Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera knows his recent cancer diagnosis will have challenges, but he's confident his players and coaching staff will step up."I'm going to struggle," Rivera said Saturday. "Those days that I do, I'm going to have to ask the coaches to step up and I'm going to have to ask the players to step up and take ownership."I understand the significance of what I'm going to be going through. I understand how tough it's going to be, but again, those days that I can be on the field, I will be on the field, and those days that I can't, I won't. If I'm there, it's business as usual. If I'm not, it's Plan B. I don't expect that to happen. I hope it doesn't happen."Rivera's been diagnosed with squamous cell cancer, and he was told the form of cancer is treatable and curable. He shared the news with his team Thursday.If Rivera struggles during his recovery, Washington's Plan B includes defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio acting as the interim head coach. Del Rio previously coached the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-11) and then-Oakland Raiders (2015-17). He also served as the Denver Broncos interim head coach for multiple games in 2013 when head coach John Fox was sidelined due to medical reasons.Though Rivera acknowledges the challenges ahead of the 2020 season, he believes his diagnosis could be a defining moment for his new team."Let's say (the) coach has to step back. Are we going to wait for somebody else to step up or are we going to step up ourselves?" he said. "I think this is all part of our growth. I really do. Again, it's going to be a learnable moment and we'll find out a lot more about ourselves."Rivera joined Washington this offseason after spending the previous nine years on the Carolina Panthers sidelines. Washington finished the 2019 campaign 3-13, the team's worst record since 2013.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Saturday that running back Nick Chubb has cleared concussion protocol and will return to practice, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN.Chubb was placed in concussion protocol Tuesday after taking a high hit from second-year linebacker Mack Wilson during practice.Kareem Hunt took the Browns' first-team repetitions at running back with Chubb sidelined.Chubb, 24, earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2019 after finishing second in the league with 1,494 rushing yards.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Josh Norman is out indefinitely after picking up a hamstring injury, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques."We don't know the severity exactly. Those things take some time to get a good read on," McDermott said. "He'll continue to learn and be out there when he can. The biggest thing right now is that he maximizes his treatment opportunities so he can get back out there as quickly as possible."Norman injured his hamstring at practice Thursday when he was tripped up during an interception return.The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $6-million deal with Buffalo in March after Washington released him in February.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Few teams were more disappointing last year than the Cleveland Browns, who finished 6-10 after beginning the season with Super Bowl aspirations. Now, they head into 2020 with a similar win total and improved roster. Is this finally the year?WINSODDSOver 8.5-110Under 8.5-110A look backThe Browns started things with a rough 30-point loss in Week 1, and they never got much better. Cleveland lost six of its first eight games and effectively killed any playoff hopes with a three-game losing streak to end the year.But it wasn't all bad - the Browns were one of the only two teams to beat the Baltimore Ravens in the regular season. They did go 1-4 in games decided by seven points or less, but a team's clutch performance usually improves when its roster plays together over time.A better BakerA key reason why bettors were so optimistic about the Browns entering last year - and why the team inevitably flopped - was Baker Mayfield's playing ability. After a dazzling rookie season, he crashed in 2019, finishing 19th in ESPN's and QBR (52.8) and 31st in passer rating (78.8).However, some things weren't his fault. The Browns' offensive line was a disaster all year, which is especially damaging for a rhythm passer like Mayfield, one of the NFL's worst quarterbacks under pressure. Cleveland invested heavily in fixing that this offseason, signing Jack Conklin to a big-money deal, and spending a first-round pick on Jedrick Wills Jr.A new scheme should also do wonders. Incoming head coach Kevin Stefanski squeezed every ounce of talent out of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins - who led the NFL last year in average time to attempt (2.83 seconds) - behind a heavy dose of play-action. He should be able to do the same with Mayfield.Too much talentIf the O-line is even marginally better than it was last year, and it's hard to imagine that not being the case, the rest of the offense will fall in line. The team's receiving corps - which added Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper this summer - is full of talent, but never got the chance to shine with Mayfield scrambling around. Nick Chubb is one of the NFL's best running backs and could lead the league in rushing behind a better front five.Cleveland's defense disappointed last year, but it was hardly at full strength. All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett missed the final six games due to his suspension, while the talented cornerback duo of Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams missed four games each with injuries. This unit is young and full of upside, and there isn't much room to perform worse than a year ago.Again, the biggest X-factor is coaching. Freddie Kitchens and Co. squandered the benefit of having gifted players with horrible play-calling last year, so Stefanski only needs a passable campaign to note some improvement. Based on his track record in Minnesota, that won't be an issue.Best betLook, if you were burned by the Browns last season, I feel your pain. But don't let old wounds blind you in a new year. The needed skill level was there, but two glaring weaknesses - offensive line and coaching staff - held this team back from their potential. And yet, Cleveland still finished with six victories in a year when everything went wrong. This win total is right on the nose heading into 2020, but there's too much talent and positive regression ahead not to bet the over.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher Melvin Ingram will return to practice after signing an "adjusted contract" Thursday, guaranteeing his entire 2020 salary, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Ingram sat out drills this week out of frustration over his previous deal, though head coach Anthony Lynn noted he still attended meetings and walkthroughs.The 31-year-old lobbied for a long-term extension with the Chargers, but will still hit free agency in 2021.The defensive end inked a four-year, $64-million extension in 2017 and will reportedly make $16 million this season.Ingram has earned three straight Pro Bowl berths and has amassed at least seven sacks in each of his last five campaigns.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen had to make some adjustments following the arrival of Tom Brady - namely, playing with a towel stuffed down his pants.Brady goes to great lengths to keep his centers' behinds free of sweat, as detailed last year in a piece by The Athletic's Nick Underhill, so Jensen wasn't surprised when the quarterback approached him about the issue."He started talking about the sweat and what he's had centers do in the past," Jensen told Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. "I knew it was coming. I'd seen an article last year or so talking about just that, so I knew that conversation was going to be had."Brady even provided a demonstration for Jensen, showing him how to fold the towel and cover it with baby powder.

New England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham is dealing with a hip injury that will take "several weeks" to fully heal, sources told NFL Network's Mike Giardi.Stidham was taken to a hospital on Thursday as a precaution and tests on his upper leg came back negative, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Stidham was able to participate in Friday's practice on a limited basis.The second-year passer and Cam Newton are locked in one of the league's few true quarterback competitions in training camp, and the injury could open the door for the latter to begin the season as New England's starter.Stidham has reportedly thrown multiple interceptions during team drills this week as the Patriots kicked off padded practices.He was New England's fourth-round selection a year ago and entered the offseason as the favorite to succeed Tom Brady before the team signed Newton.The 24-year-old faired well in preseason action in 2019 but played in just three games and threw only four passes in his first campaign.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time in his 20 years coaching the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick must lead training camp without Tom Brady as his starting quarterback.But in typical Belichick fashion, he says he's solely focused on the players currently on his roster."We've had a lot of great players over the course of that time and you can have the same conversation about all of them. ... You can go right down the line," Belichick said Friday when asked about not having Brady in camp, according to WBZ's Dan Roche. "So, it's professional football, it's the National Football League. Every team has changes every year - we have them, so does everybody else, and I think right now everybody's focused on this year."We're looking ahead, we're not looking backwards at anything. We're trying to look ahead and look at what our opportunities, challenges (are) that we have coming for this season."Brady and Belichick won six Super Bowls together, arguably making them the most accomplished duo in league history. The 43-year-old departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency this year, and Jarrett Stidham and the recently signed Cam Newton are competing for New England's starting role.Newton appears to have gained momentum in the camp battle, as Stidham threw multiple interceptions over the last few days. However, Belichick isn't ready to anoint a starter just yet."I don't think it's really good for us as a coaching staff to over-evaluate an individual play when we have so many plays to work with," he said of Stidham's interceptions, via NESN's Zack Cox. "Every player makes mistakes out there. Every player gets corrected. ..."It's certainly an ongoing (evaluation) that I think is going to become more important in succeeding days. The first day, two, three, whatever, is not as critical as going forward when you've been through things multiple times."The Patriots kick off their season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera revealed to ESPN's Adam Schefter that he's been diagnosed with squamous cell cancer after a self-check.Rivera shared the news with his team Thursday. He's been told the form of cancer is "very treatable and curable.""I was stunned. But I was angry because I feel like I'm in the best health I've been in," Rivera said to Schefter.Rivera agreed to join Washington on Jan. 1, signing a five-year deal.The team has a plan B in place should Rivera be unavailable, but he hopes that isn't necessary."I'm planning on coaching. Doctors encouraged me to do it, too," Rivera said. "They said, 'If you feel strongly, do it. Don't slow down, do your physical activities.' But everyone keeps telling me by Week 3 or 4, you'll start feeling it."

