By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tuesday was a mildly encouraging day for those in Sammy Watkins‘ camp.

The Bills wide receiver was listed as a non-participant in the team’s regular practice, but was dressed for the walkthrough portion, per the team’s media department. Watkins has been dealing with discomfort in his surgically repaired foot since Sunday’s 13-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday. He officially was listed as not practicing with a foot injury.

On Monday, the receiver said he went to see the team’s trainer because it “felt like it was tired,” and he “wanted to make sure everything was fine.” He added that he will be playing Thursday against the New York Jets. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A day after being a surprise on the inactives list, Chris Ivory remains hospitalized, the team announced Monday.

Ivory was admitted to the hospital Sunday morning with a general medical issue, but the team did not specify the issue. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the issue is unrelated to the calf issue that landed Ivory in the questionable section of the team’s injury report. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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When a young quarterback takes the field, a reliable tight end can serve as his safety blanket, and become a frequent target.

Zach Ertz played that role in Carson Wentz‘s debut, and was an important part of Philadelphia’s 29-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. We found out on Monday that Ertz did so with a displaced rib for much of the game.

“Happened in the first quarter on their sideline,” Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said. …”We knew when he came off, right away, (Eagles head athletic trainer Chris) Peduzzi said he’s got a left shoulder strain … but as the game wore on, I didn’t know anything was more serious than that.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Ezekiel Elliott took a handoff left on Sunday, found an opening off-tackle right, burst through the hole and dove toward the goal line. Touchdown, Dallas Cowboys.

Other than that moment, Elliott feels like he wasn’t much of a factor in the Cowboys‘ 20-19 loss to the New York Giants.

Elliott finished with 51 yards and that touchdown on 20 carries. His longest carry of the day was also that score, which went for eight yards. It wasn’t reminiscent of the broken tackles and long runs that made him a star at Ohio State, and the fourth-overall pick in the 2016 draft. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Brock Osweiler‘s first series as a Houston Texan ended in an interception.

As for the rest of the game? Not too shabby.

Osweiler rebounded from the early miscue to complete 22 of 35 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, as the Texans overcame an early deficit to defeat the Chicago Bears 23-14. Houston’s defense played a big role in the win, keeping Chicago off the board in the second half while Osweiler went to work with his bevy of offensive weapons. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Larry Fitzgerald looks like he could play for another five years or more, at least based on Sunday’s performance against the Patriots. So what do we make of his comments following the game on his future?

Fitzgerald dismissed a Sunday report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport that the receiver expects 2016 will be his final season with a non-answer, making the classic claim involving plans for his next meal to back up his statement without actually denying the report.

“I don’t talk about the future,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t even know what I am having for dinner tonight, let alone what I am doing next year. I signed another year for a reason. I believe in what we’re doing here.” Continue reading →

By Around the NFL staff
NFL.com
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On the surface, the opening Sunday of the 2016 NFL season delivered a string of fantastic finishes.

Digging deeper into a slate of games that failed to register a single noteworthy upset, one theme emerged: 2015 held serve.

The Bengals and Seahawks found a way to win a close game against quality competition.

With no vertical threat, the Packers relied too heavily upon Aaron Rodgers‘ ability to come through with a series of brilliant, unrepeatable “wow” plays. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Robert Griffin III suffered a sprained shoulder in the Browns‘ 29-10 loss to the Eagles on Sunday, but he’ll be good to go for Week 2.

Griffin told reporters he was “in pain,” but will “be OK”.

Griffin took a shot to the chest while scrambling out of bounds late in the fourth quarter and doubled over in pain after throwing an incomplete pass on the following play, a failed fourth down conversion attempt, before being examined on the sideline. He returned to hand the ball off to running back Isaiah Crowell three times before the clock expired, and did so gingerly. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The NFL and NFL Players Association are addressing the circumstances surrounding decisions made by medical personnel during Thursday’s season opener between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.

The NFL has initiated a review of the medical team’s response to a late-game hit on Cam Newton by Broncos safety Darian Stewart that sent the reigning NFL MVP hard to the ground, per a statement from NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy: Continue reading →