The New England Patriots have placed running back Sony Michel and receiver Demaryius Thomas on the active/physically unable to perform list as the team opens camp, sources told ESPN's Field Yates.Neither player has been cleared for on-field drills but both can come off the PUP list at any time.Michel, 24, missed practices last month after requiring a knee scope. He rushed for 931 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie campaign last season.Thomas, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots in April, is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. The 31-year-old finished last season with the Houston Texans after being traded from the Denver Broncos, posting 59 receptions for 677 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games.New England did not place 2018 first-round pick Isaiah Wynn on either the active/PUP or active/non-football injury list, indicating his torn Achilles has passed a key recovery checkpoint, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. The 23-year-old missed all of last season with the injury but is projected to be the team's starting left tackle in 2019.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins will both begin training camp on the Houston Texans' active/physically unable to perform list, the team announced Sunday.The pass-rusher and receiver can both be activated at any time and will likely be eased into camp.Hopkins revealed last month he had shoulder ligaments torn off the bone during the Texans' playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The 27-year-old didn't miss a start in 2018, finishing with 115 receptions, 1,572 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.Watt, 30, underwent a minor knee procedure in January after accruing 16 sacks and a league-leading seven forced fumbles last year.The Texans are likely being cautious with their two stars and neither player is believed to be in jeopardy of missing Week 1.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL running back Darren McFadden has been charged with driving under the influence and resisting arrest after a January incident, TMZ Sports reports.McFadden is facing jail time for the two misdemeanors if convicted.The 31-year-old was arrested on Jan. 21 when police found him asleep at the wheel in a Whataburger drive-thru in McKinney, Texas. He resisted officers, and multiple windows were smashed on McFadden's car in the resulting struggle. He was released shortly after being taken into custody.McFadden retired from football in November 2017 after splitting his 10-year career between the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos were treated to a blast from the past Saturday.Two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Mike Shanahan - who hadn't been back to the team's headquarters since being fired in 2008 after 14 seasons -was in attendance for Broncos training camp.

Joe Flacco is out to prove himself all over again after losing his starting job last season and being traded to the Denver Broncos months later."Listen, I think I've got a lot left in the tank," the former Baltimore Ravens quarterback said Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "And I feel like I can do a lot more than I've shown in my 11-year career. I'm excited about that."Flacco never quite lived up to expectations in Baltimore following his magical Super Bowl run during the 2012 season. Prior to that, he was peppered with annual questions about whether he was good enough to win a championship.In March, Flacco was jettisoned to the Broncos for a fourth-round pick. The veteran led his new team into practice Thursday as Denver commenced training camp."There is an energy about coming here and an excitement that I feel being with this new team and getting another chance of being a starting quarterback," Flacco said. "I don't think you can ever take that for granted ... I'm definitely excited about it."The 34-year-old began last season as the Ravens' starter, but eventually surrendered the spot to rookie Lamar Jackson.If nothing else, the veteran has already secured the support of the Broncos' top pass-catcher."Flacco's a baller," wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said. "I think we're going to be OK. I like the way he spins it. ... I call him, 'Pretty Boy' Flacco. That's his name. He's just smooth."Flacco posted a passer rating of 84.2 in nine games last season, nearly identical to his career rating of 84.1.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos have snuffed out any hint of a quarterback controversy before it could even begin.New Broncos head coach Vic Fangio provided an honest assessment of rookie quarterback and second-round draft pick Drew Lock after just the team's second day of training camp."I don't think he's as far along being an NFL-ready QB as he could have been," Fangio said of the Missouri product, according to Mike Klis of 9News."He's not a QB yet. He's a hard-throwing pitcher who doesn't know how to pitch yet."Lock took over as Missouri's starter after the first month of his freshman season but was always considered more of a long-term pro option rather than an immediate starter. He'll get the chance to sit and learn behind former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to start the 2019 season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles' crowded backfield will have another familiar face for 2019.Philadelphia has signed Darren Sproles to a one-year deal, the team announced Friday. The 14-year vet has played for the Eagles since 2014.Sproles joins Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, and Boston Scott at running back.The 36-year-old has flirted with retirement in recent years. He announced the 2017 season would be his last, but it was cut short after he suffered a broken arm in Week 3. He returned for the 2018 campaign only to miss another 11 games due to a hamstring injury."We are excited to bring Darren back," read a team statement. "It isn't very often that you have the opportunity to add a player who has the sixth-most total yards in NFL history. He is the ultimate professional, and a leader on and off the field. He will add another proven talent to our running back room."Sproles has amassed 19,520 total yards over the course of his career. In his last full campaign in 2016, he played in 15 games for the Eagles, putting up 865 total yards and four touchdowns."I really want to go out on top," Sproles said. "That's what I really want to do. I can't wait to get back with the guys."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tony Romo isn't dwelling on Peyton Manning's comments that appeared to question the former's dedication to football during his playing days.Manning seemingly threw some shade at the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback-turned-CBS color analyst while discussing his decision to pass on broadcast jobs, including an offer from ESPN's Monday Night Football."I saw where Tony Romo said that he always knew that he wanted to be a broadcaster. Well, I always knew I wanted to be a football player," Manning told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson. "That's all I knew. I was all-in on that job. I didn't think about anything else while I was playing. And I think that's a good way to be. I think you've got to be all-in on what you're doing."Romo responded Wednesday during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, saying he didn't start thinking about broadcasting until he was nearing the end of his NFL career."I actually hadn't heard those comments. I like to tunnel the little bubble I live in. But, ultimately, that's something I never actually said," Romo said. "I didn't start thinking about being a broadcaster until I was contemplating retirement. And so at that point, then you're going to start thinking about your next stage."Like anything, when you're playing football it's all-consuming. Literally, nothing else (matters) ... when you go off to training camp you don't even know what's happening in the world. I feel like right now it's also still a little bit of that being a broadcaster. I love it, I enjoy it. But I think that was never a part of the mindset when you're playing football. I mean, that would be silly to say you were thinking about something like that."Romo is entering the third season of a three-year, $12-million deal with CBS. He has spent the past two years working alongside Jim Nantz on the network's NFL broadcasts.