T.J. Watt has been at Pittsburgh Steelers practice but isn't participating in team drills. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler says the pass-rusher is staying away until he inks a contract extension."I don't blame him for that because you don't want to get hurt when you're trying to get your contract done," Butler said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.The 2020 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up is entering the final season of his contract - the fifth-year option Pittsburgh exercised for $10.089 million.Watt has cemented himself among the NFL's upper echelon, leading the league in sacks (15) and quarterback hits (41) in 2020. He's expected to cash in big after playing out his rookie contract."You kind of lose some flexibility in terms of what kind of contract you can sign. So, I don't blame him for that," Butler said. "I hope they get it done. As a former player rep for the players' association when I came out, I've always been for the players. I struck twice for the players. I knew I wasn't going to get the money that they get. I want them to make as much money as they can in this league. I think they deserve it."The Steelers are working on a deal with their star defender and hope to come to an agreement sooner rather than later."We'd like to get T.J.'s deal done, if we can, before the start of the season. That's the goal," owner Art Rooney said earlier this week.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's more to the story of the delayed surgery that will cause New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas to miss the beginning of the 2021 season.The two-time All-Pro ignored calls from his coaches for three months before rejoining the Saints in June when they discovered he required ankle surgery, reports Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune, citing multiple sources.Thomas battled ligament damage in his left ankle throughout the 2020 season. The team advised him to undergo surgery after the campaign, reports Duncan, but Thomas sought a second opinion from a doctor who suggested rehab and therapy.The team and Thomas reportedly agreed in March on a three-month rehabilitation plan for the 28-year-old. But check-in calls from Saints head coach Sean Payton, receivers coach Curtis Johnson, and then-trainer Beau Lowery went unanswered over the next three months, according to Duncan.The Saints then reportedly learned in June that Thomas' ankle still hadn't healed.Thomas is scheduled to miss 10-12 weeks following his procedure in an important transition year for New Orleans, with the team looking for Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill to replace Drew Brees as its starting quarterback.Payton expressed frustration with the situation when he spoke to the media last week."Obviously, we would have liked (the surgery) to have happened earlier than later, and, quite honestly, it should have," he said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals' offense has sputtered during the opening part of training camp, with quarterback Joe Burrow looking out of sync coming off a torn ACL.The sophomore quarterback was lauded for his ability to perform under pressure while playing at LSU and during his rookie season. Burrow said Saturday he has yet to fully regain that pocket presence despite feeling physically recovered."I would say right now it's a mental thing, that I'm just getting back used to playing football again against top-level competition," Burrow said. "Hopefully a couple more reps, a couple more days, we'll get back to my old self.""I just need to get back to being able to feel the people around me as opposed to seeing the people around me," he added. "I've always had a great feel for the pocket, a feel for where everybody is. It's just going to some more reps to get that back."When asked about his level of frustration with his performance, Burrow said, "It's up there.""It's frustrating right now, more so just not feeling like myself," he said. "I know I've put the work in to make my knee feel good, make my body ready for the season. It's just now trusting my abilities, trusting my work, trusting everything."Burrow also said he needs to be more patient with himself while just eight months removed from reconstructive knee surgery."I have to temper my expectations of myself down a little bit so I don't get frustrated," said Burrow. "When we get closer to Game 1, if this is still happening, the panic button will start off. But right now, there's no panic button going on."The Bengals attempted to bolster Burrow's supporting cast heading into his second season.Cincinnati drafted wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase - the quarterback's former Tigers teammate - with the No. 5 pick, and the Bengals signed offensive tackle Riley Reiff.They only won two games with Burrow under center in 2020, but he still lived up to expectations through 10 contests before getting hurt.The Heisman Trophy winner racked up 2,688 passing yards and 13 touchdowns against five interceptions while completing 65.3% of his throws.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lamar Jackson practiced for the first time Saturday since testing positive for COVID-19, and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was pleased with how his quarterback performed after dealing with varied symptoms."I thought he looked really good. I would say he looked even better than I expected him to coming off 10 days away, hadn't started yet," said Harbaugh. "COVID is tough and he had symptoms. He had a lot of symptoms."I think it speaks to how well he took care of himself during that time. He came out and practiced well. Good first step."The Ravens activated Jackson from the COVID-19 list on Friday, freeing him to return to training camp.

