The Seattle Seahawks' running back battle in training camp may be over before it really started.Seahawks first-round draft pick Rashaad Penny is out for the next three-to-four weeks with a broken finger, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Penny, who was competing with Chris Carson for the starting job, picked up the injury Monday at practice and is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday morning. The recovery timeline puts the rookie rusher's status for the regular-season opener in question.However, a source informed ESPN's Adam Schefter that Penny required only minor surgery to his pointer finger and "should be ready by Week 1."The Seahawks traded back from the 18th overall pick to 27th in April's draft and selected Penny to shore up a weak running game. Quarterback Russell Wilson led the team in rushes, yards, and touchdowns on the ground last season.Penny carried the ball eight times for 16 yards in last week's preseason opener, while Carson took four carries for 26 yards.The likes of Mike Davis, C.J. Prosise, and J.D. McKissic will move up the depth chart in Penny's absence.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tuesday's episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" opened with a feel-good story about former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman's intention to donate shoes to people in need, before quickly taking a turn south. The storyline ended with Coleman's request for a trade after confronting head coach Hue Jackson about his work with the second-team offense.Seemingly immediately after, Coleman, the No. 15 pick of the 2016 draft, was shipped to the Buffalo Bills for a seventh-round pick in 2020.Twitter quickly reacted to the situation.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.theScore's Justin Boone breaks down the best ways to approach your draft depending on where you're selecting in the order.Draft Position

After the Denver Broncos signed quarterback Case Keenum to a two-year, $36-million contract this offseason, general manager John Elway wants to make sure that his investment is properly insured.Elway was asked on 103.5 The Fox in Denver on Tuesday if he might still sign a veteran backup."I’m not going to tell you we’re definitely going to stand pat, but I’m not telling you we’re going (in) that direction, either," Elway said, according to Arnie Stapleton of The Associated Press.On Monday, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph announced that second-year quarterback Chad Kelly would be replacing Paxton Lynch as the teams backup. Kelly, a seventh-round pick of Denver in 2017, didn't play a single down last season.In the Broncos' preseason opener, Kelly completed 14 of 21 passes for 177 yards while throwing two touchdowns and an interception.Related: Chad Kelly promoted to Broncos No. 2 QB over former 1st-round pick LynchLynch, 24, was the 26th overall selection of the 2016 draft. He's completed 79 of 128 attempts over five career games and thrown four touchdowns and four interceptions.Though Keenum has never missed time due to injury, Elway doesn't want to take any chances."We’ve got to have confidence that that guy that’s going to be the backup can play and win football games," Elway said. "And so that’s why we’re still in that process of trying to see if we’ve got that guy behind Case."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson is hoping for some hostile New England Patriots fans when the two sides meet in Foxborough for Thursday's preseason matchup."Oh yeah. I hope so. I hope they raise hell," Johnson said of Patriots fans Tuesday, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. "They can cuss me, they can say whatever they want. At the end of the day, I'm not blocking them, I'm blocking guys on the edge, so it really doesn't matter what they say."After his Eagles knocked off the Patriots in February's Super Bowl, Johnson labeled New England as a "fear-based organization" and then took shots at the franchise's supposed "arrogance."Thursday will be the fans' first chance to voice their displeasure at Johnson and the Eagles as a whole since the Super Bowl."I know that I'm not going to be well-liked, this team is not going to be well-liked going there, so it's going to basically bring out our best," Johnson added.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

J.J. Watt is ready for a fresh start after missing all but eight games over the past two seasons due to injuries.In honor of his latest comeback, the Houston Texans defensive end and Reebok are releasing a new training shoe dubbed the JJ II "Clean Slate" on Thursday.