- With h/t to the New York PostCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL announced Friday it won't suspend Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill after completing "a comprehensive investigation" into allegations of child abuse."Local law enforcement authorities have publicly advised that the available evidence does not permit them to determine who caused the child's injuries. Similarly, based on the evidence presently available, the NFL cannot conclude that Mr. Hill violated the Personal Conduct Policy," the league said in a statement.Hill is clear to attend Chiefs training camp - which begins July 26 - and participate in all club activities.The league said that its "primary concern has been the well-being of the child" during the four-month investigation. The NFL statement added that the 3-year-old son of Hill and former fiancee Crystal Espinal is "safe" and noted that the Johnson County Department for Children and Families remains involved.The Chiefs confirmed Hill will attend the start of training camp."Based on the information provided to us by the league, we have decided it is appropriate for Tyreek to return to the team at the start of training camp," the team said in a statement. "The club fully supports the conditions for return laid out by the league and will continue to monitor any new developments in the case."Hill was barred from all team-related activities after an audio clip of the receiver and Espinal discussing their son's injuries was broadcast by KCTV5 on April 25.In the recording, Hill denied breaking his son's arm. In response to Espinal saying their son fears him, Hill said she should be "terrified" of him.The NFL explained in an email to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio that the comment didn't justify a suspension or fine."When viewed in the context of the full 11-minute, 27-second audio recording and all other information gathered, the statement did not rise to a level of warranting discipline under the personal conduct policy," wrote NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.The recording was released a day after Johnson County District Attorney Stephen Howe announced he wouldn't be filing charges against Hill and Espinal. He said he believed a crime had occurred but that there wasn't evidence to conclusively prove who committed it.In an extended version of the 11-minute conversation that was released last week, the wideout appeared to deny the 2014 assault of Espinal that he pleaded guilty to prior to entering the NFL.The NFL had possessed the full audio of the conversation since April, sources told Albert Breer of MMQB.The league reportedly made multiple, unsuccessful attempts to interview Espinal, Breer added.The Chiefs and Hill could reportedly re-engage in talks about a contract extension, though it could be "several weeks if not months" before they resume negotiations, and any new deal could have "very specific language," according to James Palmer of NFL Network.Hill has been a key piece of the Chiefs' offense since being selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. Last year, he helped get Kansas City to the AFC Championship Game with a 1,479-yard, 12-touchdown campaign that earned him first-team All-Pro honors.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be at full strength for the start of the regular season after the NFL said on Friday that wide receiver Tyreek Hill has avoided a suspension.Four-time Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce, the other key weapon on Kansas City's offense, expressed his eagerness for Hill to return during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio."Just excited to get him back in the building and going to work with him. Everyone knows how important he is to this offense," said Kelce on Friday.Kelce and Hill enjoyed career-best seasons in 2018 as the main cogs of the league's No. 1 scoring offense.The tight end led the team with 103 catches while recording over 1,300 yards. Meanwhile, the receiver caught 12 of Patrick Mahomes' 50 touchdown passes, nearly eclipsed the 1,500-yard mark, and he finished tied for the third-highest yards per catch average in the league (17.0).Although the Chiefs appeared to draft an insurance policy for Hill in second-round pick Mecole Hardman - a lightning-fast deep threat who's also a punt returner - the club's offense likely still would've struggled to match last year's eye-popping production without its No. 1 wideout.But with fears of a ban for Hill that could've derailed the Chiefs' season put to bed, the unit is primed to attack the NFL record books again.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill released a statement Friday following the NFL's decision to not suspend him.Hill said he was falsely accused of abusing his 3-year-old son and expressed his appreciation to the league "for conducting a thorough investigation.""I will not let you down," Hill wrote.

NFL training camps are right around the corner, and it won't be long before football season is upon us again.Every team reports for summer workouts between July 17 and 26, and then rejuvenated scrutiny of the issues plaguing all 32 franchises returns, too.Let's examine the biggest question for every NFC team entering training camp:AFC I NFCNFC NorthChicago BearsWho will win the kicker job?Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyAt least nine candidates participated in the Bears' kicking competition at some point this offseason, and none were particularly inspiring. Eddy Pineiro and Elliott Fry are the only two kickers on the roster entering camp, and the Bears will likely watch the waiver wire closely as teams make preseason cuts. One kicker who won't be involved in Chicago's battle is Robbie Gould, who opted to re-sign with the 49ers despite admitting he longed for a return to the Windy City, where his family resides.Detroit LionsWill top corner Darius Slay continue his holdout?With two years still on his contract, Slay is trying to overcome limited leverage in his quest for a new deal. But the Lions aren't in a powerful position here, either. The team would be foolish to think it can survive without the Pro Bowler, as cornerback is already a weak spot for Detroit. The idea of Teez Tabor covering No. 1 receivers is frightening. Slay was quiet when asked in June if his minicamp holdout will extend into training camp, simply saying, "We'll see."Green Bay PackersCan Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur get on the same page?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyRodgers has only known one offensive scheme and head coach during his 14-year career, and he's just four years younger than LaFleur, the Packers' new sideline boss. Green Bay is apparently attempting to balance its quarterback's desire to keep his power at the line of scrimmage with LeFleur's scheme, which is designed to limit the need for the pivot to call audibles. Rodgers said it's "a conversation in progress." Exactly how much progress has been made should be clear in training camp.Minnesota VikingsIs the revamped offensive line ready to step up?Minnesota overhauled a blocking unit that struggled mightily a season ago. Garrett Bradbury was selected in the first round to man center, moving Pat Elflein to left guard. Free-agent signee Josh Kline will battle rookie Dru Samia for the right guard spot, and the Vikings will hope Brian O'Neill can improve during his second year at right tackle. If coordinator Kevin Stefanski's offense is to have any success in 2019, the offensive line needs to protect Kirk Cousins far better. The pieces to do that are certainly in place.NFC WestArizona CardinalsHow will David Johnson fit into Kingsbury's offense?Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyKingsbury's offense at Texas Tech utilized quarterbacks and receivers over tight ends and running backs. Johnson, though, is the Cardinals' best offensive weapon, and he's looking to bounce back from a poor 2018 season when his usage was heavily scrutinized. Kingsbury has been adamant that he'll adjust his scheme to accommodate Johnson, who averaged 3.6 yards per carry last season and wasn't nearly as dynamic as a pass-catcher.Los Angeles RamsWhat's the deal with Todd Gurley?Gurley was asked recently about the condition of his left knee, which his trainer confirmed has an "arthritic component" due to an ACL tear in college. The running back was honest, saying he won't truly know how it feels until camp. That sound you hear is Rams fans collectively gasping. While C.J. Anderson filled in admirably in 2018, Gurley is a former Offensive Player of the Year for a reason after recording 2,093 yards from scrimmage in 2017. The Rams paid Gurley like a franchise player, and they need him to play at that level for the team to return to the Super Bowl.San Francisco 49ersWho will emerge from the crowded backfield?Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / GettySan Francisco is loaded at running back. Free-agent addition Tevin Coleman will enter camp as the favorite to start, but he'll receive competition from a number of other ball-carriers. Matt Breida flashed playmaking abilities when healthy in 2018, and Jerick McKinnon was given $18 million guaranteed last year because Kyle Shanahan is confident in his talent and scheme fit. Early on we'll likely see a committee in San Francisco's backfield, but August performances could go a long way toward determining who receives the lion's share of touches.Seattle SeahawksWill the Seahawks let Russell Wilson throw more?Wilson is being paid like he's the NFL's best player, yet the Seahawks attempted the fewest passes in the league last year. A philosophical shift from the coaching staff is required to squeeze the most out of Wilson, one of the few true franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. But Pete Carroll and Co. may be reluctant to change due to Seattle's lack of outside weaponry. A weak receiving cast, with rookie D.K. Metcalf, Jaron Brown, and Nick Vannett on track to secure prominent roles, will fuel any hesitancy to throw 35-plus times a game.NFC EastDallas CowboysHow will Kellen Moore's new offensive scheme look?Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Cowboys' offense became predictable under ex-offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. So the team made the radical move to promote Moore - a 30-year-old quarterbacks coach just two years removed from the end of his playing career - into the top offensive coaching job. Moore has never called an NFL game, and he'll now be tasked with managing Dallas' star-filled offense. The Cowboys need to hit the ground running in the regular season, as the team learned the cost of a slow first half in 2018.New York GiantsWill Daniel Jones usurp Eli Manning?After drafting Jones with the sixth overall pick, the Giants have insisted Manning's starting job is secure. But toward the end of voluntary OTAs in June, head coach Pat Shurmur appeared to crack the door open for Jones, saying New York would "play the very best player." Was that just standard offseason coach speak? Or was Shurmur setting the stage for a true quarterback competition? Manning's declining arm strength was discussed during minicamp, and while he's certain to start training camp as the team's top pivot, the work split between the two passers should tell us how confident the Giants truly are in the veteran.Philadelphia EaglesWho will start at cornerback?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyRonald Darby and Jalen Mills began last season as starters, but both are coming off major injuries and they missed a combined 15 games in 2018. Mills struggled when healthy, so he'll be challenged in camp. Avonte Maddox impressed as a rookie and should, at the very least, receive significant snaps in the slot. Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas, both 2017 Day 2 draft picks, are also in contention. The latter flashed as a sophomore, and the former has battled numerous injuries during his two pro seasons. Cre'Von LeBlanc shouldn't be forgotten either after stepping up when Philadelphia battled a slew of injuries in 2018.Washington RedskinsCan Dwayne Haskins make a push for the starting job?Jay Gruden said Haskins will get a fair shot at starting Week 1 despite his inexperience. While the 2019 first-rounder is undoubtedly Washington's quarterback of the future, the team may opt to let him develop slowly. Case Keenum took the majority of first-team reps during OTAs, but playing poorly during the preseason could lead to the veteran tumbling down the depth chart. The Redskins like Colt McCoy, too, but he's yet to practice after suffering a broken leg last year. Haskins needs to perform well this summer to win the job, and outperforming Keenum is certainly achievable.NFC SouthAtlanta FalconsCan the new-look coaching staff get up to speed fast enough?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Falcons boast ample talent, but a disappointing 2018 campaign resulted in all three coordinators getting fired. The team's new coaching staff has plenty of catching up to do, and for the first time, Dan Quinn must balance head coaching duties with defensive coordinator responsibilities.OCDCSTC2018Steve SarkisianMarquand ManuelKeith Armstrong2019Dirk KoetterDan QuinnBen KotwicaOn the to-do list for the new staff is unlocking Julio Jones in the red zone, forcing more turnovers, and developing a returning threat. Atlanta is built to win now, and it's on Quinn and his group to make it happen before owner Arthur Blank runs out of patience.Carolina PanthersIs Cam Newton fully recovered from shoulder surgery?Carolina can't compete in the formidable NFC South if its star quarterback isn't at full health. Newton struggled throughout the second half of 2018, throwing wobbly balls while attempting to play through an injury. He underwent offseason surgery, and his workload at minicamp in early June was limited. The 30-year-old reportedly committed to a new throwing motion aimed at taking the stress off his shoulder, but the new mechanics could take time to hone.New Orleans SaintsCan Payton's squad bounce back from back-to-back playoff heartbreaks?Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Saints are among the league's most talented teams, and barring an injury to Drew Brees, they should be a lock to return to the postseason. However, it's fair to question if the NFC contenders have suffered irreparable mental damage after enduring two of the most brutal playoff losses imaginable - the Minneapolis Miracle and the no-call in last year's NFC title game - in consecutive seasons. The long grind of the NFL season is hard enough without a team thinking that its best shot at a championship might have already slipped away.Tampa Bay BuccaneersWill Bruce Arians get Jameis Winston back on track?The jury is still out on whether Winston is a franchise-leading caliber player four seasons into his career. Tampa Bay will let him play out the final year of his rookie deal in a final attempt to find the answer, and the signal-caller couldn't have asked for a better mentor than Arians, whose quarterback-development resume includes Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger, and Carson Palmer's late-career resurgence. While the head coach's all-out attacking style should be ideal for Winston, Arians needs to teach him how to recognize the fine line between aggression and bullheadedness.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams will report for training camp next week, and all eyes will be on star running back Todd Gurley, who hasn't participated in any offseason workouts to date as he attempts to manage his much-discussed left knee.Rams head coach Sean McVay joined "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Thursday night and spoke positively about Gurley's status."He's good. I think he's feeling great," McVay said. "One of the things about Todd is, great competitor. I think he's earned the right to be able to have the plan we had this offseason. I can't wait to get him back going and I know he's ready to go and it's going to be fun for the Rams this year."Gurley, who's dealing with an arthritic component in his left knee stemming from an ACL injury in college, admitted last week he won't fully know how his knee is feeling until he starts pushing it in practices.Last year, the same knee limited Gurley down the stretch of the regular season and throughout the Rams' run to the Super Bowl. That forced the NFC champions to rely heavily on free-agent pickup C.J. Anderson.Anderson is no longer in L.A., but the team made a clear effort to find insurance for Gurley. The Rams selected running back Darrell Henderson in the third round of the draft and matched an offer to restricted free agent Malcolm Brown.The moves have fueled speculation that Los Angeles could look to manage Gurley's workload in the regular season after three straight years with more than 300 touches - ideally keeping him fresh for another deep playoff run.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL training camps are right around the corner, and it won't be long before football season is upon us again.Every team reports for summer workouts between July 17 and 26, and then rejuvenated scrutiny of the issues plaguing all 32 franchises returns, too.Let's examine the biggest question for every AFC team entering training camp:AFC I NFCAFC NorthBaltimore RavensCan a new-look offense take Lamar Jackson to the next level?