– The biggest news of the day: the Jaguars released Leonard Fournette. Unless they sign another running back, we’d expect Ryquell Armstead to be first in line for carries followed by Devine Ozigbo. Chris Thompson has the third down/passing down job locked up.
– Odds on Leonard Fournette’s next team, courtesy of BetOnlineChicago:
Bears 11/4
New England Patriots 11/4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7/2
Washington 4/1
Houston Texans 8/1
–Antonio Gibson: “Rookie Antonio Gibson will be a major factor. In fact it wouldn’t be a shock if he ends up with the most touches of any back in the group. Not carries, but touches.” – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300389495389540352
– Bryce Love: “Early on he showed burst and speed, but as camp has progressed, Love’s workload diminished. In a heavy-hitting scrimmage on Sunday, it didn’t appear that Love got any snaps with the first-team offense.“ – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300389495389540352
– John Hightower: “My offensive MVP award goes to John Hightower. The rookie receiver has done well all camp and could move up the depth chart if Reagor is sidelined for an extended period.” – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300391908930465793
– Jordan Reed: “With George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk sidelined for Friday’s Week 1 warm-up, Reed was the top target on the field. He caught five passes and was Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite receiver on the quarterback’s best drive.” – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300394527547588608
– Ronald Jones: Sat out practice today. Most likely just a rest day.
– De’Andre Swift: Returned to practice on a limited basis.
– Jeff Thomas: Now a full go at Patriots practice. “Jeff Thomas flashed his high-end athleticism during a one-on-two drill. He put a wicked move on Joejuan Williams and Justin Bethel to show off his speed and quickness. The competition for the final one or two wide receiver jobs still seems to be wide open. Because of an injury, Thomas didn’t do enough during the last 2 weeks to justify a spot on the 53-man roster, but the Pats could conceivably hold another 5 practices before Saturday’s roster cuts, which gives Thomas enough time to make a case.” If the Pats decide to keep him, it’ll be because they see his potential – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300436452501790723
– Quintez Cephus: “Cephus was a good player on tape, but he’s on another level live. There’s a nuance to his routes that goes beyond his years. Despite not being overly fast or big or elusive, he always seems to be open. When he’s not, his body control and hands let him finish plays anyway.” – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300437671374974978
– Bruce Arians on Fournette: “We’ll wait and see”
– Bisi Johnson: “I like what I’ve seen from Bisi Johnson. He has definitely upped his game from his rookie season and has lined up with the first-team offense for much of camp. A lot of people expected JJ to be the No. 2 but Johnson is playing well and seems to have a grasp on that spot for now” – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300449372669444097
– Trey Burton: Colts still weighing the severity of TE Trey Burton’s calf injury. Sounds like it’ll be a few weeks, but it depends on how the calf responds in the next few days. But looks like his absence will stretch into the regular season. – https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1300449916540661760
– Marlon Mack: Reich reiterates that Marlon Mack is the Colts starter at RB. “He’s earned that, and he looks fantastic.” He also expects major contribution from Jonathan Taylor this year. – https://twitter.com/jimayello/status/1300449991551520768
– Jerick McKinnon: Has been unguardable in 1-on-1s with the LBs and the Niners have some pretty good coverage LBs. – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300450900885090307
– Lamar Jackson: Greg Roman on designed runs – “I think we’ll all wait and find out.” Roman said it will depend on game plans. – https://twitter.com/jamisonhensley/status/1300452895998054403
– Todd Gurley: Dan Quinn says Todd Gurley’s speed was apparent during Friday’s scrimmage. Noted that he outran leverage on one play to get to the corner (https://twitter.com/willmcfadden/status/1300453724213702658). Gurley will remain on a load management plan.
– Rams RB Rotation: “Malcom Brown started the day on the Rams’ scripted first drive, but Cam Akers ran with the 1st team by the 2nd drive and had a TD in RZ work. With Darrell Henderson recovering from a hamstring injury, Xavier Jones and John Kelly got plenty of work with the second team” (https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300454132218814466). “Expect Brown to be on the field on 3rd down and in RZ. Akers could be on the field when the Rams play up-tempo and things are simplified…or (they) want to exploit an individual matchup. You might also see Akers in the game on early downs when SM wants to pound the football.” – https://twitter.com/32BeatWriters/status/1300490000816111622
– Cardinals: DeAndre Hopkins and Kenyan Drake sat out today.
– Alvin Kamara: Possibly sitting out due to his contract situation. Has had an unexcused absence for the past 3 days. – https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1300490433659797511
– Stefon Diggs: No longer on the Bills injury report.
– Justin Herbert: Anthony Lynn said Justin Herbert’s head is still spinning with the blitzes. “I want to throw everything at him … I don’t care about a perfect practice.” – https://twitter.com/GManzano24/status/1300471029320482819
– Joe Mixon: Still considered day-to-day but the Bengals expect him ready for Week 1. – https://twitter.com/CincyJungle/status/1300479431190945792
– Justin Jackson: Wasn’t on the practice field today. Joshua Kelley hype keeps rising.
– Antonio Gibson: Antonio Gibson’s change of direction is insane. He just made one small pivot in the backfield and sprinted to the end zone. – https://twitter.com/ZachDSelby/status/1300497548004806656
– Maquez Valdez-Scantling: Has turned it on as of late. LaFleur wanted to see more consistency from MVS. Rodgers wanted him to set a new standard each and every day. Now a few weeks into camp, MVS has risen to the occasion and made an impact not only as a deep threat but on intermediate routes as well. – https://twitter.com/Paul_Bretl/status/1300480689599635463
– Golden Tate: Went down awkwardly today, trainers were working on his leg. Giants offense has already been struggling the past week.
– Matt LaFleur on Packers RBs: ‘Going to see all of those guys in the mix’ – https://twitter.com/ThePackersWire/status/1300519654113280002