The Atlanta Falcons took many football fans by surprise in April's draft when they scooped up falling wide receiver Calvin Ridley with their No. 26 pick.Atlanta already had one of the league's top receivers in veteran Julio Jones and a strong supporting cast led by Mohamed Sanu.By several accounts, Jones has already taken Ridley under his tutelage and is prepping his fellow Alabama alumnus for his rookie season."One of the things I told him was don’t hang your hat on his debut. Don’t worry about that, don’t compare yourself or try to outdo someone else that’s a rookie coming into the league," Jones said, according to Kelsey Conway of AtlantaFalcons.com. "I just told him just work on his craft and just keep working. At the end of the day, you just have to better yourself."Ridley caught his lone target in his preseason debut against the New York Jets, but went for negative two yards. It was the lone pass thrown by starting quarterback Matt Ryan on the night.Jones, the sixth overall pick of the 2011 draft, caught five of six targets for 71 yards in his regular-season debut against the Chicago Bears.Ridley will get his next chance to impress on Friday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold didn't take long to force the NFL's highest-paid cornerback to sing his praises.It took just three days of joint practices between the Jets and Washington Redskins for a reluctant Josh Norman to become a fan of the young signal-caller."Someone asked me about him the other day, and I was like, yeah, whatever, he's just a guy," Norman said, according to ESPN's John Keim. "Then you go out here and see him making these throws and you're like, all right. That's not so much a college-level throw. He's putting them on the money."Norman, a six-year veteran who earned 2015 Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors as a member of the Carolina Panthers, wasn't able to take advantage of the 21-year-old Darnold."It's like, dang," Norman said. "You get rookies in here, and you try to mess them with a little bit and bait them a little bit into thinking they're throwing a route, and you can make a play and he's not having it. It's so crazy to see that at an early age. Dak (Prescott) has that; Carson (Wentz) has that."So it's like, man, they must come in here not wanting to screw it up, and he's so far impressed me and I didn't want him to. I wanted to break all rookies. He's been doing a great job," Norman said.The 30-year-old Norman signed a five-year, $75-million contract with Washington in 2016 that will carry a cap hit of just under $17 million this season.Darnold continues to battle against veterans Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater to earn the starting job for Week 1. Regardless of the outcome, Norman thinks the No. 3 pick of April's draft will succeed at the NFL level."He has the smarts and wittiness about him, and he'll make the plays when it comes his way. He'll be successful in this league if he keeps doing that," Norman said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With his checkered collegiate career at Florida and his marijuana citation last week, Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway may have to earn back the respect of his teammates.For fellow rookie Baker Mayfield, however, Callaway's work on the field has already won him over."From me, he earned (my respect)," Mayfield said Tuesday, via ESPN's Ryan Isley. "I can't speak on everybody's behalf, but I hope it was the same way."Callaway, Cleveland's fourth-round draft choice in 2018, had bullets and part of a Glock handgun in his car when he was cited for marijuana possession. His off-field red flags were a major factor in the talented pass-catcher's slide down draft boards; after declaring for the NFL draft, Callaway tested positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine.But Mayfield, this year's No. 1 overall selection, understands the hardships that arise as a draft prospect. The former Oklahoma pivot was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and fleeing and resisting arrest during his junior season."When you have something like that, personally me, going through something like that I did at Oklahoma, you have to fight for it every day," Mayfield said. "You have to earn their respect back, and there is no question about it. That's his mentality I have seen, so I am happy to see that."Callaway caught three passes for 87 yards in his preseason debut Thursday, including a 54-yard touchdown thrown by Mayfield. Head coach Hue Jackson claimed he played his young receiver extensively against the New York Giants as disciplinary action.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left practice early Tuesday after going down during seven-on-seven drills, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.The Steelers later announced that Roethlisberger is being evaluated for a concussion.Roethlisberger was on the ground for a few minutes after falling back while throwing a pass. He appeared to hit his head on the turf but left under his own power with trainers.The star pivot spoke to general manager Kevin Colbert and head trainer John Norwig before exiting the session.

Dez Bryant's workout with the Cleveland Browns is scheduled for Thursday, sources told ESPN's Dianna Russini.The free-agent wide receiver announced on Twitter last Thursday that he'll begin making team visits this week.Multiple Browns players have publicly voiced their support for signing the veteran.Receiver Jarvis Landry sent him a "ride with me" tweet last week, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor said he believes Bryant "could help this team." Even head coach Hue Jackson didn't dismiss the idea, saying you can never "have too many good football players."The 29-year-old was released by the Dallas Cowboys in April after spending eight seasons with the team and becoming the franchise leader in receiving touchdowns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Everyone loved Jarvis Landry's epic, rousing speech to the Cleveland Browns' wide receiver room during the first episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks."Well, nearly everyone.Surprisingly, when he was asked about it on Monday, Browns head coach Hue Jackson didn't like that Landry took it upon himself to motivate the team.

If Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's relationship was truly on the rocks, it appears the animosity has been set aside.The New England Patriots' star quarterback sung Belichick's praises on Tuesday, calling him the "best coach" to ever stand on an NFL sideline."I think our priorities are the same as they have always been. I think that is why we get along so well," said Brady, according to WEEI's Ryan Hannable. "We're here to win and like I said, it has been a very professional environment that he has created."I think I am very lucky to be in that environment. I think he is the best coach that has ever coached in the NFL and I feel very privileged to kind of have been mentored by him for as long as I have."Related: Brady expects to play in Thursday preseason game vs. EaglesBrady caused a stir in late April by saying he'll "plead the fifth" when asked if he feels appreciated by the Patriots and Belichick.The 41-year-old's comments came after a season dominated by rumors of a growing divide between Brady, Belichick, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft.However, the apparent dysfunction didn't slow down the future Hall of Fame quarterback-head coach duo in 2017 or hold them back from leading New England to another Super Bowl appearance.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Terrelle Pryor isn't having a good Tuesday.After jawing with his former Washington Redskins teammates during a joint practice, the New York Jets wideout was on the receiving end of a tongue lashing from his head coach.Bowles blasted his player when asked about Pryor speaking to reporters on Monday and telling them he's recovering from a broken ankle."Terrelle doesn't need to be descriptive. I feel that he should keep his mouth shut and leave the injuries to me. I've already handled it. We had a conversation," Bowles said, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.Pryor said he sustained the injury during offseason workouts in May, according to Andy Vasquez of northjersey.com. He added that he required surgery on his ankle and is still limited while recovering from the procedure."I'm good," Pryor said. "It's a miracle. Seriously. ... I'm just happy as hell that I'm healthy I'm able to walk. I don't have to worry about pain in my foot, pain in my ankle. I beat two surgeries, man, so I'm here, I thank God."Pryor is taking his second crack at earning a big-money contract on a one-year, prove-it deal after spending a disappointing season with the Redskins in 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles fans are still riding the high of their team's Super Bowl LII victory.Gina Lewis, a Massachusetts-based Eagles fan, made a Twitter bet with a co-worker in June. If she got 4,100 likes and 3,300 retweets, he would pay to have a billboard put up in New England.Lewis met her goal, and the billboard now stands on the only road to Gillette Stadium.

It appears the New York Giants won't test the football gods with Saquon Barkley.After the star rookie running back tweaked his leg while catching a pass in Monday's training-camp session, he was seen watching Tuesday's positional drills before leaving to spend time with trainers.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker has broken the middle finger on his right hand, a source told Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post.Parker is reportedly hopeful he'll be ready for Week 1. Dolphins head coach Adam Gase described him as week to week and said he isn't able to catch the ball right now.With the departure of Jarvis Landry to the Cleveland Browns, Parker and Kenny Stills are fighting to be Ryan Tannehill's go-to wideout.Gase challenged Parker to be more aggressive this season. The 25-year-old caught 57 passes for 670 yards and a touchdown in 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leave it to Josh Norman to give a simple answer to how the NFL should handle President Donald Trump's criticisms on anthem protocol: ignore him.The brash Washington Redskins corner insists it's in the league's best interest to not acknowledge Trump's tweets and carry on with a business formula that will continue to pay dividends in spite of the president's added controversies."You continue to do what you do, because guess what, you have a product, and that product is f---ing banking. It's the No. 2 product in the world outside of soccer - you cannot beat it. Those checks will keep coming regardless of what you do," Norman said to Kevin Clark of The Ringer."I wouldn't tell them to do a f---ing thing. This guy is going to be out of office in two years. I think we'll be OK."Trump recently took aim at the league after various forms of protest took place during the playing of the national anthem in Week 1 of the preseason.Norman reiterated the effect that a battle with the president could have on the NFL's bottom line shouldn't be a concern to league executives."Trust me: The accounts will be fine. I wouldn't put emphasis on it. Because the fans are going to come. It's not like you've got scabs on the field like in 1987," he said. "So that if it's a down year? Who gives a f---? Next year you'll be great. It's not going to catastrophically disappear because one guy said something."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the team's goal is for Aaron Rodgers to make his preseason debut on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Ryan Wood of packersnews.com.McCarthy, who spoke to reporters on Tuesday, added that the health of left tackle David Bakhtiari will factor into Rodgers' playing time.The star quarterback last stepped onto an NFL field for an unsuccessful last-ditch attempt to save the Packers' 2017 season in Week 15, returning from a broken collarbone in a must-win game against the Carolina Panthers.Rodgers will likely play a series or two before ceding to his backups Brett Hundley, DeShone Kizer, and Tim Boyle.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins laid down the law Tuesday, cutting defensive tackle Gabe Wright following an altercation in practice with starting running back Kenyan Drake, according to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe.Wright apparently blindsided Drake while the runner's helmet was off toward the end of a fight that involved multiple other players.