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter switching from Joe Flacco to Jackson midway through last season, the Ravens' offense resembled a system from the 1970s more so than a modern-era attack due to its unrivaled commitment to running. While Baltimore's offense will likely remain a run-first unit, seismic changes are expected under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was the play-caller for the Colin Kaepernick-led San Francisco 49ers team that made the Super Bowl. Roman should be the perfect OC to help develop the raw Jackson, but can the duo get on the same page quickly enough for the Ravens to contend in 2019?Cincinnati BengalsIs A.J. Green still A.J. Green?Injuries have cut short two of Green's last three seasons, and he'll be 31 years old when the 2019 campaign starts. He hasn't shown signs of slowing down yet, but time is always of the essence for receivers. The Bengals' offensive depth drops off after Green, and the team needs a huge season from him to have any chance of competing in the AFC North. How the veteran looks in camp could factor into Cincinnati's long-term plan for Green. Will the Bengals give him a contract extension, or shop the seven-time Pro Bowler before his perceived value tails off?Cleveland BrownsCan Freddie Kitchens keep his team focused after an offseason of hype?Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyPositive expectations are foreign to the Browns, a team anointed the 2019 division favorite long before the first regular-season snap. While the excitement from the fan base and media is understandable after the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. to an already explosive offense, we've seen countless talented teams crumble under the weight of offseason hype. Cleveland's season will be defined by how well Kitchens, a first-year head coach, can juggle all the Browns' big personalities amid even bigger expectations.Pittsburgh SteelersWho will lock down the No. 2 wide receiver role?The Antonio Brown era is over, so the Steelers need a receiver to step up next to JuJu Smith-Schuster. Veteran Donte Moncrief appears to hold the early lead, but head coach Mike Tomlin surely hopes sophomore James Washington emerges after a quiet rookie campaign. Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer are solid slot options, and don't be surprised if rookie Diontae Johnson - a talented route-runner - earns meaningful snaps out wide in 2019. For Pittsburgh to remain a contender in the AFC North, the Steelers must give Ben Roethlisberger a dynamic secondary option.AFC WestDenver BroncosHow much does Joe Flacco have left in the tank?Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Denver Post / GettyFlacco's starting job doesn't appear to be in jeopardy. Second-round pick Drew Lock will likely have to wait for his shot if the veteran stays healthy. But all eyes will still be on Flacco in camp as Denver attempts to force its way into the AFC West conversation, which should be among the NFL's most hard-fought divisions in 2019. The Broncos won't contend if the Super Bowl XLVII MVP continues to look like a shell of his former self, as they easily field the least-talented offensive supporting cast in the division.Kansas City ChiefsAfter adding new pieces and scheme, how quickly will the defense gel?There's nowhere to go but up, right? Kansas City's defense ranked 31st in 2018, forcing a number of offseason changes. Gone are veterans Justin Houston, Eric Berry, and Dee Ford, along with defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. Enter Frank Clark, Tyrann Mathieu, Darron Lee, and Steve Spagnuolo, with the new coordinator implementing a 4-3 scheme. How the unit clicks in camp could go a long way toward determining the Chiefs' 2019 Super Bowl hopes.Los Angeles ChargersHow should Melvin Gordon's holdout be handled?Adam Glanzman / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Chargers appeared to be among the small group of lucky teams with few major questions entering training camp. Then Gordon ended their drama-free summer with this ultimatum last week: pay me or trade me. The veteran rusher has been a key part of the team's offense since being selected in the first round in 2015, and he's now looking to become one of the league's highest-paid running backs. Despite cap limitations this year, Los Angeles could give him a similar deal to the contracts that Le'Veon Bell and Todd Gurley inked. However, with Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen, and Joey Bosa all in line for new pacts next offseason, paying Gordon his market value could hurt the Chargers' chances of competing beyond 2019.Oakland RaidersHow will all the big personalities mesh?What happens when you put Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock, Antonio Brown, Richie Incognito, and Vontaze Burfict under one roof? How will they gel with each other and their new co-workers? Find out on this year's "Hard Knocks," premiering Aug. 6. Usually, there isn't much to glean from the annual HBO show. However, the Raiders are betting big on players who have a history of dividing locker rooms, and if the cracks are already there, we'll get front-row seats. Just make sure your popcorn is ready.AFC EastBuffalo BillsWas enough done to help Josh Allen in his sophomore year?Brett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyGeneral manager Brandon Beane added several offensive players to help his sophomore quarterback improve following an inconsistent rookie campaign. Frank Gore and Devin Singletary have been plugged into the backfield, John Brown and Cole Beasley are joining the receiving corps, Dawson Knox and Tyler Kroft are bolstering the tight end group, and Mitch Morse solidifies an ascending offensive line. Allen must fix his accuracy woes in year two, but his supporting cast certainly gives him more options. The only issue is whether Beane should've opted for quality over quantity.Miami DolphinsWho will win the starting job: Josh Rosen or Ryan Fitzpatrick?The league's only true quarterback competition will take place in Miami between the savvy veteran and recently acquired youngster. The Dolphins traded a second-round pick for Rosen, so they surely want him to win the job. Spring reports, however, indicate Fitzpatrick is ahead of the second-year passer entering camp. Rosen struggled mightily as a rookie behind Arizona's poor offensive line, but he should receive plenty of starts in 2019 as Miami evaluates its future. Can the former first-rounder hold off Fitzpatrick for the Week 1 nod?New England PatriotsHow will the pass-catching pecking order shake out?Boston Globe / Boston Globe / GettyJulian Edelman and James White are mainstays in the Patriots' passing attack, but a bunch of question marks trail them. Wide receivers Demaryius Thomas, N'Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, Dontrelle Inman, and Maurice Harris, and tight ends Benjamin Watson and Matt LaCosse will compete for Tom Brady's attention. A group of lesser-known pass-catchers, including Braxton Berrios, Jakobi Meyers, and Andrew Beck, is also looking to make an impression. Josh Gordon remains on the suspended list, and there are no hints he'll be reinstated soon. Watson will also miss four games to start the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.New York JetsWill Le'Veon Bell be rusty or ready?Not only did Bell sit out all last season, but he also skipped most of the Jets' voluntary offseason program after signing a four-year, $52.5-million contract during free agency. For the Jets to make a legitimate playoff push, their prized tailback needs to be in top form when the season starts, rather than spending a few weeks shaking off rust. The 27-year-old will have to build chemistry with his offensive line and young quarterback Sam Darnold at a faster-than-expected pace. Bell's patient running style makes cohesion up front that much more important.AFC SouthHouston TexansWill the offensive line finally step up?Joe Amon / Denver Post / GettyThe Texans are desperate to improve offensively. After allowing the most sacks in 2018 and consistently forcing Deshaun Watson to face pressure, surprisingly little was done to strengthen the team's offensive line. Tytus Howard was selected in the first round of April's draft, but the talented blocker is an FCS standout who many view as a long-term project. Nevertheless, he'll likely compete against Seantrel Henderson for the right tackle spot. Houston also added Matt Kalil in free agency, but it's uncertain if he's healthy enough to beat out Julie'n Davenport at left tackle, who PFF credited with allowing the most pressures among linemen in 2018. The team's interior offensive linemen, perhaps irresponsibly, remain the same from a season ago.Indianapolis ColtsCan rookies earn big-time roles for the second straight year?The Colts easily led the NFL in rookie snaps last season, according to Next Gen Stats, with All-Pros Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard headlining a hugely impactful group of first-year players. Indy's new youthful core was key to its postseason return, but if the team is to challenge for a Super Bowl in 2019, the Colts will need rookies to step up again. Linebacker Bobby Okereke will push Anthony Walker, who struggled in the playoff loss to the Chiefs, for the right to start next to Leonard. Meanwhile, Indy will be hoping slot receiver Parris Campbell and edge rusher Ben Banogu develop fast enough to bolster two of the team's biggest weaknesses from a year ago.Jacksonville JaguarsWhich version of Leonard Fournette will show up?