Latest updates from NFL training camp: Chiefs already preparing for Lamar Jackson
The NFL’s 2024 training camp is in full swing. ESPN’s NFL reporters will be found at each location throughout camp and will provide information on position battles, notable appearances from new faces, compelling quotes from coaches and players and updates on injuries and holdout situations.
We will have updates every day of camp to keep you informed on all the latest. Here’s what you need to know from camps across the league:
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What our NFL Nation reporters saw today
NFC EAST
Micah Parsons‘ elbow soreness did not seem to be an issue Saturday. The linebacker did not do one-on-one pass rush drills but was a menace in team drills, working mostly on the line of scrimmage.
It was his most active practice of training camp and was similar to last year, when he wrecked a number of practices for the offense. He had at least three would-be sacks, including one where he was unblocked because of the look the defense gave the offensive line. He was in quarterback Dak Prescott‘s face a lot.
How happy was Parsons? He urged on the crowd to cheer before a few plays. After he playfully wrestled with cornerback Trevon Diggs, lifting him over his shoulders and ”slamming” him to the ground before getting the crowd to count to three for the pin. — Todd Archer
(Last update: Aug. 3)
Right tackle Evan Neal is still not ready. He remains on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury and doesn’t appear especially close to a return. Neal had surgery on his ankle in January. The Giants wouldn’t say whether he’s had a setback or that his recovery has just taken longer than expected. Just that he will not return this week (the Giants have two joint practices with the Lions on Monday and Tuesday). “He’s just not ready to go yet,” coach Brian Daboll said. In the meantime, the Giants have pivoted to another plan. They’ve moved offseason acquisition Jermaine Eluemunor to right tackle. That doesn’t seem likely to change, even when Neal returns. But Daboll did say that, for now, Neal will remain at tackle, not guard. It seems as a backup tackle. Not exactly ideal for the No. 7 overall pick in 2022. — Jordan Raanan
(Last update: Aug. 4)
Rookie receiver Johnny Wilson has pushed his way into the competition for the No. 3 wide receiver spot. The 6-foot-6, 228-pound Florida State product has been getting work with the starters the last couple of practices. Wilson, a sixth-round pick, has drawn some targets from Jalen Hurts in the red zone, where he can use his size to his advantage. “I put in some work in the offseason with Jalen and some of the other guys, just building up those reps and that connection with everybody,” Wilson said. “It’s been great getting some of those first-team reps and I’m just trying to keep on building day in, day out.” Wilson is in the mix along with Britain Covey and veterans John Ross and Parris Campbell. Coaches have hinted in recent days that wide receiver 3 duties could be shared by multiple players, with playing time tied in part to matchups. — Tim McManus
(Last update: Aug. 4)
Washington signed defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth to provide more depth during training camp, a nod in part to how the team feels it needs to handle second-round rookie Johnny Newton. He did not practice Sunday (after being limited Friday) as he recovers from May surgery on his left foot. Coach Dan Quinn said it’s a case of “load management” as some days Newton will do more, then taper off the next. Quinn also said they want to limit the wear and tear on defensive tackle Jon Allen, entering his eighth season. Washington might need more help at right tackle as well with starter Andrew Wylie limited again Sunday due to tightness in an unspecified area. A backup, Alex Akingbulu is dealing with an unspecified leg injury as well. That forced the Commanders to use backup guard Mason Brooks as their No. 2 right tackle in practice Sunday. — John Keim
(Last update: Aug. 4)
NFC NORTH
Starting right guard Nate Davis returned to practice Sunday after being sidelined with a strain since July 27. After participating in walk through, stretch and a handful of individual drills, Davis then exited the field and went to the training room, which a team source indicated was by design given he is in a ramp-up period after being sidelined for more than a week. The Bears are expecting the right guard to continue to progress where he’ll be able to get back with the starting O-line soon.
