The expectations for a No. 1 overall pick are enormous, and in the wake of Baker Mayfield's immediate success, Kyler Murray is arguably facing the most hype for a rookie quarterback in recent memory.But if the weight of being the first player selected in April's NFL draft is getting to the Arizona Cardinals quarterback, he isn't letting it show."I don't feel pressure," Murray said, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.However, the Heisman winner knows that despite his carefree outlook, criticism is inevitable if he doesn't live up to expectations in his first season."I got to go out and play well," Murray said. "And if I don't, then people are gonna be mad, I'm gonna be mad, everybody's gonna be mad. So, my focus is (to) play well."Murray said he's looking forward to his first NFL action in Thursday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers so he can "get a feel for the game and let it rip a little."The huge leap of in-game speed from college to the NFL can intimidate some passers. Murray, however, is salivating over the challenge."I think that's probably one of the biggest adjustments ... windows are tighter," Murray said. "You got to anticipate things a lot more. But that makes it fun. College, you know, dudes would be wide open. It'd be really easy stuff like that. It's part of being in the NFL."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

So you're craving football and considering tuning in for the 2019 Hall of Fame Game but have no idea who to watch with most regulars held out, right?Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are three players to keep an eye on when the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons kick off the preseason Thursday evening in Canton, Ohio.Drew Lock, Broncos QBEvery year we impatiently await rookie quarterback debuts, and Lock will be the first one from the 2019 class to hit the field. The Broncos traded up in the second round of the draft to get Lock, who often had to overcome a lack of talent around him at Missouri. The scouting report coming out of college is that he has great arm talent and is accurate when given a clean pocket, but his decision-making and accuracy break down under pressure. Even if the preseason doesn't mean a whole lot, it will be interesting to see how Lock fares on a field that features bigger, faster, and stronger foes.Tony Brooks-James, Falcons RBBrooks-James has unforgettable speed, even though he was often a forgotten man at Oregon. The undrafted rookie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at his pro day, which would've been the second-fasted time at the NFL combine. Brooks-James is a legitimate home run threat whenever he touches the ball, something the Falcons could use in a backfield that lost Tevin Coleman in free agency. His value as a returner could also improve what was a mediocre special teams unit last year. An impressive August showing could very well land Brooks-James a spot on the Falcons' regular-season roster, and it's conceivable that he could move up their shallow depth chart quickly.Su'a Cravens, Broncos SFor the second time in his young career, Cravens finds himself at a crossroads. He underwhelmed last season after joining the Broncos via a trade with the Washington Redskins, as he battled a knee injury early and eventually finished the campaign as a healthy scratch. His commitment to football was questioned during his Washington tenure after he stepped away from the game for a year. The former second-round pick has ample talent, but he's at the point in his career where production matters more than potential. He's competing for a roster spot and could play his way off the team just as easily as play his way into a prominent role on Vic Fangio's defense.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When the Oakland Raiders finally make their long-awaited move to Sin City, Derek Carr will find it hard to get away from his head coach.The 28-year-old quarterback has purchased a yet-to-be-completed house in Las Vegas - and his neighbor will be Jon Gruden, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic.Speculation the Raiders would look to select a quarterback at the 2019 NFL Draft ran rampant in the early offseason, but Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock ultimately didn't take a passer.Carr later vowed he'd be the Raiders' quarterback "for a long time."Despite a disappointing first year of their highly anticipated partnership, it appears Gruden and Carr intend to remain a duo for the foreseeable future.If HBO's "Hard Knocks" could stick around for an extra year or two to capture them at neighborhood barbecues or arguing over recycling, we'd all appreciate it.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Longtime Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil has come out of retirement to join the New York Jets, the team announced on Thursday.Kalil will sign a one-year contract worth $8.4 million, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. His deal is pending a physical.New York adds the 34-year-old hoping to upgrade a suspect interior offensive line. Jonotthan Harrison was previously working as the club's first-team center.Kalil spent 12 years with the Panthers before retiring. The second-round pick in 2007 has been named to five Pro Bowls while earning two First-Team All-Pro nods. He stepped away from the NFL following the 2018 season.Adding Kalil will also provide a veteran presence for second-year quarterback Sam Darnold in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 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, Boone breaks down the latest news and identifies which players fantasy managers should be scouting during the preseason.

