GIANTS’ MALIK NABERS, WHO HAS BEEN DEALING WITH A TOE INJURY, SITS OUT JOINT PRACTICE AT THE JETS
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Malik Nabers did not participate in the New York Giants’ first of two joint practices against the Jets on Tuesday, and coach Brian Daboll was not forthcoming about details surrounding the top wide receiver’s status.
Nabers has been dealing with a toe injury that caused him to miss spring workouts, though Daboll at the time called it “nothing serious.” The 22-year-old continues to manage it in training camp, sitting out the end of 11-on-11 drills at practice last week, not taking part in an ensuing pregame walkthrough practice and not playing in the exhibition opener at Buffalo last weekend.
Daboll has been tight-lipped about injuries since camp began last month, and that continued with questions about whether Nabers was out because of the toe ailment and if he was concerned.
“I’m not going to get into injuries,” Daboll said. “He’s rehabbing, and he’s doing everything he can do to get back.”
The Giants start the season in less than four weeks at Nabers’ good friend and former LSU teammate Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Starting quarterback Russell Wilson downplayed not having Nabers on the field.
“Malik and I have gotten a lot of time together,” Wilson said. “I trust his work ethic, his ability to get open. Obviously, I’ve spent a lot of time with him throwing a football. When he is out there, when he has been, we’ve been lights-out on everything that we’ve done. I think he’s been special for us.”
Wilson praised fellow receivers Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson and singled out Zach Pascal and rookie Beaux Collins for making plays in Nabers’ absence. But there’s little arguing that New York’s offense loses a lot if Nabers is unavailable when the games start to matter.
“Everybody’s kind of contributing,” Wilson said. “That’s what we need. We want to facilitate the ball to the right guy at the right time, and we want to be able to do that and obviously Malik’s a key part to that.”
Cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Tre Hawkins also did not practice against the Jets, along with rookie running back Cam Skattebo, wideouts Jalin Hyatt and Da’Quan Felton and guard Evan Neal. Phillips was injured in the Bills game, while Daboll did not want to share details about Hyatt not being out there.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas, who remains on the physically unable to perform list as he works back from foot surgery, did not make the trip, according to Daboll, who said the 26-year-old offensive lineman is rehabbing and “getting better every day.”
Winston speaks up
After the Giants’ offense got off to a rough start against the Jets’ defense on Tuesday, veteran QB Jameis Winston gathered teammates together for an animated address. He may wind up being third on the depth chart behind Wilson and rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart, but Winston has not been shy to let his voice be heard this summer.
Wilson said he deferred to Winston to deliver the message that time.
”He’s got those great motivational speeches,” Wilson said. “Jameis and I, we both (have) a lot of experience, a lot of understanding of what we want to do, how we want to motivate, how do we want to lead. I think that’s important.”
BENGALS PLAN TO MAKE RUNNING BACK CHASE BROWN A FOCAL POINT OF THE OFFENSE IN 2025
CINCINNATI (AP) — After being one of the league’s top running backs in the second half of last season, the Cincinnati Bengals are looking for Chase Brown to be an even bigger focal point this season.
“I believe Chase Brown is a top-10 back in the league,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. “Certainly, you don’t want to burn the guy out. You also want to make sure your most explosive players are on the field and ready to touch the ball as many times as possible.”
Between Week 9 through Week 17 last season, Brown ranked fifth in the league in yards from scrimmage and third in touches. He missed the season finale at Pittsburgh because of an ankle injury.
At this point last year, Brown was the team’s backup running back behind Zack Moss. Then, as Brown improved his ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield, he started earning more snaps. He took advantage of the opportunity and ran with it, and Brown finished the season with 1,350 scrimmage yards (990 yards rushing, 360 receiving yards).
This year, Brown said that he feels stronger, more confident as a rusher and even more dependable as a pass catcher. He had 54 receptions last season after only 14 as a rookie in 2023.
“Sometimes, I think about the stretch I’ve had and the improvements that I’ve made,” Brown said. “I try to just stay in the moment. As cliche as it sounds. As much as I am thinking ahead sometimes, I’m really trying to just stay in the moment and focus on what plays I can make right now. The improvements I can make at practice. Learning opportunities I can take away and learn from right now so when Week 1 comes, we’re full speed.”