The starting offensive line was in of flux during Sunday’s two-plus hour padded practice. In addition to Davis not being ready for team drills, right tackle Darnell Wright was also sidelined as was left guard Teven Jenkins, who exited practice early with a trainer and did not return. The Bears mixed Ja’Tyre Carter and Jerome Carvin at left guard and had to move Ryan Bates from center to right guard while Coleman Shelton handled snapping duties during a situational period. The offense understandably struggled and did not convert in the two-minute drill, which coach Matt Eberflus made the first-team offensive do over after poor execution on the first try.
The Bears are six days away from their second preseason game at Buffalo on Aug. 10. Eberflus said the health of the team will actor into who plays in those games as it remains to be seen whether rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will make his NFL debut against the Bills if the offensive line continues to be without multiple starters. — Courtney Cronin
(Last update: Aug. 4)
Friday’s practice was run in a scrimmage format, including officials, as coach Dan Campbell wanted to see players compete in a more formal setting. During the action, the offense executed some slick plays, which included WR Amon-Ra St. Brown pitching the ball to RB Jahmyr Gibbs and QB Jared Goff being targeted for a pass. Gibbs would score a couple of touchdowns in front of the fans in attendance. Kicker Jake Bates struggled, though, missing seven field goals and extra points combined.
Following practice, Aidan Hutchinson spent time with 13-year-old Max Robertson, who has Down syndrome, as part of his Hutch’s Heroes program, where he connects with children with disabilities. Hutchinson posed for photos and signed autographs as they danced and hit “The Griddy” together. Robertson, who lives in Plymouth, Michigan, was joined by his parents, Scott and Kristi, as well as his 9-year-old sister, Zoe.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Hutchinson told ESPN. “…Very inspiring.” — Eric Woodyard
(Last update: Aug. 2)
Following practice today, #Lions star Aidan Hutchinson spent time with 13 y/o Max Robertson, who suffers from down syndrome as part of his Hutch’s Heroes program, where he connects with special needs children. “That’s what it’s all about,” Hutchinson said. “…Very inspiring.” pic.twitter.com/eqsBoLAIGX
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 2, 2024
The revolving door at right tackle is about to come to an end. The next time the Packers are on the practice field, Zach Tom will be back at his familiar spot. Tom has not taken a single 11-on-11 rep in training camp while recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. To date, he had been limited to only individual drills. In his absence, the Packers have tried Andre Dillard, Kadeem Telfort and Caleb Jones at that spot.
“It’s tough on the O-line right now,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.
And it has been tough for Tom to watch, especially during Saturday night’s practice inside Lambeau Field in front of 60,887 for the team’s annual Family Night.
“Tonight was probably the toughest practice to miss, just not being out there,” Tom said after the practice. “It will be nice to get back out there next week.”
LaFleur also said tight end Tucker Kraft, who suffered a similar torn pectoral this offseason, will return to individual drills next week. — Rob Demovsky
(Last update: Aug. 3)
Rookie defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez got some run with the first-team defense Friday, in part because starter Jonathan Bullard was taking a veteran’s rest day. But Rodriguez, a seventh-round pick from Texas A&M-Commerce, has also caught the eye of defensive coordinator Brian Flores early in camp.
“I think he’s done a lot of good things,” Flores said Saturday. “I think he’s picked up the playbook quickly. I think he’s full of energy. I think he’s got some athletic ability. It’s still early, but we’re trying to put him in as many situations as possible to see what roles might fit him best. We’re really doing that for everybody, but the young guys especially. It’s their first training camp. You don’t really know from a capacity standpoint how much they can handle early on. So you start with a small role and then try to build on that.”