Fox Sports announcer Thom Brennaman has written an apology, published on Cincinnati.com, after using an anti-gay slur during Wednesday's live broadcast of the Cincinnati Reds game against the Kansas City Royals."I used a word that is both offensive and insulting," Brennaman wrote. "In the past 24 hours, I have read about its history; I had no idea it was so rooted in hate and violence and am particularly ashamed that I, someone who makes his living by the use of words, could be so careless and insensitive. It’s a word that should have no place in my vocabulary and I will certainly never utter it again."During the fifth inning of the Reds-Royals doubleheader, Brennaman apologized while on-air and vacated his seat in the broadcast booth. After the game, the Reds issued a statement claiming they suspended Brennaman.On Thursday, Fox Sports announced Brennaman would not be part of the network’s NFL coverage this season in a statement obtained by Chris Bumbaca of USA Today:

Kansas City Chiefs fans won't be allowed to wear Native American headdresses and face paint at home games effective immediately, the team announced Thursday.Kansas City is also undergoing a thorough review of the "Arrowhead Chop" and exploring options regarding the use of its ceremonial drum. The club is discussing how to shift the focus of the drum into "something that symbolizes the heartbeat of the stadium," the Chiefs said in a release.This direction comes after Washington's NFL franchise dropped its Redskins name, the CFL's Edmonton team did the same with Eskimos, and MLB's Cleveland Indians discontinued the use of their Chief Wahoo logo.The Chiefs have discouraged wearing headdresses and Native American-themed face paint in recent years. But after discussing issues affecting Native Americans and tribes with a national organization, the team opted for further measures."We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future," the Chiefs said.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Few teams have been as consistent over the last five years as the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won 57 games with a Super Bowl title during that stretch. That doesn't mean they've been flawless, though, and a few major weaknesses could spell trouble in 2020.WINSODDSOver 11.5-125Under 11.5+105A look backIn case you haven't heard, the Chiefs were pretty good last year. After a rough stretch midway through the campaign, Kansas City finished the regular season with six straight wins en route to a second straight 12-win season and fourth consecutive AFC West title.The Chiefs' offense wasn't quite as explosive as it was in 2019, but their defense picked it up down the stretch, allowing 21.6 points per game during a nine-game win streak that carried into the playoffs. And despite a tight budget after the Patrick Mahomes deal, they were able to retain the core of their title team heading into 2020.Defense in progressThere's no questioning the Chiefs' offense, which brings back every relevant receiver from last year and replaces Damien Williams (opt-out) with LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who's an even better fit.The issues are on the other side, where even the return of Chris Jones won't be enough to remedy a run defense that ranked 29th in DVOA last year and 32nd the year before, per Football Outsiders. We've already seen the recipe for beating this team: Run up the middle and bleed the clock so Mahomes doesn't have time to hurt you.The problem for the Chiefs is that teams can beat them over the top, too. Their secondary was much improved last year behind standout safety Juan Thornhill, but the rookie tore his ACL in Week 17 and could be slow to return to form this year. Without him, the defense nearly coughed up each of Kansas City's three playoff wins before Mahomes' heroics bailed his team out.Regression loomsEven if the Chiefs can shore up their defense, it's simply hard to win 12 games in back-to-back years. Only 19 of the last 60 teams to win 12-plus games did it the next year, according to PFF, while Kansas City is aiming to pull it off for the third consecutive season.The Super Bowl hangover also looms. Seven of the last 11 teams to win the Super Bowl had a worse record the following year, and only two improved from one season to the next. The Chiefs are working on thin margins after consecutive 12-win campaigns, so a lousy stretch could spell the end for over bettors.And then there's the competition. The Chiefs have gone an astounding 27-3 against divisional foes since 2015, including 6-0 a year ago. That should change this season, as all four AFC West teams have playoff ambitions with 10-win upside if everything breaks right.Best betA lot has to go Kansas City's way to hit this number. Mahomes has to stay healthy, which is a legitimate question mark after last year. The defense has to regain its late-season form without the catalyst that sparked that run. And the offense has to sustain an elite pace once again.As we saw last year, that can come crashing down in a hurry. There's simply too much risk to lay the over price on the highest win total in the league.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite rumors surfacing claiming the Jacksonville Jaguars are close to trading Yannick Ngakoue, a deal doesn't appear imminent after all.Jaguars general manager David Caldwell addressed the recent reports and Ngakoue's status with the team on Thursday."The unsubstantiated report kind of caught me off guard too ... but if (Ngakoue's) being traded, I wish somebody would let me know," Caldwell said on Sirius XM NFL Radio. "Obviously we've had discussions with teams ... but that report was pretty erroneous."Obviously we're working with the player and his agents ... and trying to come to a good resolution for everybody," he continued. "Right now we're in a holding pattern, he's in a (holdout) but we're having contact with him and his agent. We've talked to some teams, but there's nothing immediate that's going to happen here."The star pass-rusher still hasn't signed his franchise-tag tender or attended Jaguars training camp, though he's not contractually obligated to do so.Ngakoue still wants to be traded from Jacksonville and doesn't plan to sign in the immediate future. He even reportedly engaged in contract discussions with other clubs and is open to playing on a one-year deal elsewhere.The Jaguars had been unwilling to engage in trade discussions for the 25-year-old before camp began.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Head coach Mike Tomlin nearly led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a playoff berth without his starting quarterback last season. How could the franchise not be on bettors' radars in 2020?Here, we'll preview the Steelers' win total for the upcoming season and see where the value is.How Many Games Will the Steelers Win in 2020? OddsOver 9-110Under 9-110A look backAlright, the good news: not many defenses performed better than Pittsburgh's in 2019.The Steelers finished No. 3 in defense DVOA (-18.7%) behind two powerhouses - San Francisco and New England - and had a clear edge over the fourth-best unit (Baltimore, -12.7%). Pittsburgh recorded the second-most interceptions (20) and a plus-8 turnover margin while also pacing the league in sacks.Now, time for the bad news: Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 and the wheels fell off.The Steelers somehow finished last in the league in offense DVOA a year after clocking in at No. 6. Despite employing a veteran offensive line and a bright skill corps, the unit never stood a chance behind the quarterback tandem of Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges: Pittsburgh finished No. 30 in both yards per rush and yards per completion.Buy low or sell high?Not all the advanced metrics are on the Steelers' side for 2020. Estimated wins thought Pittsburgh deserved 7.3 victories last season, while Pythagorean wins called for 7.6 - both worse than the actual 8-8 record.Although the Steelers are technically regression candidates, a healthy Roethlisberger changes everything.No. 1 wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster certainly felt the effects of Roethlisberger's absence. After posting 111 catches for 1,426 yards and seven scores in '19, those numbers dipped to 42 receptions, 552 yards, and three touchdowns over an injury-riddled campaign. Fellow receivers James Washington and Diontae Johnson also missed out on a year's worth of chemistry with Big Ben.However, there's plenty of skill on this roster, and the offense almost always flourishes under Tomlin. Pittsburgh has no shortage of potential.Strength of scheduleThe Steelers have to capitalize on a light schedule. They have the second-easiest route if we use last year's standings, and the ninth-easiest if we factor in their opponents' projected 2020 win totals.Best betThe Ravens set the standard in the AFC North, but the Steelers aren't too far behind. They were better than their rivals defensively last season, they just need the offense to catch up a bit.With Roethlisberger back in the fold, a top-10 offensive line, and a dynamic skill corps, Pittsburgh should improve on last year's record and crush its 2020 win total.Pick: Over 9Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A recent survey found that fans are split when it comes to attending NFL games this season.Casino.org surveyed more than 1,000 football fans to find out how they felt about attending games during the COVID-19 pandemic. A little over half (52.3%) said they would attend if given the opportunity, while 41.2% said they wouldn't due to concerns about the coronavirus.Other finds from the survey:

