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49ers RB Jeremy McNichols running with the ones
Wednesday, August 15, 2018, 3:24pm
The Athletic's Matt Barrows reports that "Jeremy McNichols has been the first 49ers running back on the field for every drill today".
This is particularly notable with the recent injuries to Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida. It is also notable that McNichols appears to be ahead of 2017 table-banger Joe Williams. The 49ers' recent signing of Alfred Morris leaves some cloudiness in this backfield going forward, but the former Boise State star is someone worth keeping on watch lists for the time being.
Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny having surgery
Wednesday, August 15, 2018, 6:22am
Seahawks rookie running back Rashaad Penny is having surgery Wednesday morning to repair a broken finger. The expected recovery time is three to four weeks.
UPDATE: Adam Schefter reported that Penny "should be ready" by Week 1
This makes Penny questionable for the start of the season. If the rookie is unable to play in Week 1, the lead running back duties will likely fall upon Chris Carson, though someone like C.J. Prosise or J.D. McKissic could have a role on third down. Ultimately, this news could just make Penny a value in fantasy drafts.
Musgrave: Broncos TE Jeff Heuerman 'could be weapon for us'
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 8:02pm
Despite missing nine training camp practices with a nagging knee injury, Denver listed Jeff Heuerman as the No. 1 option. It appeared either a serious vote of confidence for a fourth-year pro with only 18 career receptions, or, an indictment of the remaining inexperience within the position group.
“If we can get (Heuerman’s) knee right,” OC Bill Musgrave said, “he could really be a weapon for us.”
Related players: Jake Butt
Heuerman practiced exclusively with the starters in team periods and seven-on-seven drills, the story went on to say. He run blocked off tackle against Von Miller. He cleared a path for tailback Devontae Booker on a sweep. He lined up in the backfield, on the edge, out wide at receiver and caught several passes from quarterback Case Keenum. The story added that Butt is more of a pass-catcher and route runner while Heuerman is more of an in-line blocker. But as the story said, Musgrave feels Heuerman can be a big weapon.
Raiders WR Martavis Bryant (migraines) misses practice
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 7:52pm
Raiders receiver Martavis Bryant missed a second day of practice with “really bad migraines,” Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.
The condition has plagued Bryant for years, per Tafur.
Related players: Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson
The story went on to say coach Jon Gruden confirmed Monday that Bryant missed that day’s practice with “a headache.” Bryant made one catch for 18 yards on four targets in the Raiders’ preseason opener. He is on the second team behind Cooper and Nelson.
Patriots WR Phillip Dorsett's injury 'just a little scare'
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 6:16pm
Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett suffered a leg injury during an 11-on-11 drill and spent about a minute on the ground before he walked to the blue medical tent alongside two trainers.
Dorsett isn't expected to miss time, according to a source.
"Just a little scare," one source said.
The story went on to say Dorsett emerged from the tent and watched the remainder of practice. He played catch, from a stationary position, with a staffer afterward. Dorsett walked off the field with his teammates, and came back out to retrieve his pads. Dorsett indicated that he was “all right” as he exited.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger being evaluated for concussion
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 6:11pm
Quarterbacks are supposed to be off-limits in training camp, but Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a hit today that left him being evaluated for a concussion.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after Tuesday’s practice that Roethlisberger was currently under evaluation.
“Ben Roethlisberger sustained a hit today in practice. He is being evaluated by team doctors as part of the concussion protocol,” Tomlin said.
The story said Big Ben has at least three documented concussions. In a previously posted story from the Tribune Review, it said Ben wasn't scheduled to play in the team's second preseason game.
Eagles QB Carson Wentz to get back to 11-on-11s next week
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 5:08pm
The coaching staff had backed off from Carson Wentz in full-team drills because they were happy with what they saw from him during those early 11-on-11s and wanted to minimize any extra risk that having him out there in those situations would create as he recovers from ACL and LCL surgery.
According to the plan — as secretive as the Eagles have kept it — Wentz expects to be back in 11-on-11s next week, an obvious good sign as he continues to keep his goal of being ready to play in Week 1.
HC Doug Pederson said that he would ideally get to see Wentz in 11-on-11s for a week before he plays in a game. This new revelation would give Wentz three weeks in full-team drills before the opener on Sept. 6. Wentz said today "it's going to be close" as far as him being ready to play in the opener.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger injured Tuesday
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 5:06pm
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left practice early Tuesday afternoon after falling on his final pass of the opening team drill.
Roethlisberger left practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium and was followed toward the team buses by members of the training staff.
Roethlisberger’s injury and the extent of it were not immediately known and he's not scheduled to play in the team's second preseason game.