Bullard, Harrison Phillips and free agent signee Jerry Tillery had previously gotten most of the first-team defensive line reps during camp, with veterans Jonah Williams and Jaquelin Roy working with the second team. Rodriguez’s recent work isn’t necessarily a sign that he’s shot past them on the depth chart, but the interest from coaches is real. — Kevin Seifert
(Last update: Aug. 3)
NFC SOUTH
Things ramped up for the Falcons physically for the first time Friday night in an open practice in front of fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That can certainly be seen as a positive given that pads went on earlier this week. But there were some perilous moments for a team that has been incredibly lucky when it comes to injuries thus far.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins got knocked down when the second-team pass rush pushed back the offensive line into him on one play. Cousins was fine. He completed the pass to tight end Kyle Pitts and got right back up. But that has to make Atlanta coaches hold their collective breath, considering Cousins is coming back from a torn Achilles.
Also Friday night, safety DeMarcco Hellams crushed wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III on a Cousins completion, jarring the ball loose. Wide receiver Drake London and running back Tyler Allgeier took umbrage. McCloud was fine, but that might have been a bit too violent for this juncture of the preseason. — Marc Raimondi
(Last update: Aug. 2)
Quarterback Bryce Young finished strong with an off-schedule throw that he turned into a one-yard touchdown pass to rookie right end Ja’Tavion Sanders, who made an amazing, twisting catch in tight coverage. This came after a slow start for the offense that had coach Dave Canales call the entire team together for a talk. But the concern afterward was for first-round pick Xavier Legette, who left practice with what was called a lower leg injury. An MRI later revealed it was foot injury but there was no fracture. His status is day to day. The wide receiver already was off to a slow start in camp. He has been working mostly with the second-team offense behind Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo, and at times Terrace Marshall Jr. — David Newton
(Last update: Aug. 4)
The Saints had a lighter day after several days of work in full pads. The injury list has become long after 10 practices with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hip flexor), linebacker Demario Davis, running back Kendre Miller and receiver Rashid Shaheed (hamstring), linebacker Pete Werner (shoulder), receiver Bub Means (leg), tackle Nick Saldiveri (calf) and defensive end Payton Turner (toe) among those who have missed time. The Saints did their first extensive two-minute work, with quarterback Derek Carr completing a 30-plus yard pass to rookie receiver Mason Tipton to set up a touchdown run by RB Jamaal Williams. While QB Spencer Rattler and the second team ran out of time to score in the two-minute, QB Jake Haener led a touchdown drive, completing a deep pass to receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. then handing off to RB Jacob Kibodi for the score — Katherine Terrell
(Last update: Aug. 4)
Bucs starting cornerback Jamel Dean notched his second interception this week off quarterback Baker Mayfield. Dean said he has been trying to catch 50 passes a day with the Jugs machine as interceptions have been a key point of emphasis. Coach Todd Bowles said after practice, “Whatever he’s doing, he needs to keep doing it.” Dean joked of Bowles, “He gives me crap all of the time. It’s never good enough. It’s hard to make the guy proud, man.” — Jenna Laine
(Last update: Aug. 2)
NFC WEST
Running back James Conner put on a show for the fans at the Cardinals’ annual red and white practice. In 11-on-11, without tackling, he had hard run after hard run, showcasing a variety of inside and outside moves. He didn’t seem to miss a beat running behind an interior of an offensive line that has been reshaped all week after center Hjalte Froholdt went down with a left leg injury Tuesday. Since then, Arizona has used both Evan Brown and Jon Gaines II at center and Elijah Wilkinson, Isaiah Adams and Gaines at left guard. — Josh Weinfuss
(Last update: Aug. 3)
The Rams held their first joint practice of training camp Sunday, the first of two times they’ll practice against the Chargers this month. The offense struggled at times against the Chargers’ defense, and coach Sean McVay said the team has “way higher standards” than what it showed on that side of the ball.
A big part of those struggles, though, came because the Rams are missing three starters on their offensive line, as right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle), left tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle) and left guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) are all considered week-to-week with their injuries.
When asked what he is looking to see from the team at this point in training camp, McVay said, “consistent improvement.”
“Patience isn’t something that I’m very familiar with, as you know,” McVay joked, “but I think there’s an understanding of ‘Let’s keep building,’ especially if you’ve got some guys that are getting reps for the first time based on some people that we do have out.”