Troy Polamalu's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is scheduled to take place Saturday night, has triggered me.I've been a working sportswriter for more than 20 years, and I've covered the NFL for most of the last decade or so. In that time, a kind of hardened cynicism has set in. It's only natural. Having to report and write about professional football - and about the business, labor, and health and safety matters that are foundational to the game's operations - has filled me with a sense of detachment. My fandom, which had long been irrational and highly emotional well into my 30s, has largely calloused over. I just don't care as much as I once did about whether the Pittsburgh Steelers win or lose.But thinking about Polamalu landing in Canton brings out the little-kid fanboy in me. Rich Graessle / Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesI was born and raised in Pittsburgh, and my family has had Steelers season tickets for longer than I've been alive - first through my father, now through one of my brothers and my cousin.For many years, even after I moved away, I paid for a season ticket just so I'd be able to attend a home game whenever I wanted - the playoffs, especially.For us, whether it was Three Rivers Stadium or Heinz Field, going to games did not involve tailgating or pre-gaming. My dad would park downtown, and we'd walk across the Fort Pitt Bridge and head straight to our seats, always making certain to be in our spots for the player introductions and kickoff. We'd have a few beers once we arrived, sure, but this wasn't fun. We used to joke that Pittsburgh needed our full-throated support, and we were there to work.I've attended a lot of fantastic games over the years and also saw a lot of great disappointments. In the process of writing this, I even began to list a few from both sides of the ledger but got too carried away and decided to scrap the idea. So let's just get to the point. On Jan. 18, 2009, Troy Polamalu provided the ultimate thrill: A virtuoso performance in front of a rip-roaring crowd to clinch the Steelers' spot in the Super Bowl. Streeter Lecka / Getty ImagesPittsburgh was playing the Baltimore Ravens, who by then had replaced the Cleveland Browns as the Steelers' primary rivals. Pittsburgh finished the regular season 12-4 and won the AFC North, sealing the division with a close victory over Baltimore in Week 15 - one of Ben Roethlisberger's four fourth-quarter comebacks that year.The defense, with Polamalu on the back end and AFC Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison wreaking havoc up front, was the best in the league and is still the seventh-best in history, according to Football Outsiders' DVOA metric.But the Ravens - with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco under center, first-year head coach John Harbaugh in command, and a defense that ranked second in efficiency - had destroyed the Miami Dolphins and knocked off the top-seeded Tennessee Titans. This promised to be an intense, full-tilt, physical AFC Championship Game. And it lived up to its billing.Polamalu was a kinetic chess piece who was always easy to spot because of his long, flowing, curly hair. There was never any telling where he might line up before the snap or where he might have moved to by the time the play began. The "Tasmanian Devil" made his presence known late in the first quarter when he anticipated Flacco's attempted QB sneak on fourth-and-1. That's when he did this: Your browser does not support the video tag. theScore/CBS SportsJust three plays later, Roethlisberger connected with Santonio Holmes for a 65-yard touchdown that gave the Steelers a 13-0 lead. But Baltimore refused to go away.After the Ravens closed the gap to 16-14 with a little under 10 minutes remaining, Pittsburgh went three-and-out, and Baltimore got the ball on its own 14 with 6:50 to go. It's safe to say the crowd was on edge at this point.After Flacco hooked up with Todd Heap for a 20-yard gain on second down, the Ravens got some breathing room up at their own 32. But nose tackle Casey Hampton stopped Ray Rice on first down, and LaMarr Woodley sacked Flacco on second down, setting up a third-and-13 from Baltimore's 29. There were less than five minutes to go now. Then this happened: Your browser does not support the video tag. theScore/CBS SportsI recommend watching the actual video itself just to sense the delirium that ensued. I've viewed it dozens of times over the years and still get a charge from it. I was in that disbelieving crowd, way up in Section 511, Row W, and I still remember how my dad - who died in 2014 - tried to bear-hug my cousin, my brother, and me just as Polamalu crossed the goal line, nearly knocking us all over.We didn't care. A Hall of Fame player had just made a Hall of Fame play right when the team we loved needed it most, and we were there to see it - and to soak up all that pure, unbridled joy.Two weeks later, the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals in another heart-stopper to win the dang Super Bowl. Like I said, I'm triggered. Streeter Lecka / Getty ImagesI hope every sports lover gets to savor a moment like that - even Ravens fans! (Seriously!) If you were in the house for something that leaves you with similar feels to this day, share your story down in the comments. Let's have some fun this weekend.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen agreed to an extension that will keep him under contract through 2028, the club announced Friday.The six-year pact is reportedly worth $258 million and includes $150 million in guaranteed money, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Allen's $150 million in guaranteed money would be the most received in a single contract in NFL history, according to ESPN.Name Guaranteed Money in Single ContractJosh Allen$150MPatrick Mahomes$141.5MDak Prescott$126MAdditionally, Allen's average annual value of $43 million would rank second in the NFL, only trailing Patrick Mahomes, who earns $45 million per year, according to Spotrac.Allen's contract was Buffalo's biggest priority this offseason after the club picked up his fifth-year option in May. The two sides set the beginning of the regular season as a deadline for agreeing on an extension."Josh has been everything we could've asked for and then some, and we think the best is yet to come," Bills general manager Brandon Beane said after the deal.Allen knows even more will be expected of him after landing the huge contract."Now, we can focus on going out there and earning it and making sure that they understand that I know that they didn't pay me for what I've done. They did this 'cause they expect me to continue what I'm doing and expect me to go win this team some championships," he said.Drafted seventh overall by the Bills in 2018, Allen proved his worth in 2020. He finished runner-up in MVP voting after setting new franchise records in single-season touchdown passes (37), passing yards (4,544), and total touchdowns (46). He powered the Bills to a 13-3 record and an appearance in the AFC Championship Game.The 25-year-old owns a career record of 28-15 with 67 passing touchdowns against 31 interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks left tackle Duane Brown is refusing to practice without a contract extension, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.The 35-year-old is in the final year of a deal he signed in 2018 that will pay him $10 million in base salary for the 2021 season.However, the veteran - whom Seattle traded for in 2017 - is unhappy he's yet to receive a new agreement, Schefter reports.Brown has started every game he's suited up for during his Seahawks tenure. The offensive lineman, who committed one just penalty and allowed only one sack in 2020, last reached the Pro Bowl in 2017.Losing the offensive unit's anchor for any length of time would likely also affect star quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson was outspoken this offseason about his displeasure with the number of hits he's taken during his career.Seattle is also currently without star safety Jamal Adams as he seeks a new pact. Both Adams and Brown have been in attendance but have not participated in practice.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has come to the realization that he can't keep rookie quarterback Trey Lance on the bench this season."Trey's going to play for us this year. I know you guys are all running to Twitter on that," Shanahan said Friday, according to NFL.com's Chase Goodbread."Situationally, he's going to get plays. That doesn't mean that he's going to be the starter or anything, but he's going to get plays, and you've got to prepare him for that every way possible."Lance, the No. 3 pick in this year's draft, is hoping to challenge Jimmy Garoppolo for the starting role, but general manager John Lynch has said the veteran Garoppolo is having his best training camp since he joined the 49ers.All-Pro tackle Trent Williams agrees with his GM, telling KNBR's "Murph and Mac" that while Lance is an "outstanding talent," there isn't a genuine quarterback competition just yet.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a sprained AC joint at practice Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.However, the injury isn't considered serious, a source told Schefter.The sophomore landed hard on his left shoulder late in Friday's session.