The Denver Broncos shuffled things behind Case Keenum on their quarterback depth chart.Head coach Vance Joseph announced on Monday that Chad Kelly has been promoted to backup quarterback, and Paxton Lynch, who the Broncos traded up to select in the first round of the 2016 draft, has been dropped to No. 3.The move comes after fans booed Lynch when he threw for only 24 yards and tossed an interception during the Broncos' preseason game on Saturday night. Fans were also chanting Kelly's name as he threw two touchdown passes and an interception in relief of Lynch."Chad has played well. He played well in scrimmage and he played well Saturday night, so he deserves a chance to be the two right now," Joseph said.Kelly, the nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, was a seventh-round pick in 2017. He had yet to play in an NFL game - preseason or otherwise - until Saturday due to knee and wrist injuries.Kelly led Denver's third-team offense on two scoring drives after Lynch's poor showing."Obviously disappointed," Joseph said of Lynch's reaction to the news. "But he understands it's a performance business. He has great potential - physical potential - but it's got to equal performance eventually. He understands that."Lynch lost a quarterback battle to Trevor Siemian during training camp in 2017. Siemian later struggled during the regular season, but Lynch still couldn't regain the job long term.The Broncos moved up five spots in the first round of the 2016 draft, giving up a third-round selection to grab Lynch."It's really more about what Chad's done, honestly," Joseph said of the depth-chart shuffle. "Chad has played well. He's played with poise, he's played with confidence. He moved the ball for us on Saturday night. It's been that way since the spring. He had a great spring, he's had a great camp and so it's his turn to be the two. He's earned that right."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Week 1 of the NFL regular season is fast approaching, and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz isn't sure if he'll be under center for his team's season opener on Sept. 6.Wentz tore his ACL in December, and despite avoiding the PUP list to begin the season, he's still working his way back and might not quite be ready once games matter."I obviously would love to be out there. That has been my goal all offseason, ever since the injury. It is going to be close. It is going to be close," Wentz said on SportsRadio 94WIP Tuesday morning, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com."I am still eyeing that date. But at the end of the day it is not my decision. There (are) coaches and doctors that really have the final say, but I really like where I am at and time will tell."If Wentz is unable to go, the Eagles have Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles still entrenched as his backup.Foles has reportedly been dealing with a sore neck, necessitating the signing of Christian Hackenberg ahead of Thursday's preseason game against the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady will take on the Philadelphia Eagles.The New England Patriots quarterback said on WEEI radio Tuesday that he "absolutely" plans to play in Thursday's preseason game, which happens to be a rematch with the team that defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl LII in February.Brady didn't play in the preseason opener, as he was reportedly dealing with a sore back. His workload in practice has increased in recent days, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.Last year, he saw time in Weeks 2 and 3 of the preseason.Brady turned 41 on Aug. 3 and is entering his 19th NFL season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Let the roster shaving begin.The Washington Redskins have released veteran cornerback Orlando Scandrick, head coach Jay Gruden announced Tuesday.Scandrick was signed to a two-year deal this offseason to compete for snaps with Josh Norman. His release opens a starting spot for the likes of Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, or supplemental draft pick Adonis Alexander.Scandrick earned a $1-million signing bonus from the Redskins and lasted just one preseason game.He was released by the Dallas Cowboys in March after spending 10 years with the team.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Although there's been cautious optimism that the Los Angeles Rams and standout defensive lineman Aaron Donald will reach a new deal shortly, head coach Sean McVay rejected that notion Monday.McVay said Saturday that there had been "increased dialogue" between both parties but rejected the notion that there's been any progress Monday."I've seen a lot of reports out there, but that’s news to us," McVay said Monday via Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "So, no news on that front for us. Same thing as just the dialogue, but as far as anything that’s changed, it hasn't changed."Donald is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and there is growing concern that he will miss the regular season if a new contract isn't reached.The 27-year-old star is currently owed $6.89 million in base salary for the 2018 season, the final year on his contract.