NFL Training Camp Injuries, News and Notes

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reports A.J. Green will "likely" be sidelined for 6-8 weeks.

The Bengals were hopeful that Green would miss only four weeks with a low ankle sprain, but an MRI revealed torn ligaments in his left ankle. Green isn't expected to have surgery, though he is getting a second opinion to confirm. With a six to eight week timetable for his return, Green is looking doubtful for the season opener and possibly beyond. Green is still a high-end receiver when healthy, but he has missed at least six games in two of the last three seasons. He'll likely miss one to three games with this injury, so Green is no longer a third-round target in fantasy drafts. Green will be 31 years old in 2019.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jul 28, 2019, 3:27 PM ET

 

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Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson reports Josh Ferguson remains the lead candidate for the Texans' third running back job.

With Lamar Miller and D'Onta Foreman at the top of the depth chart, Ferguson won't see more than just a few offensive snaps when everyone is healthy. Ferguson has just 26 rushing yards on 15 career carries, but he has impressed the Texans with his pass-catching and elusiveness. Rookies Karan Higdon and Damarea Crockett are also in the mix.

Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

Jul 28, 2019, 3:17 PM ET

 

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Pressed Sunday, Titans coach Mike Vrabel declined to provide a timeline for Derrick Henry's (lower leg) return.

The only information Vrabel was willing to offer up was that the injury is to Henry's lower leg. That means it's his ankle or foot. Coaches are never exactly the most forthcoming during training camp, but Vrabel's extreme caginess is not a positive sign. At the very least, Henry would seem to be staring at a multi-week absence. Hopefully we gain clarity this week. It is hard for teams to keep a lid on this sort of injury for long.

Source: John Glennon on Twitter

Jul 28, 2019, 1:40 PM ET

 

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According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the relationship between the Redskins and holdout LT Trent Williams is "totally fractured."

La Canfora sees it as beyond repair, noting Williams "does not intend to play for them again." The stud tackle was a no-show for the start of camp and it doesn't sound like the two sides will be mending fences anytime soon. If Williams is truly done with Washington, the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2010, it would be a major downgrade for the Redskins' O line. Concerningly, former Giants draft bust Ereck Flowers has been getting starter reps at left tackle.

Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter

Jul 28, 2019, 12:24 PM ET

 

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Multiple Ravens beat writers note third-round WR Miles Boykin has been the most impressive receiver at training camp.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley said Boykin has been "fantastic" early in camp, and The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec notes Boykin has been the "most productive and impressive receiver." First-rounder Marquise Brown (foot) remains sidelined, so there really isn't that high of a bar to clear here when Boykin is practicing with WRs like Seth Roberts, Willie Snead, and Michael Floyd. But it's still notable. Boykin starred in shorts and a t-shirt at the Combine and has always dripped with special traits. Hopefully he can continue it when pads come on this preseason.

Source: Jamison Hensley on Twitter

Jul 28, 2019, 12:02 PM ET

 

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Saints coach Sean Payton expects DT Sheldon Rankins (Achilles) to miss all of training camp.

Rankins, the lone player on New Orleans' PUP list, is still working back from a torn Achilles he suffered during last year's postseason. Payton wouldn't commit to a timeline for Rankins' recovery, suggesting the fourth-year DT could be a candidate to begin the year on reserve/PUP, which would cost him at least the first six games of the regular season. "If I had a game I could give you, I’d give you that game," offered Payton. "Hopefully it’s earlier than later." The Louisville alum was excellent last year, totaling 26 tackles and eight sacks over 642 snaps while garnering PFF's No. 17 grade out of 112 qualifiers at defensive tackle.

Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jul 28, 2019, 9:11 AM ET

 

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Robert Griffin III will be sidelined a "few weeks" after injuring his thumb in Saturday's training camp practice.

RGIII hit his thumb on a defender's helmet, and an X-ray revealed a "small fracture." It actually seems like good news, as a distraught Griffin seemed to be expecting worse. Lamar Jackson's backup is expected to be ready for Week 1, though ESPN's Adam Schefter has passed along a more concerning timeline of 4-8 weeks.

Source: ESPN.com

Jul 27, 2019, 10:30 PM ET

 

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The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reports second-year TE Mark Andrews has been the Ravens' "most dangerous and productive offensive player" at training camp.

Zrebiec notes Andrews looked lost at this time last year as a rookie, but things have obviously changed as he heads into year two. Andrews posted a 34-552-3 line as a rookie, one of the better first-year tight end outputs in league history, and looks poised to build on it. Andrews showed solid rapport with Lamar Jackson the second half of last year and in the playoffs. With the Ravens not having a whole lot at receiver, Andrews could realistically see 70-plus targets after getting 50 in 2018.

Source: The Athletic

Jul 29, 2019, 7:31 PM ET

 

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CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora doesn't believe Duke Johnson will be traded until "the midseason trade deadline."

"Don't hold your breath for a Duke Johnson trade anytime soon" is the exact phrasing used by Canfora. Cleveland is reportedly all about "having as much veteran depth as possible" right now as backup Kareem Hunt continues dealing with a groin injury. Johnson would ideally get traded to an RB-needy high-octane offense (Ex: Bucs) in August, but it doesn't seem like that's the case. The former 'The U' product reminds out of camp with a nagging hamstring ailment.

