By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Rob Ninkovich might not be able to play during the first four weeks of the 2016 season, but he’s successfully shed the lame-duck linebacker status.

Ninkovich and the New England Patriots agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $4.7 million that keeps the 32-year-old under team control through 2017, according to report from the Boston Globe. The deal could be worth as much as $5 million based on playing time and incentives, the Globe added. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Awakening has entered the starting lineup in Seattle.

Christine Michael will start at running back for the Seahawks on Sunday, coach Pete Carroll told reporters Friday.

Faced with his football mortality, Michael experienced a rejuvenation at the end of the 2015 season, which carried over into the 2016 preseason. It left Carroll raving about “strong indicators that he’s ready to take advantage of this opportunity,” and lauding Michael as an “explosive and dynamic athlete.” Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s short and sweet response coined the “Awakening” phrase. It’s culminated with Carroll’s announcement that Michael will be the lead back for the Seahawks, who are set to take their first real step into a world without Marshawn Lynch. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Sam Bradford was worth a first-round pick to keep the hope alive in Minnesota. That hope just won’t be in the starting lineup until Week 2.

Vikings players were informed quarterback Shaun Hill will start this week, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources.

Hill last saw meaningful action in 2014 for the then St. Louis Rams, coincidentally in place of Bradford, who suffered a torn ACL during that year’s preseason. Hill’s most notable season came in 2010, when he came off the bench to complete 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,686 yards and a 16-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Lions aren’t taking Friday of Week 1 lightly.

Detroit has locked up two key players under 27 years old, agreeing to extensions with running back Theo Riddick and punter Sam Martin, the team announced. Riddick and the Lions came to terms on a three-year extension worth $12.75 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source with knowledge of the contract.

“We are excited to announce contract extensions for Sam Martin and Theo Riddick,” Bob Quinn, executive vice president and general manager, said. “Both players have earned these extensions through their hard work that dates back to 2013 when both joined the Lions. I would like to thank Sam, Theo, and their representatives for their hard work assisting us in our goal of completing these extensions prior to the start of the regular season. I’m very pleased that both players can join their teammates in fully concentrating on our opening game.” Continue reading →

By Around the NFL staff
NFL.com
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A new NFL season is upon us, and that means it’s time for another round of bold predictions. As always, this week’s edition of fearless prognostications includes a macho helping of audaciousness and abandon as we head into Sunday and Monday’s Week 1 contests. Warning: these predictions are not for the faint of heart.

Carson Wentz accounts for four touchdowns against Browns

The future is now — maybe sooner than most expected — in Philadelphia, and while rookies tend to have average-at-best debuts (not looking at you, Marcus Mariota), Carson Wentz is set up for a memorable one. His opponent? The Cleveland Browns, which let both of their starting safeties go in the offseason, cut starting nickel back K’Waun Williams and traded former first-rounder Justin Gilbert. They’re left with Joe Haden, veteran journeyman Jamar Taylor, safeties Jordan Poyer, Derrick Kindred, Ibraheim Campbell and Don Jones, and 33-year-old Tramon Williams. The latter is increasingly showing the effects of Father Time. It’s like a gift from the football gods. First professional game? Here are the hapless Browns, who kept their entire draft class (save for one) and jettisoned veterans with reckless abandon. Have at ’em. — Nick Shook

To read full bold predictions from the Around the NFL writers, click here.

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Ah, there’s nothing quite like a head coach playing coy about his starting quarterback.

Count Mike Zimmer among those choosing to reveal his man on game day. But unlike past situations, this one might be out of necessity.

When franchise quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was lost for the season with a torn ACL and dislocated knee, Minnesota reacted quickly by sending first- and fourth-round picks to Philadelphia for Sam Bradford. Teams don’t trade first-round picks for players they aren’t planning to start, so common sense says Bradford will be under center Sunday. But he’s only had a few days to learn Minnesota’s offense. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Kicker Caleb Sturgis had to battle for his job in July and August. He won, and earned himself a contract extension as a result.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed the 27-year-old kicker to a one-year extension, the team announced Wednesday. The extension can be worth as much as $1.3 million with incentives, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the situation. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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There’s an old saying in most contact sports that revolves around pain scale and perceived toughness.

Are you hurt, or are you injured?

DeVante Parker seems to be struggling with this distinction, or at least that’s how his coach sees it. Last week, Dolphins coach Adam Gase said he thinks eventually, Parker will “get tired of being the guy standing on the sideline.”

On Tuesday, Parker was again the guy standing on the sideline, this time with a hamstring injury suffered prior to the team’s final preseason contest. If his absence has started to frustrate the coaches, it’s now seeped into the media room, too. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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After another disappointing preseason, the Jets are cutting ties with former first- and second-round picks.

New York has waived tight end Jace Amaro and waived-injured Dee Milliner, the team announced.

The Jets announced cuts down to 57 earlier Saturday, with all four quarterbacks and Milliner still on the roster. Rapoport noted that New York was looking to trade Milliner before the 4 p.m. ET deadline to have the roster trimmed to 53. The Jets only need to get down to 54 due to a roster exemption for Sheldon Richardson, who will serve a one-game suspension in Week 1.

The move likely brings Milliner’s career with the Jets — an injury-riddled tenure that began with Milliner as the projected successor to Darrelle Revis — to an end after three seasons.

Amaro was selected in the second round (49th overall) of the 2014 draft and after appearing in 14 games as a rookie (recording 38 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns), missed all of 2015 with a torn shoulder labrum.

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Anyone who was greatly concerned about the Browns‘ abysmal punting situation following the trade of Andy Lee can now rest easy.

(We know you’re out there somewhere).

Less than 48 hours after the preseason Week 4 in-game tryouts of Casey Redfern and Mike Palardy landed with simultaneous thuds, the Browns have turned to veteran Britton Colquitt to alleviate their field-position needs. Cleveland signed the 31-year-old punter to a one-year deal on Saturday and waived Palardy, the team announced. Continue reading →