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson addressed reporters Monday who asked him about his potential contract extension, as he's set to enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2018.Johnson said he's "encouraged" by recent talks, according to AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban, but he admitted the wrist injury that cost him all but 17 touches in 2017 could be holding up the process."I think that's what it is - I didn't play," Johnson said. "I didn't play last year. I was hoping my production from my second year and what I did my first year would help out, but the NFL is what have you done for me lately, so hopefully I can prove it once the season starts."Johnson was selected as a Pro Bowler and as an All-Pro in his sophomore season in 2016. He rushed for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns, while leading the league in touches (373), yards from scrimmage (2,118), and rushing and receiving touchdowns (20).He received just two carries in the Cardinals' preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders and offensive tackle Donald Penn have agreed to terms on a pay cut, ensuring he'll remain on the team, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Penn was previously scheduled to earn $6 million in base salary for both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, with $3 million guaranteed for the 2018 campaign. As part of the restructuring, Penn will reportedly receive more guaranteed money over the next two seasons, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Michael Gehlken.The 35-year-old has been named to the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons, while also earning a selection in 2010. Penn remains on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from foot surgery that he underwent in December 2017.Penn hadn't missed a start since 2007 prior to last season's injury.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Any members of the Green Bay Packers who may have been offended by quarterback Aaron Rodgers' critiques of a "piss poor" effort at practice last week may not want to pay attention to his defense of those comments, either."I hope we're not that soft," Rodgers said Monday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "I hope we can hear comments or read comments and not get offended by things. It's a professional environment; it's not a personal environment. The things I'm saying, I don't have some vendetta against any player. I care about winning, No. 1, and I'm going to say and do the things that I feel like can advance us."The 34-year-old, six-time Pro Bowler says those types of criticisms are necessary to achieve success in the NFL."It's going to be tough at some points. It's not a popularity contest all the time. Obviously, as a human, you like being liked and appreciated, but I'm trying to win games because that's my job," said Rodgers.Rodgers didn't play in the Packers' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, but rookie wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown each topped 60 receiving yards with at least four receptions. Valdes-Scantling scored one of the team's four touchdowns on the night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos signed former Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson on Monday, according to general manager John Elway.Johnson was acquitted of aggravated rape charges last month."A.J. hasn't had the opportunity to play football for the last three years while resolving a serious legal matter," Elway said. "We've had several conversations with him since he's been cleared and have become very familiar with his background and character. Our organization is confident A.J. is ready to move forward and resume his playing career."Johnson and former teammate Michael Williams were indicted in February 2015 after a woman accused them both of raping her at a party in South Knoxville, Tenn. in November 2014. The two players were suspended by the school and never played again.With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck successfully made it through one preseason game in the latest chapter of his year-long quest to recover from a shoulder injury.Related - Luck on 1st game in nearly 600 days: 'I had a lot of fun out there'However, he says the team's decision to leave Seattle immediately after a narrow 19-17 win over the Seahawks may not have been the best choice."I was tired, I was exhausted," Luck told reporters on Monday, according to Colts.com's Andrew Walker. "I think emotionally I was worn out, and honestly it was probably the redeye home after the game. You know it makes you feel things a little extra, turns the volume up, but I felt physically okay, just energy-wise very low."Luck played into the second quarter of Thursday night's matchup and led the team on two scoring drives concluding with successful field goals.He said he's excited to get back out there next Monday, against the Baltimore Ravens, in order to continue to work with his new pass catchers and get "some more reps with Eric Ebron and Ryan Grant and some of the guys that I don't quite feel that we're on the same page 100 percent of the time."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown singled out Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist Ed Bouchette after he reported that the star wide receiver limped off the practice field Monday.Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Brown didn't aggravate a quad injury incurred earlier this summer, and the superstar wideout went off on Bouchette via Twitter:

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition.Scroll down to see his 2018 rankings for both standard and PPR leagues.Standard

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown avoided significant injury after limping off the field during practice Monday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Brown didn't re-aggravate a quad injury he suffered this summer, which kept him out of the team's first preseason game. The Steelers' superstar was unlikely to play significantly during the exhibition tilt, irrespective of the injury.Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said his plan Monday was to have Brown work on individual drills. He confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette that the superstar didn't aggravate the quad injury.The 30-year-old is widely considered the NFL's best wide receiver, recording 101 receptions for 1,533 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games during the 2017 season. Brown was named to his sixth Pro Bowl and fourth first-team All-Pro team at the end of the 2017 campaign.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joel Bitonio has clarified the pronunciation of teammate Tyrod Taylor's first name, and it's not what most believed it to be since he entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2011.

