Teams with Veterans Reporting Today (7/24): Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins
Teams with Veterans Reporting Tomorrow (7/25): Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles
Robert Griffin III Not Expected to Play in Preseason
Although unfortunate for us die-hard football fans, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us. The Redskins want to be careful with their franchise player. Griffin was cleared to participate in camp, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter said it would be a “major surprise” he if played in any preseason games. Schefter also noted that the Redskins won’t let Griffin face contact in practices.
Steelers See Le’Veon Bell Fit to Play Third Downs
This according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Not only do the Steelers see Bell fit to take over the first- and second-down job as he was expected to do, but it sounds like he will be trusted in pass protection and with his receiving skills. It’s no surprise, the 6’1’’ running back was drafted so high because of his pass protection. I’d set odds at 6/5 that Bell is the opener day starter, and he should be in the backfield as an every-down guy.
Maurice Jones-Drew medically cleared for camp
Biggest fantasy football news of the day right here. No holdout for a new contract, no issues with the Lisfranc, it’s all uphill for Jones-Drew. It sounds as if Jones-Drew will be a full go for Week 1 and for the season with the foot injury cleared up. Jones-Drew reported to camp in “considerably better shape” according to ESPN, and is a lock for at least 300 carries if he stays healthy.
Heath Miller’s Health Status Unknown
This isn’t the news that fantasy owners were hoping to hear. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “no one within the organization knows” when Miller will be able to play in 2013. If Miller is unable to start at tight end Week One, it will be blocking tight end Matt Spaeth or second-year David Paulson who fills Miller’s shoes. H-back David Johnson, who tore his ACL during last year’s preseason is also an option. Miller isn’t even worth a late-round fantasy pick if the news continues to trend downward on him.
Peyton Hillis signs one-year deal with Bucs
Hillis arose from nowhere, worked out with the Bucs, and is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Don’t expect Hillis to be a lock to make the final 53-man roster. With Doug Martin, Brian Leonard, Michael Smith and Mike James also on the roster, Hillis doesn’t have a spot. Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Hillis will get run at both running back and fullback. From the sounds of it, Martin, Smith and James are the locks. It will be veterans Hillis and Leonard fighting it out for the FB/HB spot.
Bills release DE Mark Anderson
Anderson played in just five games in 2012 and received widely negative reviews after signing a four-year, $19.5 million deal in the offseason prior. Pro Football Focus graded Anderson at -12.5 in 2012, and four of his five games were graded negatively. He posted just one sack in his five starts. Instead of save $500,000 and keep him for 2013, the Bills will cut their losses. Don’t expect Anderson to be as hot of a name as John Abraham, but there should be plenty of free agency buzz on Anderson after this release.
Michael Vick and Nick Foles to split reps
According to Eagles insider Geoff Mosher of Comcast SportsNet, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said reps between Vick and Foles will be split in training camp. It doesn’t sound like we’ll get much insight than that, other than word of mouth from beat writers. Most of the fantasy community is on the Vck bandwagon, and I tend to agree. Although, I do believe that if Vick goes down, he will not earn the job back. It will be Foles and rookie Matt Barkley’s for the rest of the season.
Raiders signed QB Tyler Wilson
The team announced its deal with the fourth-round Arkansas Razorback on Tuesday. It’s a four-year deal. It sounds like Wilson will compete with Matt Flynn for the starting quarterback job, and I expect Wilson to come out on top. Should be an interesting camp battle.
Colts placed Ahmad Bradshaw on camp PUP
Bradshaw was in a walking boot in mid-June after signing on with the team, so it’s no surprise that he’s slowly being eased it. I don’t see it as a concern. Vick Ballard will be taking first-team reps until Bradshaw is ready to return. Be sure to keep an eye as we get into training camp, but don’t expect this to be any more than just a precaution.