Free-agent running back Theo Riddick will sign with the Denver Broncos later this week, a source told 9 News' Mike Klis.Riddick was released by the Detroit Lions on Saturday after six seasons with the franchise.Several teams, including the New Orleans Saints, expressed interest in the pass-catching running back before he ultimately decided to join Denver, Klis added.Riddick will join a Broncos backfield that features sophomores Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. Meanwhile, 2016 fourth-round pick Devontae Booker's roster spot could be in danger.The 28-year-old Riddick rushed for 171 yards on 40 carries with the Lions in 2018, adding 61 catches for 384 yards.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Top 100 rankings, as voted by the players, wrapped up on Wednesday and featured most of the league's truly elite stars. Unfortunately, the list also left out some deserving names.Though an argument can be made for a number of omissions to be included, here are the top five snubs from the Top 100:Casey Hayward, CB, ChargersSean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe criminally underrated Hayward is one of the NFL's premier cover corners. The two-time Pro Bowler led the league with seven interceptions in 2016 before adding four in 2017. And despite not picking off a pass last season, Hayward ranked inside the top five in both coverage snaps per target and coverage snaps per reception, according to Pro Football Focus. Those ratings illustrate that quarterbacks hesitated to throw in Hayward's direction, and that receivers weren't getting much separation. Additionally, he allowed just 78 total yards after the catch while in primary coverage during 2018.Meanwhile, Hayward offers versatility that few other top cornerbacks possess. Though the emergence of teammate Desmond King led to fewer snaps inside last year, Hayward continued to thrive against shifty receivers in the slot while succeeding against bigger pass-catchers outside. He doesn't shy away from defending the run, either.Suggested player to replace: Jarvis Landry, WRTerron Armstead, OT, SaintsJonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyA Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2018 apparently weren't enough to see Armstead ranked among the league's top 100 players. But the 28-year-old should have made the list, as he excels in pass protection, allowing just one sack across 329 pass-blocking snaps in 2018. Armstead also surrendered just 11 total pressures, according to PFF, which was the second-lowest total from an offensive tackle who played at least 10 games.Though his elite athleticism and technical prowess shine more in the passing game, Armstead is also an excellent run-blocker. New Orleans ranked sixth in rushing offense a year ago, thanks in large part to its top lineman. Overall, Armstead is a no-brainer top-three tackle in the NFL.Suggested player to replace: Taylor Lewan, OTGrady Jarrett, DT, FalconsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDon't let the raw stats fool you. Despite notching just 10 sacks over the last two seasons, Jarrett's been a key piece of the talented Falcons defensive unit. Equally adept as a pass-rusher and as a run defender, the quick, powerful lineman accumulated the eighth-most pressures among tackles last year despite missing two games. Jarrett also forced three fumbles and was dominant in one-on-one matchups.Meanwhile, the 26-year-old missed just one tackle in run defense across the entire 2018 season, according to PFF, and amassed 23 stops at or behind the line of scrimmage. You'd be hard-pressed to find many defensive tackles who are as versatile and as consistent as Jarrett.Suggested player to replace: Gerald McCoy, DTBrandon Graham, DE, EaglesPatrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyGraham's omission from the Top 100 is puzzling. On the surface, his dip in sack production (9.5 in 2017 to just four in 2018) appears to be a compelling argument against his inclusion, but the veteran still got to the quarterback last season. In fact, the Graham led all edge defenders with 56 hurries and ranked fourth with 70 total pressures in 2018. And while finishing is an important attribute, he also played a key role during a number of game-changing plays over the past few seasons.Beyond his pass-rushing skills, the Super Bowl hero separates himself from most edge defenders with elite run defense and an ability to kick inside. Graham's 10.4 run-stop percentage - PFF's metric that calculates how often a player makes a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage against the run - ranked seventh at his position in 2018. That came after Graham led the league with a 13.7 percent mark in 2017.Suggested player to replace: Jason Pierre-Paul, DEChris Harris Jr., CB, BroncosAndy Cross / Denver Post / GettyNot many cornerbacks have reached Harris' level of play since he entered the league in 2011. A true game-changer wherever he lines up, the veteran thrives on the boundary in base packages, and he's perhaps the NFL's top slot defender. Opposing quarterbacks earned a paltry 64.6 passer rating when targeting Harris last season. That rating dipped to 57.3 on slot targets only, the second-lowest mark in the NFL.At 5-foot-10, Harris' ball production leaves something to be desired, but he allowed just one touchdown in primary coverage last year, according to PFF, while picking off three passes. Overall, Harris' age (30) and his lack of elite physical traits likely resulted in his exclusion from the Top 100, but a player who's in a league of his own at a particular aspect of the game should certainly be included.Suggested player to replace: Eric Weddle, SHonorable mentions: Kevin Byard (Titans), Kawann Short (Panthers), Deion Jones (Falcons), Trey Flowers (Lions), Lane Johnson (Eagles), DeForest Buckner (49ers)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Melvin Gordon's agent, Damarius Bilbo, requested a trade last week for his client after the Los Angeles Chargers refused to increase their initial offer of approximately $10 million per year, Bilbo told ESPN's Josina Anderson on Thursday.However, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco did not give Bilbo permission to seek trade partners, Anderson added.Gordon's party publicly called for either an extension in line with the top running backs in the NFL or a trade. The former first-round pick has one year and $5.6 million left on his rookie contract.The tailback was a no-show for the start of training camp on Wednesday and recent reports indicate that his holdout threatens to carry over into the regular season.Gordon's request of $10 million per season would place him fourth among running backs behind Todd Gurley, Le'Veon Bell, and David Johnson. Dallas Cowboys ball-carrier Ezekiel Elliott is also holding out for a deal that could top Gurley's.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michael Thomas became the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history on Wednesday.Saints quarterback Drew Brees, perhaps the primary beneficiary of Thomas' commitment to New Orleans, shared with some young fans his excitement about the lucrative deal."If your question is, 'Do I want Michael Thomas on my team to be able to throw the ball to him' ... Yes," Brees said to a group of high school students in Slidell, La.The star wideout agreed to a five-year, $100-million contract extension through the 2024 campaign. His $61 million in guarantees also represents the most ever for a non-quarterback offensive player."Obviously it was a lot of money, prices keep going up, but that's what the market demanded. That's a separate conversation," Brees said to laughs from the crowd.Brees and Thomas have developed into one of the top offensive duos in the NFL. The former had a 124.5 passer rating when throwing to his top target, while the latter led the league with 125 catches.- With h/t to Nola.comCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A defender is once again king of the NFL Top 100.Aaron Donald topped the NFL Network's list of the league's best players in the show's final edition Wednesday, beating out the likes of Drew Brees, Khalil Mack, and Patrick Mahomes for the honor.The only other time a defensive player earned the No. 1 spot was J.J. Watt in 2015. Quarterbacks have previously led the list on six different occasions (Tom Brady three times, Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, and Aaron Rodgers once each). Adrian Peterson became the first non-QB to top it in 2013.

