By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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One of the first things many second- and third-year players will discuss during training camp is how much the game has slowed for them mentally. For Browns rookie DeShone Kizer, it’s only taken a summer.

The young quarterback made an impression on veteran newcomer Kenny Britt, who noticed Kizer’s improvement since organized team activities. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A secondary chock-full of experienced playmakers is gaining another veteran.

Tramon Williams has agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced Sunday.

Williams spent the last two seasons in Cleveland, signed as a major addition at corner. The former Packers standout instead struggled in coverage, missed five games and intercepted just two passes in two seasons combined. Father Time’s effect on him became evident in 2016, especially in man-to-man situations where he’d clearly lost a step. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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James Conner hit headlines when his jersey was declared the highest-selling among rookies this summer. With Steelers camp underway, the rookie’s star keeps rising.

Conner is getting plenty of carries with Le’Veon Bell absent from camp, and the runner with local ties and a battle with cancer under his belt is turning heads in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala reported everyone in the Steelers‘ organization has been really pleased with the new arrival, and that was before the pads had been put on.

Enter Sunday, the first day of hitting. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Shane Ray‘s attempt to replace the retired DeMarcus Ware full-time has been put on the shelf.

The linebacker suffered a torn ligament in his wrist on Thursday and will be out six to eight weeks after surgery, which is scheduled for Saturday, coach Vance Joseph announced on Friday. Ray practiced with a brace on his wrist on Friday, but it was determined afterward that surgery would be necessary, Joseph added. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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One of the brighter spots on the Bears‘ roster was not at practice Friday.

Running back Jeremy Langford missed practice due to an ankle injury suffered during a walkthrough Thursday, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

An ankle sprain is mildly concerning for a running back, not because Langford suffered it during a walkthrough, but because it can become a nagging injury if not properly cared for, based on the severity. It’s about as early in camp as we can get, though, so there’s little reason to get all worked up on July 28.

Fortunately for Chicago, Jordan Howard also happens to be in the stable. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Ravens camp will begin without the team’s quarterback.

Joe Flacco will miss the first week of Baltimore’s camp and is preparing to miss three to six weeks with a disc issue in his back, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported, per sources informed of the situation.

Flacco becomes the latest casualty in an offseason that has seen plenty of personnel losses — cornerback Tavon Young, tight end Dennis Pitta, who has since been released, and tight end Darren Waller, who was lost to a season-long suspension — with this being the second in as many days. Running back Kenneth Dixon‘s season ended before it began on Tuesday when he was placed on injured reserve. A day later, the man handing him the ball has been sidelined. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Not surprisingly, Teddy Bridgewater is starting training camp on the sideline.

The quarterback has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the team announced Wednesday. The move was expected as veterans reported to Vikings camp Wednesday, and as Bridgewater remains on his long road to returning from a torn ACL and dislocated knee suffered during camp prior to the 2016 season. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Redskins aren’t taking any chances with Jordan Reed‘s health.

The team announced Wednesday that it placed the tight end on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that it’s a minor toe injury, per sources informed. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Andrew Hawkins earned his master’s degree from Columbia during the offseason, and signed with the defending champions a week later.

Now, he’s graduating from professional football.

Hawkins announced Tuesday via UNINTERRUPTED that he is retiring from the NFL after six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Hawkins is ending his career before camp with the New England Patriots begins, citing his not feeling physically ready for training camp at 31 years old. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Marshawn Lynch‘s return home has been nothing but smiles, red cards and sunshine.

Add a ceremonial first pitch to that list.

Lynch stuck his hand deeper into the #TownBizness (their hashtag, not mine) on Sunday when he donned a No. 24 Oakland Athletics jersey with Lynch on the back, strolled to the mound at the Oakland Coliseum, looked in for a sign from acting catcher Rajai Davis, shook off the first two pitches, did some stirring hand motion thing and fired a pitch that neither bounced, nor hit the backstop. Continue reading →