Brown followed up what’s been a strong training camp with a strong performance in last Thursday’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He ran the ball five times for 26 yards, and caught three passes for 25 yards over the course of his two series with the first-team offense. The Bengals scored on their first two possessions with Joe Burrow and the first unit on the field, but ended up losing 34-27.
Cincinnati’s second preseason game is Monday night at Washington.
“With the speed and the way he’s able to use it coming out of the backfield, I don’t think he really gets credit for the way he actually runs the ball,” said Bengals safety Geno Stone, who faced Brown in 2023 when Stone was in Baltimore. “He’s a guy who can run the ball between the tackles or outside of the tackles. He has really good balance. When he hits the hole and gets through, he’s gone.”
The Bengals are redesigning their run scheme this year around Brown’s strengths. Heading into 2025, the Bengals coaching staff had a series of meetings to determine how they wanted the run game to evolve.
“At the end of the conversation, it wasn’t about what we think looks good on the board,” running backs coach Justin Hill said. “(It was) what is Chase good at? How can we showcase his tools in the run game and in the pass game? Where we have in the run game right now is pretty true to who we think Chase is and what he can be.”
FALCONS QBS MICHAEL PENIX JR., KIRK COUSINS TO SIT ANOTHER PRESEASON GAME
Easton Stick and Emory Jones are in line for the majority of the snaps for the Falcons when Atlanta plays the Tennessee Titans on Friday night.
Michael Penix Jr. is the starter when the regular season opens and head coach Raheem Morris declared he would not play his second-year quarterback this week. A decision on No. 2 quarterback Kirk Cousins wasn’t final but Atlanta is unlikely to play him in the game after multiple days of joint practices at the team’s Flowery Branch facility this week.
Last week, Cousins dressed — Penix didn’t — but wasn’t used in the Falcons’ preseason opener.
Stick was strong in that game against the Detroit Lions last week, completing 15 of his 18 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Jones completed 4 of 5 passes and rushed for nine yards before the game was suspended in the fourth quarter due to an injury to Lions safety Morice Norris.
The Falcons kick off the regular season on Sept. 7 in Atlanta with a visit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The preseason finale is Aug. 22 at Dallas.
ANOTHER EAGLES GUARD GOES DOWN WITH INJURY
Offensive line insurance policy Kenyon Green is out for multiple weeks with a shoulder injury and could miss the rest of the preseason for the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson expected to be sidelined while recovering from a knee injury, the 24-year-old Green was a candidate to step into a more significant role before the injury put his preseason in jeopardy, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Green, acquired from the Texans in the offseason trade that sent safety CJ Gardner-Johnson to Houston, is viewed as “week-to-week” according to the report.
Green, a first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, spent nearly six weeks on injured reserve last season due to a shoulder injury and missed the entire 2023 season with a torn labrum in his shoulder. That injury was sustained in the preseason.
Dickerson remains optimistic about returning for the Super Bowl champion Eagles’ opener on Sept. 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL Network.
PACKERS QUARTERBACK JORDAN LOVE OUT FOR AT LEAST A WEEK AFTER HAVING PROCEDURE ON LEFT THUMB
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will miss at least a week after having a procedure to repair a ligament issue in his left thumb, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday.
Love was spotted with his thumb wrapped on the sideline during the Packers’ 30-10 preseason loss to the New York Jets on Saturday. Love started the game and went 1 of 5 for 7 yards with neither of the two drives he led resulting in points.
The injury is to Love’s non-throwing hand and occurred, coach Matt LaFleur said, when he was sacked for a 3-yard loss by Jay Tufele on the quarterback’s final snap from scrimmage.
LaFleur said he’s been informed the recovery process is a quick one, with the expectation Love will be back at practice in some capacity next week. Green Bay travels to play Indianapolis on Aug. 16, and LaFleur has already ruled out Love from playing in the Packers’ final preseason game against Seattle on Aug. 23.