Baker Mayfield might be in just his second professional season, but the Cleveland Browns quarterback already knows it's hard to win in the NFL if teammates can't be honest with each other.At a practice last weekend, Mayfield yelled at his receiving corps for failing to work back to him while he was scrambling.On Wednesday, Mayfield - who filled his rookie highlight reel with improvised plays - addressed his brief outburst."Those guys know that's a big part of our offense," Mayfield said, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter. "It's just the fact that if we get lazy and let things slide - we need to be open to communicating right now."That's what the good teams do."In a blockbuster trade in March, the Browns added three-time Pro Bowl wideout Odell Beckham Jr. to a stacked offense that already included 2017 receptions leader Jarvis Landry, sending Cleveland's previously sky-high expectations into the stratosphere.With the pressure to live up to that hype mainly falling onto Mayfield's shoulders, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick said he was grateful for how open Beckham has been since his shock move from the New York Giants."There's an appreciation from my end that (Beckham) has been able to come communicate and talk through things," Mayfield said. "Just being able to talk through things, and see it from their perspective and mine, is really good."While some head coaches would take issue with a second-year quarterback ripping into his teammates during training camp, head coach Freddie Kitchens has no issue with Mayfield venting his frustrations."I expect my quarterback to get everybody on the same page," Kitchens said. "That's what I want."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The newest members of Madden's "99 Club" are being honored with custom cleats.On Wednesday, Nike unveiled the shoes it will be gifting to Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack, and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner in celebration of the players' 99 overall ratings in Madden NFL 20.Donald and Mack will each receive custom versions of the Nike Force Savage Elite, while Wagner will receive Air Jordan 1 cleats.(Photos courtesy: Nike)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to their sixth Super Bowl title in February, but the star quarterback hasn't received an extension in return, and he's now entering a contract year.When asked Wednesday if he's earned a new deal, Brady let the question hang in the air."Have I earned it? I don't know. That's up for talk-show debate. What do you guys think? Should we take a poll? Talk to Mr. (Robert) Kraft, c'mon," Brady said with a smile after practice, according to Andrew Callahan of MassLive.com. "No, like I said, we've got a great relationship. So we'll see how it goes."Brady is set to earn a $14-million base salary in 2019, far below the market rate for a franchise quarterback. Prior to last season, the Patriots added five $1-million incentives to the 14-time Pro Bowler's contract (Brady hit none of them).The future Hall of Famer will turn 42 years old in August. He's shown few signs of decline aside from producing his worst passer rating since 2014 last season and throwing his most interceptions since 2013. There's simply no precedent for how to pay a quarterback his age who's still performing close to an All-Pro level.Brady carries a $27 million cap hit in 2019, the largest of his storied career, according to Over The Cap. New England could be motivated to extend its signal-caller and lower that number.If the Patriots let Brady - who has signed multiple discount deals in the past - play out his contract with the intention of using the franchise tag on him in 2020, that would cost the reigning champions $32.4 million (only Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger, and Aaron Rodgers are projected to carry higher cap hits).Brady praised head coach Bill Belichick and Kraft, saying that "hopefully we can keep it going." However, he sidestepped a question about being open to playing on year-to-year contracts."I mean, we're all day-to-day, if you think about it," Brady said. "None of us are really promised anything. So I'm trying to do the best I can today and let those things sort themselves out."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints and All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas agreed to a five-year, $100-million contract extension, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.When the extension kicks in, Thomas will become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. His $61 million in guarantees also represents the most ever for a non-quarterback offensive player, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.New Orleans has now locked up its star wideout through the 2024 campaign. Thomas had one year remaining on his rookie deal and will earn just $1.148 million in 2019.The 26-year-old was a no-show at the start of Saints training camp as he was seeking an extension that netted an annual average salary of at least $20 million.Thomas has developed into one of the league's premier pass-catchers. He's averaged 107 catches, 1,262 yards, and eight touchdowns per season, and his 321 receptions are the most in NFL history by a receiver in his first three years.With Thomas' deal in the books, Julio Jones and Amari Cooper could be the next receivers to finalize new lucrative contracts.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys plan to keep Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper together, but not by handing them record-setting contracts."We've got three really good football players that we're dealing with here and that have very good representation, and they want to see the market," Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said Wednesday on 1310 The Ticket, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic."We can't push the issue unless we want to be a market-setter," he continued. "And we're damn sure not going to be a market-setter, because of all the things that go with being a Dallas Cowboy."As of Wednesday afternoon, Dallas wasn't close to an agreement with Elliott, the only member of the trio who's holding out, a source told Jane Slater of NFL Network.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camp in full swing, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

The Washington Redskins are discussing a potential Trent Williams trade as the Pro Bowl left tackle continues his holdout from training camp, a source told Jeff Howe of The Athletic.Williams reportedly grew discontent with the Redskins early in the offseason because of how they handled a medical situation. Williams had a growth, initially feared to be malignant, removed from his head in the spring. He hasn't appeared at any mandatory team activities since.Washington signed veteran left tackle Donald Penn on Wednesday, a possible sign the team doesn't expect Williams to return soon.Williams, 31, has been one of the league's top tackles since he was drafted fourth overall in 2010, though injuries have plagued him the last two years.There's a sense around the league that the New England Patriots could pursue Williams because the team lacks depth at the position that protects Tom Brady's blindside, according to Howe. The Patriots lost Trent Brown in free agency, and they appear ready to start Isaiah Wynn - their 2018 first-round pick who missed his rookie season with a torn Achilles - at left tackle.It's unclear what Washington would seek in return for Williams. There are two seasons remaining on the five-year, $68-million contract he signed in 2015.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons rookie offensive tackle Kaleb McGary will undergo a cardiac ablation procedure Wednesday afternoon, the team announced.The Falcons called the impending heart procedure minimally invasive and said a potential recovery timetable will be established once it is complete. McGary underwent two similar procedures in the past and received a six-to-eight week timeline when he was last operated on in college, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.McGary, who was drafted 31st overall out of Washington, spent the bulk of training camp working at right tackle with the second-team offense. He and Chris Lindstrom, a guard, were both selected the opening round of the draft as Atlanta made an effort to stabilize its leaky unit up front.He was cleared by NFL medical testing in late February to participate in the scouting combine.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

At 28 years old and entering his sixth NFL campaign, Khalil Mack is eager to capture a Super Bowl before his playing days draw to an end.The Chicago Bears pass-rusher says former Oakland Raiders teammates Charles Woodson and Justin Tuck offered some wise words regarding how quickly their careers passed them by, and he's taken those lessons to heart."You're running out of time, man," Mack told reporters, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. "All these older dudes let us know at an early point in my career, man, we ain't got no time to waste."When asked if he feels he's running out of time, Mack said: "Absolutely. You've gotta win. Gotta win now."The three-time All-Pro claimed these feelings are what bothered him most during his holdout from the Raiders last summer, as he wanted to be a part of a team ready to compete for a championship."(My holdout) seems so long ago now," Mack said. "I was antsy because I love the game ... and it was real hard to stay away from it for so long. This year, back in the grind, it feels great."One of the game's top defenders, Mack was dominant during his first season in Chicago. He amassed 47 tackles, six forced fumbles, and 12.5 sacks, his highest total since 2015.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy and former Pittsburgh running back Tamarcus Porter have each been ordered to pay $55,000 to Philadelphia police officer Roland Butler, who was injured in a 2016 bar fight with the two players.William Davis, the attorney representing Butler, told ESPN's John Barr that McCoy already paid his share but Porter has not.The compensation was the result of an agreement that came after an arbitrator's decision earlier this year and stems from a civil case.The fight occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 7, 2016, and was found to be the result of an argument between the off-duty officer and Porter about who ordered a bottle of champagne.McCoy was seen on video striking in the direction of a grounded Butler. He originally argued he acted in self-defense.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As teams prepare for the 2019 regular season and position battles rage on, rookies and veterans alike are looking to make an impact on and off the field.Here are 10 players generating the most buzz at camp so far.Kyler Murray, QB, CardinalsThis year's No. 1 overall pick has lived up to the hype. We already know Murray is a talented and athletic quarterback, but the mental part of his game has impressed his veteran teammates."I've never seen a quarterback come in so quickly and be able to command an offense," receiver Larry Fitzgerald said on "Inside Training Camp Live." "I mean, from day one, he's out there checking the different plays, sliding the line, different protections, getting us in screens when blitzes are coming. His understanding of the offense is crazy."His advanced touch and accuracy for a first-year player was on full display early on, inspiring confidence from his coaches. Already penciled in as Arizona's starting quarterback, Murray's strong camp could propel him into Rookie of the Year contention.