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe rookie version of Fournette ran for 1,040 yards while helping to drag Jacksonville to the playoffs. The sophomore version reported to camp out of shape, struggled with injuries all year, and got under the skin of executive vice president Tom Coughlin with his off-field antics. If the Jaguars return to the postseason, it'll be because the first version of Fournette reappeared. And if the second version shows up instead, Fournette's time in Duval County may come to an end.Tennessee TitansWhat can they expect from Delanie Walker?Walker was Tennessee's leading pass-catcher in 2017 (74 receptions for 807 yards). But an ankle injury shelved him in Week 1 last season, keeping the tight end out the rest of the year. The Titans could really use another weapon to support Marcus Mariota, but it's uncertain how much Walker, who will turn 35 in August, has left in the tank. Walker made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2015 to 2017, posting 800-plus receiving yards in each season. Only Corey Davis eclipsed the 800-yard mark for Tennessee in 2018, though the Titans did upgrade their receiving corps in the offseason with the additions of Adam Humphries and A.J. Brown.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Witten may have spent last year away from the gridiron, but former teammate Tony Romo thinks the Dallas Cowboys tight end will have no problem getting back into the swing of things."He'll pick up right where he left off," Romo said, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. "I don't think it's a big challenge for Jason. The reality of it is ... if you know the game the way he does, there are certain positions - he plays one of them at tight end - he's always going to have the nuance to get open."Let's say he runs the exact same he always did, to me, it's just that at that position, your ability to use leverage against somebody, makes you think this and then do that. It's like the back pick in basketball. Just all of a sudden, it gets you, and you don't even know it was coming, and that guy is wide open."He's very intelligent with the game of football. I think he's going to pick up right from when he retired. I think you're going to see the same guy."Romo and Witten each broke into the league with Dallas in 2003 and spent their entire careers with the Cowboys.Witten retired after the 2017 campaign and spent last season as an analyst on Monday Night Football. His time in the booth was not well-received, but the 11-time Pro Bowler denied it played a role in his return to the NFL.The 37-year-old caught 63 passes for 560 yards and five touchdowns in 2017. He figures to play a rotational role with tight ends Rico Gathers and Blake Jarwin this coming season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs fan who aimed a laser pointer at New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during January's AFC Championship Game has been ordered to pay a $500 fine.Dwyan Morgan, 64, pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace Wednesday, according to ESPN. He faced a one-year jail sentence or a fine of up to $1,000.

Despite some unexpected snags in contract negotiations, rookie quarterback Drew Lock insists he never considered holding out of Denver Broncos training camp."I told my agency beforehand that if it got to the point where I was missing practice, there was no chance we were going to go on with it," the second-round pick told Mike Klis of 9News. "Missing anything else is not who I am."Lock signed his deal on the eve of the first practice of camp and was present Thursday as the Broncos started work.The Missouri product was said to be holding out for a "quarterback premium" in his rookie contract. However, Lock said Thursday that his agents had handled negotiations with the team, and that he didn't even know what the premium meant."I'm not 100 percent sure, but that's what they were talking about," he said. "When it was time to practice, the QB premium (that) I didn't know much about got thrown out the window."The Broncos drafted Lock with the expectation he could eventually stabilize a quarterback situation that's been extremely shaky since Peyton Manning's retirement in 2016.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton, who had his left arm amputated after a car accident two weeks ago, is set to leave hospital Thursday, his agent announced.

The Los Angeles Chargers' hopes of contending for a Super Bowl hit a major speed bump last week when running back Melvin Gordon publically called for a market-value contract extension or a trade away from the AFC West team.Gordon revealed to ESPN in a sit-down interview this week that he told his teammates beforehand he'd threaten a holdout if he didn't receive a new deal, and said he's gotten widespread support."They're all behind me. They all got my back," Gordon said. "They all told me, 'You know what - we don't really speak on contracts - but you just go and do what's best for your family.' And I'm glad I got that support from them."Gordon also said he's received support from other running backs around the league and has been told to "get what you deserve."Veterans are slated to report to training camp July 27, so the Chargers don't have long to come to terms with the two-time Pro Bowler if they want him there for start of the summer program.Gordon is set to earn $5.6 million in 2019 on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. Last week, his agent, Damarius Bilbo, said his client "felt disrespected" by what they viewed as a low-ball offer from the Chargers.The 26-year-old rusher is reportedly seeking to be paid on the level of Todd Gurley and Le'Veon Bell, who are the highest-paid running backs in the league with average annual salaries of $14.38 million and $13.13 million, respectively, according to Over The Cap.However, while Gordon won't accept a discount extension, he reiterated to ESPN his desire to remain in L.A."Just because we're going through contract issues right now doesn't mean I want to get traded," he said. "I love being a Charger. I don't want them to feel like I don't want to be there."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Lock has agreed to terms with the Denver Broncos, sources told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.The second-round pick and presumed Broncos quarterback of the future has reportedly signed a day before the team's first rookie training camp practice. He's the last Denver Broncos rookie to sign his entry-level contract.Lock's representatives were negotiating a rookie deal that accounts for him potentially becoming Denver's starting quarterback over his first four seasons, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold.Asked Wednesday morning if he thought the two sides could reach a deal before Thursday's practice, Broncos GM John Elway didn't say much."We'll see," he said. "I'm not going to make a prediction one way or the other."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed linebacker Deion Jones to a four-year extension, the team announced Wednesday.Jones' deal is worth $57 million with $34 million guaranteed, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Set to play the final year of his rookie contract during the 2019 season, the 24-year-old is now signed through the 2023 campaign.The 2016 second-round pick helped the Falcons reach the Super Bowl in his rookie season and made the Pro Bowl in 2017 when he led the team with 138 tackles. He played in just six games in 2018, spending time on injured reserve with a foot injury.After signing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to an extension Monday, the Falcons prioritized a new deal for Jones. The team is next expected to meet with superstar receiver Julio Jones, who has two years remaining on his contract.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 examines the latest news and discusses the most important training camp storylines fantasy managers should be following in the coming weeks.Topics include:

