Best of Tuesday's NFL minicamps: Aaron Donald excused from camp, but where is Stefon Diggs?
This week in the NFL is the busiest of the minicamp season as 21 teams are holding workouts. Last week, nine teams held minicamps, including the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Two teams, the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, chose not to have mandatory minicamps.
Here are some snapshots, many from ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters who are on the scene at this week’s activities, from Tuesday’s minicamps:
Jump to the best of the day:
Photos | Videos | Quotes
Top news of the day
Rams excuse star DL Aaron Donald from minicamp
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald is not with the team for its mandatory minicamp this week. The three-time Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year had previously been excused from organized team activities in May because of family reasons.
Odell Beckham Jr. makes Ravens debut at minicamp
Getting back on an NFL field for the first time in 16 months, Odell Beckham Jr. caught a pass from Lamar Jackson and playfully did pushups after slipping on a route in a limited workout. He participated in a handful of team drills at Ravens mandatory minicamp Tuesday, which marked his anticipated return from injuring his left knee in Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.
Chargers CB J.C. Jackson ‘right on track’ in injury rehab
Cornerback J.C. Jackson watched from the sideline as he continued to work through rehabilitation drills. Nearly eight months removed from surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee that sidelined him after Week 7 last season, Jackson expressed optimism that it won’t be long until he is cleared to return to football activities.
Coach says Stefon Diggs not at camp; agent says he is
Bills coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday that Diggs is not at the team’s mandatory minicamp, but the wide receiver’s agent had a different story. McDermott called Diggs’ absence “very concerning” prior to Tuesday’s minicamp practice. Diggs had missed voluntary workouts. But Diggs’ agent, Adisa Bakari, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that his client is in Buffalo and has been there since Monday morning. He said Diggs took his physical, met with McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane the past two days and “will be there for the entirety of the minicamp.”
Devin White sits out Buccaneers practice but isn’t a ‘hold-in’
The Buccaneers’ Pro Bowl inside linebacker, who requested a trade earlier this offseason, reported for the start of Buccaneers’ minicamp and was present on the field Tuesday, but did not take part in practice. “No, it’s not a hold-in,” coach Todd Bowles said. “We’d like to see where he is physically. We don’t feel like we need to put him out here right now until we test him, do everything. So, two or three days of camp is not going to help him that way.”
Cardinals Budda Baker reports amid contract talks
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker reported for mandatory minicamp this week but didn’t practice Tuesday while working through a contract situation. Coach Jonathan Gannon called it “just the business side of it.”
Chiefs DT Chris Jones absent from start of minicamp
The defensive tackle was absent as the Kansas City Chiefs began a three-day minicamp that concludes their offseason practice. Attendance at the minicamp is mandatory for players under contract, according to NFL rules. Jones, according to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, could be fined as much as $98,753 for missing the camp if he is not otherwise excused. The Chiefs did not make anyone available to speak to the situation.
Texans will have open quarterback competition at camp
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday the team will have an open quarterback competition going into training camp between C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills. “We’ll see where their process goes in training camp and see as the competition continues,” Ryans said after the first day of mandatory minicamp. “We’ll see who separates themselves.”
Vikings’ Justin Jefferson pledges to be at camp amid negotiations
Jefferson rejoined his teammates on the practice field Tuesday morning. And a few hours later, the Vikings’ All-Pro wide receiver pledged to be with them when training camp opens in July — whether or not he has agreed to a contract extension by then. “Will I be here?” Jefferson said. “Oh yeah. Yeah.” Jefferson has two years remaining on a rookie contract that would pay him $2.4 million in 2023 and $19.7 million in 2024.
Other news:
Best videos
John Harbaugh said Odell Beckham Jr. is “full go” in terms of health but it will be “see as it goes” in terms of reps.
This will mark OBJ’s first practice since injuring his knee in the Super Bowl 16 months ago. pic.twitter.com/AEIoJgMdnX
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 13, 2023
What’s @JamesConner_ listening to?
Best guess gets a follow back 👀 pic.twitter.com/zpoZ6yKKTQ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) June 13, 2023
A look at the Bucs’ quarterbacks… pic.twitter.com/k5DDVe4OvJ
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) June 13, 2023
New number, who dis 😈@Fire_Burns99 pic.twitter.com/L2soW9akqJ
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 13, 2023
Putting on a show.#Skol pic.twitter.com/uEoXCFmwK6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 13, 2023
“We obviously have a lot of potential to be explosive.”
🗣: @bakermayfield on @DcoachCanales‘ offense pic.twitter.com/Sgi2xFQVim
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) June 13, 2023
Everyone loves some @CooperKupp content. 🥰 pic.twitter.com/Lw6R1X0luY
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 13, 2023
Mac coming right into your Twitter feed… pic.twitter.com/SJ6HbfDS4q
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 13, 2023
Asked for one question.