A healthy Rob Gronkowski is bad news for NFL defenses.As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue their first week of padded practices in training camp, head coach Bruce Arians noted that Gronkowski looked nothing like the player who temporarily retired due to lingering injuries."He looks to me like he was 5 or 6 years ago," Arians told reporters Thursday, according to 10 Tampa Bay's Ryan Bass. "He doesn't have a gigantic elbow brace on. He's moving, running fast again and has great body control."The 31-year-old tight end is coming off a year away from football. The New England Patriots traded his rights to Tampa in April, reuniting him with former teammate Tom Brady.Gronkowski added he has no regrets returning to the game and expressed excitement about his health heading into the regular season."I feel like I'm supposed to be here ... going out there, just playing ball, it feels good," he said, per Bass.The three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time All-Pro selection caught 47 passes for 682 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games during his last campaign in 2018.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is moving ahead with the 2020 season without the use of a bubble, but the league hasn't ruled out the idea of sequestering teams for the postseason.NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said on Wednesday that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton recommended using a bubble for the playoffs and the league hasn't dismissed the idea."All options are on the table," Vincent said, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Both the NBA and NHL have chosen bubbles or hub cities for their respective postseason and both leagues have gone weeks without a positive case of COVID-19.Currently, the NFL is going ahead with its season with individual teams choosing whether to bar fans from stadiums or allow a limited capacity.Vincent added that an outside committee will aid commissioner Roger Goodell with COVID-19-related decisions throughout the season, according to Pro Football Talk.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL sent updated COVID-19 game day protocols to teams announcing it won't allow cheerleaders and mascots on the field during the 2020 season, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The league is also prohibiting other groups from accessing the field this season, including networks and sideline reporters, Pelissero adds.The NFL's initial guidelines reportedly intended to forbid jersey exchanges between players. The updated instructions don't specifically prohibit postgame jersey swaps, but the exchanges between players still won't be allowed, a source told Pelissero.The protocols apparently ban people with access to the field and bench area from sharing personal items.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2020 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, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Kate Magdziuk of BallBlast Football joins Boone to discuss the most recent training camp news and their favorite players to draft in the late rounds.

Contract talks between the Minnesota Vikings and running back Dalvin Cook broke off Tuesday, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Cook has said he's focused on the regular season ahead of the last year of his rookie contract, Pelissero adds.The Vikings had reportedly held the 2019 Pro Bowler out of some team drills after padded activities started at training camp Monday while the sides discussed a long-term deal.Cook reported to camp on time on July 28 and recently rebuffed holdout rumors that surfaced during the offseason.The 25-year-old Florida State product broke out last season after missing 17 games due to injury over his first two pro campaigns. He amassed 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 games in 2019.The 2017 second-round pick is set to earn $1.33 million in base salary in 2020, according to Spotrac.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is considering a policy that would allow fan sound to be heard in stadiums, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The league permitted each team to determine its own attendance policy for this season in accordance with local COVID-19 guidelines. Most clubs announced limited-capacity stadium plans that usually won't host fans for the first month.However, there are exceptions. The Las Vegas Raiders and the Washington Football Team decided to play without fans for the entire year, while the Kansas City Chiefs will use about 22% of Arrowhead Stadium's capacity in their season opener against the Houston Texans on Sept. 10.The NFL is also reportedly considering adding virtual fans to games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans and Trevor Siemian agreed to a one-year contract, the quarterback's agent, Mike McCartney, announced Wednesday.Siemian appeared in one game for the New York Jets early in 2019, filling in for quarterback Sam Darnold. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury after just six pass attempts.The 28-year-old, who backed up Kirk Cousins on the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, enjoyed his best career moments with the Denver Broncos from 2015 to 2017. He made 25 starts over that span, averaging 3,639 yards and 19 touchdowns against 15 interceptions per 16 games played.Siemian was the Broncos' third-string quarterback in their Super Bowl 50 title run as a seventh-round rookie.The Titans also agreed to terms with tight end Geoff Swaim on Wednesday, sources told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Swaim appeared in six games with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, amassing 13 receptions.Meanwhile, Tennessee waived rookie signal-caller Cole McDonald, whom they selected in the seventh round last April, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The Philadelphia Eagles had high expectations in 2019, but the injury bug had other plans. Is the franchise for real, or has its title window closed?Let's take a deep dive into Philly's win total for this upcoming campaign.How many games will the Eagles win in 2020?OddsOver 9.5+100Under 9.5-120A look back The Eagles went 9-7 last season. It's tough to get excited about that record when you're only a few years removed from a Super Bowl, but Philly didn't have much control over what transpired in 2019.Philadelphia lost 13 players to injured reserve; nine players who started Week 1 were on the sidelines for the regular-season finale.Still, the Eagles won the division. They weren't a great bet, though, going 7-10 against the spread, including the postseason.Philadelphia was a middle-of-the-pack team in DVOA, finishing 14th in offense, 16th in defense, and 19th in special teams.Quarterback Carson Wentz probably didn't get enough credit for righting the ship. He registered a franchise-high 388 completions despite completing just 23% of those to his top three receivers, according to PhillyVoice's Evan Macy.Offensive firepowerPhiladelphia posted just 5.2 yards per play in 2019, which ranked No. 20 in football. That number will increase this fall.The offensive line rounds out PFF's top 10 units. Wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery will be crucial after missing a combined 19 regular-season games. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert form one of the league's most underrated tight end tandems. Rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor is already being compared to Julio Jones by his quarterback. Running back Miles Sanders had one hell of a rookie campaign and could be the straw that stirs the drink so long as his lower-body injury doesn't keep him sidelined for an extended period.There's no shortage of talent across this unit.Underrated defensePhilly's defense improved by leaps and bounds as the season progressed.Through their first nine games, they allowed an average of 23.6 points. Following a Week 10 bye, they surrendered 20.1 over their final seven.They had the third-best rushing defense in football and only allowed five 100-yard rushers. Philly also made a splash via trade, landing cornerback Darius Slay in March to aid a secondary that finished No. 22 against the pass.Best betThe Eagles did a lot with a little in 2019. It wasn't pretty, but head coach Doug Pederson got the job done.There's a slim chance that Philadelphia suffers so many injuries again. If the Eagles remain healthy, they boast enough talent to reach double-digit wins.After recommending the over on the Cowboys' win total earlier this week, add another NFC East team to the list.Pick: Over 9.5 +100Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If using multiple quarterbacks throughout the 2020 season is the best option for the New England Patriots, head coach Bill Belichick will consider it."I always say I'll do what I think is best for the team, what gives us the best chance to win," Belichick said Wednesday when asked whether he'd contemplate using his quarterbacks in a platoon style this year."Whatever that is, I would certainly consider that, if it's run an unbalanced line or double-unbalanced line or 23 personnel or whatever it is. If it helps us win, then I would consider anything."The Patriots have yet to announce who will step in for quarterback Tom Brady, who left the team after two decades and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.New England signed Cam Newton this offseason, and the former league MVP has been splitting training-camp reps equally with second-year signal-caller Jarrett Stidham and journeyman veteran Brian Hoyer."Right now, we want to try to, like I said, give everybody an opportunity to get the basics," Belichick said. "Everybody's rotating through and we're trying to give everybody an opportunity to run the basic plays, get the basic fundamentals down. Yeah, of course at some point, we'll have to not equalize the reps ... but we're not there now."Newton, the presumptive favorite to win the position battle after joining the team in early July, has battled injuries in the last two seasons and started just two games for the Carolina Panthers in 2019.Hoyer, 34, appeared in four games (one start) for the Indianapolis Colts last year behind quarterback Jacoby Brissett, while Stidham attempted just four passes as a rookie coming out of the fourth round.