Jared Goff is sick and tired of the "unfair" questions surrounding his backfield partner.When asked Tuesday about his excitement to see Todd Gurley potentially become "Todd Gurley once again" on SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback hit back at the notion that the star running back has something to prove."Todd is Todd. He doesn't need to become anything," said Goff. "He's done everything that we've asked of him and more in the past few years. I think there's a narrative around him right now that's pretty unfair."If you think about it, we didn't play him in the last two games (of the regular season) ... the playoff game he rushed for 100-something yards and a touchdown. The New Orleans (Saints) game we didn't rush for many yards at all. And then in the Super Bowl, we scored three points."Gurley has come under intense scrutiny after struggling with a knee injury late last season.The All-Pro racked up 1,251 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns in 14 games in 2018 before sitting out the season's final two contests to rest his ailing left knee, which his trainer revealed in June has an "arthritic component" due to an ACL injury in college.But despite the time off, the Rams opted to split carries between Gurley and free-agent pickup C.J. Anderson in their run to the Super Bowl. Anderson ultimately finished the postseason with 16 more rushing attempts than the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year.In the spring, Gurley's health continued to be arguably the team's top storyline as he was kept on the sidelines for all of L.A.'s offseason workouts. The veteran tailback returned for training camp but isn't expected to play in any preseason games.While Goff said he was proud of Gurley for not reacting to the criticisms, the two-time Pro Bowl pivot had no qualms in standing up for his teammate."He's handled everything great and I'll be here to stand up for him and say the stuff he probably doesn't want to stay," said Goff. "He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. Two years ago he was arguably the MVP and last year he rushed for another 20 touchdowns, I believe."The Rams are reportedly expected to lighten Gurley's workload after he averaged 308 touches per season during the first four years of his career.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Congratulations, Dallas Cowboys fans: Your team won Super Bowl 54.Earlier this week, CBS Sports' Will Brinson published his fourth annual Madden simulation to predict the Super Bowl winner for the following NFL season. This year, the game awarded America's Team with a 27-10 Super Bowl 54 victory over the Cleveland Browns.As for the actual Super Bowl, the Cowboys are currently 20-1 at Westgate LV SuperBook to win the title.They're not quite Biff's sports almanac from "Back to the Future II," but is there enough predictive power in these Madden simulations?Madden NFL simulation results (2016-18)While Brinson's simulations may not be the dreaded Madden cover curse, they're not blessings, either. Only one of the six teams predicted to reach the Super Bowl over the last three years has made it, while two of them failed to reach the playoffs altogether.YearTeamRecordPlayoffsSuper Bowl2016Falcons*11-5YY2016Steelers11-5YN2017Falcons*10-6YN2017Chargers9-7NN2018Jaguars*5-11NN2018Seahawks10-6YN*picked to win Super BowlThe Cowboys are also predicted to win the NFC East, but division winners haven't fared much better in Brinson's simulations. In the last three years, the first-place finishers have been accurately predicted just seven of 24 times.Of the 36 playoff teams since 2016, Madden has correctly called 19 of them - just over 50 percent, which is hardly enough to put your money behind.What's more, Madden is calling for the New England Patriots to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season. Tom Brady and Co. are 6-1 at the SuperBook to miss the field if you're feeling adventurous.Oddly enough, however, Madden has excelled in predicting the NFC and AFC East, which may bode well for the Cowboys - who are currently 3-2 to win their division - and portend doom for the Patriots. Two of Madden's three predicted winners in both the NFC and AFC East have claimed the division crown, and all of them have made the playoffs. This year, the Buffalo Bills - currently at 8-1 to win the AFC East - are predicted to win their division.The Cowboys also received love for the MVP award. The Madden simulation had Ezekiel Elliott taking home this year's honors behind a 2,000-yard rushing season. Elliott is 80-1 to win the MVP this year, though he'd have to report to camp first amid a contract holdout.Zeke's elite status is ironically the biggest red flag in backing the 'Boys based off Madden's predictions. The video game's rating system tends to overstate the difference between elite running backs and replacement-level ones, especially those behind a stellar offensive line.We've seen that play out before in Dallas, where DeMarco Murray rushed for an absurd 1,845 yards in 2014 and Darren McFadden racked up 1,089 yards in 2015, a year before Elliott joined the team.Elliott might need to break the all-time single-season rushing record to snap Madden's 0-for-3 stretch on MVP winners (Aaron Rodgers in 2016, Dak Prescott in 2017, Philip Rivers in 2018). But it's likely up to Prescott to deliver Madden's preseason title promise for the first time.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2019 NFL season has yet to begin, but it's never too early to look ahead to the upcoming draft. Even better, you can already wager on which player will be selected No. 1 overall in 2020. Multiple sportsbooks have released early odds, and the current favorite is Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.Tua opened at odds of 1-2 to be the first player off the board, followed by Oregon QB Justin Herbert (4-1) and Georgia QB Jake Fromm (7-1). It's not surprising to see three quarterbacks top the list. Since 2000, a QB has been selected No. 1 overall 14 times.Meanwhile, Tua is coming off a stellar season in which he threw for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns, and six interceptions despite not playing in the fourth quarter until the ninth game. He's currently the co-favorite to win the Heisman Trophy along with Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence (who can't be drafted until 2021) at 3-1. Herbert and Fromm are both listed at 20-1 to win the Heisman.Here is a complete list of the odds to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft:PlayerOddsTua Tagovailoa1-2Justin Herbert4-1Jake Fromm7-1Andrew Thomas16-1Chase Young20-1Jerry Jeudy30-1Derrick Brown40-1Raekwon Davis40-1Walker Little50-1A.J. Epenesa50-1Odds courtesy of the Westgate LV SuperBookBetting against a quarterback hasn't typically been profitable, but based on some early mock drafts for 2020, there could be some value at other positions. Bleacher Report has Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young going No. 1 to the Redskins and Tua lasting until the Buccaneers at No. 8. USA Today's DraftWire agrees, giving Young to the Dolphins with the top pick. Young is 20-1 to go first overall at the Las Vegas SuperBook, but his odds shorten to 10-1 at New Jersey sportsbooks.Additionally, a supporting argument against a quarterback going No. 1 in 2020 is that the NFL teams expected to pick early are largely set at the position.The franchises with the lowest projected win totals for 2019 are the Cardinals, Dolphins, Giants, Bengals, Raiders, and Redskins. Arizona, New York, and Washington drafted a quarterback in Round 1 this year, while Miami traded for Josh Rosen. If Derek Carr plays well for a Raiders squad that added receiver Antonio Brown this offseason, there's a realistic chance that out of those teams, only the Bengals will be in the market for a quarterback when next year's draft rolls around.One player who offers value is Auburn DT Derrick Brown. Many feel Brown is the clear-cut No. 1 defensive tackle heading into the season. At 6-foot-5, 318 pounds, he has the versatility to play inside or outside in the NFL. The consensus opinion in early mocks is that Brown will be a top-five pick. Whether he goes No. 1 or not, Brown won't be sitting at 40-1 odds in April if he produces another dominant season for an Auburn defense that's expected to be one of the nation's best.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camp in full swing, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