Got 2 😂 pic.twitter.com/Hst7vYC4hs
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 13, 2023
Minicamp mood 🔥#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/uLxCC7JuWs
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 13, 2023
Carr to Kamara 👀#Saints pic.twitter.com/qDy6DAGmww
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 13, 2023
Odell Beckham Jr. is participating in Ravens minicamp, which marks his first practice since injuring his knee in the Super Bowl 16 months ago pic.twitter.com/nHLhZSD7uB
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 13, 2023
Oh my, 8️⃣3️⃣@samori_toure | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/Hx3c17Yafn
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 13, 2023
Derek Carr on Alvin Kamara’s route running “That’s not normal” 🤯 pic.twitter.com/EwOrAfAnUm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 13, 2023
Diontae Johnson going through some individual drills at Steelers minicamp Day 1 pic.twitter.com/w1TkFbt3FJ
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 13, 2023
there he issss pic.twitter.com/Tljt1qSN28
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) June 13, 2023
RB Najee Harris had great insight today about the perceived short shelf life of running backs and the young age many end up looking for work.
He was also shocked to learn Tom Brady was 45 when he retired.
“He was 45? Gah damn.” pic.twitter.com/H7CQ4BLJ0W
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 13, 2023
Jamaal Williams on joining this #Saints offense 🫡 pic.twitter.com/TbaZ9cbfky
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 13, 2023
WR @obj was back on the practice field today.
He talked about the emotions of putting on his jersey and stepping on the field again. pic.twitter.com/FDTeAcBIMy
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 13, 2023
Mandatory @PatrickMahomes content since it’s Mandatory Mini Camp 🏈 pic.twitter.com/OEYfBMbtCR
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 13, 2023
Today’s work 👀 pic.twitter.com/HxtI97QhNt
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 13, 2023
What we are hearing
Daniel Jones said that Bill Parcells’ message to the Giants team after practice was: “Accountability.” It’s what makes great teams.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 13, 2023
Michael Thomas stretched with the team and his participation was similar to last week. Remember, they said don’t expect to see much until training camp.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 13, 2023
Sterling Shepard, who tore his knee in September, says he’s “right on schedule.” He’s been running and working on the side with trainers at practice.
“My goal is to be ready for the season,” Shepard said. #giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 13, 2023
Falcons HC Arthur Smith said he’s happy with the progress of Kyle Pitts and Caleb Huntley coming back from their injuries heading toward training camp.
“Feel good about where he’s at,” in terms of Pitts.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) June 13, 2023
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said S Budda Baker didn’t practice today because he’s working “through some things” which he then explained was related to Baker’s contract.
Gannon wasn’t sure if Baker would participate in tomorrow’s minicamp, as well.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) June 13, 2023
TJ Watt was an excused absence at Steelers camp, Tomlin says
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 13, 2023
Colts LB Zaire Franklin on facing Anthony Richardson: “Even in the walkthrough against him, when (number) 5’s in there, you’ve just got to be aware. It’s just a whole other element to an offense that you don’t necessarily have to think about with more of a traditional QB.”
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) June 13, 2023
Chargers CB JC Jackson says he’s “right on track” given doctors projection of a 7-8 month recovery after rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee last season.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) June 13, 2023
The world according to Jaire Alexander:
Stayed in Green Bay til April, left when offseason program began, came back for this week’s minicamp and said he’ll stay most of the summer.
Said he likes to be here when others aren’t and is fine missing out on his $700K workout bonus.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) June 13, 2023
Lot of Nuggets discussion from the Broncos after minicamp practice today. Several players and coach Sean Payton attended Game 5 and as linebacker Alex Singleton put it: “Pretty easy for us to come in here and be motivated, let’s not do what we did last year, let’s do that.”
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) June 13, 2023
Best photos
Toe-tappin’ DJ 👀 @Juiceup__3
More 📸: https://t.co/GgZFFleBD3 pic.twitter.com/lyXPbbufxQ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 14, 2023
✍️✍️✍️ https://t.co/Nagw5LML7N pic.twitter.com/0StbgNJxCs
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 13, 2023
Bengals OT Jonah Williams, who was not present for voluntary workouts, is present for the start of the team’s mandatory mincamp. pic.twitter.com/6ZzhJuJf8U
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) June 13, 2023
First day of #Texans mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/ihiwK4p8j8
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) June 13, 2023
Jumpin’ Joneses.@presidentjacc | @MarcusJonesocho pic.twitter.com/2l0l4nPBJ3
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 13, 2023
Chris Jones was not participating as Chiefs began mandatory mini camp today pic.twitter.com/6gOBJjZmOR
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) June 13, 2023
“Moving forward I’ll be with the defensive backs.” – Isaiah Simmons pic.twitter.com/XHGbeGq1g7
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) June 13, 2023
All love for 14.#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/MpmHaLIRgW
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) June 13, 2023
Something slight for your timeline@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/3N8QsFqWrf
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 13, 2023
Flick of the wrist.@jordan3love | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/smhxqHSBcz
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 13, 2023
Hit ’em with the finger roll 🏀 pic.twitter.com/ImdtvCEYdN
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) June 13, 2023
https://t.co/YO27bwMVuE pic.twitter.com/LdtoDH2ZmZ
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 13, 2023