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Can you smell it? The NFL season is almost here. Over the next three weeks, the betting team at theScore will break down the top futures markets for the coming campaign. We start with Most Valuable Player, an award that's been dominated by one position.There are 15 quarterbacks listed at +4000 or shorter on the oddsboard for NFL MVP. It makes sense considering 12 of the last 13 winners were quarterbacks. Only Adrian Peterson in 2006 was able to break the trend.Odds to win 2020 NFL Most Valuable PlayerPlayerOddsPatrick Mahomes+400Lamar Jackson+600Russell Wilson+800Deshaun Watson+1200Dak Prescott+1400Carson Wentz+1600Drew Brees+1600Aaron Rodgers+2000Tom Brady+2000Field - All Not Listed+2500Kyler Murray+2500Jimmy Garoppolo+3000Matt Ryan+3000Baker Mayfield+3200Ben Roethlisberger+4000Philip Rivers+4000Saquon Barkley+4000Derrick Henry+4200Christian McCaffrey+4500Kirk Cousins+5000Cam Newton+6000Daniel Jones+6000Ezekiel Elliott+6000Jameis Winston+6000Jared Goff+6000Josh Allen+6000Matthew Stafford+6000Michael Thomas+6000Ryan Tannehill+6000Odds listed for players +6000 or shorterBest betMatt Ryan, QB Falcons +3000Not many people are high on the Falcons heading into the season, but if you believe consistency will be a major factor in 2020, Atlanta is the most undervalued team in the NFL. Ryan threw for 4,466 yards and 26 touchdowns in 15 games a year ago, leading Atlanta to seven wins following a dismal 1-6 start.The Falcons' offense should be even more potent in 2020 with all of last season's key pieces back in the fold. Atlanta returns its offensive coordinator, all five starters on the offensive line, and its top four receivers from a unit that averaged 379.7 yards (fifth in the NFL) and 23.8 points (13th) per game. Add running back Todd Gurley and tight end Hayden Hurst into the mix, and there's no reason Ryan can't post numbers similar to his 2016 MVP campaign when he threw for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns.Atlanta shares a division with a pair of Super Bowl favorites in the Saints and Buccanneers. That's causing fans and bettors alike to overlook Dan Quinn's squad. The Falcons are my surprise team this season and I expect them to have one of the NFL's highest-scoring offenses. Getting Ryan 30-1 to win MVP is a gift.Player to avoidDeshaun Watson, QB Texans +1200It's surprising to see Watson with the fourth-shortest odds to win MVP. He's a great player, but he'll need to lead the Texans to at least 10 wins with a roster that's been gutted thanks to poor decisions by head coach Bill O'Brien. O'Brien sent star receiver DeAndre Hopkins packing, and the defense - at least on paper - appears to be one of the weakest units in the AFC.Houston looks like a team on the decline. The Texans' projected win total is set at 7.5, and they're -178 to miss the playoffs. Still, Watson will likely rack up plenty of yards in high-scoring shootouts this season. Instead of betting him at 12-1 to win MVP, take Watson +1800 to lead the NFL in passing yards.Long shotCam Newton, QB Patriots +6000Narrative alone isn't enough to win the MVP award, but it helps. Newton certainly has that going for him with the Patriots. Tossed aside by the Panthers, the 2015 MVP now has the difficult task of replacing Tom Brady in New England. No pressure.Many people have pointed to Newton losing eight straight games as a starting quarterback to argue his skills are declining. But that skid came while Newton was playing through injuries on a bad team with an atrocious offensive line. Now he's healthy, motivated, and playing for a coach in Bill Belichick who once won 11 games with Matt Cassel under center.If the Patriots win 10-plus games and make the playoffs after losing Brady, Newton will certainly be in the MVP mix. He's worth a shot at 60-1.(Odds source: theScore Bet)Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram is unhappy with his contract situation, and teammate Joey Bosa understands his plight.Bosa said he supports Ingram's decision to sit out practice as Ingram looks secure a contract extension ahead of the 2020 season."We've talked a little bit and all I have to say is I'm going to support him," Bosa said Tuesday, according to Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times. "He's going to make the best decision for him and his family. I have faith in him that he's going to make the right decisions."Bosa added: "At the end of the day, it is a business and he has to take care of himself. I think he would love to play with us. He wants to be out there. But he's (got to) handle business."Ingram is entering the last season of a four-year, $64-million deal he signed in 2017.The 31-year-old is at camp participating in individual activities - an expected development under the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement - but he hasn't participated in team drills on the field.Ingram is set to earn $16 million in 2020, a figure that ranks among the 15 highest average annual salaries at his position, according to Spotrac. While Ingram likely wants more career security as he plays into his 30s, it's possible Bosa's record deal has fueled his desire for a new contract.Bosa became the highest-paid defender in NFL history after inking five-year, $135-million contract extension in late July.Ingram has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons. Drafted by the Chargers in the first round in 2012, he's racked up at least seven sacks in each of the last five campaigns and posted 10-plus-sack seasons in 2015 and 2017.He amassed 48 tackles, seven sacks, and one interception through 13 games in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers left tackle Russell Okung quashed a report that claimed he was considering retirement, according to ESPN's David Newton.It was reported on Aug. 7 that Okung was contemplating calling it quits amid fears over the COVID-19 pandemic. The veteran offensive tackle was also said to have seriously considered opting out of the upcoming season.The two-time Pro Bowler insisted on Tuesday that the report was inaccurate."I always expected to play," Okung said. "It's unfortunate that so many people, certain people in the media, are more interested in being the first to report as opposed to reporting something that is accurate. No conversations like that have been had in order for that individual to feel it's necessary to put any information out there like that."Especially in this time, with so many people dealing with unemployment, to put any sort of farce information out there, it's extremely disappointing."The 31-year-old missed 10 games last year with a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots. The Panthers acquired Okung from the Los Angeles Chargers in March in exchange for guard Trai Turner.Okung has also played for the Seattle Seahawks (2010-15) and Denver Broncos (2016) since being selected sixth overall out of Oklahoma State in 2010.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Given the rate at which injuries strike the running back position, knowing who's next in line for carries is critical for fantasy owners.Not all backups are created equal, and though the league-winning potential of players like Kareem Hunt and Latavius Murray may be obvious, many handcuffs aren't getting the respect they deserve in fantasy drafts.Here's how we're ranking the top backup running backs, broken down into tiers:More than a handcuffRkHandcuffTeam1Kareem HuntCLE

Scouting dual-sport athletes is a growing trend in the NFL.Much like All-Pro tight ends Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, and Jimmy Graham, who honed their distinguishable talents on the basketball court, baseball is becoming a breeding ground for NFL quarterbacks.Take three of the league's top passers, for instance.Russell Wilson was a Colorado Rockies draft pick and spent two years in the minors before winning the starting quarterback job with the Seattle Seahawks. Kyler Murray is the first to ever be a first-round pick in both MLB and the NFL. The Heisman-winning quarterback famously turned down a pro career with the Oakland Athletics to enter the NFL draft, where he was selected first overall by the Arizona Cardinals. And then there's Patrick Mahomes. The son of an 11-year MLB veteran was a three-sport prep star and Detroit Tigers draft pick in 2014 before he became a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs.Is it merely a coincidence that three of the NFL's best young stars are elite quarterbacks who could have pursued baseball careers? Or is there a correlation between baseball and the position?Tom House, the throwing coach for Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and other NFL QBs, specializes in the biomechanics of throwing with the use of motion analysis. In his research, the former MLB pitcher and pitching coach discovered that, despite the obvious differences in throwing a baseball and football, the pure mechanics of throwing are incredibly similar."Everybody thought it was two distinct throwing motions until we started capturing in a thousand frames per second and three dimensions and we saw that throwing a football and throwing a baseball were exactly the same thing," House said.Biomechanically, with timing, sequencing, balancing, posture, stride, and momentum, House says pitchers and quarterbacks have the same technique. The only difference is the weight of the objects being thrown. Throwing a 14-ounce football requires different arm action than throwing a five-ounce baseball. The lighter baseball allows for more extension.Wilson, Murray, and Mahomes played all over the diamond. Wilson was drafted as a second baseman, Murray patrolled the outfield, and Mahomes touched mid-90s from the mound. At the various positions, they learned to be comfortable making throws on the run and from different arm slots and angles."We always knew that the best athletes on the baseball field were right up the middle, your shortstop, centerfielder, and in some cases your pitcher. But it turns out that throwing a ball from the Derek Jeter-type athlete and the Pat Mahomes-type athlete, the footwork is virtually the same also," House said."And throwing at different angles on the run and different positions in the pocket, all of a sudden - because of the success of the Mahomes and (Wilson), and believe it or not Drew Brees was also a shortstop and tennis player - it was just a natural transition."Bobby Stroupe is Mahomes' personal coach and trainer. He's been overseeing the phenom's development since he was a fourth grader.Stroupe said playing baseball allowed his client's body to become more comfortable making unorthodox throws, the ones that wow audiences and stun defenses on Sundays."So is that an asset for guys like Kyler and Russell and Patrick? There's no question about it," Stroupe said. "Do I think that guys that play the game of baseball are going to have a naturally quick release that's going to be way more efficient? Yeah, I do. I think that is a huge factor."Do I think that having a very consistent and repeatable platform is something that they need? Nah. I think they're probably less attached to something like that and I think, in today's game, that's an incredible advantage."Even Mahomes credits his three-sport background for the plays he's able to make on the gridiron."We started doing (those no-look throws) as a joke, but then we saw how it started working and now it's on its own level," Mahomes said to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic in 2018. "I think a lot of it is from baseball and how I could sling the ball across the diamond. I played shortstop my whole life. I never had my feet under me. I was always making throws across my body."