The decision for Love to have the procedure came after he took part in practice Monday.
LaFleur credited the third-year starter for “powering through” the session while exclusively handing off the ball with his right hand.
Malik Willis is the Packers primary backup and had two starts in seven appearances last year after being acquired in a trade from Tennessee.
BILLS RB JAMES COOK RESUMES PRACTICING AFTER WEEKLONG ‘HOLD-IN’ AS PART OF CONTRACT STANDOFF
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook resumed practicing on Tuesday, ending — temporarily, at least — his “hold-in” as part of a contract standoff that began on Aug. 3.
Cook took the field in uniform and participated throughout practice, including team drills, after missing four straight sessions last week — the last two in which the fourth-year player failed to even make an appearance on the sideline. Cook declined to speak to reporters afterward about his decision to return to practice while still in the midst of seeking to secure a contract extension on the final year of his rookie deal.
Speaking before practice, coach Sean McDermott anticipated Cook’s return based on conversations he had with the running back, who was the NFL’s co-leader with 16 touchdowns rushing last season.
“Things have changed and yes, I’ve had a conversation with James, and the information we’re getting is he is moving in the right direction,” McDermott said.
Without getting into detail on the reason behind Cook’s decision, the coach said: “The most important thing is he is expected to practice and I’m confident that’s going to happen.”
McDermott was unable to say whether he expected Cook to continue practicing this week in the lead-up to Buffalo’s preseason game at Chicago on Sunday.
“Too early to go there,” McDermott said. “Right now, I’m just focused on what’s right in front of us, which is the practice, which would be a step for us here, which is what we’re focused on right now.”
Messages left with Cook’s agents were not immediately returned.
After practicing fully during the Bills’ first eight sessions of training camp, Cook began his “hold-in” on Aug. 3 by watching practice wearing a white sweatsuit along the sideline.
On Saturday, Cook suited up and took part in pre-game warmups but declined to play in the Bills’ preseason-opening 34-25 loss to the New York Giants. He watched the game in his uniform with sunglasses and a woolen hat from the sideline.
Although Cook posted a note on social media in February suggesting he is seeking to make $15 million a season, there’s a dispute over whether that was his camp’s initial stance.
It’s unclear how far apart they are on what’s expected to be a three-year contract. Cook’s current asking price ranges somewhere between $11 to $12.5 million in guaranteed money.
Quarterback Josh Allen was pleased to have Cook back on the field, while adding he respects the running back and the team’s position.
“As players, we have to separate sometimes the business and the sport. I know both sides thought that what they’re doing is the right thing,” Allen said.
“It’s been extremely normal between us. I’m not gonna ask him to do anything that he doesn’t want to do or wouldn’t do, or I wouldn’t myself,” Allen added. “So I understand that in his mind it was the right thing to do and I trust him.”
49ERS’ RICKY PEARSALL ONE OF SEVERAL YEAR 2 BREAKOUT CANDIDATES IN 2025
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Any contribution the San Francisco 49ers got from receiver Ricky Pearsall last season was viewed as a positive after his rookie campaign got derailed when he got shot in the chest a week before the opener.
The 49ers are counting heavily on Pearsall this season as they need him to elevate his performance in year two after they traded away Deebo Samuel and are expecting to be without Brandon Aiyuk for most of the first half of the season.
“To be honest, I’m approaching it the same exact way,” Pearsall said. “Whether those guys are in the room or not, that’s just how I look at myself. I just got to be able to step in that role. That’s just how I look at it.”
Pearsall is one of several second-year players being counted on for major breakthroughs this season. The flashes they showed as rookies now need to lead to more consistent performances this season.
Here’s a look at some of the top breakout candidates:
San Francisco WR Ricky Pearsall
Pearsall didn’t even make his debut last season until Week 7 and then had only two catches over a five-game stretch from Week 11 through 15. But he showed why he was a first-round pick with his performance in the final two weeks of the season when he had 14 catches for 210 yards and two TDs.
Pearsall spent extra time in the offseason working with quarterback Brock Purdy to build chemistry and has been the team’s best wideout early in training camp as he has shown repeatedly his ability to get open down the field to create big plays.