We're getting close to crowning the Greatest Sports Movie of all time.Sixty-four of cinema's best sports films entered our bracket, from tearjerkers to family favorites, and a few Oscar winners, as well, and only eight remain. Vote below through Sunday at 3 p.m. ET to determine the champion:Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington submitted a trade request, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Washington reportedly wants out of Pittsburgh due to his lack of playing time last season and in Thursday's Hall of Fame game.The 2018 second-round pick produced a solid sophomore campaign in 2019, racking up 44 catches for 735 yards and three touchdowns.But Washington's role with the Steelers was reduced following the arrival of then-rookie Chase Claypool last year.Washington acted as the team's No. 4 receiver behind Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Diontae Johnson for much of the campaign and finished the season with just 392 yards.Washington, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, played 27 snaps and failed to record a catch in Thursday's 16-3 preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens activated quarterback Lamar Jackson from the COVID-19 list Friday, the team announced.Jackson, who missed the previous 10 days of training camp after testing positive, could potentially return to practice as soon as Saturday.The former NFL MVP was back at the team's facility Friday, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.Jackson sat out one game last season after testing positive for COVID-19.The signal-caller is in line for a major contract extension before the start of the 2021 campaign. Josh Allen, who was also selected in the 2018 draft, signed a six-year deal Friday that's reportedly worth $258 million.Running back Gus Edwards, who was placed on the reserve list at the same time as Jackson, returned to practice Friday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Jared Smola of Draft Sharks joins Boone to discuss how to approach running backs in this year's fantasy drafts.

Don't expect Matthew Stafford's first official snap for the Los Angeles Rams to come before Week 1 of the regular season."There is zero chance you will ever see Matthew Stafford take a snap in the preseason for the Rams as long as I'm the coach. That will never happen," head coach Sean McVay said on "The Doug Gottlieb Show."He added: "Until you tell me that if a guy gets hurt in the preseason that we'll get those games back or they'll add them on the schedule afterwards as, 'Oh yeah, you get two games because you lost those guys in the preseason,' it's hard for me to make sense of it."McVay has a long history of being cautious with his top starters. The Rams have already decided to hold running back Darrell Henderson out of preseason action after losing Cam Akers to a season-ending injury.The Rams dodged one injury scare with Stafford in training camp after the signal-caller hit his thumb on a player's helmet. However, it was reportedly determined to be a minor ailment after X-rays came back negative.Los Angeles opens the preseason on Aug. 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is dealing with a shoulder injury that more resembles an ailment baseball pitchers suffer, according to Fox's Jay Glazer.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.More in this series

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady had a strong message for NFL players and their union Thursday after learning the average value of NFL franchises increased by 14% over the past year despite a significant drop in the league's salary cap."The salary cap dropped by 20% ... and the new media deals were announced the day after (the) 2021 salary cap was set," Brady wrote in an Instagram Story. "NFL players better wake up @NFLPA. NFL players are ignorant."

Chicago Bears tight end Jimmy Graham questioned the NFLPA on numerous issues Thursday, including the union's recommendation that players and staff be tested daily for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status."Was basically forced into getting the vaccine. Now I’m just confused. @NFLPA," Graham tweeted alongside an NFLPA memo Thursday.Unvaccinated players are tested daily while vaccinated players are tested once every two weeks under the current COVID-19 protocols. However, the NFLPA is pushing for daily testing for vaccinated players due to the emergence of the Delta variant.Graham also tweeted his displeasure with the league's penalties for missing a COVID-19 test:

Robert Griffin III has signed a multi-year deal with ESPN to serve as a college football and NFL analyst, the network announced Thursday.The longtime NFL quarterback will call one college football game per week on ESPN/ABC and also contribute to the network's coverage of the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl, among other events.“Knowing how much the game of football helps shape lives, and understanding the aspects of the commitment it entails, is why I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join ESPN for both college and NFL programming," Griffin said. "I look forward to being around the players, coaches, and fans while providing unique insight to bring the game to life for the viewers."Griffin could still return to the playing field as his contract has an out should an NFL opportunity arise, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The 31-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens in a backup role. Griffin made two starts with the club, one coming in the 2019 season finale and another after Lamar Jackson landed on the COVID-19 list last season.The Baylor product was once a highly touted prospect and was selected second overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by Washington. Griffin won Offensive Rookie of the Year during his first NFL season after throwing for 20 touchdowns against five interceptions.In addition to the Ravens and Washington, Griffin has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns. He owns a career record of 16-26.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

More than 90% of NFL players are at least one shot into the vaccination process, league executives said in a conference call Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones.The update comes as the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to kick off the 2021 preseason on Thursday.While players who are vaccinated will enjoy more relaxed protocols at team facilities, the league hasn't yet considered enhancing protocols for clubs in areas where the Delta variant of the coronavirus is running rampant."We have to be vigilant, applying the same standards across our clubs to keep everyone healthy," said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer.The NFLPA is recommending the league test players and staff every day - regardless of their vaccination status - as they enter their respective team facilities. But Sills said a change in the existing protocol is not yet necessary. Currently, the league requires unvaccinated players to test daily and vaccinated players once every two weeks.The NFLPA cited two outbreaks inside club facilities with the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins during the first week of training camp. Sills referred to both instances instead as a cluster of positive cases rather than an outbreak."We'll review this data, talk about it with the NFLPA and their advisors. We'll adjust the protocols based on the data," he said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the team announced Wednesday.The two sides agreed to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Field Yates.The former third overall draft pick is entering his 11th season. The 33-year-old has made six Pro Bowls but is three campaigns removed from his last trip.McCoy spent the first nine years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and the Dallas Cowboys last year.After signing a three-year pact with the Cowboys last March, McCoy suffered a ruptured quad in August that required season-ending surgery. Dallas waived him as a result.McCoy has 59.5 career sacks, registering