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The Baltimore Ravens were easily the NFL's best team last year behind a punishing offense, opportunistic defense, and the league's runaway MVP. This year, expectations are higher, and opposing teams have had a full offseason to prepare for Lamar Jackson and Co. Will it be enough?HOW MANY GAMES WILL THE RAVENS WIN?ODDSOver 11.5EvenUnder 11.5-120A look backBaltimore wasted no time declaring itself as a juggernaut last year, trouncing the Dolphins by 49 points in Week 1. After a pair of losses in late September, the Ravens ripped off 12 straight wins to finish with an NFL-best 14-2 record.They didn't just win, either. They dominated. Baltimore won three games by at least 35 points - the most since 1989 - and finished with the best average point differential (+13.7) since the '07 Patriots. That increased to nearly 18 points per game during the team's 12-game winning streak.The advanced metrics loved the Ravens, too. They finished with the seventh-best DVOA (41.5%) since Football Outsiders started tracking the stat in 1985, boasting top-10 marks on offense (No. 1), defense (No. 4), and special teams (No. 10).Luxury additionsFor as dominant as Baltimore was last year, its roster is even better this season. The Ravens return 20 of 22 starters from a year ago and added All-Pro edge rusher Calais Campbell, along with first-round linebacker Patrick Queen, to a defense that was elite despite numerous injuries to its secondary.The best rushing offense in NFL history also added J.K. Dobbins, who was one of the most efficient rushers in NCAA history at Ohio State. Jackson's passing stats will likely regress, especially his unsustainable touchdown rate (9%), but his pairing with Pro Bowler Mark Ingram shows no signs of slowing down.This team isn't done adding pieces, either. The Ravens have been linked to Antonio Brown all offseason, and they've been working out former Cowboys star Dez Bryant this week. They also still have the franchise tag rights to Matthew Judon, who will either fetch a nice piece on the trade market or complement a now-fierce pass rush with Campbell in tow.Regression looming?Even if the Ravens are better this year as a team, it doesn't mean their record will reflect it. Forty-one of the last 60 teams to win 12-plus games have fallen below that mark the following year, according to PFF, and Baltimore has only recorded 12-plus wins once in team history.The schedule doesn't help, either. The Ravens have the easiest strength of schedule based on 2019 records, but many of those teams have dramatically improved - 11 of Baltimore's 16 opponents are expected to win more games than they did a year ago, and eight are projected to make the playoffs.Best betThe chances of Baltimore reaching last year's 14-win mark are slim. But this win total leaves plenty of room for error. The Ravens obliterated opponents last year and still have an elite offense, defense, special teams, and coaching staff. At plus-money, the over is an easy call.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys released defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on Tuesday after the veteran suffered a season-ending quad injury Monday, the team announced.McCoy signed a three-year, $18-million deal with the Cowboys in March, but it included an injury waiver on the 32-year-old's quad that allowed Dallas to cut him if it were injured.McCoy earned only the $3-million signing bonus in his contract. His $2.5-million base salary and $750,000 roster bonus are off the books.McCoy ruptured his quad tendon on the first day of padded practice during training camp.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears cornerback Artie Burns suffered a torn ACL during practice Tuesday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Burns signed a one-year deal with the Bears this offseason and had made a good early impression during training camp.The 25-year-old started Chicago's padded activities Monday practicing with the team's first unit opposite No. 1 corner Kyle Fuller.Selected in the first round of the 2016 draft, Burns played his first four NFL campaigns with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Miami product had a career year as a rookie with three interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 65 tackles, but has failed to replicate that production since. In 10 appearances last season, he played just 6% of the Steelers' defensive snaps.The Bears drafted cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round last April. Chicago's depth chart also features veteran corner Kevin Toliver, who's been with the team since 2018.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two all-time NFL greats could soon be on their way to Canton.Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson and two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Tom Flores were selected as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021 on Tuesday.Pearson was selected as a senior finalist, while Flores is the coach finalist picked by the Hall of Fame's senior and coach committees, respectively.They now need to receive at least 80% voting support by the 48-member selection committee to earn a bust in Canton."You made my day, and you made my life," Pearson said in a call with Hall of Fame president David Baker. "How can I thank you? I'm crying, and I haven't cried in a long time. Happy tears. I've been waiting for this call for so long."I know there is one more hurdle to get over, but this is the closest I've been ... This is a dream come true," Pearson added.Pearson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1973 and played 11 seasons for the Cowboys. The three-time All-Pro amassed 489 receptions for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns through 156 career appearances. Pearson led the league in receiving yards in 1977, the season he helped Dallas win Super Bowl XII.Every senior finalist picked by the committee from 2010-19 was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 2020, the hall expanded the number of inductees to honor the NFL's centennial season.Flores posted a 105-90 record as a head coach with the then-Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. He also won Super Bowls XV and XVIII with the Raiders, becoming the first Hispanic coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.The coach committee picked Flores in a list featuring six candidates.The Hall of Fame selection committee will now consider 18 finalists and then trim the list to eight names, including five modern-era players (to be determined), one senior player (Pearson), one coach (Flores), and one contributor (to be determined).The class of 2021 will be unveiled in the first week of February.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb has entered the concussion protocol, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Tuesday, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.Chubb, who will remain sidelined until he clears the protocol, underwent evaluation for a concussion after taking a high hit from second-year linebacker Mack Wilson during practice Monday.Wilson wrote after the practice that his intention is "to never hurt anyone on my team nor any other player."