The Denver Broncos have struggled mightily to find a reliable starting quarterback since Peyton Manning's retirement in 2016.In the time since, the Broncos have trotted out Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, and Case Keenum to mediocre results. The struggle under center has worn on the Broncos faithful and the team's general manager."It's a hard position to fill," John Elway said Wednesday on the first day of rookie training camp, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "We tried to shake all these trees around here the last four years and the quarterbacks didn't fall out. So, it's difficult. We've taken a lot of shots, we've tried a lot of different situations."The latest plan involved trading with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason for veteran Joe Flacco. With the Super Bowl XLVII champion and rookie second-round pick Drew Lock in tow, Elway hopes he's finally solved Denver's quarterback question."It's been a battle, but this league's a battle. It's been a tough situation, especially at that position," Elway said."Any football team when you get back to that position, I think when the football team has confidence with the guy at that position it makes your football team better," Elway said. "Joe proved, he showed everybody on our football team he's that guy."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A felony arrest warrant has been issued for Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Desmond Harrison, the Greensboro, N.C., police department told Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm.Harrison is being charged with assault on a person by strangulation and assault on a female by a male.The Cardinals announced Harrison's release shortly after the news broke.Greensboro police spokesperson Ron Glenn said a report was filed against Harrison on Tuesday.There are no further details on the incident that led to the warrant. Harrison played high school football in North Carolina, but it's unknown if he remains a resident in the state.Harrison started eight games at left tackle for the Cleveland Browns last season before being waived in June for reportedly missing minicamp practices. The Cardinals claimed him a day later to act as depth behind starters D.J. Humphries and Marcus Gilbert, both of whom have significant injury histories.The 25-year-old offensive tackle went undrafted in 2018 after playing at Texas, where he was suspended three times within a year, and West Georgia.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos' offense will be at full strength for training camp.Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and running back Phillip Lindsay - whose 2018 seasons were ended by an Achilles tear and a wrist injury, respectively - were both declared ready to go as the team reported for camp Wednesday, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.Lindsay said earlier this week he felt "100 percent" prepared to rejoin his teammates after sitting out the offseason, while Sanders was a candidate to start camp on the physically unable to perform list."We'll ease them in, but we'll get them in quickly," said head coach Vic Fangio, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.At the start of July, Sanders said it felt "realistic" for him to be available for the Broncos' season opener.If Denver's top wideout missed the start of the year, Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton would be tasked with leading a mostly unproven receiving corps.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nike's Colin Kaepernick-narrated "Dream Crazy" ad has been nominated for a 2019 Emmy Award for outstanding commercial.The ad, which was released in September, commemorates the 30th anniversary of Nike's "Just Do It" campaign and includes footage of LeBron James, Serena Williams, the United States women's national soccer team, and other athletes. Nike saw its online sales increase by 31 percent in the days after it unveiled its campaign with Kaepernick.The Emmy Awards will air Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield isn't apologizing for his actions last year toward his former head coach, Hue Jackson.Jackson joined the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals as a special assistant to the head coach following his firing by the Browns. Mayfield seemingly responded to the decision after the Browns beat the Bengals in November, as he appeared to snub Jackson after the game and wrote on social media that the coach is "fake."After an offseason to reflect on those criticisms, Mayfield stands by his choices."I said what I meant," Mayfield told ESPN's Mina Kimes. "Don't stand up in front of us the week before and try to tell us you're doing everything for us, then go take a job with a team we play twice a year. It was one of those honesty and respect things.""I'm not gonna lie to you and say that the first time I played Hue did not feel good. It's human nature to want to get revenge," he added.Mayfield took the rivalry a step further in the second matchup when he appeared to stare down Jackson after throwing one of his three touchdowns in the 26-18 win.

Running back Trent Richardson has played in the NFL, CFL, and AAF - now he's trying out for the XFL, which will reboot in 2020.Richardson has been chasing a career in football since 2012 and vows not to stop."I have a chip on my shoulder just to prove to myself and to keep showing myself and my kids that I'll never give up and I'll always follow my dream," Richardson said in a video after his tryout at an XFL showcase.The Cleveland Browns selected Richardson third overall in the 2012 NFL Draft and traded him to the Indianapolis Colts the next season. He was waived in 2015 and spent time with the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens before heading north for the CFL in 2017.After a short stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he joined the AAF's Birmingham Iron in 2018 before the league folded earlier this year.- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Darius Leonard's dominance resulted in a major coming-out party in 2018.The Indianapolis Colts' 2018 second-round pick led the NFL in tackles, broke the franchise single-season tackle record (163), was named a first-team All-Pro, and he was given Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.He's eyeing even more in 2019."I want 200 tackles. I want 10 sacks. I want to be NFL Defensive Player of the Year," Leonard said Tuesday on NFL Total Access. "I want to be All-Pro, Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP. Just everything, just want my name at the top of the charts."Despite all of his accomplishments last season, Leonard wasn't selected to the Pro Bowl. It's a slight that still bothers the standout linebacker."I wasn't MVP. I wasn't at the top of the charts. I wasn't a Pro Bowler. I wasn't a Super Bowl champion. So, (those are) still goals I want to achieve," he said. "And until I achieve them goals, I'm gonna still have that chip on my shoulder to outplay everybody and be the top competitor that I can be."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 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 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 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 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 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 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:

