By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

The Lions were never very concerned about their ability to keep franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, comfortably stating their confidence in getting a deal done over the summer while admitting it might take the combination to the bank vault to do it.

On Monday, they started gathering the money bags. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

A long-snapper trade on Monday was a pleasant surprise. But two in the same day? One might describe that as — wait for it — magical.

The Philadelphia Eagles have traded long snapper Jon Dorenbosto the New Orleans Saints for a seventh-round pick, the team announced Monday evening. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

The Cowboys‘ defense suffered another serious blow on Saturday night.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports linebacker Anthony Hitchens suffered a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee and will be sidelined eight weeks, per a source informed of the situation. The news is better than previously expected as it was thought to be a season-ending injury.

The Cowboys do have some insurance with Hitchens sidelined for significant time, listing veteran linebacker Justin Durant behind Hitchens in the two-deep. Durant didn’t play Saturday but is expected to be ready to play in Week 1. There’s also the presence of Jaylon Smith, who continues his long road back from a major knee injury suffered in January 2016. Dallas likely won’t change Smith’s course out of necessity, though. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

DeShone Kizer got the somewhat surprising nod to start at quarterback for the Browns in Preseason Week 3. He did not disappoint.

The rookie passer took his first possession as the team’s starter and led a 10-play drive that covered 57 yards and resulted in a 38-yard field goal from Cody Parkey. Had Kenny Britt held onto a third-down pass on a hard slant (and had it not been pouring rain), perhaps that sentence would have ended with a touchdown. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Jamaal Charles hasn’t taken a meaningful, early season snap in what seems like forever.

(For those who need specifics, it was Week 6 of last season, when Charles was a Kansas City Chief.)

We won’t call the preseason entirely meaningful, but his first game reps with his new team were important. He made the most of them on Saturday in Denver. Continue reading →

By Marc Sessler, Kevin Patra, Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Eighteen teams were in action Saturday for Week 3 of the preseason. Here are the five big takeaways:

1. Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer and wideout Corey Coleman were very impressive and established a great rapport.

2. Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg was quite bad early, then rebounded late against lesser opponents.

3. Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor ended his preseason with a concussion.

4. The Colts house the NFL’s most concerning quarterback situation until Andrew Luck returns, but understudy Scott Tolzien showed signs of improvement.

5. Rams quarterback Jared Goff remains an enigma.

Here’s what else we learned Saturday: Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Washington is taking the bubble wrap off Jordan Reed.

The star tight end has been activated from the PUP list, the team announced Sunday. Reed had been placed on the list the day before camp opened due to a toe injury.

Reed’s target to return is Washington’s preseason Week 3 game against Cincinnati, a game in which the tight end will be wearing customized orthotics. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Cincinnati might not be in as bad of shape in the back end of its secondary as it first appeared.

Safety Shawn Williams‘ dislocated elbow will not require surgery and will keep him out for four to six weeks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed. The timeframe is likely closer to four weeks, Rapoport added.

Williams suffered the injury during the Bengals‘ 30-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night and was carted off. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Jaylon Smith‘s road from the 2016 Fiesta Bowl to Saturday night’s preseason game has been a long, arduous and uncertain one.

If you’d only heard his name after seeing him make his first professional tackle, you’d never know it. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

With Week 3 approaching, Denver’s quarterback competition appears headed toward a final decision pretty soon. But whose job will it be?

Paxton Lynch got his turn with the starters on Saturday, leading a touchdown drive to open the game. From there, it was largely unmemorable, going 9 of 13 for 39 yards on the night with Brandon McManus nailing two kicks from 45-plus yards.

Trevor Siemian, the incumbent starter, entered just before halftime and marched Denver down the field, completing passes of four, 10 and 19 yards, with the last going to Jordan Taylor for a touchdown. It sounded like that was enough for coach Vance Joseph. Continue reading →