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The Green Bay Packers were the luckiest team in the NFL last season. That's not an opinion, just a fact.Will Aaron Rodgers and Co. come crashing down to earth in 2020, or do just enough to get past their win total? Let's dive in.How many games will the Packers win in 2020?OddsOver 9+120Under 9-140A look backThe Packers finished the regular season 13-3. They tied the Saints and 49ers for the best record in the NFC.Green Bay may have passed the paper test, but it failed most of the advanced metrics.If we compare actual wins versus estimated wins - which focus on DVOA and are weighted toward a league-average schedule - the Packers had the largest negative discrepancy in the league.Biggest discrepancies in wins vs. expected winsTeamActual winsExpected winsDifferencePackers139.9-3.1Texans107.3-2.7Bills107.8-2.2Dolphins53.1-1.9Panthers53.9-1.1Winning three-plus more games than expected almost automatically classifies Green Bay as a regression candidate. But what if we take actual wins and stack them up against Pythagorean wins, which project a team's record using solely points scored versus points allowed?Biggest discrepancies in wins vs. Pythagorean winsTeamActual winsPythagorean winsDifferencePackers139.8-3.2Seahawks118.2-2.8Saints1310.9-2.1Raiders75.2-1.8Jets75.6-1.4Still not ideal.The Packers won 13 games and finished No. 10 in the league in average scoring margin per game (plus-2.8). Meanwhile, a team like the Dallas Cowboys outscored their opponents by more than a touchdown per game (7.1), yet won five fewer games than Green Bay.The kicker? The Packers went a blistering 8-1 in one-score games in 2019.OffenseGreen Bay graded out as the No. 8 DVOA offense in head coach Matt LaFleur's first season. Not too shabby.Rodgers is still going to be a problem for opposing defenses, while the offensive line earned rave reviews from PFF, which graded the unit as the fourth-best in the league.There shouldn't be too many rookies in the mix, at least early on. The Packers plucked quarterback Jordan Love in the first, running back A.J. Dillon in the second, and tight end Josiah Deguara in the third.Turnover marginHere's another category the Packers thrived in. They finished No. 3 in turnover margin (plus-12), spearheaded by a defense that intercepted 17 passes.Rodgers rarely turns the ball over - four interceptions in 2019 and no more than eight over a single season since 2011 - so Green Bay is almost expected to flourish in this department.Best betI'll admit I was bearish on the Packers' outlook during the initial handicap; I was dying to sell the league's luckiest team and bet the under. However, don't assume Green Bay's just going to shed a five full wins off its 2019 record.Rodgers is still Rodgers, there's still continuity in the coaching staff, and the schedule is right in the middle of the pack.The Packers won't lead the NFC in wins again, but they'll do just enough to get over the hump. Take the over 9 at +120.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings are holding running back Dalvin Cook out of some team drills as the parties discuss a long-term contract extension, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Cook said last week that he would be a "full go" once the Vikings began padded activities Monday, regardless of his contract situation.The Pro Bowl runner reported to training camp on time July 28 and denied the holdout rumors that surfaced during the offseason, saying the speculation "was never coming from me."Cook, 25, enters the last year of his rookie contract coming off his best NFL campaign so far. The 2017 second-round pick amassed career highs with 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns through 14 games in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy knew defensive lineman Gerald McCoy's injury was serious right away, and he feels awful that the veteran is going through this situation."Very, very unfortunate," McCarthy said Tuesday, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. "It makes you sick on a personal level, anytime you see a player go through this type of injury. ... I can't tell you what he has meant to our D-line in the short time we've been together.""When Gerald was walking off, I knew it was of serious nature," McCarthy added. "I know (assistant defensive line coach) Leon Lett was sick about it. (Defensive line coach) Jim Tomsula and he were sick about it. And really, Gerald was probably the most positive."McCoy suffered a ruptured quad tendon while performing routine drills during the first padded practice of training camp.

New Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins missed two days of practice due to a sore hamstring, and it prompted some questions from his old stomping grounds.Houston Chronicle reporter John McClain shared an article asking if Hopkins was holding out.The superstar receiver denied McClain's speculation.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram is sitting out from practice as he's unhappy with his contract, team sources told The Athletic's Daniel Popper. He did not attend practice on Friday or Monday.Ingram is entering the final year of his deal after signing a four-year, $64-million extension in 2017.He's scheduled to earn $16 million for the 2020 season - the 13th-richest average salary at the position - but watched as teammate Joey Bosa inked a record $135-million extension three weeks ago."Melvin Ingram is in meetings, he's in walkthroughs, he's at everything, individual. What he do on the practice field, we'll see later," head coach Anthony Lynn said before Monday's practice.The 31-year-old has recorded seven sacks in each of the past two seasons and has 49 total sacks over eight seasons in the NFL.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford suffered a torn pectoral that will knock him out for the 2020 season, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports, citing a source.Alford suffered the injury Sunday at practice.It's the second straight season Alford will miss due to injury since signing with the Cardinals in early 2019. The eight-year pro fractured his tibia last year during the preseason and missed the entire regular season.Alford signed a three-year, $22.5-million deal with Arizona last February.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rob Gronkowski is embarking on his first training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and it appears he's not quite used to the new climate."He's probably in New England shape right now, but he's not in Florida shape. That humidity and heat's kicking his ass pretty good," head coach Bruce Arians said with a laugh after Monday's practice, via NFL.com."And it's different. When you train in New England and then come down here, it's really different and we laughed about it out there today. I don't think he's ever sweat that much in his life."The 31-year-old tight end is also coming off a year away from football, but Arians has no concerns about Gronkowski's playing shape."It takes a little time to get into the Florida shape, but as far as playing in a game, he's more than ready right now," he said.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.If I could bet only one win total for the 2020 NFL season, I wouldn't think twice about the play.The Dallas Cowboys have been on my radar ever since the horn sounded on their Week 17 regular-season finale. The additions - and subtractions - they've made to the roster and coaching staff over that span only support my stance.Here's why the over is the best play on the entire board.How Many Games Will the Cowboys Win? OddsOver 9.5-140Under 9.5+120A look backThe Cowboys' 2019 season literally makes no sense.The squad finished the year No. 6 in total DVOA, No. 5 in point differential, and No. 2 in offense DVOA.So how does a team with that much success finish .500 and miss the playoffs? Timely losses are probably to blame - Dallas went a miserable 1-6 in one-score games and suffered four defeats by four points or fewer.The Cowboys settled for an 8-8 record but should have collected 11.2 victories, based on Pythagorean wins. To say they left some wins on the table would be an understatement.Offense is keyQuarterback Dak Prescott and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore were a two-man wrecking crew in 2019. The Cowboys finished No. 1 in yards per play and No. 4 in explosive play rate thanks to a skill corps that was lights out.Running back Ezekiel Elliott bagged over 1,700 scrimmage yards with 14 touchdowns, and he'll be behind an offensive line that's among the best in the NFL.Wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup posted 1,189 and 1,107 receiving yards, respectively, while being top 10 in the league in yards per route run. Cooper is rated the eighth-best receiver overall, per PFF.Former Oklahoma standout CeeDee Lamb joins the offense in 2020, and adding a speed demon who can pick up yards after the catch alongside two physical freaks in Cooper and Gallup should terrify opposing defenses.