Delicia Cordon, an ex-girlfriend of Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy, filed a lawsuit against him and former Pitt football player Tamarcus Porter on Friday, according to ESPN's Mike Rodak.A woman who identified herself as Cordon's best friend said McCoy physically assaulted Cordon in July, posting a graphic image on Instagram showing a woman with a swollen, bloodied face. McCoy released a statement on July 10 denying the claims. Cordon's attorney would later detail that her client believes McCoy had something to do with the attack, which was part of a home invasion, but did not accuse him of being the assailant.Cordon's main point of contention in the lawsuit is that McCoy changed the security system codes to their shared home, and therefore "intentionally permitted a hazardous condition to exist on the premises," while also stating that McCoy and Porter "are liable for the assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress suffered by the plaintiff."Related: Attorney for McCoy's ex-girlfriend details 'horrendous attack' in statementCordon's lawsuit alleges that McCoy knew about the July 10 attack."Defendant McCoy had actual and constructive knowledge of criminal activity existing on the property on July 10, 2018 due to the direct knowledge of his employee and/or agent, Porter," the lawsuit states.She also requested $133,000 in damages stemming from jewelry lost during the attack, which was primarily purchased by McCoy.Cordon's lawsuit stated that she would argue with McCoy about the running back beating his son, and his dog, along with other unspecified problems.McCoy has been present at training camp and said he's confident he'll be available to play this season despite an investigation into the attack.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis will open the 2018 season with a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, but he says his character should've factored into the decision on his looming punishment."The NFL has a tough job on their hands when you think about assessing fines, assessing punishment for certain things," Davis said on Monday, according to ESPN's David Newton. "I mean, you would like to think they would take into consideration the player and what the guy has done over his career, but that's not a part of what goes into it."Davis was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2014 for his community work with kids. His failed test at the end of the season - which he was informed of in April - was for an estrogen blocker he'd taken for the past seven to eight years without any failed tests.He still accepts responsibility for his actions."Ultimately, the rules say we're responsible for what we put in our bodies," he said. "I've just got to do a better job of understanding what's in the things I'm taking."Davis said he now has the Panthers test every substance he considers taking beforehand.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears and rookie Roquan Smith are finalizing an agreement that will end the contract dispute between the team and the first-round linebacker, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The veteran reporter noted that the deal should be completed by the end of Monday.Smith was the last first-round pick left unsigned. His deal will be worth $18 million over four years, added Schefter.The former Georgia standout has yet to join his team for training camp in part because of concerns about the financial impact the NFL's new helmet rules, and their subsequent penalties, could have on him.It was believed Smith's representatives were seeking a clause that would secure their client's guaranteed money, which could be voided by Chicago if the linebacker were to be suspended.Smith should step right into a starting role in what is an underrated Bears front seven.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers intend to sign free-agent running back Alfred Morris, pending a physical, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday.Once signed, Morris would be reunited with Shanahan, who was his offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins during his first two NFL seasons in 2012 and '13. Morris averaged 1,444 yards and 10 touchdowns across those two years.The 29-year-old Morris will presumably slot in somewhere behind running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida on the 49ers' depth chart. He also offers some insurance at the position after McKinnon suffered a minor knee injury in Sunday's practice and Breida separated his shoulder in Thursday's preseason opener. However, both players are expected to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Six years ago, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll made a difficult decision that altered the trajectory of the franchise.In training camp, on the heels of two straight 7-9 seasons, Carroll observed his young, athletic, undersized rookie quarterback outperforming the veteran Seattle had lured in free agency. Two weeks into the preseason slate, Carroll promoted third-round pick Russell Wilson ahead of Matt Flynn and never looked back.Wilson started all 16 games and the Seahawks, protecting their fledgling quarterback with a potent ground game and emerging defense, racked up 11 wins, upset the fourth-seeded Redskins in the wild-card round, and narrowly lost to the Falcons in the divisional round. One year later, Wilson and the Seahawks became Super Bowl champions for the first time in team history, and they returned to the title game the following season.After Thursday night's preseason showcase from quarterback Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson seems to be facing a choice that's as