If the Dallas Cowboys' worst-case scenario with Ezekiel Elliott comes to pass and his holdout extends into the regular season, Alfred Morris has no concerns about his ability to take over as the No. 1 running back."I'm always ready. Any of these backs would say that," Morris told Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site. "That's what we do. We love what we do. We're good at what we do. Any of us could be featured."I'm definitely confident in myself that I can be a featured back. I still have it."Dallas brought Morris back on a one-year deal Monday, adding the former Pro Bowler to a highly inexperienced group that includes rookies Tony Pollard and Mike Weber, and four-year veteran Darius Jackson.Morris, 30, spent the 2016 and 2017 campaigns with the Cowboys. With Elliott suspended for six games during the latter season, Morris helped keep the offense afloat with 430 yards and one touchdown on 99 carries.If Elliott misses time due to the contract standoff, the veteran isn't a lock to take over the lead role but said he'll do everything he can to hold off the three running backs vying for the spot."No, they didn't give me assurances, but that doesn't matter," Morris said. "I'm Alfred. I'm going to come and do what I have to do. I'm always going to show up and give it my best."Whatever they do on the back end, that's up to them. It's not my business."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver A.J. Green is expected to miss a few games to start the regular season due to the ankle injury he sustained during Saturday's practice, head coach Zac Taylor confirmed Tuesday, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic."I hate to put weeks on it but we are ready for him to come back when he feels healthy and ready to go and hopefully it's not more than a couple games," Taylor said.Green, 30, underwent a minor surgery Tuesday to clean out his ankle, sources told Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, and the procedure revealed he'll need to miss multiple games.Rapoport had initially reported Cincinnati planned to wait a few weeks to see how Green's apparent torn left ankle ligaments healed before determining his status for the regular-season opener.Green missed seven games last season due to a persistent toe injury and is entering the final year of his contract.Cincinnati opens the campaign on the road against the Seattle Seahawks before home matchups with the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.Without their top weapon, the Bengals will look to third-year wideout Tyler Boyd - who recently signed a four-year extension reportedly worth $43 million following a breakout 2018 - to lead the passing attack.John Ross, Cody Core, and Alex Erickson will all likely see their roles expanded as well.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A man is suing the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott for allegedly covering up a 2017 car crash with the help of local police so the star running back wouldn't miss an upcoming playoff game.In a lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports, the plaintiff, Ronnie Hill, claims the Cowboys "conspired with the Frisco Police Dept. to cover up the severity of the accident to assure that Elliott's health would not be placed in question before their playoff game."The car crash occurred on Jan. 11, 2017 - four days before Dallas' divisional-round matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Elliott ran for 125 yards in the 34-31 Cowboys loss.Hill - who is seeking $20 million in damages - claims Elliott was at fault for the crash, as the Cowboys player was late for practice and "barreled through a red light" in his GMC Yukon.Elliott collided with Hill's BMW 750, causing more than $33,000 in damages to his vehicle and requiring a tow-truck "to pull them apart."According to Hill's suit, "If anyone had actually reported the impact of the accident and had Elliott been examined he would have most likely been placed in concussion protocol and out for the Dallas Cowboys upcoming playoff game."The suit also says Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown quickly arrived at the scene of the crash and told Hill, "We will take care of everything."Hill also claims in the lawsuit he was physically injured in the wreck.At the time, Frisco police said the incident was a "minor vehicle crash.""Ezekiel Elliott believes he's above the law," Hill's lawyer, Larry Friedman, told TMZ. "He doesn't follow any rules. As a citizen and a member of our community he has a duty to obey the law and act responsibly, especially while driving a motor vehicle."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks will apparently have to wait to see their first-round pick in action.Rookie defensive end L.J. Collier has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle after being carted off Seattle's practice field on Tuesday, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.He will likely miss the entire preseason as a result.Collier was selected with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2019 draft after a standout career at TCU. He racked up 14.5 sacks and 42 total tackles in his final season of college.His injury is the latest blow to the Seahawks' defensive line. Free-agent signing Ezekiel Ansah is still working back from shoulder surgery, while defensive tackle Jarran Reed - who broke out last year with a 10.5-sack campaign - is suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.The Seahawks also traded away their top pass-rusher, Frank Clark, to the Kansas City Chiefs in April. Collier was expected to help fill the void left by Clark's departure.