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will miss the entire 2020 season after an MRI revealed he suffered a ruptured quad tendon, team COO Stephen Jones announced, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Cowboys initially feared the veteran defender had torn his right ACL after he sustained an injury during the first padded practice of training camp Monday.He went down during individual drills and was unable to put weight on his leg after being examined by the medical staff.Dallas signed the interior rusher to a reported three-year, $18-million contract in free agency this offseason. He played the 2019 campaign with the Carolina Panthers after spending the first nine seasons of his pro career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The 32-year-old was expected to be a key piece for the Cowboys' front four in 2020. With McCoy sidelined, Tyrone Crawford, Trysten Hill, and rookie third-rounder Neville Gallimore will see an increase in their snaps alongside Dontari Poe.McCoy recorded five sacks across 16 starts for the Panthers last year.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite coming off a disappointing campaign, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster isn't entering the last year of his rookie contract concerned about an extension."As of right now, I'm not worried about that," Smith-Schuster told reporters Monday, including ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "It's more so just playing ball. With everything going on right now, you never know what can happen. For me, I'd love to be a Steeler. But at the end of the day, I'm here to play ball and win games for the team and the organization.""I'm not going to be the type of guy who sits out and waits. I'm going to play, regardless of the contract or not," he continued, according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.The Steelers typically don't ink contract extensions with the season underway, which means both parties need to agree on a new deal before Sept. 14, when Pittsburgh opens its campaign against the New York Giants.A 2017 second-round pick, Smith-Schuster took the league by storm, compiling 58 catches for 917 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. He then led the Steelers in receptions (111) and yards (1,426) a year later, even while sharing the field with Antonio Brown.Following Brown's departure, Smith-Schuster became Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout in 2019. However, the 23-year-old battled injuries while playing only 12 games and recording career lows with 552 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 42 receptions."I never had serious injuries where I've been out for multiple weeks for that long, so that was a new thing I had to learn as a young guy," Smith-Schuster said, adding that when he wasn't playing, his role became making sure everyone else was "doing their thing."Smith-Schuster isn't the only Steelers star who could hit free agency after the 2020 season, as running back James Conner, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, and pass-rusher Bud Dupree may also be available.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jalen Hurd will undergo an MRI after suffering an apparent major knee injury in practice Sunday, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.The 49ers fear Hurd's test will reveal a torn ACL, forcing him to miss the entire 2020 campaign.The 2019 third-round pick went down on the side of the field during individual drills, but the injury didn't initially look severe.The second-year wideout's injury is yet another offseason blow to San Francisco's receiving corps. Projected top target Deebo Samuel will likely miss the start of the regular season with a foot injury, star pass-catcher Emmanuel Sanders departed in free agency, and veteran Travis Benjamin opted out of the 2020 campaign.Hurd expected to see his role increase this year after failing to make his NFL debut in 2019. His rookie season ended early after suffering a back injury in September.Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, and first-round rookie Brandon Aiyuk currently sit atop the Niners' depth chart as padded training camp practices begin league-wide. The team also recently signed J.J. Nelson and Tavon Austin.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team appointed Jason Wright team president Monday, making him the first Black man to be hired for such a role in NFL history."If I could custom design a leader for this important time in our history, it would be Jason," owner Dan Snyder said. "His experience as a former player, coupled with his business acumen, gives him a perspective that is unrivaled in the league. We will not rest until we are a championship-caliber team, on and off the field."Jason has a proven track record in helping businesses transform culturally, operationally, and financially. He is a proactive and assertive advocate for inclusion of all people and will set new standards for our organization and for the league. There could not be a better duo than Jason Wright and coach Ron Rivera as we usher in a new era for Washington football."The 38-year-old will now be responsible for leading Washington's business operations, finance, sales, and marketing. He'll also join Rivera in handling off-field responsibilities and football decisions.Wright spent seven years as an NFL running back for the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals.Following his retirement, Wright received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and was a partner in the operations practice of McKinsey & Company, a global strategy and management consulting firm.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant is expected to work out with the Baltimore Ravens this week, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater.The parties discussed a workout previously, with Bryant reaching out to head coach John Harbaugh prior to the draft in April, Slater adds.Harbaugh declined to comment on Bryant's reported workout during Ravens practice Monday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.The three-time Pro Bowler last played in 2017, and he's asked for a chance to return to the field multiple times since, including this offseason.

The Cincinnati Bengals' secondary was dealt a significant blow on Monday, as cornerback Trae Waynes underwent surgery for a torn pectoral and will miss a "sizeable portion" of the 2020 campaign, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.Waynes could still return before the season concludes, Rapoport adds.The speedy defensive back signed a three-year, $42-million contract with Cincinnati in March. He was part of a defensive overhaul for Zac Taylor's squad and was expected to start opposite William Jackson III.Waynes amassed 58 tackles, one interception, and two forced fumbles in 2019 for the Minnesota Vikings, and he missed two games with an ankle injury.The 28-year-old's former Vikings teammate and recent Bengals free-agent addition Mackensie Alexander should take his starting spot. LeShaun Sims, Darius Phillips, Tony Brown, and Greg Mabin will also compete for an increase in snaps during training camp.The Bengals' pass defense ranked 21st in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With less than a month remaining before the 2020 NFL campaign kicks off, theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Caio Miari examine each team's most likely breakout candidate.Arizona Cardinals - Kyler MurrayMurray might be the NFL's biggest breakout candidate entering his sophomore campaign. The last two league MVPs were also sophomores, and while Murray may not have Patrick Mahomes' arm or Lamar Jackson's explosiveness, the former Sooner is in an offensive scheme that's tailored to his strengths. The arrival of All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins may also further elevate Murray's production.Atlanta Falcons - Hayden HurstHurst hasn't met the expectations of a former first-round pick, but being traded away from the Ravens' tight end-loaded roster could really help his career. He's now set to replace Austin Hooper - who received at least 80 targets in each of the last two seasons with Atlanta - in one of the NFL's most productive passing offenses.Baltimore Ravens - Orlando Brown Jr.Although Brown made his first career Pro Bowl last year, the offensive tackle could soon begin earning All-Pro berths. The 2018 third-round pick has improved in both run blocking and pass protection over his first two NFL campaigns, helping to protect the reigning MVP and open lanes for the league's most productive running game.Buffalo Bills - Ed Oliver Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyOliver is capable of converting his exciting rookie flashes into season-long success. The Bills' offseason upgrades on the edges - including Mario Addison and A.J. Epenesa, among others - should create easy individual matchups on the inside, allowing Oliver further opportunity to step up in his sophomore campaign.Carolina Panthers - Brian BurnsBurns' rookie campaign gave the Panthers one of their few reasons defensively to celebrate last year. The 2019 first-round edge rusher racked up 7.5 sacks and a team-high 16 quarterback hits after playing just 43% of Carolina's defensive snaps. Burns' production is set to skyrocket as a full-time starter on a star-deprived Panthers defense.Chicago Bears - David MontgomeryMontgomery struggled in his first NFL season, though running behind the Bears' offensive line didn't make things any better. He still flashed potential, finishing sixth in broken tackles among running backs. While the former third-rounder should naturally develop during his second pro campaign, it's also hard to imagine Chicago's blockers - and head coach Matt Nagy - struggling as much as they did last year.Cincinnati Bengals - Jonah WilliamsThe Bengals will only go as far as Joe Burrow can take them, so Williams figures to play a vital role. Successfully protecting his quarterback's blind side is nothing new for the former Alabama star. Unfortunately, a torn labrum ended his first campaign before it had a chance to begin. Williams gives a Cincinnati team that's been perpetually plagued by poor offensive line play a blocker with advanced technical skills and natural agility. We think Burrow is in good hands.Cleveland Browns - Baker Mayfield Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe still believe in Mayfield. He regressed as a sophomore, throwing 22 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, and completing just 59.4% of his passes. However, Browns fans can turn to the second half of the 2019 campaign for hope in a turnaround. The flashy quarterback displayed more of his natural accuracy and aggression, totaling 18 touchdowns against nine picks while completing 61% of his throws over his last nine contests. Mayfield should get back on track with new head coach Kevin Stefanski and Odell Beckham Jr. by his side.Dallas Cowboys - Chidobe AwuzieFilling Byron Jones' shoes as Dallas' No. 1 cornerback is a tall task, but Awuzie may be up for it. The former second-round pick defended 14 passes in 2019 and showed well in coverage despite being targeted 90 times. With Jones in Miami, Awuzie has an opportunity to thrive in Mike Nolan's scheme and display his versatility behind a strong front seven.Denver Broncos - Drew Lock There are multiple reasons to believe that Lock will have a breakout campaign in 2020. There's been a recent trend of quarterbacks breaking out in their second NFL season, and Lock won four of his first five career starts, which