WITH TUA TAGOVAILOA SIDELINED WITH A MINOR INJURY, FALCONS ADD COOPER RUSH FOR TRAINING CAMP REPS
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback competition will have to wait another day after coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa sustained a minor injury, and he’ll be back “sooner rather than later.”
Stefanski described the injury as a “flare-up” and said he doesn’t anticipate a long absence from the former Dolphins quarterback. He said Tagovailoa will be present at training camp but not yet participating.
The first-year Falcons coach kept the details of Tagovailoa’s injury secret, saying that one of the perks of training camp is not having to divulge every detail.
ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Wednesday that Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back.
The Falcons swapped one veteran quarterback for another as a result, releasing veteran Trevor Siemian and adding Cooper Rush. Heading into his ninth year in the league, Rush has appeared in 42 career games and thrown for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Rush was out throwing alongside Michael Penix Jr. and undrafted rookie Jack Strand at the Falcons’ first day of training camp on Wednesday morning.
Rush and Strand are expected to split snaps during 11-on-11s. Penix, who started nine games for Atlanta in 2026 before a season-ending ACL tear, will compete in individual and 7-on-7 drills.
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LIONS RUNNING BACK JAHMYR GIBBS REPORTS TO TRAINING CAMP BUT DOESN’T ATTEND TEAM’S FIRST PRACTICE
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs reported to training camp but was not on the field with teammates for their first practice on Wednesday as his agent and the franchise work on negotiating a new deal.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said he did not have an update on talks.
“You guys know how we feel about Gibbs,” Campbell said.
A message seeking comment was left with Gibbs’ agent, Todd France.
“This is both sides working through something,” Campbell said.
The Lions have signed many of their top players to contract extensions, including linebacker Jack Campbell in May.
Gibbs, who has been a Pro Bowl player in each of his first three NFL seasons, seems to be next in line.
His contract calls for him to make a little more than $1 million in base salary with a $2 million-plus roster bonus this season. The Lions picked up the fifth season of Gibbs’ contract in April and he is scheduled to make $14.29 million in 2027.
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PANTHERS ROOKIE WR CHRIS BRAZZELL CARTED OFF WITH INJURY
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an apparent knee injury.
The third-round draft pick was seen holding his left knee after going down during seven-on-seven drills, according to multiple reports from the scene.
He was transported inside the practice facility on a cart after appearing to have difficulty standing, per reports.
Brazzell, 22, had returned to practice Wednesday morning after missing the previous few training camp sessions with a knee injury.Sports content provider
The 6-foot-4, 198-pound wideout caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and an SEC-leading nine touchdowns last season at Tennessee.
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KYREN WILLIAMS: 1,000 RUSHING YARDS ‘KIND OF EASY’ IN RAMS OFFENSE
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has achieved remarkable consistency, completing three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards—an accomplishment shared by only three other running backs: Derrick Henry, James Cook, and Tony Pollard.
In a recent interview on the “Up & Adams Show” with Kay Adams, Williams expressed pride in his sustained performance while emphasizing that achieving 1,000 yards in the Rams’ offensive system is a manageable objective.
“It means everything,” he stated. “I recall entering the NFL and participating in pre-draft interviews, during which coaches frequently inquired about my goals. I confidently conveyed that my primary objective was to secure a 1,000-yard season every year. For a running back who is proficient in executing runs, 1,000 yards should be relatively attainable. However, this success is also attributable to our exceptional offensive linemen and our astute offensive-minded coach, who facilitate my ability to achieve such milestones.
“For running backs, this is a common aspiration. It is a personal standard that I set for myself to consistently gain positive and efficient yards. As I reflect on the season, I expect to attain 1,000 yards.”
Williams concluded the previous season ranked sixth in rushing yards, amassing 1,252 yards on 259 carries while contributing ten touchdowns. Not only has the 25-year-old exceeded the 1,000-yard threshold in each of the last three seasons, but he has also surpassed 1,100 yards in those years, achieving over 1,200 yards in the most recent two seasons.
Demonstrating exceptional reliability, Williams maintains a career average of 4.6 yards per carry, aligning well with the offensive strategy employed by Head Coach Sean McVay. Despite his impressive performance, Williams remains relatively unrecognized compared to other running backs of similar caliber. He asserts that enhancing his ability to execute explosive plays would elevate his recognition within the sport.
“I believe it is the long runs that can change perceptions,” Williams remarked. “By breaking free for substantial yardage and demonstrating my capability to evade defenders at the third level, I am confident that I can score. Once I accomplish this feat this season, I anticipate that my name will gain greater respect.