The Rams were also without wide receiver Puka Nacua for part of practice after he got up slowly during a team drill. McVay said he didn’t have an update on the second-year receiver, who had his right knee wrapped in ice for a portion of practice. — Sarah Barshop
(Last update: Aug. 4)
After a couple of rough practices last week in which he threw seven interceptions over two days, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy was again under the microscope for those who remain skeptical about him as a franchise signal-caller set to cash in next offseason. On Sunday, Purdy discussed his mindset when it comes to practice picks, emphasizing his past stance that he doesn’t like to throw them but that this is also the time to try things that he might not do in games. “I take pride in protecting the ball for our offense and our team, so obviously I’m mad when I’m not completing the ball to our guys and it’s going to the defense,” Purdy said. “I’m hard on myself and the coaches are, too … But with that, now is the time to be trying out some stuff in terms of throwing some windows and some tight coverages and whatnot. I’ve still got to grow, I’ve still got to be better. I’m hard on myself, but now is the time to do it.” — Nick Wagoner
(Last update: Aug. 4)
Byron Murphy II has started to make his presence felt at Seahawks practice now that shoulder pads are on and contact is allowed.
The rookie defensive tackle chosen No. 16 overall in April’s draft has been one of the two most consistently impressive players in the one-on-one pass-rush drill, along with left tackle Charles Cross. Murphy has been displaying the ability to dominate blockers with strength or with quickness, and he did that again Saturday. In his first rep, Murphy overpowered an undrafted rookie with a bull rush, then used a fast get-off to blow past him on the next rep.
“He’s the guy that we thought he was,” coach Mike Macdonald said. “Again, let’s not crown him yet, but he’s on the way. He’s a force in there and I think the guys see it. I’m pleased with his effort. The guy brings it every day. Again, he’s a rookie. There’s things that we want to attack, but he’s a savvy football player, he knows what he’s doing out there, he’s not lost, he plays fast, plays rugged. So I think the future is bright for Mr. Murphy.” — Brady Henderson
(Last update: Aug. 3)
AFC EAST
The Bills had nine players not participating in Sunday’s practice due to injuries, although it was a lighter practice without full pads, coming off the team’s annual Highmark Stadium practice Friday. The list included running back Ty Johnson (hamstring), wide receiver Chase Claypool (toe), tight end Dawson Knox (groin, vet rest), offensive lineman Travis Clayton (shoulder), offensive lineman La’el Collins (knee), linebacker Nicholas Morrow (core/groin), linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (ribs), safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) and safety Cole Bishop (shoulder).
“It’s hard to develop when you’re not on the field,” coach Sean McDermott said when asked if he’s concerned by the number of players. “But we’ll find a way through it, we’ve done it before.”
McDermott and his staff noted that middle linebacker Terrel Bernard missed most of training camp and the preseason last year and went on to play well as a starter throughout the season. “But [Bernard] had been in the system for at least one year prior. So it’s a challenge in order to develop those guys, and it’s going to take some time,” McDermott said.
Another note from Sunday’s session — rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman came down with a couple of nice catches, notably a touchdown in the back of the end zone toward the end of practice on a strong throw from quarterback Josh Allen. — Alaina Getzenberg
(Last update: Aug. 4)
After Saturday’s practice, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa commented on the wobbly nature of the high-top table he stood at during his news conference. I joked with him that, after he inked a $212 million extension last week, I knew someone who could afford to get it fixed. Tagovailoa took the joke in stride and said, “So do I — where’s Tyreek?”
The comment was more foreshadowing than anyone in attendance knew at the time, as Tyreek Hill was on the precipice of agreeing to a restructured contract worth $90 million over the next three years. No new years were added to Hill’s original deal with Miami, but the increase in fully guaranteed money (now $104.6 million over the total length of the original contract) is the most for a wide receiver in NFL history.