included two game-winning drives and one fourth-quarter comeback. Additionally, the Broncos upgraded Lock's supporting cast this offseason, adding immediate contributors to all three levels of the offense in wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, running back Melvin Gordon, and offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.Detroit Lions - T.J. Hockenson Hockenson failed to make an impact in Detroit's offense as a rookie. The former eighth overall pick stormed out of the gates with 131 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut but surpassed 50 yards just once more. Tight ends generally struggle early in their career, so Hockenson should be fine - he's too talented not to be. A healthy Matthew Stafford wouldn't hurt his chances at rebounding.Green Bay Packers - Allen Lazard Quinn Harris / Getty Images Sport / GettyLazard should emerge as Aaron Rodgers' No. 2 target behind Davante Adams and see plenty of targets in Matt LaFleur's offense. The 2018 undrafted free agent amassed 477 yards and three scores in his final 11 contests last year, hauling in 69% of his targets. Lazard uses his size and awareness to separate from defensive backs - Rodgers posted his highest passer rating (117.9) and adjusted yards per attempt (10.39) among any of his receivers when targeting Lazard.Houston Texans - Charles Omenihu D.J. Reader's departure in March left a gaping hole along Houston's defensive line next to J.J. Watt. It also gave Omenihu a chance at carving out a role over uninspiring options like Angelo Blackson and rookie Ross Blacklock. The former Texas standout offers good size, length, and natural run defense skills, but he also notched three sacks and two forced fumbles last season despite limited playing time. We can't think of a better spot for Omenihu to improve his game than next to Watt.Indianapolis Colts - Parris CampbellCampbell played in more than 45% of Indy's offensive snaps just three times last year due to injury. However, the 2019 second-rounder received 18 total targets in those contests. With the former Ohio State standout now set to start in the slot from Day 1 and the Colts in need of pass-catchers to step up for Philip Rivers, Campbell can make the biggest leap on a roster filled with potential breakout talent.Jacksonville Jaguars - Josh AllenAllen became the first Jaguar to ever make the Pro Bowl as a rookie after racking up 44 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2019. The 23-year-old edge rusher is now set to play an even bigger role in Jacksonville after a couple of veterans departures; his impressive rookie production might just be the beginning for him.Kansas City Chiefs - Mecole Hardman Peter Aiken / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt didn't take Hardman long to prove how impactful he can be on the football field. Six of the wideout's seven touchdowns last season were of 30-plus yards, including a 104-yard kickoff return. The speedster averaged 20.7 yards per catch on 26 receptions while making the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro as a return specialist. Hardman can hit a home run every time he touches the ball, and another year of experience should significantly increase his workload.Las Vegas Raiders - Josh JacobsJacobs took the league by storm in his freshman campaign, producing 1,150 yards on 4.8 yards per carry and seven touchdowns. But the sophomore still has enormous room for improvement. Jacobs could become one of the NFL's elite runners behind a solid offensive line and an ascending unit.Los Angeles Chargers - Justin JacksonThere weren't many legitimate breakout candidates on a Chargers roster primarily composed of veterans and young stars. But with Melvin Gordon now in Denver, Jackson could see an increased role moving forward. Austin Ekeler still projects to be the primary beneficiary of Gordon's absense, but his teammate consistently performed well when called upon. Jackson averaged 6.9 yards per carry a year ago, though he played in just seven games due to injuries. If healthy, we could see Jackson lead L.A.'s backfield in carries.Los Angeles Rams - Taylor RappDespite a crowded running back group and an intriguing tight end situation starring Tyler Higbee, Rapp is the name to watch here. He ranked third on the team with 100 tackles as a rookie before seeing the two players ahead of him, including fellow safety Eric Weddle, leave this offseason. Los Angeles has to rely on what it currently has due to its tight salary cap situation, and the more the Rams need their youngsters to step up, the more chances Rapp has to prove he's a star in the making.Miami Dolphins - Matt Breida Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyBreida will face competition for touches in Miami - as he did with the 49ers - but he should have little trouble unseating Jordan Howard on the depth chart. The speedy back is the superior pass-catcher and makes significantly more big plays - only Rashaad Penny recorded a higher percentage of his output on runs of 15 yards or more last season. Breida will cash in on the opportunities that are bound to present themselves in the Dolphins' backfield.Minnesota Vikings - Mike HughesThe Vikings' cornerback room has always been solid under head coach Mike Zimmer, but it suffered a step back in 2019 and is now up for grabs after three starters departed this past spring. Hughes will start as a result, though he's still unproven as a No. 1 corner. After setting career highs with nine pass breakups and 45 tackles last season, this might be the year he'll prove Minnesota right for using a first-round pick on him in 2018.New England Patriots - Chase WinovichWinovich played in just 29% of the Patriots' defensive snaps as a rookie in 2019 and still amassed 5.5 sacks. The defensive end also recorded a sack or quarterback hit on a team-high 7.6% of his pass-rush opportunities. New England lost several key contributors this offseason, meaning Winovich is set to take on an increased workload and make a giant leap in 2020.New Orleans Saints - Marcus DavenportDavenport's expected breakout last season could be on its way in 2020. The 2018 first-rounder possesses an intriguing blend of size, length, and explosion, but his 10.5 sacks through 26 games are nothing to write home about. However, Davenport's produced consistent pressure numbers. He ranked 16th among all edge rushers with 51 total pressures before a foot injury ended his campaign in early December. Playing alongside Cameron Jordan and an improved Saints defense will give Davenport plenty of opportunities to succeed.New York Giants - Darius Slayton Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / GettySlayton surprised last year by leading the Giants in receiving yards (740), yards per catch (15.4), and touchdowns (8). Granted, fellow teammates Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard missed time with injuries, but the former fifth-rounder proved he's arguably New York's most explosive wideout. The Daniel Jones-led offense should continue to explore his big-play potential this season.New York Jets - Sam DarnoldThe Jets had another losing season in 2019, but they were 7-6 when Darnold started. New York hasn't done a great job putting together the quarterback's supporting cast, though he now has his best-ever offensive group after the arrivals of wide receivers Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims, and offensive linemen Mekhi Becton, among others. Darnold's number's improved last year, and with the newcomers aboard, the signal-caller might finally break out.Philadelphia Eagles - Andre DillardThe Eagles need their new starting left tackle to take a significant leap after his rookie struggles. Luckily, Dillard has done everything in his power to do so. His teammates lauded his work ethic and said he added muscle during the offseason - strength was his biggest weakness coming out of Washington State. Combine that with his smooth athleticism, quick feet, and natural skills in pass protection, and Doug Pederson and Co. have every right to be confident in Dillard.Pittsburgh Steelers - Diontae JohnsonExpect Johnson to be a prime beneficiary of a reloaded Steelers offense. The former third-rounder led all rookies in receptions and missed tackles forced despite Pittsburgh's inconsistencies at quarterback last year. He also ranked sixth in yards and fourth in yards after the catch. Johnson is primed to build off a successful 2019 with his advanced route-running skills and soft hands, and he could even emerge as Ben Roethlisberger's top target (sorry, JuJu).San Francisco 49ers - Solomon Thomas Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyThere's a spot open for Thomas on the 49ers' defensive line after DeForest Buckner's departure. However, Thomas still needs to prove himself after losing playing time last season and having his fifth-year option declined. If San Francisco's defensive front continues its high level of play from 2019, the former third overall pick could surpass his middling six-sack career production.Seattle Seahawks - DK MetcalfMetcalf may be an obvious selection, but we expect a monster slate from this athletic freak. After a bit of a slow start to his career, the Seahawks receiver displayed a combination of speed and strength in 2019 that few opposing cornerbacks can even think of matching. Metcalf amassed 717 yards and four touchdowns in his final 10 games, which included a dominant 160-yard performance against the Eagles in the playoffs. With a full season under his belt and Russell Wilson throwing passes his way, Metcalf should be a fairly safe bet for the Pro Bowl.Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Devin WhiteWhite didn't quite meet expectations as a rookie after Tampa Bay nabbed him fifth overall. The LSU product wasn't as effective in coverage as he was in college, and he missed nearly a tackle per game in run defense. However, he was a force as a blitzer and possesses the speed needed to make plays all over the field. Linebacker is a tough position to grasp for any first-year player, so White should bounce back in 2020. Playing in front of a stout defensive line and next to Lavonte David will certainly help his cause.Tennessee Titans - Jeffery SimmonsNow 18 months removed from an ACL injury that delayed the start of his debut campaign, Simmons is ready to explode. The towering defender's unique combination of length, athleticism, and strength made him a rare prospect that would have been locked into the top 10 if not for his pre-draft injury. Simmons thrived in run defense from the moment he stepped on the field - no rookie accounted for a greater percentage of his team tackles for loss and only eight interior rushers did overall. If his pass-rush skills develop in Year 2, look out.Washington Football Team - Logan Thomas Ralph Freso / Getty Images Sport / GettyThomas could end up leading all Washington tight ends in snaps and receptions this season. Standing 6-foot-6 and dripping with athletic upside, the former quarterback is still fairly new to the position. However, head coach Ron Rivera appears ready to entrust him with a significant role. Thomas possesses raw traits, has had limited opportunities to date, and he only has to beat out Jeremy Sprinkle and Richard Rodgers, making him a true 2020 sleeper.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Smith reached another major milestone Sunday in his remarkable recovery from a life-threatening leg injury.The Washington Football Team officially cleared the veteran quarterback for football activity and removed him from the physically unable to perform list.