Buffalo WR Keon Coleman
The 33rd pick in last year’s draft had only 29 catches on 57 targets as a rookie as he was unable to fill the void created when the Bills traded away Stefon Diggs.
Buffalo thrived without consistent production from Coleman thanks in part to a big season from Khalil Shakir, but the Bills will need another top outside threat if they want to get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl. Coleman is the best choice for that thanks to his big frame and ability to make contested catches down field.
New York Jets T Olu Fashanu
The 11th pick in last year’s draft started just seven games as a rookie as the team eased his transition to the NFL behind veteran tackles Tyronn Smith and Morgan Moses.
That won’t be the case this season when Fashanu is slated to start at left tackle across from rookie Armand Membou as New York hopes it has found its bookend tackles for years to come.
Fashanu was solid as a rookie, especially in his five starts at left tackle after Smith got hurt, but now needs to do it for a full season if New York wants to have success on offense behind new QB Justin Fields.
Philadelphia Edge Jalyx Hunt
The third-round pick out of Houston Christian was a pleasant surprise in his limited action as a rookie with 1 1/2 sacks in the regular season and then 1 1/2 more in the playoffs.
Hunt has gone from a bit of a luxury to more of a necessity after the Eagles lost Josh Sweat to free agency, Brandon Graham to retirement and traded away Bryce Huff. Hunt is slated to start this season but could be pushed by veteran acquisitions Joshua Uche and Azeez Ojulari.
Indianapolis Edge Laiatu Latu
The first defensive player taken in the 2024 draft had a relatively quiet rookie season with four sacks and 38 pressures. But a year of experience and the change in scheme under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo should help Latu emerge as one of the better young pass rushers.
Arizona DT Darius Robinson
Injuries limited Robinson to six games as a rookie and his impact was minimal with just one sack and two pressures. Robinson is now part of a revamped defensive front that the Cardinals hope can lead the team back to the postseason. A healthy season and the addition of veterans Sweat, Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson should open things up for Robinson.
JETS’ TYROD TAYLOR OUT FOR PRESEASON AFTER ‘MINOR’ KNEE SURGERY; ALLEN LAZARD SET TO MISS 2 WEEKS
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be sidelined through the preseason after recent knee surgery, but the team expects he should be ready for the regular-season opener.
Coach Aaron Glenn announced Tuesday after the Jets’ joint practice with the Giants that Taylor had “a minor scope” on the knee that has sidelined him the last week of training camp.
“He’s still going through his protocols, as far as his rehab,” Glenn said. “So we’ll see exactly where he is in the next couple of weeks. I don’t think he’ll be playing in preseason, but hopefully he’ll be ready for Week 1.”
Justin Fields is the Jets’ clear starting quarterback and has bounced back from a dislocated toe on his right foot early in training camp.
Taylor, a 36-year-old veteran in his second season with the Jets, will serve as Fields’ backup as long as he’s healthy.
The Jets’ quarterbacks room is a bit banged up now. Rookie Brady Cook, an undrafted free agent from Missouri, has an ankle injury after his right foot was stepped on during practice with the Giants. He left the field after practice riding in the passenger seat of a cart, but Glenn downplayed the injury.
“I think he’ll be just fine,” Glenn said.
Adrian Martinez, in his second year with the Jets, is the only other healthy quarterback on the roster.
New York will be without wide receiver Allen Lazard for at least two weeks after he injured his right shoulder during the Jets’ 30-10 preseason victory at Green Bay last Saturday night.
“So we will see where his situation is going into Week 1,” Glenn said.
Lazard is competing for the No. 2 wide receiver spot behind Garrett Wilson, but had been mostly quiet for much of camp before the injury. His roster spot was thought by some to be in jeopardy, especially with veterans Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson and Xavier Gipson on the team and youngsters such as Arian Smith, Brandon Smith, Jamaal Pritchett and Quentin Skinner flashing at times during practices.
Mason Taylor time
Rookie tight end Mason Taylor returned to practice just over a week after suffering a high ankle sprain that was expected to sideline him a few weeks.