“Nevertheless, I do not overly concern myself with public perception. My primary focus is on my daily improvement and the commitment to excellence in my preparations. I can only control my own performance, and I intend to execute to the best of my ability and await the outcomes.”
Williams generated only six rushing attempts of 20 or more yards last season, with none exceeding 40 yards. With Blake Corum expected to further limit Williams’ opportunities, increasing the frequency of explosive plays could sustain his production without necessitating additional carries.
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SAINTS ‘HAVING A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS’ ABOUT NEW CHRIS OLAVE CONTRACT
The commencement of training camps marks the onset of contract extension negotiations, with veteran players seeking new agreements prior to subjecting themselves to further physical risk.
A key player to monitor in the upcoming weeks is Chris Olave, the wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract after achieving over 1,000 receiving yards in three of his four seasons.
General Manager Mickey Loomis indicated that discussions between the two sides are progressing. “We are engaged in numerous conversations,” Loomis stated on Tuesday, as reported by the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “While we have not reached an agreement yet, we are optimistic.”
Olave has demonstrated exceptional productivity as a receiver within the National Football League, despite facing challenging circumstances throughout a substantial portion of his initial four seasons. The proficient route-runner recorded 1,163 receiving yards and secured nine touchdowns on 100 receptions last season while serving as the primary target in an offense that faced difficulties early in the season.
With eleven receivers currently earning at least or exceeding $30 million annually, and two surpassing the $40 million threshold (Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja’Marr Chase), a pertinent question arises regarding Olave’s potential positioning within this financial scale. Loomis acknowledged that the wide receiver’s injury history represents a significant factor for consideration; however, it should not impede the negotiation process.
“We are eager to finalize this agreement,” Loomis remarked. “Chris, along with his agents, Jason and Drew Rosenhaus, shares the same aspiration. We all wish to arrive at a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
It is noteworthy that Olave suffered multiple concussions during the 2024 season, which resulted in him missing half of that season. Throughout his four-year tenure, he has yet to complete a full 17-game schedule, missing Week 18 last year due to blood clot complications, which also limited his participation in certain offseason workouts in 2026.
At 26 years of age, Olave is prepared to enter training camp and is not anticipated to exercise a holdout, despite the absence of a new contract. The Saints regard him as a pivotal element of a franchise seeking resurgence after enduring five consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance, along with back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the NFC South.
“Chris has exhibited remarkable enthusiasm and optimism,” Loomis commented. “I deeply appreciate his professionalism and conduct, which has been consistent every year.”
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LIONS’ CAMPBELL: ARNOLD’S RELEASE ‘UNFORTUNATE’
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday he addressed the franchise’s “unfortunate” decision to release Terrion Arnold with the team on the eve of training camp with the former cornerback facing felony charges.
“You never want to let go of a player, especially somebody that you’ve been around for a while here and you drafted,” Campbell said. “It’s unfortunate, but we made the move we thought was best for us.”
The Lions cut ties with Arnold last month, shortly after a Florida judge set Arnold’s bail at $1 million on eight felony charges stemming from allegations he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men.
A month after the 2025 season ended for the Lions, prosecutors in Florida say Arnold arranged for the men to be pistol-whipped after he wrongly suspected them of stealing $100,000 in cash and luxury goods from him.
In March, Campbell said the team believed Arnold was not involved in the alleged crime based on the information they had at that time.
“I feel like we’re going to be good here,” Campbell told reporters at the NFL’s annual league meeting. “I’m going to trust what the kid said.”
Harvey Steinberg, an attorney for the 23-year-old Arnold, argued in court that prosecutors were “not even close” to showing that Arnold knew or directed what his associates would do.
Detroit drafted Arnold with the No. 24 pick in 2024, when the NFL draft was held in the Motor City and the former Alabama star sported a big smile and a light salmon silk suit. He had two years left on his four-year rookie contract with the Lions.
Arnold had an uneven rookie season, making 15 starts without an interception. He picked off one pass last season while he was limited to eight games because of a concussion and shoulder injury.
Before the Lions released Arnold, the judge did not require him to wear an ankle monitor because it would have prevented him from taking the field for games and training.
The Lions, coming off a season that fell short of expectations, appeared to be preparing to potentially play without Arnold during offseason workouts because he was not on the field with the No. 1 defense.
Campbell insisted he is confident in the caliber of players the team has at cornerback.
D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin are projected as starters while Roger McCreary will compete for playing time. The team is also hopeful Ennis Rakestraw can contribute after missing last season because of shoulder surgery and being limited to eight games as a rookie with hamstring and ankle injuries.
“We feel pretty good in that room with the competition between veterans and young guys,” Campbell said.
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NFL NEW ROUND-UP
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-july-29
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