challenging - and potentially as consequential - as the one Carroll made in 2012. Mayfield passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-10 win over the New York Giants. The accuracy, mobility, and leadership that made him a Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma and the No. 1 pick in the draft didn't take long to translate at the pro level.On a third-and-18, an almost impossible down on which to move the chains, Mayfield bought time by climbing the pocket before connecting with Damion Ratley for 20 yards and first down. On his game-tying touchdown in the second quarter, Mayfield hung in the pocket and went through multiple progressions before finding tight end David Njoku with a high-arcing toss that threaded three Giants defenders in the end zone.Jackson's insisted that veteran Tyrod Taylor is the starter after the Browns sent a third-round pick to the Buffalo Bills to secure his services, but Mayfield - who's been compared to a cross between Wilson and Drew Brees - looks like he at least deserves the opportunity to change his coach's mind. Jackson should certainly reconsider his stance if the quarterback takes another step forward in the second preseason game.Mayfield isn't a small-school project or a one-year wonder who needs to spend a developmental season being babysat on the bench. He played 48 college games - 40 at Oklahoma after transferring from Texas Tech - and finished his career with a 68.5 percent completion rate, more than 14,600 passing yards, and 131 touchdown passes.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Mayfield walked on at both schools, illustrating his work ethic and determination - though those qualities may have been overshadowed by some public moments of immaturity and poor decision-making. But the throws and huddle command Mayfield demonstrated in the preseason opener are examples of why the Browns chose him first overall in a quarterback-rich draft despite his atypical body frame and red flags.Execution, poise under pressure, and pro-readiness are the same reasons Carroll went with Wilson instead of Flynn in 2012. It's also why Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson, having traded Sam Bradford a week before the 2016 opener, elevated rookie and No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz over free-agent veteran Chase Daniel.Pederson started the North Dakota State star despite Wentz's small-school pedigree and short resume of 612 pass attempts - almost 900 fewer than Mayfield had in his college career. In his second NFL campaign, Wentz won 13 games and set the franchise record for touchdowns in a season before torn knee ligaments sidelined him for the team’s Super Bowl run.Last year, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay implemented an up-tempo, innovative offense suited to Jared Goff, who was selected first overall ahead of Wentz in 2016. As a rookie starter, Goff went 0-7 and seemed to be on the path to getting labeled a bust. In 2017, he improved his completion percentage by almost eight points to 62.1 and his passer rating climbed nearly 40 points to 100.5 as the Rams won 11 games.The Browns are strong on the offensive line and have proven skill-position weapons in running backs Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, wide receivers Jarvis Landry and (perhaps) Josh Gordon, and tight end Njoku (another first-round pick). They've also hired Todd Haley, one of the NFL's most successful offensive coordinators.Cleveland offers the right kind of support system for Mayfield to develop while taking his lumps as the team grows around him, and can afford to ride out an up-and-down rookie season. What the team can't afford is failing to get the best out of him. After all, the Browns have posted a winning record once in the past 15 years, won just one of their last 32 games, and haven't developed a long-term quarterback since the 1990s.They've picked Mayfield as the future of the franchise, and the future needs to start now.Geoff Mosher is an award-winning sports reporter, radio host, and TV personality with more than 20 years of experience covering all major sports and leagues. He also hosts regularly on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia and co-hosts "The Sports Shop" on Facebook. You can find him on Twitter @GeoffMosherNFL.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Super Bowl champions may be without their top passing threat to begin their title defense.Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery might not be ready for the start of the regular season as he continues to work back from rotator cuff surgery, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Jeffery has been on the physically unable to perform list all through training camp. He is "progressing according to plan," Rapoport added, but could remain on PUP to open the year, which, by rule, would mean he'd have to miss at least the first six weeks of the campaign.The 28-year-old was a key contributor in the Eagles' first championship victory, contributing nearly 800 receiving yards during the regular season before scoring three touchdowns and racking up 219 yards over three playoff contests.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The entire New York Giants fan base just let out a collective sigh of relief.The Giants' No. 2 overall pick, Saquon Barkley, escaped with just a minor leg injury after coming up lame in practice on Monday."Saquon has a mild strain, and we'll be smart with him as we move along here," said head coach Pat Shurmur, according to the team's official Twitter account.The rookie running back had an area of his left leg wrapped after hauling in a pass from quarterback Kyle Lauletta.