Taylor, a second-round pick out of LSU and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, participated in individual, positional and team drills during the session with the Giants. He also made a terrific catch, diving for a ball along the left sideline on a throw from Martinez in drills.
“I think it was outstanding the way that he was able to reach and maneuver his feet to stay in bounds on that play,” Glenn said. “But the things I expect from him in the passing game, it’s nothing new for that player. The thing is, he’s got to make sure that he comes along at the right pace so we don’t re-injure that ankle again.
“But he’s a fighter and he wants to be out there. We’re going to do everything we can to protect him the right way, but also let him go out there and get his work in. So I thought he had a hell of a day.”
Jermaine Johnson’s return
Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson is being eased back to the field Tuesday after being activated from the active/physically unable to perform list Sunday.
Johnson tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 2 last season, but is in position to play in this season’s opening game. He didn’t participate in team drills Tuesday.
“I feel great,” a smiling Johnson said. “I feel ready to go, but I trust them. I like to say that they’re backing the Ferrari off the truck a little cautiously right now. I understand it, but I’m ready to go.”
Working their way back
Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (calf) was back in uniform after missing some time, but didn’t participate in team drills as he recovers from his injury. He spent some time with the trainers during practice.
Defensive lineman Byron Cowart (ankle) also was among those sidelined, as were cornerback Azareye’h Thomas (shoulder) and running back Isaiah Davis (ankle).
Left guard John Simpson returned to practice after missing over a week with a back issue.
TRAVIS KELCE ADMITS HE ‘SLIPPED A LITTLE BIT’ GIVEN OFF-FIELD PURSUITS
Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is the first to admit that his past two seasons haven’t been up to par.
His statistics — while impressive — back that up when considering the standard Kelce set in his previous seven Pro Bowl seasons.
As the world knows, Kelce’s life has been in a brighter spotlight given his highly publicized love story with the biggest pop star on the planet — you’ve likely heard of her. Taylor Swift.
Kelce, 35, also has made cameos in movies and television shows and kept busy with other off-field pursuits, such as his “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason.
To that respect, the certain future Pro Football Hall of Fame member told GQ that some of that has impacted his play.
“I think it might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up. And opportunities came up where I was excited to venture into a new world of acting and being an entertainer,” Kelce told the men’s magazine in a cover story released Tuesday.
“I don’t say this as ‘I shouldn’t have done it.’ I’m just saying that my work ethic is such that I have so much pride in how I do things that I never want the product to tail off, and I feel like these past two years haven’t been to my standard.”
Kelce posted seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2016-22 before falling short of that mark in each of the past two. The four-time first-team All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection made 97 receptions for 823 yards last season — his lowest yardage total since 2014. He also had just three touchdown catches, down from a career-high 12 in 2022.
“I just have such a motivation to show up this year for my guys,” Kelce said.
Kelce will have that opportunity when the Chiefs open their season at home against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5.
TEXANS PLACE TE BREVIN JORDAN (KNEE) ON INJURED RESERVE
The Houston Texans placed tight end Brevin Jordan on injured reserve Tuesday, one day after he hurt his knee in practice.
Multiple media reports noted that Jordan’s injury is season ending.
Jordan was injured after landing awkwardly in an unsuccessful attempt to reel in a seam pass from C.J. Stroud during an 11-on-11 drill during Monday’s practice. Jordan initially was able to stand before falling back to the ground and grabbing his lower leg. He was then carted off the field.
Jordan saw his season come to an end in Week 2 last year after tearing his ACL in a game against the Chicago Bears.
“It’s tough for everybody to see Brevin going down, knowing how much work he’s put in to get back to this point of playing football and how excited he was to get back to playing football,” Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters on Monday.
Jordan, 25, has totaled 53 catches for 532 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 36 career games (12 starts) since being selected by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Houston has Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover atop its tight end depth chart.
The Texans signed offensive tackle Conor McDermott to fill the roster spot on Tuesday.
McDermott, 32, last played in 2023 with the New England Patriots. He has started 17 of the 55 games in which he has played with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Patriots since being selected by New England in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