five during his last campaign in 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peyton Manning's greatest rival will be on hand to witness him reach football immortality.Tom Brady will travel to Canton, Ohio, to watch Manning's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times."Peyton was someone that I always just admired as a quarterback, as a leader of a team," Brady said during Super Bowl media week in February. "Peyton and I are right around the same age - he's a few years older than me - but I always looked up to Peyton because he was a little older than me, and he was always doing things the right way, and his team was always in it."I know our teams had a rivalry against one another, but when you won against a Peyton Manning-led team, you were going against essentially the other best team in the league. It's no real surprise that he'd be a first-ballot Hall of Famer."Brady went 11-6 in head-to-head matchups between the two quarterbacks and won the first six matchups against Manning. Brady's New England Patriots also eliminated Manning's Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs on two occasions.But Manning defeated Brady's Patriots in the postseason in each of his three trips to the Super Bowl - once with the Colts and twice with the Denver Broncos.Though they were ferocious rivals on the gridiron, the legendary passers have formed a friendship off it.Manning and Brady have shared the stage on several occasions following the former's 17-year career, including as friendly foes in a televised charity golf competition last May.Brady won't be the only member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveling to honor Manning. Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians, quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen, and offensive consultant Tom Moore will also make the trip.Arians was Manning's first quarterbacks coach with the Colts from 1998-2000, Christensen was his offensive coordinator in 2010, and Moore was his offensive coordinator from 1998-2009.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Pat Fitzmaurice of Football Guys joins Boone to discuss how to approach quarterbacks in this year's fantasy drafts.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been dealing with lingering calf and ankle tightness, which explains why he's remained sidelined at practice over the last two days, sources told NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.The injury is not considered major, and Watson is labeled as day-to-day, adds Wilson.Despite the ailments, the three-time Pro Bowler is still attending team meetings."He's been a great asset for us in the room and some of the stuff we do, how he sees it, and how he sees the intent of the plays," offensive coordinator Tim Kelly said Wednesday, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.On Tuesday, Watson missed practice for the first time since reporting for training camp, but head coach David Culley declined to say why the signal-caller was absent.Although Watson was on the field for Houston's first five practice sessions, his participation was limited. The 25-year-old only participated in individual drills while the other three quarterbacks on the roster - Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Driskel, and rookie Davis Mills - took snaps in team drills.Culley has also declined to comment whether Watson - who has asked for a trade - is part of his club's future. The field general is currently facing off-field issues after 22 civil lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints were filed against him. The NFL is investigating the allegations.Watson led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards last season while also setting career highs in completion percentage (70.2) and touchdown passes (33).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers acknowledged that he and general manager Brian Gutekunst are still working on their relationship."I think it's a work in progress. I think relationships aren't formed in a matter of a couple days," Rodgers said, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "There's times where the respect grows and the communication follows. I think the greatest relationships that you have with your friends and loved ones involve conversations and flow. You can not talk to a close friend for a few months and pick up right where you left off."There's no break in communication, there's no forced conversations where you got to hit this person up because it's on your to-do list that day. It's all about wanting to have those conversations and wanting to be in a conversation like that. We've had a couple conversations, they've been positive conversations."The rocky relationship between Rodgers and the Packers' front office has been highly publicized and almost resulted in the quarterback's departure this year.Last week, the 37-year-old denied rumors from earlier in the offseason about making Green Bay choose between him and Gutekunst.There were also reports regarding the signal-caller looking for a new contract this year, as he wanted the Packers to be more committed to him moving forward. He said Green Bay didn't contact him about a deal early in the offseason and then tried to solve the issue by "throwing some money" at him. One of the club's offers reportedly would've made the nine-time Pro Bowler the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.The three-time MVP ended up signing a restructured deal with the Packers that will reportedly make him a free agent after the 2022 season and won't let the team place the franchise tag on him.Green Bay acquired wideout Randall Cobb from the Houston Texans last week in a move described by Gutekunst as "very important" to the quarterback.Gutekunst joined the Packers in 1998 as a scout and has worked in multiple roles since. Green Bay named the 48-year-old its general manager in 2018.Rodgers, a first-round pick in 2005, is coming off a fantastic campaign that saw him lead the NFL in pass completions and touchdowns while posting a 13-3 record.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans star wide receiver Julio Jones left practice Monday due to an undisclosed injury and hasn't returned to the field since.Head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday that his plan moving forward is to be cautious with Jones, who's coming off an injury-plagued 2020 campaign."We're going to be probably cautious with Julio, so the Julio watch will continue," Vrabel said. "We'll have a plan for him, but I would anticipate that we'd be all on the same page by the time the season started. You're going to see him out there at times, you're going to see him on the other field. He's played a lot of games, and that's kind of where we're going to be each and every day."Jones joined the Titans this offseason through a trade from the Atlanta Falcons. The seven-time Pro Bowler, who's entering his 11th NFL season, battled a hamstring issue in 2020 that limited him to just nine appearances, his lowest number of games in a single season since 2013 (five).The 32-year-old said in June that injuries wouldn't slow him down in 2021.Jones established himself as one of the NFL's elite wideouts since entering the league as the sixth overall pick in 2011. He racked up 848 receptions for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns over 135 regular-season appearances with the Falcons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles agreed to a three-year contract, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Bowles' new deal replaces the one year remaining on his former pact, per Schefter. He'll reportedly continue to be the NFL's highest-paid defensive coordinator, and the new contract won't prohibit him from taking a head coaching job.The 57-year-old has led the Buccaneers' defense for the last two seasons, joining the team alongside head coach Bruce Arians.Bowles helped turn Tampa Bay into one of the league's top defenses in 2020.The unit finished eighth in points allowed and sixth in yards allowed during the regular season before limiting the Kansas City Chiefs to just nine points during Tampa Bay's Super Bowl