Carlos Dunlap Lands Three-Year Extension

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension on Tuesday, according to a source. The 29-year-old Dunlap is part of a very disruptive defensive line in Cincinnati. He recorded 46 tackles and 7.5 sacks along with a forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown in 2017. Dunlap has […]

Geno Atkins Signs Four-Year Extension

Cincinnati Bengals two-time All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins signed a four-year contract extension on Tuesday. Atkins was heading into the final year of a five-year deal he signed in 2013. Atkins is an anchor on the team's defensive line and recorded 46 tackles and nine sacks in 2017. He's had at least nine sacks in […]

Steelers Unlikely To Hold Le'Veon Bell Back In Week 1

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said it's unlikely that the team will scale running back Le'Veon Bell back at all in Week 1 after he hasn't participated at all in training camp or the preseason for the second straight year. "That’s a hard question because that’s Le’Veon Bell...There are things he can do that, […]

Sony Michel Limited In Practice

New England Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel (knee) remained limited in practice on Tuesday, according to running backs coach Ivan Fears. "He’s still under doctors’ care. They haven’t totally freed him up for us to do everything with him, so we’re doing everything we possibly can to keep him up to date," Fears said. […]

Doug Baldwin's Knee Will Be An Issue All Year

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (knee) said he's at 80 to 85 percent health right now and that his knee injury is something he'll have to deal with all year. It's not something his fantasy owners want to hear at all. It appears Baldwin will be able to suit up for Week 1 in […]

Samaje Perine On Track To Play In Preseason Finale

Washington Redskins running back Samaje Perine (ankle) will be ready for the final preseason game on Thursday against the Ravens, according to head coach Jay Gruden. Perine could be playing for a roster spot after the team signed Adrian Peterson. Rob Kelley and Kapri Bibbs are also in the mix for roster spots alongside third-down […]

Roquan Smith Unlikely To Play Thursday

Chicago Bears rookie linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) returned to practice on Tuesday, but head coach Matt Nagy said Smith is unlikely to play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the Bills. Smith got a late start to training camp due to a contract holdout, and the injury further set him back. Expected to be […]

Marlon Mack Improving

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (hamstring) has made good progress over the last two days, according to head coach Frank Reich. Mack still isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1, however, which further complicates an already clouded running back by committee picture. Mack should lead the way when healthy, but Robert Turbin […]

Jordy Nelson Could Be Derek Carr's Safety Blanket

ESPN's Paul Gutierrez doesn't expect Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson to put up huge numbers this year with the offense revolving so much around Amari Cooper, but Nelson should help fill the void left by Michael Crabtree as quarterback Derek Carr's "security blanket." Nelson still has plenty of speed to create separation, and his […]

John Ross Still Working To Earn Team's Trust

Cincinnati Bengals second-year wideout John Ross flashed with a 57-yard touchdown in the last preseason game, but he continues to show inconsistency and is working to earn the team's trust, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Terrell believes that receiver Tyler Boyd could wind up having more value in point-per-reception leagues since he'll be used more […]

Sammy Watkins Must Earn His Keep

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been quiet in training camp and the preseason, and the passing game so far has heavily favored receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. Watkins signed a three-year, $48 million deal in the offseason and has been learning all three receiver positions while trying to develop […]

Royce Freeman Must Be Able To Pass Protect

Denver Broncos rookie running back Royce Freeman has looked good with the ball in his hands so far this preseason, but in order for him to see more playing time in the regular season he must improve his pass protection. The Broncos are high on Freeman, and general manager John Elway said "we haven't had […]

Rashaad Penny Expected To Be Back For Week 1

Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round pick Rashaad Penny (finger) is expected to be back by Week 1 and should have a sizeable role in the offense, according to head coach Pete Carroll. However, Penny won't be taking the starting role away from Chris Carson anytime soon. Carson has been very impressive throughout offseason workouts and into […]

Jaguars Relying On Donte Moncrief

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be relying on wide receiver Donte Moncrief more than anyone after the season-ending injury to Marqise Lee (knee). Moncrief has the most experience of the team's receivers with 152 catches in 53 career games, and he's also the oldest receiver on the roster at 25 years old. He was inconsistent in […]

Sony Michel Impresses In Practice

New England Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel impressed running backs coach Ivan Fears in practice on Monday. "Just what we expected. He was progressing well. I was really happy when we got the pads on, and got a chance to see him run a bit. It looks like he's going to be what we […]