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Picking apart lookahead lines in the NFL - games played between Week 2-16 - can give bettors an edge when they're higher or lower on certain teams or have angles they want to apply as the season goes on.While bettors are gearing up for the opening week of the NFL season, here are some other spots down the road that are worth considering.Week 2 - Cowboys (-1) at RedskinsI'm low on the Cowboys for 2019, but I'm even lower on the Redskins, who are in flux heading into the year. If you were buying a team strictly based off strength of schedule for the upcoming campaign, you'd love Washington, which faces the easiest lineup when factoring in last season's opponents' combined record. But that's about all you can like at this point.The offense will either be led by a declining Case Keenum or a rookie in Dwayne Haskins. Whoever gets the nod at quarterback will have a shortage of playmakers and will be throwing behind a depleted offensive line. Whether or not Ezekiel Elliott is in the fold, Dallas feels like a bargain at this price. It wouldn't be surprising if this line closes -3 by the second week of the season.Week 2 - Bengals (+2) vs. 49ersWhile Week 2 could be crowned "Overreaction Week," it's also a good time to fade teams playing their second consecutive road game to start the year. There are a handful of teams that fall into the situation, but my favorite pick is the Bengals getting points at home against the 49ers. Not only are road teams on a 5-22 run straight up in this spot, but it's also a scenario in which a West Coast team plays an early 1 p.m. game.Week 13 - Raiders (+13) at ChiefsFor starters, head coach Andy Reid hasn't been great when laying double-digit points with the Chiefs. He improved to 2-5 against the spread overall in Week 17 last season against these same Raiders, though you can’t put much stock in covering against a collapsing Oakland squad in the final week of the campaign. Reid and the Chiefs are in a similar spot here come Week 13 with other angles involved, notably a lookahead game in general with the Patriots in Week 14.Week 13 - Chargers (-1) at BroncosIt was last year in Week 7 when we alluded to playing road favorites off a bye. Those teams, at the time, were on a 50-25 run against the spread. Like clockwork, the Lions went down to Miami and beat the Dolphins by 11 points. This is the best spot for the upcoming season: The Chargers, perhaps in the playoff mix, will finally get to hit the reset button with a late bye and will face a Broncos team that has to travel back from an East Coast game against the Bills.Week 15 - Eagles (-3.5) at RedskinsHere's another fade on the Redskins, who play the Eagles in mid-December. There a significant talent gap between Washington and the NFC East favorites, and the teams should be trending opposite directions this late in the season. Lay the chalk in this spot.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 @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck didn't practice Tuesday after suffering a setback with his calf injury and head coach Frank Reich confirmed he'll be held out of practice for at least the next two days."It's not where I want to be," Luck told reporters, according to Nat Newell and Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. "I did not improve feel-wise, pain-wise."Luck missed OTAs and minicamp after suffering the calf injury in April and was a limited participant in three of the first four days of camp. The signal-caller admitted he is also feeling pain in his ankle area but doesn't believe he's at risk of an Achilles tear as a result."I've had images and X-rays and everything and my Achilles is not at extra risk," Luck said. "There is no tear or swelling or anything that's indicated."The 29-year-old won't play in Indianapolis' preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 8 or in the team's Week 4 exhibition game. Reich, however, wouldn't rule Luck out for the remaining two preseason contests."Too early (to say), and I don't even want to push it, to be honest with you," Reich said. "Let's just get this thing right, take it day to day. I think it's important for his mentality and his psyche that he's ready to go. We need a good, full week of practice full speed, where he feels confident. That’s what we're looking for."Luck says he "absolutely" expects to be ready for Week 1, but he recognizes the need to exercise caution after battling shoulder injuries for the better part of two years.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A second opinion on A.J. Green's injured ankle confirmed the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver will miss the next several weeks, while his status for Week 1 of the regular season is up in the air, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.The Bengals plan on waiting a few weeks to see how their star receiver's ankle heals before determining his status for the opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8, Rapoport added.Though major surgery won't be required, the 30-year-old underwent a minor procedure Tuesday to clean his ankle out, sources told Rapoport, though it doesn't affect his projected timeline.Green reportedly suffered torn ligaments in his left ankle during Saturday's practice and was later seen leaving the facility on crutches. Initial reports indicated a six-to-eight week timetable for recovery.In Green's absence, Cincinnati must rely on Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Cody Core, and Alex Erickson, among others. Ross is currently nursing a hamstring injury.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to be fine after limping off the field during Tuesday's practice with a bruised quad, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Hill took a hit from cornerback Bashaud Breeland and had his right leg examined on the sideline before climbing into the passenger seat of a cart and heading back to the facility, according to Kimberley Martin of Yahoo.The Chiefs definitely don't want to see Hill riding the cart, but it appears the star wideout won't miss any time due to the injury. He's coming off a breakout season in which he caught 87 passes for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns.There were questions about whether he would miss at least part of this season after the Chiefs suspended him from team activities in April amid allegations of child abuse. In an audio recording between Hill and his then-fiancee, the two discussed injuries to their son, but the district attorney's office opted against pressing charges. Following a four-month NFL investigation, the league decided not to discipline him.Hill was then reinstated and returned to the team for training camp.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As Trent Williams continues his training-camp holdout, veteran left tackle Donald Penn will sign a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins on Wednesday, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Washington hosted Penn for a visit last week along with fellow tackle Corey Robinson, who was signed on Sunday.Ereck Flowers is currently operating as Washington's first-team left tackle in camp but could move back to left guard upon Penn's reported arrival. Flowers struggled mightily on the edge when called upon through four NFL campaigns.The Oakland Raiders released Penn, 36, in March after the club signed Trent Brown to a long-term contract. He was the Raiders' primary left tackle in each of the last five years, though his 2018 season was cut short due to a groin injury suffered in Week 4.Williams, Washington's primary left tackle, is reportedly upset with how the Redskins handled a medical situation that involved removing a growth from his head. He's also seeking a new deal with two years remaining on his $68-million contract. There is no indication whether he plans on joining the team prior to the regular season if he isn't traded.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camp in full swing, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