Hill has publicly stated his desire for an upgraded contract this offseason but insisted he didn’t want to be traded or do anything that hampered Miami’s financial flexibility. So he gets a record amount of guaranteed money, while the Dolphins keep their star happy without resetting the market — a win-win.
The Dolphins now have the core of their league-leading passing attack locked in for the foreseeable future, with Hill, Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle each inking extensions this offseason. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
(Last update: Aug. 3)
Tyreek gets more money and the title of most fully guaranteed money for a WR in NFL history – without surpassing Justin Jefferson in total value or AAV
Hill gets more money, Dolphins keep their star happy without having to totally reset the market. No drama. Everyone wins https://t.co/ru0CvmSNfO
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) August 3, 2024
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo had said early in training camp that the defense is almost always ahead of the offense. Before Saturday’s practice, he acknowledged he might have been guilty of a false start.
“I kind of spoke too soon,” Mayo said. “The offense, the last couple days, they’ve done well. I challenged our defense on that.”
The D seemed to answer Mayo’s challenge Saturday, intercepting two passes (safety Jaylinn Hawkins and cornerback Alex Austin) and raising its level of play from the prior two days. The offense still made its share of plays — tight end Hunter Henry and receiver K.J. Osborn were two top performers — but this was mostly a day the D answered back. — Mike Reiss
(Last update: Aug. 3)
It took eight practices, but the Jets finally got their starting offensive line on the field at the same time — a rare circumstance for this team. Right tackle Morgan Moses, who underwent pectoral surgery after the season, made his debut and took most of the starting reps, making the line whole.
Some perspective: A year ago, the starting five wasn’t together until Week 1, which will go down in infamy because of Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles injury on the fourth snap. The lack of cohesion up front was painfully obvious.
This time, the line should be able to develop chemistry in the coming weeks, although there will be limitations. Moses, left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker have pitch counts, meaning their reps will be monitored. Still, it’s better than nothing.
For his part, Moses, 33, said he experienced “pregame jitters” before his first practice, adding that Smith calmed him down. Asked what it’s like working with Rodgers, Moses said, “He makes our IQs rise.” — Rich Cimini
(Last update: Aug. 2)
AFC NORTH
The highlight of the Ravens’ situational intrasquad scrimmage was the connection between quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Jackson completed four passes to Bateman for 61 yards.
There have been times over the past three years when Jackson and Bateman have had miscommunications. But on the final practice of Week 2 of camp, Bateman was able to get deep for a 24-yard pass and then made a contested 24-yard grab over the middle to convert a third-and-12.
In five drives, Jackson finished 10-of-16 (62.5%) for 108 yards, delivering some big plays but struggled to finish off drives. The only touchdown for the first-team offense was a 3-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews.
After the fourth drive stalled on an incomplete pass to running back Justice Hill, Jackson took off his helmet and angrily threw it down while standing in the middle of the field. The NFL officials, who are visiting camp, threw a flag on Jackson. — Jamison Hensley
(Last update: Aug. 3)
The defense had a strong day punctuated by team drills at the end of Sunday’s practice. The first-team offense was stopped twice and rookie safety Daijahn Anthony, a seventh-round pick, tallied another camp interception. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s group was aggressive and talkative throughout the day, with safety Vonn Bell doing his best to work with special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons, who served as the line judge on drills. It was arguably the best the defense has looked so far in camp. — Ben Baby
(Last update: Aug. 4)
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who was held out of the first week of training camp because of an undisclosed injury, returned to full participation and quickly dispelled any concerns about the chemistry with his new quarterback, Deshaun Watson.
In a 7-on-7 period, Watson found Jeudy in stride on an in-breaking route; Watson raised his hand as if to signify Jeudy would have gone for a long touchdown.
Later in an 11-on-11 period, Watson and Jeudy connected for a 40-yard completion after Jeudy separated on a double move.