Mike Gillislee Still The Odd Man Out

New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee still appears to be the odd man out for the final running back roster spot. Jeremy Hill is projected to beat out Gillislee for the power role. Brandon Bolden could also be cut and then brought back later. As of now, the Patriots are expected to keep Rex […]

Brandon Marshall Not A Lock For Roster

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Marshall still isn't a lock for the final roster despite looking good in practices and developing chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson. Marshall is 34 years old and is coming off two surgeries. Keeping him on the roster would mean cutting a younger player with more long-term upside. It's possible the […]

Peyton Barber The Team's Go-To Red-Zone Guy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber has been the team's "go-to guy in the red zone," according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Barber also tightened his grip on the lead-back role by taking five carries for 34 yards and a touchdown in the preseason game on Friday. Rookie Ronald Jones II had just six carries […]

O.J. Howard Expected To Make More Splash Plays

Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year tight end O.J. Howard is expected to rise and meet the lofty expectations he had in his rookie year in 2017 as a first-round pick. "I definitely am expecting it. I know he is," tight ends coach Ben Steele said. "We talk about 'the great ones show up every single day.' […]

Adam Thielen Twists Ankle In Practice

Minnesota Vikings wideout Adam Thielen left practice on Tuesday after twisting his ankle while running a route. He was able to walk off on his own power, and Kendall Wright took over the first-team reps in his absence. It seems like a very minor issue, and Thielen could just sit out the Vikings preseason game […]

Latavius Murray Could Be Goal-Line Back

Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray could be used a lot inside the five-yard line this year to alleviate some stress on Dalvin Cook, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Both Murray and Cook are expected to be used as receivers in offensive coordinator John DeFilippo's system, and sometimes they might both be on the field […]

Zack Martin Back at Practice on Tuesday

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin (knee) was back at practice on Tuesday. Martin assured everyone he would be ready for Week 1, and his presence at Tuesday's practice more or less confirms that, assuming no further setbacks. With Travis Frederick (illness) possibly out for an extended period, Martin's return is a huge benefit for […]

Andrew Luck Will Return To Practice Monday

Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich said that quarterback Andrew Luck (foot) will return to practice on Monday. Reich said Luck is feeling strong and good, and the team doesn't anticipate restricting Luck in regular season practices. After missing all of last year with a shoulder injury, any injury to Luck seems more serious than […]

Josh Rosen Throwing Tuesday

Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen (thumb) did some throwing in practice on Tuesday. Rosen's injury obviously isn't serious at all. He'll open the season as the backup to Sam Bradford, but Rosen should be making starts at some point in 2018. He's not much of a redraft option, but Rosen is a fine pick […]

Stephen Anderson On The Roster Bubble

Houston Texans tight end Stephen Anderson is on the roster bubble and is competing with rookie Jordan Thomas for the final spot. Ryan Griffin will be the starter and will be more involved in the passing game this year. Rookie Jordan Akins is expected to also be a receiving threat, while the team is trying […]

Paxton Lynch Could Soon Be Gone

Denver Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly's play in training camp may force the team's hand to keep him as a developmental prospect on the active roster behind starter Case Keenum. The Broncos have given Paxton Lynch, a former first-rounder, plenty of chances, but he continues to struggle and finds himself third on the depth chart. Signing […]

Rico Gathers Projected To Miss The Cut

Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers isn't expected to make the final 53-man roster. Gathers made some splash plays in training camp, but it doesn't appear to be enough. Geoff Swaim has come on of late and is No. 1 on the depth chart, but Blake Jarwin should be the team's main pass-catching tight end. […]

Justin Jackson Not Expected To Make Team

Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson (hamstring) is looking like the odd man out for the roster crunch after a hamstring injury has limited him most of training camp and the preseason. Detrez Newsome is expected to be the third back behind Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler to open the season.

Melvin Gordon Not Expected To Play Thursday

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, who was still out on Monday due to a family matter, is not expected to play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the 49ers. Gordon is one of the few true workhorse backs in the NFL and could even catch more passes this year in his second […]

Derwin James Expected To Open Season As Starter

Los Angeles Chargers rookie safety Derwin James appears likely to start the regular season as a starter. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said Monday that the team plans to use James in one of the starting safety spots for Week 1 against the Chiefs. James was the 17th overall pick of the first round this year […]