Source: CBS Sports

Jul 29, 2019, 6:04 PM ET

 

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I'm starting to think this guy's never going to be healthy...

Bengals.com reports John Ross could "possibly" miss two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Ross missed practice time with "tightness" during the spring and reportedly "struggled with consistency." He is getting off to the worst possible start with the Bengals' new coaching staff. Even were A.J. Green to miss regular season time, it's hard to see Ross making himself fantasy relevant in re-draft leagues.

Source: bengals.com

Jul 29, 2019, 3:08 PM ET

 

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Saints released WR Cameron Meredith.

Meredith broke out with 66 catches for 888 yards and four touchdowns back in 2016, but an ACL tear the following preseason sent his career spiraling. The Saints took a shot on Meredith with a two-year, $9.6 million offer sheet last year, but the receiver never fully recovered and ended up playing in just six games. Only 26, Meredith should get another shot, but he will need to prove he is healthy.

Related:

• New Orleans Saints

Source: Herbie Teope on Twitter

Jul 29, 2019, 10:52 AM ET

 

[yimyammer]

Robert Griffin III will be sidelined a "few weeks" after injuring his thumb in Saturday's training camp practice.

RGIII hit his thumb on a defender's helmet, and an X-ray revealed a "small fracture." It actually seems like good news, as a distraught Griffin seemed to be expecting worse. Lamar Jackson's backup is expected to be ready for Week 1, though ESPN's Adam Schefter has passed along a more concerning timeline of 4-8 weeks.

Source: ESPN.com

Jul 27, 2019, 10:30 PM ET

I can't believe he's still on a team

 

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I can't believe he's still on a team

On a team like the Ravens he's a serviceable backup, provided they don't need him to be on the field for an extended period.

 

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Sterling Shepard (thumb) has been cleared to participate in live drills.

Shepard was wearing a non-contact jersey and only made one-hand catches, but this is another good sign. The Giants can't afford any setbacks to Shepard with Golden Tate suspended the first four games. Shepard is unlikely to see any preseason snaps, but he has a good chance to be ready for the opener.

Source: Jordan Raanan on Twitter

Jul 31, 2019, 5:04 PM ET

 

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The Athletic's Jeff Howe reports the Redskins are "having trade discussions" regarding holdout LT Trent Williams.

Howe notes the Patriots are expected to be in the mix if Williams is made available. Williams has stated he will not play again for the Redskins, so Washington may now be willing to deal the 31-year-old after signing OT Donald Penn. Health has always been Williams' biggest obstacle, but when on the field he's truly an elite left tackle. There would be plenty of suitors. Williams is under contract the next two seasons at base salaries of $11 million and $12.5 million.

• Source: Jeff Howe on Twitter

Jul 31, 2019, 12:53 PM ET

 

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Saints signed WR Michael Thomas to a five-year, $100 million extension through 2024.

The deal contains $61 million guaranteed and makes Thomas the league's highest-paid wideout at $20 million per year in new money. He's actually the highest-paid non-quarterback offensive player in NFL history right now, a number that will surely soon be surpassed by whoever is next in line, whether it's Julio Jones or whomever. Through three seasons, Thomas has averaged 107 catches for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns as the former No. 47 overall pick of the 2016 draft. He turned 26 in March.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jul 31, 2019, 8:41 AM ET

 

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Mike Jurecki of the Cardinals' official website reports sixth-round WR KeeSean Johnson has "continued to shine" through the first week of training camp.

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss has passed along similar observations and even predicted Johnson will open as the No. 3 receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. Johnson was drafted behind both Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler, but there's been no question Johnson has been the better player in practice to this point. GM Steve Keim labeled Johnson one of the best route-runners in the 2019 class. He slipped in the draft due to a slow 4.6 forty time. Johnson is putting himself on the radar in coach Kliff Kingsbury's pass-happy Air Raid attack.

Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter

Jul 30, 2019, 9:15 PM ET

 

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The Boston Herald considers Patriots WR Maurice Harris a 53-man roster lock and believes he would be a starter were the season to begin today.

Harris continues to earn raves across all Patriots media. There are 40 days between now and the Patriots' opener, but it's possible Harris emerges with a real role in the Pats' up-for-grabs receiver corps.

Source: Boston Herald

Jul 30, 2019, 5:29 PM ET

 

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Speaking Tuesday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said A.J. Green (ankle surgery) will miss regular season games.

"When they get in there and get the surgery done, they realized it's going to be a little bit longer," Taylor said of Green's timeline. "It's just going to be a couple of games ... hopefully he'll be ready to go at the beginning-half of the season." That does not sound good. This seriously changes the calculus around Green's average draft position. Turning 31 on Wednesday, Green missed seven games last season and six in 2016. John Ross is also on the shelf, leaving Tyler Boyd as the last man standing for the time being. The WR2/3 borderline seems like the earliest appropriate time to gamble on Green.

Source: Geoff Hobson on Twitter

Jul 30, 2019, 4:58 PM ET

 

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Derrick Henry is dealing with a strained calf.

According to Schefter, the injury could sideline him for a couple of weeks, but it is not considered serious. This is ultimately good news after Henry was spotted in a walking boot over the weekend. Barring a setback, Henry should be 100 percent well before Week 1.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 PM ET