“I got a lot of mental reps when I wasn’t practicing,” said Jeudy, whom the Browns traded for and gave a three-year extension in the offseason. “The mental reps, I feel like, were extremely important and extremely helpful. So when I get out there, I’m going to be right where I left off.” — Daniel Oyefusi
(Last update: Aug. 4)
For the first time in 10 practices, Russell Wilson threw a pass during a live, 11-on-11 team period.
The quarterback, who injured his calf over a week ago, had previously only entered team periods to hand the ball off, and it appeared that’s what he was supposed to do for this rep, too.
Instead, Wilson, who was working with the third team at the end of the period, appeared to change the play at the line of scrimmage, calling out to his teammates. And rather than hand the ball off, Wilson threw a checkdown pass to wide receiver Duece Watts for a short gain. Coach Mike Tomlin, though, said after practice his quarterback didn’t audible the play, and Wilson wasn’t available for interviews.
Wilson’s participation has slowly ramped up over the past six days, with the quarterback continuing to throw during individual warm ups and during the 7-on-7 period. During a 2-on-2 period Sunday, Wilson was intercepted for the first time as he underthrew wide receiver Jaray Jenkins. Safety Nathan Meadors made a play on it and snagged the pass away. In subsequent reps, Wilson found a wide open George Pickens for a score, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. broke up a pass intended for wide receiver Jacob Copeland. Wilson has also gone in for a handful of handoffs, including the first rep of the opening team period at the team’s Friday Night Lights practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
The Steelers have Monday off after six consecutive days of practice, and when asked how much he expected Wilson to ramp up after the rest day, Tomlin was coy.
“See you next week,” he said. — Brooke Pryor
(Last update: Aug. 4)
AFC SOUTH
The Texans’ offense had a solid day. The unit flashed moments of what they could be with moderate gains through the air and ground. To end practice, the offense had a two-minute drill session that started at its own 25. Quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 8 of 10 passes and got the team inside the 10 with three seconds left but couldn’t punch it in. But overall, the unit marched down the field in that drill. This came after the offense sputtered for a third team period. So, to finish the day with some effectiveness is a good end to a solid day. — DJ Bien-Aime
(Last update: July 30)
Rookie pass rusher Laiatu Latu dominated at times in practice, a workout that was highlighted by a clutch sack on Anthony Richardson in a 2-minute period and another near-sack that forced an intentional grounding.
Latu has been steadily making his bid for extensive playing time on the Colts’ veteran defensive line with consistently impactful performances throughout camp. On Friday, he had an earlier play where he corralled Richardson on a read-option play as the quarterback attempted to get outside.
Latu’s presence is forcing Richardson to think twice on run plays.
“You can’t just pull the ball expecting to get outside as easily as it should be,” Richardson said. “He’s a great player, great young player and he keeps me honest.” — Stephen Holder
(Last update: Aug. 2)
Three starters along the offensive line are dealing with injuries: Left tackle Cam Robinson (shoulder), left guard Ezra Cleveland (leg) and right tackle Anton Harrison (concussion). Robinson was the only one of the three to practice on Sunday, and he was limited. Cleveland, who was injured on Saturday, did work off to the side along with backup guard/center Cooper Hodges, so none of the injuries at this point appear to be serious.
But with more than a month before the Sept. 8 season opener in Miami, center Mitch Morse prefers to have a positive outlook with the new lineup because it can only help during the season.
“Rarely are you going to have those five work together from the start of camp through the end of February or whenever your season ends,” said Morse, who signed a two-year, $10.5 million deal with the Jaguars this spring. “We have to understand that in games people might go down. There might be a switch-up of things. So, it actually is nice right now to have the confidence working with other dudes. See how they tick, see what their thought process is and vice versa.”