win.Bowles was the head coach of the New York Jets from 2015-18. The Jets fired him after recording a 26-41 record over four seasons.But Bowles appears on track for another shot at being a head coach. He was reportedly a candidate this offseason for coaching vacancies with the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Atlanta Falcons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are few things more volatile to bet than the NFL preseason, which features backups playing meaningless football in pursuit of personal gain over actual winning. But it can be profitable if you know how to attack it.We went 11-2 in 2019, the last time the NFL held preseason games, and we're ready to hit the ground running with Thursday's Hall of Fame Game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers (-1). Here's how to bet it:Cowboys vs. Steelers (-1, 34)At first blush, the total for Thursday's game is notably low, even by preseason standards. One look at the quarterback depth charts may change your mind.The Cowboys are delaying Dak Prescott's return to game action after a recent shoulder strain followed his more severe ankle injury from 2020, which puts even more pressure on the backup quarterback in Dallas. It's an uninspiring lot - Garrett Gilbert will likely get the start, while Ben DiNucci and Cooper Rush will finish out Thursday's contest.On the other side, the Steelers will start Mason Rudolph before handing the reins to former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins to close the first half. Here's an easy stat to quantify how bad that is: Rudolph finished dead last in QBR (36.2) among qualified starters in 2019, while Haskins finished last (31.0) in 2020 before getting cut by Washington.Those two will be spelled in the second half in favor of Joshua Dobbs, who's thrown 17 passes and has a career passer rating of 39.1. It's not much better for the Cowboys: DiNucci produced a brutal 13.5 QBR in his lone appearance as a rookie in 2020, while Rush has attempted three passes in his four-year NFL career.Neither side is likely to employ its starters for more than a handful of drives, though Dallas may be inclined to see some extended run from its defense after rebuilding the unit in the offseason. The Steelers' defense was among the NFL's best a year ago, and while their starters won't play much in this one, the depth of their front seven should make life difficult for the Cowboys' young arms.This game would profile as a low-scoring affair in any week, but there's an advantage for under bettors with it coming so soon after training camp. Since 2010, the average combined score in the Hall of Fame Game is 29.5 points, and six of those eight contests checked in below 34 points (two were canceled).The Broncos and Falcons combined for a mere 24 points in last year's Hall of Fame Game, and both of these coaching staffs have a history of low-scoring contests in the preseason. Expect another one Thursday.Pick: Under 34C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Indianapolis Colts won't be making a move for Nick Foles as Carson Wentz recovers from foot surgery.With Wentz set to miss 5-to-12 weeks after suffering an injury during training camp, Foles has been among the veteran quarterbacks speculated as possible trade options for Indianapolis.But head coach Frank Reich, who coached Foles and Wentz while with the Philadelphia Eagles, suggested Wednesday that his team isn't considering adding the signal-caller."This is Carson’s team. He is our quarterback," said Reich, according to Charlie Clifford of WISH-TV. "Everyone knows that.”"I don't mind talking about Nick Foles, I love Foles," He added. "I think he is a great player, teammate, he is a winner. But, he plays for the Chicago Bears."Foles fueled rumors of a potential reunion with Reich on Monday when he heaped praise on his former offensive coordinator. The passer and Reich helped lead the Eagles to a 2017 Super Bowl win after Wentz suffered a season-ending knee injury."Frank Reich is one of my favorite, if not favorite, coaches of all time," Foles said. "He understands me as a player. He understands me as a person. But I haven't had any talks with them. I'm a Chicago Bear right now."But he knows me. You all watched the 2017 season and the playoffs where he changed the offense and built it around me, and you all saw what happened."Reich has said the Colts plan to start sophomore Jacob Eason if Wentz misses regular-season games.Eason, who was once a five-star recruit, has yet to appear in an NFL game after being taken in the fourth round in 2020.“Jacob has that upside. With that arm talent, there are things you can do that money can’t buy," said Reich.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants are optimistic that wide receiver Kenny Golladay avoided a serious leg injury, a source told ESPN's Jordan Raanan.Golladay suffered a slight hamstring pull, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He will reportedly undergo further tests Wednesday to determine if he needs to miss any time.The 27-year-old appeared to injure his left leg during 7-on-7 drills in Tuesday's training camp practice. He was seen walking off the field gingerly.Golladay joined New York this offseason on a four-year, $72-million deal and is set to be the team's top receiving target.The former Detroit Lions standout missed 11 games last season due to hamstring and hip injuries.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Don't rule out a potential Philip Rivers return to the NFL just yet.The retired quarterback, who ended his 17-year career in January, isn't closing the door on potentially coming back to the league late in the season if a team needs him, he told Los Angeles Times's Sam Farmer."I'm just going to stay ready," the 39-year-old said. "I want to make sure I'm very clear: I'm not predicting I will play in December or January, for that matter. One, you've got to have somebody who wants you, and two, it's got to be right."But I have not completely ruled that out."Rivers added he's currently focused on coaching a high school football team in Alabama after taking over the job last month.The former fourth overall pick last played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts, who naturally would be linked to Rivers if he returns. However, the Colts would likely need a veteran starting signal-caller to step up sooner rather than later, as the club recently saw Carson Wentz go down with a foot injury. Wentz underwent surgery Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined 5-to-12 weeks.Rivers posted an 11-5 record while throwing for 4,169 yards and 24 touchdowns against 11 interceptions with Indianapolis last campaign.The nine-time Pro Bowler played the majority of his career for the Los Angeles Chargers after entering the league in 2004, and he's their franchise's leader in games played, passing yards, and touchdowns.Rivers currently places fifth all-time in career passing yards (63,440) and touchdown passes (421).