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock has yet to sign his rookie deal and negotiations with the second-round pick have hit a wall, sources told 9News' Mike Klis.The only other unsigned Broncos rookie, Dalton Risner, has agreed to a four-year, $7-million deal with $3.2 million guaranteed, sources told Klis.Denver selected Risner, who's projected to start at left guard in 2019, with the No. 41 overall pick in the draft and then traded up to select Lock with the 42nd pick.Lock's agent is reportedly seeking a "quarterback premium" in his deal, which is common for pivots selected in the first and third rounds of the draft. However, quarterbacks taken in the second round since 2014 have not received a premium.Negotiations with Risner reportedly stalled as the left guard didn't want to accept less money than a player who was drafted behind him did, which would be the case if Lock receives the premium. However, it seems the two parties resolved their issues.It's unclear if Lock will make the first meeting for rookies on Wednesday or the team's first training camp practice on Thursday.Denver traded its No. 52, No. 125, and No. 182 overall picks to the Cincinnati Bengals to draft Lock.Broncos general manager John Elway said veteran Joe Flacco holds the team's starting QB role and Lock "has a lot left to work on."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peyton Manning is beloved both on and off the football field.The former quarterback was deemed the most popular sports personality in a new poll conducted by Morning Consult, as he received a 79 percent favorable rating from the 565 self-described "avid sports fans" who were surveyed compared to an 11 percent unfavorable rating. Tony Romo also landed in the top 10 with a 69 percent favorable rating along with a 17 percent unfavorable rating.Manning has been pursued by ESPN and other networks for an NFL analyst role since retiring from his playing career in 2015, but he's yet to accept a job. He did, however, team up with ESPN+ on an NFL version of Kobe Bryant's analysis series "Detail" and a documentary series called "Peyton's Places."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner recently revealed how dire his bout with cancer was after being diagnosed in 2015.The Pitt junior missed most of the 2015 season with a torn MCL and his struggle during rehab led to the discovery of a tumor in his chest."So I get some tests done. I got a tumor surrounding my heart, bro," Conner told rapper Mike Stud on his "Ya Never Know: ya know what I mean?" podcast. "My heart, I got tumors growing all around it ... Hodgkin's lymphoma. Doctor told me I had about a week left."He said, 'You got about a week. if you didn't get this treated, you had about a week, at the rate it was growing.'"Conner underwent chemotherapy in the following months and revealed he was cancer-free in May 2016. He returned to play for Pitt the following season after enduring what he says was the "darkest" period of his life."The hardest part about the whole thing was telling my bros," Conner said. "I remember that like it was yesterday. ... How would they feel if their youngest brother was not here no more? How would they feel if their youngest brother died? I said I can't do it. I can't go."The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted the 24-year-old in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He broke out in 2018, totaling 1,470 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Entering his 11th season in the NFL, Golden Tate has had a number of different quarterbacks toss him the ball. But the recently acquired New York Giants receiver says one former teammate stands above the rest."(Matthew) Stafford's been the best quarterback I've played with," Tate told ClickOnDetroit.com. "The guy can flat-out play, he's tough, and his attitude is amazing and he just wants to play ball. For me, I have nothing but praises for him."Tate spent four years with Stafford and the Detroit Lions before he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. The 30-year-old had three campaigns with the Lions during which he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, and he totaled 19 touchdowns.The Lions failed to win a playoff game during Tate's tenure despite twice qualifying for the postseason. However, the receiver attributes that lack of success to Stafford's supporting cast rather than to the quarterback himself."It's almost unfair that he's such a good player and doesn't have playoffs or a ring to show for it," Tate said. "That kind of hurts my heart that I wasn't able to help change that. I think over his career, if you put him in another organization, maybe things are different. I don't know. I played with some guys over my years that I've won playoff games with that I don't think are as good."Among the signal-callers who Tate has played with during his NFL career, the Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson has experienced the most success, both on a personal level and with his team. Wilson is a five-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion, and he's accumulated a 75-36-1 record while posting a 100.3 quarterback rating. Comparably, Stafford has made one Pro Bowl visit and led the Lions to a 66-75 career record with a QB rating of 88.4.Tate didn't serve in as prominent of a role in Seattle's run-heavy offense as he did with the Lions, who he believes have a bright future."Detroit will always have a place in my heart and I'll always root for Detroit, except for when they're playing the Giants now," Tate said. "I'll miss that place."I think they're trending up. I'm excited to see what they do in the future."- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL considered imposing limits on team celebrations earlier this year, but instead the league has ruled that only active players can leave the sidelines to join the on-field demonstrations, according to Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams on Monday.Offenses have been choreographing routines to celebrate scores, and defenses have countered by corralling the entire unit for group photos.

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 player projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

It's almost time to pick up the controllers again.In anticipation of the release of Madden 20 on Aug. 2, EA Sports revealed all teams and players ratings for the game on Monday.Here's a look at the top five teams based on overall ratings:Team Overall Defense Rating Offense RatingEagles898487Cowboys888686Saints878292Patriots878491Packers878489And here are the bottom five teams:Team Overall Defense Rating Offense RatingDolphins747269Giants777275Bills788071Buccaneers787476Cardinals788073Jets788073On the player side, DeAndre Hopkins, Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner, and Khalil Mack were all awarded a 99 overall rating.Here are the top five players in every position group:QuarterbacksPlayer Team RatingPatrick MahomesChiefs97Tom BradyPatriots96Philip RiversChargers94Drew BreesSaints92Andrew LuckColts92To the surprise of some, Carson Wentz was given a rating of only 82, placing him behind fellow QBs Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff. Aaron Rodgers ranks seventh among quarterbacks with a rating of 90.Running backsPlayer Team RatingTodd GurleyRams97Ezekiel ElliottCowboys94Le'Veon BellJets92Melvin GordonChargers92Saquon BarkleyGiants91Christian McCaffreyPanthers91Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara just missed the top five with ratings of 90 apiece. If you're looking to break ankles, Tarik Cohen has an elusiveness rating of 92.Wide receiversPlayer Team RatingDeAndre HopkinsTexans99Antonio BrownRaiders98Julio JonesFalcons98Odell Beckham Jr.Browns96Michael ThomasSaints95Tyreek Hill holds an overall rating of 94, placing him sixth among receivers. However, he's the fastest player in the game with a speed rating of 99. Marquise Goodwin, who recently won the 40 Yards of Gold tournament, has a speed rating of 96.Tight endsPlayer Team RatingTravis KelceChiefs96Zach ErtzEagles93Delanie WalkerTitans92George Kittle49ers90Grego OlsenPanthers89After missing the entirety of last season, Walker ranks third among tight ends. Jason Witten also missed 2018 - albeit for a very different reason - and was given a rating of 83.Offensive linemenPlayer Team RatingDavid BakhtiariPackers97Zack MartinCowboys96Trent WilliamsRedskins95Travis FrederickCowboys94Jason KelceEagles94Tyron SmithCowboys94Handling Zeke behind a Cowboys offensive line that boasts three players with ratings of 94-plus is a surefire way to dominate the run game.Edge rushersPlayer Team RatingKhalil MackBears99Von MillerBroncos97J.J. WattTexans97Calais CampbellJaguars92Jadeveon ClowneyTexans92The Texans were tabbed as having the best push-rushing group, but the Chargers' duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram did not go unnoticed. They are rated 97 and 94, respectively, in terms of their finesse moves against offensive linemen.Also, DeMarcus Lawrence had quite the reaction to his 89 overall rating.Defensive tacklesPlayer Team RatingsAaron DonaldRams99Fletcher CoxEagles96Damon HarrisonLions95Michael PierceRavens92Geno AtkinsBengals91There was never any doubt that Donald would lead this group after totaling 20.5 sacks last year. He also leads all players with a 99 strength rating, although his former teammate Ndamukong Suh comes close with a strength rating of 98.LinebackersPlayer Team RatingBobby WagnerSeahawks99Luke KuechlyPanthers98Lavonte DavidBuccaneers90Deion JonesFalcons90Telvin SmithJaguars88If you're looking to utilize the hit stick, Wagner is your man. He has a league-high hit power rating of 98. Last year's league-leader in tackles, Darius Leonard, received a rating of 84.CornerbacksPlayer Team RatingJalen RamseyJaguars96Stephon GilmorePatriots94Richard Sherman49ers93Patrick PetersonCardinals92Byron JonesCowboys91Sherman is 31 years old, but he's still near the top of the ratings. The Madden 15 cover athlete also holds the highest rating for zone coverage with 97, while Ramsey holds the highest for man coverage with the same rating.Leading the league in interceptions last year apparently did Xavien Howard no favors, as he was given a rating of only 83.SafetiesPlayer Team RatingsEarl ThomasRavens95Harrison SmithVikings94Malcolm JenkinsEagles92Eddie JacksonBears91Jamal AdamsJets90Landon Collins may be the highest-paid safety in the league but he's ranked 19th among all safeties (83 overall).KickersPlayer Team RatingJustin TuckerRavens87Robbie Gould49ers85Aldrick RosasGiants84Stephen GostkowskiPatriots80Greg ZuerleinRams80If you're going to attempt any 60-yard field goals, make sure you've got Graham Gano taking them. His kick power rating of 99 leads the league.Click here for a look at all the roster ratings.