Patriots WR Phillip Dorsett gets injured at practice
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 5:03pm
The Patriots’ final training camp practice didn’t end without a scare as Phillip Dorsett needed medical attention. Dorsett slipped on a crossing route in 11-on-11 drills, according to multiple reports.
He walked off the field on his own and returned from the medical tent to catch passes on the side from a staffer.
The Patriots, of course, were sharing no information on Dorsett’s condition, the story said.
Cardinals RB David Johnson says he's back and 'offense is stacked'
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 4:59pm
Two carries for 28 yards may not be anything to get too excited about. But a pair of 14-yard runs in Saturday's preseason game were a good sign that David Johnson is all the way back.
"The biggest thing is I was really pumped up about was how easy it was for me get through those holes. The guys up front blocked for me really well," Johnson said. "I think the team and the Cardinals fan base knows, but I think the biggest thing is letting everyone else know that not just I'm back, but our offense is stacked."
Johnson, who blew up for 2,118 total yards and 20 touchdowns in 2016 before a fractured left wrist ended his season in Week 1 last season, smiled wide as he recalled his first touches of the preseason and first game action in almost a year, the story said. It also added Johnson is motivated and primed to be the focus of the attack. Johnson said his wrist his fine and it's already taken some hits.
Jaguars Beat: WR Dede Westbrook playing way into top-3 WR spot
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 3:15pm
Second-year wide receiver Dede Westbrook may be playing his way into a spot among the top three receivers. Despite being a key player during the last half of last season and postseason, Westbrook entering training camp seemed in a position of needing to earn his way into significant repetitions.
Donte Moncrief and Marqise Lee were running with the first team at receiver, and second-year veteran Keelan Cole was getting extensive first-team repetitions.
The story said as of late, Westbrook is standing out nearly every day and QB Blake Bortles seems to be going his way more as well. The piece added Westbrook feels he's improved as a route runner, while Bortles said Westbrook has grasped the offense better.
Jaguars Beat: Expect to see more of RB Corey Grant
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 3:09pm
The future looks inviting for Jaguars RB Corey Grant, who signed a one-year, $2.9-million contract this past offseason and who was a featured performer in the preseason opener. Grant’s speed has wowed observers since he arrived as an undrafted rookie in 2015 and he steadily has grown into a role. His 122-yard performance as the feature back in the 2016 regular-season finale in Indianapolis gave us a glimpse of what he could do with the ball on the ground, and the role expanded. OC Nate Hackett is too smart to leave a weapon like Grant on the sidelines again. Expect to see more of Grant this season, maybe a lot more.
Related players: Leonard Fournette
Fournette is likely going to prevent Grant from seeing a fantasy-worthy workload this season. The story said Grant had some explosive special teams plays and also pointed to his three-catch, 59-yard effort against the Patriots in the playoffs, so it's easy to see why the Jags may want to get him more touches.
Eagles RB Corey Clement also has lower body injury
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 3:01pm
The Eagles were without both RBs Corey Clement and undrafted rookie Josh Adams on Tuesday, but Clement is the greater concern.
He suffered a "lower body injury" in the preseason game against the Steelers and has missed all four practices since then. He seems unlikely to play on Thursday against the Patriots, either.
HC Doug Pederson said Clement is day-to-day and downplayed the severity. Like he said about Nelson Agholor's lower body injury, Pederson said Clement needs some much-needed rest.
Eagles WR Nelson Agholor has 'lower body injury'
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 2:58pm
Eagles WR Agholor has missed the last five Eagles practices, plus the Week 1 preseason game against the Steelers, with an undisclosed "lower body injury." Neither Agholor or coach Doug Pederson would elaborate much, though it seems unlikely he plays on Thursday night against the Patriots.
The story said Agholor initially laughed when asked if he'd be ready for Week 1, but then pulled back and said it would be the coach's call. Pederson was quoted as saying "he needs some rest on it." Before the injury, the story said Agholor was the team's most consistent WR in camp.
Slay: Giants WR Odell Beckham hasn't lost explosiveness
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 2:54pm
Through nearly four weeks of training camp practice, all indications are that Odell Beckham has been the same dynamic player in practice that he's ever been. On Monday, Detroit Lions All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay gave his recovery a ringing endorsement following the first of three joint practices between the Lions and Giants.
"He looks like he's going," Slay said, when asked how Beckham looks at this stage of his recovery. "He's catching the rock, and running the rock."
"He's always been explosive. He's never going to lose that, except when he turns 50, I suppose. But, he's always been explosive. Other than that, he's Odell. That's just it."
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