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With just over a month left until the NFL season begins, there are still a handful of quarterback competitions yet to be decided - including a couple that could result in a surprise starter come Week 1.Here are the odds for every major quarterback competition and our best bets for each.New Orleans SaintsPlayer to take 1st snapYesNoJameis Winston-140+110This is easily the most interesting quarterback competition in the NFL. Jameis Winston has been the prohibitive favorite for much of the summer, but his odds have been slashed as Taysom Hill earns more first-team reps for the Saints in camp.When we broke down this competition two months ago, we liked Hill's chances as a clear underdog thanks to his past experiences running Sean Payton's offense and the coach's adulation for the 30-year-old. Since then, the two have split first-team reps, and both have shown moments worthy of the starting job.It's clear that this job is yet to be decided, and Hill appears to have the inside track, however small. Until this competition is priced as a true coin flip, I'm fading Winston as the favorite.Pick: No +110New England PatriotsPlayer to take 1st snapYesNoMac Jones+200-350The Patriots have continued to declare Cam Newton as the team's starter, though it's always come with the caveat that things could change if Mac Jones outplays him in camp. That appears to be happening - the first-round pick has improved with increasing first-team reps, while Newton has struggled in his own chances.Jones is a better fit in this offense, anyway, and with the way Newton played for much of last season, he'd have to show improvement to justify getting another crack at it. Bet on the better quarterback at a better price.Pick: Yes +200San Francisco 49ersPlayer to take 1st snapYesNoTrey Lance+225-300This is one of the few spots on the board where it might be worth taking a shot. Jimmy Garoppolo has run his course as the 49ers' starter after four injury-riddled seasons in San Francisco, including an uninspiring six-game run in 2020 when he had nearly as many interceptions (five) as touchdowns (seven).Trey Lance, meanwhile, has dazzled in camp and will earn this job sooner or later. It's always been a matter of readiness, as he's the superior talent with a better feel for the game and is a better fit in Kyle Shanahan's offense. If he proves ready in the coming weeks, he could steal this job as early as Week 1.Pick: Yes +225Chicago BearsPlayer to take 1st snapYesNoJustin Fields+300-450The Bears have been adamant that Andy Dalton is the team's starting quarterback despite spending a premium pick on Justin Fields, much like they were about Mike Glennon after drafting Mitchell Tribisky at No. 2 in 2017. Glennon ended up starting the first four games of the season, and Dalton seems to be following the same trajectory.The three-time Pro Bowler showed flashes in nine starts with the Cowboys last season and has played well enough in camp to earn the team's confidence as the declared starter, even with Fields knocking on the door. Betting +300 here is tempting, but given this front office's history with handling young quarterbacks, it's likely a losing ticket.Pick: No -450Washington Football TeamPlayer to take 1st snapYesNoRyan Fitzpatrick-900+500Is this really a competition? Yes, Ron Rivera says this is an open contest between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke, who showed enough in last year's playoff loss to the Buccaneers to earn his chance at the starting job.He won't win it, though, after Washington wooed Fitzpatrick with $10 million for one year to be the team's starting quarterback. The ever-present threat of injuries makes it tough to lay such a short number on "yes," but betting no at this price isn't worth your time.Pick: PassDenver BroncosPlayer to take 1st snapOddsDrew Lock+120Teddy Bridgewater+120Any other QB+300Oddsmakers are pricing this competition as a true dead heat, but do the Broncos see it that way? Coach Vic Fangio has said as much in camp, though if this team plans to compete in 2021, it seems like Teddy Bridgewater would have the early edge after how he played with the Panthers in 2020.Denver only spent a sixth-round pick to acquire Bridgewater, but it was hardly a vote of confidence for incumbent starter Drew Lock, who finished tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (15) and had the third-lowest QBR (48.8) of any quarterback with at least 10 starts."Any other QB" was a compelling play before Aaron Rodgers ended his standoff with the Packers' front office. With Rodgers out of the picture, it's hard to envision another quarterback moving the needle for the Broncos more than these two, and Bridgewater seems like the better bet.Pick: Bridgewater +120Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Ben Roethlisberger wants to continue his career beyond 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers won't rule out bringing him back.Roethlisberger agreed in March to rework the final year of his current contract, which included a $5-million pay cut to help ease his then-NFL-high cap hit of $41.25 million.Many assumed the deal was setting the quarterback up for one final ride in Pittsburgh before retirement. But Steelers president Art Rooney II suggested Tuesday that Roethlisberger could return in 2022 if the season goes well."It's not written in stone that this is his last year," Rooney said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.Roethlisberger struggled during the second half of last year after a strong start to the campaign. The 39-year-old was coming off elbow surgery and admitted he had issues with his arm strength as the season wore on.Those limitations were glaring during Pittsburgh's home playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns, with Roethlisberger recording four turnovers.After the AFC North club's first training camp practice in late July, Roethlisberger stressed that the issues stemming from his elbow injury were behind him, saying his arm felt "really, really good."The Steelers have yet to create a succession plan for Roethlisberger, who has been their starter since 2004."We're aware this could be Ben's last year," said Rooney. "We hope it's a great one. That's as far as we can go with it right now. Obviously, if this is his last year, then next year, we'll be making decisions on a QB."Backup Mason Rudolph failed to impress while starting in relief of the injured Roethlisberger in 2019. Meanwhile, Dwayne Haskins, a former first-round pick of the Washington Football Team, joined Pittsburgh this offseason after flaming out in his two seasons with the NFC East club.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants head coach Joe Judge ordered a series of sprints and pushups Wednesday after a teamwide brawl ended practice early, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.The melee broke out after Jabrill Peppers laid a hard hit on Corey Clement, per Vacchiano. Evan Engram reportedly retaliated, leading Logan Ryan to shove him from behind. The fight reportedly grew, and starting quarterback Daniel Jones wound up at the bottom of a large pile."We were just competing," Jones said. "Everyone's excited, first day of pads, to get out there, but got to do a better job of controlling that and making sure we're controlling our enthusiasm."Judge reportedly included some of his assistant coaches in the disciplinary runs and pushups. He went on a profane rant in front of his players about their actions before ending the session.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday his team is being cautious by taking "a step back" with quarterback Dak Prescott's shoulder strain rehab, according to Jori Epstein of USA Today."We want to make sure this doesn't turn into something bigger," said McCarthy, who added Prescott will be on a pitch count once he resumes throwing.Prescott exited the first padded practice of training camp last week with soreness in his throwing arm and was considered day-to-day. McCarthy said soon after the injury that the signal-caller would skip throwing activities for only "two, three days."The two-time Pro Bowler appeared in just five games last season before a compound ankle fracture and dislocation sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He's expected to be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming campaign.The 28-year-old, who set career highs with 4,900 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 2019, became football's second-highest-paid quarterback this offseason after signing a four-year extension worth $160 million.As expected, Prescott won't be on the field when the Cowboys line up to open the preseason Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.McCarthy also said Tuesday he's hopeful Prescott will play in the preseason, with the third exhibition game on Aug. 21 being a realistic possibility, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill left practice Tuesday and was later diagnosed with knee tendonitis.Head coach Andy Reid said the issue "just showed up today," according to Joshua Brisco of Arrowhead Report.The star pass-catcher was one of three Chiefs regulars to leave practice prematurely, joining safety Juan Thornhill, who strained his groin, and cornerback Charvarius Ward, who had an eye injury.Hill, who's one of the NFL's top deep threats, caught a career-high 15 touchdowns last season and eclipsed the 1,200-yard mark for the second time in three years.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.More in this series

Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson will undergo foot surgery and miss 5-to-12 weeks, head coach Frank Reich announced Tuesday.The All-Pro will have the same procedure as quarterback Carson Wentz, who's also facing a similar recovery timeline.Nelson was injured during Monday's practice and will have surgery Tuesday.Reich said Nelson's injury is essentially the same as Wentz's, according to Mike Chappell of Fox 59.Nelson has never missed a start since being taken sixth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.The 25-year-old quickly established himself as one of the league's premier guards and the cornerstone of Indianapolis' stellar offensive line, receiving first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in all three of his seasons.The Colts are already dealing with injury issues on the offensive line. Left tackle Eric Fisher is on the physically unable to perform list and is expected to miss the start of the season, while Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly is sidelined with an elbow ailment suffered early in training camp.The AFC South club is expected to start sophomore Jacob Eason if Wentz is forced to miss regular-season games.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Soon after Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich announced that quarterback Carson Wentz will be sidelined 5-to-12 weeks due to a foot injury that requires surgery, several veteran signal-callers were linked to the Colts as potential trade options.One of the most established passers connected to the Colts is Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles, who enjoyed a successful experience while working with Reich previously, and he doesn't seem to be part of the Bears' plans.The passer praised Reich during a press conference Monday."Frank Reich is one of my favorite, if not favorite, coaches of all time," Foles said. "He understands me as a player. He understands me as a person. But I haven't had any talks with them. I'm a Chicago Bear right now. But he knows me. You all watched the 2017 season and the playoffs where he changed the offense and built it around me, and you all saw what happened."Reich was the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator during the team's Super Bowl title campaign in 2017. Foles, who was named Super Bowl MVP, began that year as Wentz's backup and took over after the starter suffered a torn ACL late in the season."(Reich) understood my mentality as a player and he was able to build it around me and put me in a successful position," added Foles, who's currently the Bears' third quarterback behind Andy Dalton and Justin Fields.Additionally, Foles said he's fielded offers from multiple teams during the offseason, but he wants to be in a comfortable situation."You don't just want to go somewhere to go somewhere," he said. "You want to go somewhere where you know the people somewhat, or you know someone who knows the people that can vouch for the people so you can succeed. Listen, I'm 32, I feel great. The version of me right now is much better than the version that played in the Super Bowl."Foles left the Eagles as a free agent in 2019 and then signed a four-year, $88-million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he endured an injury-plagued debut campaign with the Jaguars that ended with him losing the starting role to Gardner Minshew.Foles joined the Bears through a trade in 2020, and he went 2-5 as a starter during his first year with the club.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will have his injured foot surgically repaired, keeping him out between 5-to-12 weeks, head coach Frank Reich announced Monday."Obviously, we're optimistic and hopeful that we can be on the front end of that (timeline)," Reich said.Wentz aggravated his foot Thursday toward the end of practice. The Colts sent him to see foot specialist Robert Anderson before deciding he needed a procedure.Reich said doctors believe Wentz's pain stems from an old injury that could date back as far as high school.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is week-to-week due to a knee sprain, the team announced Monday, per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro.The rookie went down in practice Saturday, leaving with what was initially reported as a minor leg injury.Smith is in contention to open the season No. 1 on the Eagles' wideout depth chart, though his injury could cast doubt over his availability for the opener.The Eagles drafted Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama last year, with the 10th overall pick. The lanky receiver posted 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior for the Crimson Tide.Philadelphia is slated to open the preseason Aug. 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and begin the regular season Sept. 12 versus the Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles are looking to improve upon their 4-11-1 record from a year ago when they struggled mightily to get production out of their wide receivers.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings were without three quarterbacks for Saturday's practice due to COVID-19 protocols.Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley were both deemed high-risk close contacts after rookie passer Kellen Mond tested positive for COVID-19, a source told ESPN's Courtney Cronin.Head coach Mike Zimmer addressed the club's situation, telling the media, "that's why people should get vaccinated," according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press."This Delta variant is tough and you can see the cases going up. For the sake of everybody, it's important, but some don't see it that way," Zimmer added.The league requires high-risk close contacts to isolate for five days. Fully vaccinated players don't have to do so after exposure.Jake Browning was the lone Vikings quarterback under center during Saturday night's session. He had an impressive showing, hitting Adam Thielen on multiple deep passes, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Minnesota signed Browning as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and he has spent time on the club's practice squad. He's yet to attempt an NFL pass.The Vikings later placed Cousins, Mond, and Stanley on the COVID-19 list, according to the NFL's transaction wire.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team placed defensive tackle Daron Payne on the COVID-19 list, the club announced Sunday.Payne, a 2018 first-round pick, becomes the seventh player added to the team's reserve group.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz won't undergo immediate surgery as he tries to recover from a foot injury, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Wentz will rest and rehab instead, and it's possible he'll be available for Week 1 on Sept. 12 if everything goes well, Rapoport notes.The signal-caller is reportedly sidelined indefinitely due to a foot injury that involves a bone and a ligament. Wentz was set to visit a foot specialist as the team was bracing for the possibility of surgery.The Pro Bowler joined the Colts this offseason after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles. The 28-year-old, who's 35-32-1 as a starter since entering the NFL in 2016, has battled injuries throughout his career, including a torn ACL in 2017.The Colts' quarterback depth chart also features second-year passer Jacob Eason, rookie Sam Ehlinger, and veteran Brett Hundley, who signed with the team Saturday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns and running back Nick Chubb agreed to a three-year extension worth $36.6 million, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Chubb's deal reportedly includes $20 million fully guaranteed.The 25-year-old, who was entering the final season of his rookie contract, has been one of the league's most productive rushers since being drafted in the second round in 2018.