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant has formally applied to the NFL for reinstatement, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.Bryant has been working with the league and the NFL Players Association to establish the steps to address his mental health issues "with resources such as therapists and ADHD treatments," Graziano adds.The troubled wideout was suspended indefinitely in December for breaching the terms of his previous reinstatement.Bryant was conditionally reinstated in April 2017 after he missed the 2016 campaign due to multiple violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy.The Steelers traded Bryant to the Raiders for a third-round pick during the 2018 draft. Oakland then waived Bryant last September amid reports of another potential ban, but 10 days later, the team decided to re-sign him to a one-year deal.The 27-year-old appeared in eight games for the Raiders last season while awaiting the result of his appeal, posting 19 receptions for 266 yards before going on injured reserve with a knee issue.If reinstated, Bryant would become a free agent.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney didn't receive a long-term contract extension before the 4 p.m. ET franchise-tag deadline passed Monday.Clowney was hit with the $15.98-million tag March 4 but has yet to sign it. He hasn't attended any of the team's offseason activities and is expected to miss a significant portion of training camp, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.No trade is apparently in the works for the star pass-rusher.Clowney's contract impasse is apparently complicated by an issue over his positional designation.The NFL Players Association is expected to file a grievance against Houston due to the team tagging Clowney as a linebacker rather than a defensive end, league sources told Schefter. Clowney played the majority of last season's snaps as a defensive end.Tagging a defensive end costs $1.7 million more than the linebacker tender.The Texans' negotiations with Clowney were made more difficult by the recent firing of general manager Brian Gaine and the team's decision not to hire a replacement for the 2019 season.Gaine and head coach Bill O'Brien reportedly disagreed on Clowney. The former GM apparently wanted to make a long-term commitment to the 2014 No. 1 overall pick.Clowney made three straight Pro Bowls and has racked up 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons. After struggling to stay healthy early in his career, he's played in 45 games from 2016-2018.He must now wait until after Houston's final regular-season game in 2019 to sign an extension, or he can wait until the conclusion of the league year to test free agency.The two other remaining franchise-tagged players - Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould - both received contract extensions at the 11th hour.Jarrett signed a four-year deal worth a reported $68 million to replace the $15.21-million tender he agreed to April 22. He stayed away from most of the Falcons' offseason workouts but reported for mandatory minicamp in June.Meanwhile, the 49ers ended their standoff with Gould - who requested a trade to be closer to his family in Chicago - by agreeing to a four-year extension.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers and kicker Robbie Gould agreed to a four-year contract ahead of Monday's deadline for franchise-tagged players to reach long-term deals.It's a two-year, $10.5-million, fully guaranteed extension that includes an option clause that can extend his deal to four years and $19 million, $15 million of which would be guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 36-year-old will be entering his 15th season and his third straight in San Francisco.Under the four-year deal, Gould's annual average of $4.75 million would make him the NFL's second-highest-paid kicker, behind only the Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker.The 36-year-old converted 33 of his 34 field-goal attempts this past season, with his longest make coming from 53 yards.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett agreed to a four-year contract to replace his franchise tag, the team confirmed Monday.The deal is worth $68 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. It contains $42.5 million in guarantees, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Jarrett would've made $15.2 million under the tag. His new deal averages $17 million annually, which trails only Aaron Donald and Fletcher Cox among interior linemen in the league.The agreement was reported about an hour before the deadline for franchise-tagged players to ink new pacts. It marked a surprising turn of events, as a report Monday morning said the two sides were unlikely to strike a deal.Jarrett collected 52 tackles in 2018 and posted career highs in sacks (six) and forced fumbles (three). He's emerged as one of the game's top defensive tackles over the last couple of seasons.In June, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he wanted Jarrett, wide receiver Julio Jones, and linebacker Deion Jones to be "Falcons for life." So far, Jarrett is the lone member of that trio to get a new contract.With Jarrett taken care of, Atlanta will turn its attention to Deion Jones, whose agent will meet with the team Wednesday, according to Schefter. Julio Jones, meanwhile, has already been promised a mega-extension.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady may be a six-time Super Bowl champion, but he still has time to answer his critics.On Monday, a Twitter user took a shot at Brady's speed while questioning why the New England Patriots' star quarterback received an overall rating of 96 in Madden 20.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott privately said he will hold out of training camp unless he receives a contract extension, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Cowboys veterans are slated to report for camp July 25, so the team doesn't have long to potentially come to terms with its star rusher.Dallas has been focusing on locking up other cornerstone players this offseason. Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence received a five-year, $105-million contract after initially being franchise-tagged, and quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver Amari Cooper - both free agents after this season - are next in line for new deals.Elliott has a base salary of $3.85 million in 2019 and is slated to earn $9.1 million in 2020 under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, according to Spotrac.The former No. 4 pick has led the league in rushing twice (2016, 2018) since being drafted three seasons ago. He ran for 983 yards in 2017 after being suspended for the first six games of the campaign for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.Dallas is projected to have the third-most cap space in 2020, per Over The Cap. However, that's not counting the presumed salaries of Prescott, Cooper, and Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Jones, who's also set to hit the open market next offseason.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett are hopeful they can reach a long-term agreement before Monday's deadline for franchise-tagged players, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The news comes after an earlier report from Schefter that a deal was unlikely.Without a new contract, Jarrett will play on a one-year tender worth $15.2 million.Jarrett was Atlanta's fifth-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft and has emerged as one of the league's top defensive tackles.The interior rusher accumulated a career-high six sacks and three forced fumbles in 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.