Julio Jones reported to Atlanta Falcons training camp despite his desire for a new contract, but told reporters on Tuesday that he won't suit up during the preseason, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Jones is seeking an extension on his current deal, which runs until 2020, that would make him the NFL's highest-paid receiver. He and Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff previously expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached prior to the regular season.The 30-year-old Jones also refuted speculation that he's waiting for fellow star receivers Michael Thomas and Amari Cooper to sign new contracts before finalizing his own, claiming "we're not in the same boat," according to AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter.Jones led the NFL with 1,677 receiving yards last season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In one of the NFL's few quarterback battles this summer, the veteran remains ahead of the younger pivot.Entering the second week of training camp, Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores says Ryan Fitzpatrick is leading Josh Rosen in the team's starting quarterback competition."It is pretty clear to me that Ryan Fitzpatrick is leading the way," Flores told reporters on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe.The 36-year-old appears to be continuing his momentum from minicamp when, according to a number of reporters, he consistently outplayed the 2018 first-round pick.Rosen was acquired from the Arizona Cardinals during draft week after the Cards selected Kyler Murray No. 1 overall. Many expected the second-year passer to command an early lead on his way to capturing the Week 1 starting spot. But from the moment he was hired, Flores stressed there would be a fair competition.The battle is still in its early stages, and preseason performances could go a long way toward determining the winner. Miami hosts the Baltimore Ravens to begin the regular season on Sep. 8.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bengals star wide receiver A.J. Green will miss six-to-eight weeks with torn ligaments in his ankle, setting the odds for the opener between Cincinnati and the Seattle Seahawks in motion.Cincinnati, previously an eight-point underdog, has been ticked up to as high as +9.5 in some shops since the news of Green's injury, making the Bengals the largest underdogs of Week 1.Here's everything bettors need to know regarding Green's impact on the line.How much is Green worth?Quarterbacks are unsurprisingly the most important position when it comes to determining the spread; there's a significant drop-off from an elite starter to your everyday backup. From there, other position players don't typically warrant a huge impact. CG Technology's Will Bernanke told The Action Network last season that when it comes to wide receivers, Antonio Brown and Julio Jones are the two who would undoubtedly move the line if they were sidelined.Fellow odds consultant Scott Cooley - who tossed DeAndre Hopkins on that list - noted that "oddsmakers might adjust slightly if a team has one stud wide receiver out and no quality complementary receivers around him to step in." Green essentially fits that bill - no offense to Tyler Boyd - though Cooley added a situation like that would be a half-point or full-point shift, maximum.The early indication is a slight overreaction.Bengals still fall into sweet angle Cincinnati doesn't look like an attractive pick for Week 1. The Bengals are off a 6-10 season in which they collapsed during the second half and are traveling to the toughest place to play against a Seahawks team coming off a playoff berth. However, teams with a worse record than their Week 1 opponent from the season prior are currently on a 49-34-1 (58.3) run against the spread the previous six years.Wait if you like the BengalsThere's no telling if Cincinnati has topped out at +9.5 in the market. The loss of a team's No. 1 receiver might still force bettors' hands in playing the Seahawks with how much time is left before the opening week. If bettors want to play the Bengals, you might be better off waiting to see if the spread gets to 10 before pulling the trigger. NFL games have been decided by nine points just 1.8 percent of the time, the smallest percentage for any number 1-to-17.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 @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DeSean Jackson is the star of Philadelphia Eagles training camp thus far.The 32-year-old receiver, now in his second stint with the Eagles, has apparently shined in every practice thus far. His chemistry with quarterback Carson Wentz will likely go a long way in determining the team's offensive success in 2019."Every day, (our chemistry) grows," Wentz said, according to The Associated Press' Rob Maaddi. "Whether it's on the field and you can actually see it with live reps or after practice, off the side in between reps and team drills, we're talking, watching film. Chemistry grows in a million different ways, so to get those opportunities on the field, you see it and it's exciting.""The deep ball threat that he is, he just takes pressure off the other guys and opens up a lot of things underneath," he added. "He threatens defenders in a different way. He can do things underneath. He can do things after the catch."By all indications, Jackson hasn't slowed down in the latter stages of his career. His deep speed and precise route running were on full display during practice and his teammates are taking notice."We haven't had a player like him since he left," tight end Zach Ertz said. "There's no route he can't run, no play you don't want to get him involved in. Defenses just have to know where he is every play or it's going to be a 70-yard touchdown. He just makes everyone else's job so much easier. I couldn't be more thrilled to have him back."The veteran wideout was traded to Philadelphia from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March. He amassed 41 receptions for 774 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games last season, leading the NFL with 18.9 yards per catch.Jackson was a second-round pick of the Eagles in 2008 and will give Wentz his first true deep threat since entering the league.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camps approaching, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camp in full swing, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camp in full swing, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott is set to train in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico amid his holdout from training camp, sources told NFL Network's Jane Slater, according to NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman.Elliott's camp and the Cowboys will continue negotiations over a contract extension while the rusher is in Mexico.Dallas apparently isn't thrilled about Elliott's decision to head south, with a team source telling Slater "it's not a good look." The rest of the Cowboys are practicing in Oxnard, Calif.The 24-year-old also disappeared to Cabo, where his agent owns a house, during his six-game suspension to start the 2017 season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.Elliott is reportedly looking to become the NFL's highest-paid running back, which is currently Todd Gurley, who earns $14.38 million annually.The Cowboys have reportedly submitted an offer, but have yet to receive a counteroffer from Elliott's management, according to Slater.