The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms with veteran edge rusher Justin Houston, the club announced Saturday.The deal is for one year and worth up to $4 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Houston reportedly fielded greater offers from other teams, but he rejected those deals to join the Ravens and pursue a Super Bowl ring.Baltimore adds Houston to a pass-rushing corps that faces uncertainty after losing Matt Judon in free agency. Houston is coming off a two-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts when he posted 19 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, and three safeties.The 32-year-old spent eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs before heading to Indianapolis. He produced a 22-sack campaign in 2014, and Houston eclipsed double digits two other times with Kansas City.Baltimore opens its 2021 season Sept. 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football. The Ravens will take on the Chiefs and Colts, Houston's former teams, in Week 2 and Week 5, respectively.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran running back Devonta Freeman has agreed to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Freeman visited the organization earlier Saturday.The former fourth-rounder made four starts for the New York Giants last season, rushing for 172 yards and averaging 3.2 yards per carry.Freeman is most memorably known for his time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2014 to 2019. He accumulated 3,972 rushing yards with the Falcons, earning two Pro Bowl nods. His best season came in 2016 during Atlanta's Super Bowl run, as he rushed for 1,079 yards.The Saints will throw Freeman into a crowded running back room that also features Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, among others.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers' immediate future with the Green Bay Packers is secure after completing a revised contract, and the star quarterback is happy to put the drama that dominated the NFL offseason to bed and return to work."It's the best feeling," Rodgers told NFL Network's James Jones, per NFL.com's Nick Shook. "It was a little strange, I think, Day 1 just because I was gone for the entire offseason and contemplated my own future and the possibility of playing somewhere else as well. But when I'm back here, I'm 100 percent all in."You know me, you know what I'm all about. I love my teammates. I love competing. I do love practice. I love to go out and give it to the young corner when I can, get after these guys, talk a little smack, especially with a new D-coordinator in here, we've got to let him know how it goes around here. It's good to be back."One of the conditions of Rodgers' return was trading for former Packers standout Randall Cobb.Green Bay acquired the veteran wide receiver from the Houston Texans for a reported sixth-round pick. General manager Brian Gutekunst admitted the move was "very important" to Rodgers.When asked about how excited he was to reunite with the wideout, Rodgers said that "it's hard to put into words," adding he and Cobb "shed some tears" upon hearing the news.The 37-year-old confirmed he considered retirement during a candid press conference following his first practice of training camp Wednesday.The reigning MVP's future beyond 2021 remains uncertain. What would've been the final campaign of Rodgers' deal in 2023 has been voided under the new terms, and the Packers have committed to reviewing the quarterback's situation next offseason.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts have signed former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley, the team announced Saturday.Indianapolis needed to boost its quarterback depth after Carson Wentz suffered a foot injury during practice Thursday. Wentz is reportedly out indefinitely as he undergoes tests, and the signal-caller is expected to miss at least training camp and the preseason.The Colts' two primary backups - sophomore Jacob Eason and rookie Sam Ehlinger - have yet to suit up for an NFL game.Hundley has played in 18 career games (nine starts), logging time with the Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers.He's thrown for 1,902 yards with nine touchdowns against 13 interceptions, adding 46 carries for 309 yards and two scores.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell continues to hope stadiums league-wide will be full for the 2021 season."This year, we're comfortable that local regulations are going to allow us to have fans at all 32 stadiums," Goodell told Judy Battista of NFL Network. "We'll still be smart. We're still going to be willing to adapt. We're still going to do everything to make sure our fans are safe when they're there. But we expect full stadiums."You know, the fans want to come back. That's the No. 1 thing we hear. We're seeing that in our ticket sales. Fans just want to be a part (of) and have that collective experience. Doing that around an NFL game is fine."Stadium capacities were limited in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Goodell said in March that he expected NFL fans to be able to attend games as normal.The league allowed 25,000 people to attend Super Bowl LV at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium, including 7,500 vaccinated health care workers.The NFL has introduced new rules while continuing its push to increase the vaccination rate among players. Now any game that can't be rescheduled due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players will result in the responsible club forfeiting the contest.The league announced Thursday that 87.9% of players have received at least one vaccination shot.Goodell said he believes players are realizing the benefits of being vaccinated."The step we feel is most important is to keep our players and all personnel safe," said Goodell. "We've been consistent on this in the offseason. Vaccinations are the best way to do that. We have worked hard to educate all of our personnel and make sure that they have the right facts."I think the increasing numbers are indicating with people getting more comfortable, understanding better that they are effective, that they are safe and that they are the best to keep yourself and your family and everyone around you safe."Goodell added that he expects "very limited disruptions to the season" compared to the 2020 campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.