Philly loses a Pro Bowl lineman
Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson will have a “minor procedure” done to repair a meniscus injury in his right knee, according to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Though he will be considered week-to-week with the injury, sources said that Dickerson is hoping to play in the Eagles’ regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on September 4th.
Dickerson suffered the injury during the team’s open practice on Saturday night. He was eventually helped off the field and carted to the locker room, effectively ending his night and preseason.
Jordan Love is likely done for the preseason
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is having a procedure done to repair a ligament injury in his left thumb, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Love could be back at practice as soon as next week and is expected to be ready for the team’s season-opening game on September 7th.
“Obviously, you guys saw him out there; he certainly was able to function,” general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters. “But as we looked at all the options and he did as well, the best option, I think, for him to get back the fastest and feel the best was to do this. He wanted to go out there yesterday to kind of see how it felt, and once we got through that, we made the decision.”
The Panthers name their starting center
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers announced that Austin Corbett had won the starting center job. Last season, he made five starts at the center spot before being lost for the year due to a torn biceps injury.
“We talked to Austin and we talked to Cade Mays; they both did a great job,” said head coach Dave Canales. “Austin Corbett’s going to be our starting center. We decided to make that decision knowing that this week, going to Houston with the joint practice and then having the game, we felt like those reps just kind of solidifying who’s the starter going to be with Bryce Young, it’s a good time to kind of transition to where he’s getting more of those reps versus split.”
No quarterback commitment in Cleveland
According to NFL.com, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that he has not yet made a decision about who will be the team’s starting quarterback for their second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, scheduled for August 16th. Additionally, Stefanski said that he will decide when he’s ready to name the Week One starter after the matchup with Philly.
Houston signs a new defensive back
The Texans signed safety Jalen Mills as the team continues to struggle with secondary depth. Last week, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a knee injury that will likely cause him to miss the rest of the preseason. Also, fellow defensive back Jimmie Ward was arrested last week, his second arrest in the last two months.
Stafford still isn’t practicing
Even though there was an expectation that he would finally begin practicing on Monday, that was not the case for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was spotted in street clothes during practice yesterday. According to NFL.com, Stafford was not present at today’s practice.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said that the team has not discussed the possibility of Stafford needing to undergo surgery to repair an aggravated disk injury in his back, according to ESPN’s Sarah Bishop.
“I haven’t gone down that road yet in terms of those types of conversations,” McVay said. “There’s been a lot of conversations about what’s the best method of how we want to approach it. That hasn’t been something that comes up.”
A timetable for Brandon Aiyuk’s return has been revealed
According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, the San Francisco 49ers are hoping for a Week Six return for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from a torn ACL and a torn MCL. Aiyuk, safety Malik Mustapha, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke are all trying to come back from ACL injuries.
“I kind of view all those guys around the same time,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “Whether it’s Mustafa, whether it’s Rourke, or whether it’s Brandon. They’re all at different stages, but where they’re at, I always see ’em around Week Six, which means that could be Week Ten, it means it could be Week Five, but that’s the area where I start thinking about it, which is a long way away. I know it’s not Week 1 or anything like that, so it’s something I’m not really thinking about too much.”
James Cook returns to practice
Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl running back James Cook returned to practice on Tuesday, according to NFL.com’s Kevin Patra, marking the end of his nine-day hold-in for a contract extension. The running back participated in the practice but refused to speak to reporters afterwards.
“I would say so that things have changed,” said Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott. “And yes, we have had conversations with James. Good conversations, as I’ve mentioned before. The information that we’re getting is that he is moving in the direction of practicing today. We’ll see in a few minutes here, but that’s the information that we’ve got.”
No Michael Penix Jr. on Friday
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that the team will not be playing quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in their preseason game against the Tennessee Titans scheduled for Friday, according to Sports Illustrated.
“I wouldn’t rule them out both completely,” Morris told reporters. “[Penix] for sure. [Cousins], we’ll talk about, but that’s probably likely the same prospects for next week. And obviously these practices will determine a bunch the next two days.”
Notable injuries and injury updates
Carolina Panthers
- Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow returned to practice on Monday after suffering a hamstring injury.
- Cornerback Jaycee Horn will not participate in the team’s joint practice with the Houston Texans as he deals with a hand injury.
Cleveland Browns
- Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was allowed to participate in 11-on-11 drills in a limited capacity as he deals with a hamstring issue.
- Quarterback Kenny Pickett still is not cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills due to his hamstring injury.
Detroit Lions
- Offensive tackle Taylor Decker began to ramp up activity in practice yesterday as he returns from a hurt shoulder.
Green Bay Packers
- Wide receiver Christian Watson is expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. However, GM Brian Gutekunst said that Watson is “ahead of the curve” in terms of his recovery from a torn ACL.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Safety Deon Bush was placed on the injured reserve, effectively ending his season after suffering a torn Achilles in KC’s preseason opener.
Miami Dolphins
- Running back Alexander Mattison’s season-ending neck injury, which he suffered in the team’s preseason opener, is not expected to be career-ending.
- Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are day-to-day and could end up participating in the team’s joint practice with the Detroit Lions.
New York Giants
- Wide receiver Malik Nabers did not participate in the team’s joint practice with the New York Jets as he continues to nurse a toe injury.
New York Jets
- Quarterback Tyrod Taylor will miss the remainder of the preseason after having a procedure done on his knee. Head coach Aaron Glenn said that the team hopes Taylor will be able to return by Week One.
- Wideout Allen Lazard, who is dealing with a shoulder issue, is expected to miss two weeks.
- Defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson II, who was activated off the PUP following a torn Achilles tendon last season, said that he believes he will be ready for Week One.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Running back Rachaad White is day-to-day with a groin injury.
