the San Francisco 49ers.

Running back depth is an issue for the Lions entering 2012, so getting Best healthy and on the football field can be a big boost for the team.

For more on Best and the Lions, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit.

Broncos Keeping Close Eye On Peyton Manning During Training Camp

As expected, the Denver Broncos plan to monitor Peyton Manning very closely during training camp. Manning hasn't participated in a training camp in two years after missing all of last year's camp with the Indianapolis Colts. He is coming off of four neck surgeries, so, although he's healthy, the team will be monitoring his arm strength.

As the Denver Post reports, Manning isn't the type of player who's going to volunteer to sit out, so the Broncos will need to stick to their plan.

Manning already has met with Broncos head trainer Steve Antonopulos to map out how much he will throw in training camp as well as formulate a potential plan for the season. The team is seeking to find a balance. Manning, who is noted for rarely sitting out even one play in practice, will want to do as much as possible, but he is 36, and coming off multiple neck surgeries that also impacted the nerves in his throwing arm.

Sometimes a return from injury is as much mental as physical. Manning needs to get on the field and throw a lot several days in a row to truly see how his arm is doing. At some point, maybe not during camp, he's going to have to take a hit as well. It's been a long time since he's been hit but he's been throwing throughout the offseason with the team.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report and SB Nation Denver.

Darrelle Revis Reports To Jets Training Camp

While some teams are dealing with player holdouts, one team that won't need to deal with that problem is the New York Jets. After holding out in past seasons, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis has decided to report to Jets training camp on Thursday.

Jets veterans reporting to team facility this morning for physicals/conditioning tests. Darrelle Revis is among them. No holdout. #nyj

— Manish Mehta(@MMehtaNYDN) July 26, 2012

There were some rumblings that Revis might once again hold out of training camp in search of a new deal, since he's no longer the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. However, he has decided to show up. Maybe because he wouldn't get any face time on HBO's Hard Knocks, since the Jets decided to turn it down this year.

For more on the New York Jets and training camp, visit SB Nation's Jets blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York.

Brett Keisel Drove A Tractor To Steelers Training Camp

Joseph Addai Doesn't Last Long With New England Patriots

The Patriots released Joseph Addai on Wednesday.

Mike Wallace Not Expected At Steelers Training Camp, According To Report

Mike Wallace has yet to sign his restricted free agent tender which will guarantee him $2.472 million in the 2012 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't holding their breath that he'll have a change of heart and show up to training camp. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Steelers don't expect Wallace at the start of training camp and they are also likely to suspend negotiations with him.

So that leaves two options for Wallace at the moment. He can either sign the tender and report to Steelers training camp or don't sign the tender and don't show up to camp. Considering he's missed the entire offseason program to this point it wouldn't be a surprise to see him sit out.

Wallace has only one source of leverage and that's to sit out. It may not help in the long run to miss camp but there's nothing else he can do to protest his lack of a long-term contract.

Training camp ends in mid-August but the preseason continues through the end of the month. If he skips all of the preseason, then he may not return to work until the first week of September. Steelers fans obviously hope otherwise.

For more on the Steelers, visit Behind The Steel Curtain and SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Patriots G Logan Mankins Will Start Camp On The PUP List

The New England Patriots will start training camp without incumbent left guard Logan Mankins. The four-time Pro Bowler will start camp on the physically unable to perform list, as expected. A Wednesday report from the Boston Herald left his status for the start of the regular season up in the air.

New England has one of the deeper groups of offensive linemen in the NFL. The Herald report notes that center Dan Connolly could slide over and fill the left guard spot without Mankins in action. Connolly and Dan Koppen are vying for the starting center job in camp this season.

The Patriots also brought in free agent Robert Gallery this spring. Gallery has starting experience on the inside as well.

Mankins is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL, an injury he played through during the Super Bowl.

For more on the Patriots, check out Pats Pulpit. Get the latest news from all 32 NFL training camps in this StoryStream.

Ed Reed Arrives At Ravens Training Camp

There were rumblings in the past month that Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, who is in the final year of a six-year contract, may have considered being a holdout from training camp in hopes of gaining an extension. Reed shot those rumors down early and officially ended speculation on Wednesday, as he reported for Ravens training camp.

Garrett Downing at the official Ravens website reported that Reed has arrived for camp on Wednesday to prepare for his 11th season with the team. Reed has spoken several times this offseason about wanting to play for several more years, but has also publicly discussed thinking about retirement.

If he is able to prove throughout the rest of 2012 that he still has plenty left in the tank, he may end up getting a multi-year extension from the club that will allow him to end his career with the Ravens.

For all news and information regarding the Baltimore Ravens, please visit Baltimore Beatdown.

Cardinals Players Prefer John Skelton Over Kevin Kolb, According To Report

One of the biggest questions the Arizona Cardinals will need to answer heading into the 2012 season is who their starting quarterback will be. Kevin Kolb and John Skelton split time last year, with both QBs experiencing mixed results. As Cardinals training camp kicks off, the rest of the team may already be playing favorites.

Jess Root over at Revenge of the Birds relays the information that some of the Cardinals players at camp are "gravitating toward" Skelton as the quarterback of choice, according to Willie McGinest of the NFL Network.

Root surmises that the current climate in the locker room could be due to Skelton being perceived as a more "winning" quarterback based on last year's results. There is still plenty of time before the season begins for one of the two QBs to emerge as the clear choice to start the lion's share of the games in 2012. Undoubtedly, both Skelton and Kolb will do their best over the next few months to make a case for themselves.

For more on the Cardinals, visit Revenge of the Birds and SB Nation Arizona.

NFL Training Camp: 1 Big Question For All 32 Teams

NFL teams are starting training camp this week. SB Nation takes a look at the biggest question facing each team as they get back to work.

Beanie Wells Is Still Recovering From Knee Injury

Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells is still recovering from offseason knee surgery. He is not expected to be on the PUP list for long.

Dre Kirkpatrick Injury: Bengals CB Reportedly Suffers Knee Injury, Could Miss Most Of Camp

The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly will be without rookie cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick for most, if not all, of training camp after an injury to his leg just days before training camp opens.