Injuries and suspensions resulted in the Jaguars having seven different OL combinations taking the field in 2023. Four players started multiple games at left guard, and three players started multiple games at left tackle. — Michael DiRocco
(Last update: Aug. 4)
Titans wide receiver Mason Kinsey had another good day of work. Kinsey continues to showcase his crisp route-running throughout practice. The third-year receiver especially stood out during one-on-ones. Kinsey made a couple of nice catches during team period as well. One of his catches resulted in a touchdown after he lost defensive back Gabe Jeudy-Lally in coverage. Kinsey dove into the end zone and did a salsa dance for the friends and family watching from a nearby tent. Kinsey has made a habit of celebrating. On Saturday he caught a touchdown pass and punted the ball over a fence, which drew a fake $17,000 fine letter from coach Brian Callahan. The touchdown, along with a diving catch for 30-plus yards, came on throws from Mason Rudolph. The two are developing a pretty cool connection. “Well, first off, he has a pretty cool name,” Rudolph joked after practice. — Turron Davenport
(Last update: Aug. 4)
AFC WEST
Coach Sean Payton tried to structure Saturday’s practice as close to a game situation as possible, including red zone and third-down situations to go with a full allotment of special teams. He even had the “get back” coach attempting to move players off the sideline.
“[There were] a lot of good things and a lot of things to clean up,” Payton said.
The Broncos largely escaped the affair injury free save for cornerback Levi Wallace, who is competing with Riley Moss and Damarri Mathis for the starting cornerback job opposite of Pat Surtain II. Wallace suffered a hamstring injury early on in the workout and did not participate in the bulk of the team drills. Wallace, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, was scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam after practice.
“We’ll know the significance of it [later Saturday],” Payton said.
Moss and Mathis got most of the work with the starters following Wallace’s injury — Surtain was held out of most of the drills as a rest day. — Jeff Legwold
(Last update: Aug. 3)
The Chiefs began looking toward their Sept. 5 season opener against the Ravens in a portion of practice. Quarterback Chris Oladokun, playing with other reserve offensive players, mimicked Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson in a 10-play drill against the starting defense. Oladokun even wore a blue No. 8 jersey for a couple of plays before discarding it. He threw only four passes, with the other six plays being scrambles on what appeared to be designed runs, some of off play-action. Jackson was the Ravens’ leading rusher in last season’s AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, running eight times for 54 yards. He threw for 272 yards and a touchdown, but also threw a costly interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter. — Adam Teicher
(Last update: Aug. 4)
If Gardner Minshew had an ever-so-slight lead in the Raiders’ QB competition against Aidan O’Connell entering Saturday evening’s intrasquad scrimmage, the veteran free agent might have started to put some distance in the race.
Minshew, who got the first reps with the first-team offense, threw a pair of touchdown passes, first hitting the speedy DJ Turner in the flat before Turner sprinted untouched from about midfield. Then, inside the 10-yard line, Minshew threaded the needle to Turner going across the middle of the end zone for the score. Minshew commanded the huddle well but in the two-minute drill, a quick pass to Tre Tucker went through Tucker’s hands and into the waiting arms of cornerback Jack Jones for an interception.
Meanwhile, O’Connell did not throw a TD pass but was picked off twice, once by safety Isaiah Pola-Mao and then by rookie cornerback M.J. Devonshire in the end zone on a jump ball to end the scrimmage. As Raiders owner Mark Davis said, “One day closer.” — Paul Gutierrez
(Last update: Aug. 3)
#Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell works on his ball security… pic.twitter.com/QV8ArcRfSL
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) August 4, 2024
In his first reps against an opposing defense, Chargers first-round pick Joe Alt fared well, matching up with OLB Byron Young and rookie OLBs Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Alt didn’t win every rep, with his opponents beating him on plays that forced quarterback Easton Stick out of the pocket and on one Fiske rush, which likely would have been a sack if players hit the quarterback. But on a day where the Rams’ defensive line largely dominated the Chargers’ offensive line, getting pressures on nearly every dropback, Alt was steady at right tackle.
“Not bad. From what I saw, a couple of things we got to clean up,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “There was a miscommunication that kind of affected not only him but somebody else as well. But in general, I’ve only been able to watch, really watch, about one of the periods so far since practice, and so far, so good.” — Kris Rhim
(Last update: Aug. 4)