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones knows the value of an elite running back better than most.Jones' three Super Bowl titles at the helm of America's Team - in the 1992, 1993, and 1995 seasons - all came with Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith leading Dallas' offense.But when asked about the comparison between Smith and Ezekiel Elliott - who's currently holding out from training camp to force a new contract - in a Monday interview with CBS 11 Sports, Jones noted the 1992 campaign marked the first time a rushing champion ended the season lifting the Lombardi Trophy."The point there is, you don't have to have a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl … Emmitt was the first one to do it," Jones said.Smith, the NFL's all-time rushing leader, repeated the feat in the Cowboys' following two championship runs. But since the Dallas legend, only fellow Hall of Famer Terrell Davis has ended the year with both a rushing title and a Super Bowl win (with the Denver Broncos in 1998), according to NFL Research.Elliott, 24, has led the league in rushing in two of his three NFL seasons. He was suspended for six games in 2017, but still came close to notching 1,000 yards and was the clear No. 1 in yards per game among running backs.Jones said "one of the dilemmas at running back" is that the league's teams know the position isn't necessarily vital to winning a title, and while Dallas wants to reward Elliott, it can't add to its Super Bowl collection without the financial flexibility to keep all its key pieces."You've gotta do all of the things, along with having Zeke, that allow you to have other players so that you can win the Super Bowl, and that's what we're going through," Jones said.Elliott has two years and $12.95 million remaining on his contract. He's reportedly seeking a new pact that exceeds Todd Gurley's position-leading four-year, $57.5-million deal ($14.38 million annually).With quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver Amari Cooper, and cornerback Byron Jones all heading into contract years, however, the Cowboys could face some tough decisions if they're to keep their talented core intact.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent running back Alfred Morris has agreed to return to the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year contract, according to Cowboys.com's Nick Eatman.The veteran back will travel to Dallas' training camp in Oxnard, Calif., on Monday night to ink the deal.Morris previously spent the 2016 and 2017 campaigns with the Cowboys. During that time, he rushed for 790 yards and three touchdowns while primarily playing as a backup to Ezekiel Elliott, who's currently holding out from training camp in pursuit of a contract extension.With Elliott suspended for six games during the 2017 season, Morris took over the lead role in Dallas and racked up 430 yards and one touchdown on 99 carries.The 30-year-old produced nearly 2,900 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins. He spent 2018 with the San Francisco 49ers, rushing for 428 yards and two scores across 12 games.Morris' experience in the Cowboys' system was likely a factor in his signing.With Elliott away, Dallas' backfield contains rookies Tony Pollard and Mike Weber, four-year veteran Darius Jackson, and fullback Jamize Olawale.Jackson, who has only six career carries, has been playing with the Cowboys' first-team offense at the start of camp.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The controversy surrounding last season's NFC Championship Game refuses to go away.A Louisiana judge said Monday that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and three officials from the infamous no-call playoff game will be questioned under oath in September, according to Kevin McGill of The Associated Press.Attorney Antonio LeMon - who filed a lawsuit over the Jan. 20 game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams - said he and the league will pick a mutually agreeable date for depositions in New Orleans.LeMon said the $75,000 in damages he's seeking would be donated to former Saints star Steve Gleason's charity.With New Orleans driving to potentially take the lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman made contact with Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis well before the ball arrived.But officials didn't call a penalty for pass interference, and the Saints and Rams both kicked field goals to send the game to overtime. Los Angeles ultimately won the contest to book a berth in the Super Bowl.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals continue to take hits to their receiving corps, as third-year wideout John Ross suffered a hamstring injury during training camp.The Bengals stated he could miss at least two weeks of action.Ross' injury comes at an inopportune time for Cincinnati. No. 1 target A.J. Green tore ligaments in his left ankle during Saturday's practice, which will likely sideline him for six-to-eight weeks.The Bengals were counting on Ross to step up in Green's absence.The speedy receiver has battled a number of injuries since being selected ninth overall in 2017. He missed three games last year due to a knee injury, while shoulder and knee ailments derailed his rookie season as well, causing him to suit up for just three games.Tyler Boyd, Josh Malone, Cody Core, and Alex Erickson currently sit atop Cincinnati's depth chart heading into preseason action.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins fired offensive line coach Pat Flaherty and replaced him with Dave DeGuglielmo, the team announced Monday.Flaherty, who was hired in February, had struggled since the spring to implement the new system, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.DeGuglielmo had been serving the Dolphins as an analyst. He coached the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line last year, but was let go after the campaign despite a positive performance from his unit.DeGuglielmo has ties to first-year head coach Brian Flores, as the two were assistants on Bill Belichick's staff with the New England Patriots from 2014-15.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver Cameron Meredith, head coach Sean Payton confirmed, according to Herbie Teope of The New Orleans Advocate.Meredith was an intriguing addition to the Saints last year when he was coming off reconstructive knee surgery, but he never wound up making an impact. The 26-year-old posted 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns with the Chicago Bears in 2016.The move would save the Saints $900,000 against the salary cap, according to Over The Cap.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee announced Monday he will join ESPN as a color analyst for Thursday night college football prime-time games.McAfee considered an NFL comeback, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, but will instead team up with former Colts teammate Matt Hasselbeck on the broadcasts.The 32-year-old performs as a stand-up comedian, and recently signed with WWE's NXT TakeOver as a pre-show analyst.A fan favorite on and off the field, McAfee was a popular name linked with the Monday Night Football job after Jason Witten announced his return to the Dallas Cowboys.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.