It was inevitable.After seeing the same faces in training camp for weeks, the Washington Redskins and New York Jets met in a joint practice. With the opportunity to finally hit someone else for a change, the Jets and 'Skins did that and more during Sunday's practice, and their scruffle made national news.

The New England Patriots have made a living off turning other teams’ trash into treasure since Bill Belichick took the reins in 2000.From Corey Dillon and Randy Moss to Rob Ninkovich and Aqib Talib, the Patriots have done a masterful job taking advantage of teams trying to unload aging or problematic players for little compensation. And much to the chagrin of fans of the other 31 teams, the Patriots just did it again.Coming off a painful loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, New England had a major hole at left tackle after its previous starter, Nate Solder, was paid a fortune in free agency to play for the New York Giants.Unwilling to overpay for any tackle on the market, Belichick decided to see if the trade winds would bear fruit. Luckily for him, it did with San Francisco 49ers and offensive tackle Trent Brown, who missed six games in the previous season but looked like a high-quality player when he was healthy.Even though he played well in Kyle Shanahan’s system, Brown wasn’t a great fit, as he struggles with footwork and pacing in the zone running game - a major tentpole of the 49ers' offense.The Patriots traded the 95th pick in the 2018 draft for both Brown and the 143rd selection - a steal for a player of Brown’s magnitude.Isaiah Wynn, the team's 2018 first-round pick and an excellent prospect in his own right, was brought in to compete with Brown for the starting left tackle gig. Typically, a first-rounder would have an edge over the player who was traded for essentially a late fourth-round pick - but anyone who studied Brown in recent years knew that he was not the underdog.Listed at 6-foot-8 and 380 pounds with 36-inch arms, Brown is a mountain of a man who displaces defenders with ease. The following play helps illustrate the kind of power Brown can create in the running game:Here, the Patriots run a zone concept to the near side of the field with Brown responsible for completing a combination block from the play-side defensive end to the play-side linebacker. Brown comes off the ball with good pad level and proper hand placement, which allows him to generate the force needed to knock the defensive back on contact. From there, Brown gets just enough of the linebacker to create an open running lane for the Patriots running back.At his best, Brown is a mauler who uses size, length, strength, leverage, and proper hand placement to bully and bludgeon whoever is lined up across from him. He’s especially effective on the down block:Here, Brown is responsible with down-blocking the back-side defensive end. After the ball is snapped, he quickly engages the defensive end with good pad level and hand placement. There is a saying in offensive line play: "Get underneath the chin and you will win." Brown does exactly that here as he displaces the defender from one hash mark to the other.You might expect that Brown’s size would hinder him in pass protection; getting all that mass moving in a way where he can quickly react is difficult. But Brown thrives in pass protection, displaying impressive movement ability, balance, and some of the best hand technique at the position.Brown uses his smooth pass set, efficient footwork, and immense length to stymie some of the league's best pass-rushers. This play against the NFL’s sack leader in 2017, Chandler Jones, is a great example:Using a vertical set, Brown explodes out of his stance and into his pass set to beat Jones to the intersection point. Once Brown latches his 11-inch hands on Jones, it’s over. The Florida product escorts Jones beyond the pocket, eliminating his ability to generate even a hint of pressure on the play.Even when tasked with expanding his pass set, Brown makes it look much easier than it should be for a man weighing 380 pounds.While his pass set is nice, Brown’s array of hand technique is what separates him from the pack. From an effective two-hand punch to some impressive independent hand use, Brown has a large tool bag to pull from to defeat any pass-rusher. Here’s a great illustration of the Texas native’s intricate hand technique:On this play, Brown is again lined up against the NFL’s sack king, this time on the right side. After the snap, Brown effortlessly sets vertically against the Cardinals pass-rusher. Once Jones is in range, Brown feints a punch with his right hand, causing Jones to whiff with his swipe-dip-rip move. This makes it easy for Brown to latch onto Jones and stop his progress to the quarterback.The scary part is that Brown should only get better under Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, one of the best OL coaches on the planet. At just 25 years old, Brown will be an upgrade over Solder and looks to be the left tackle of the future for New England as long as he can stay healthy.And the Patriots acquired him for what amounts to a late third-round pick.Belichick just outfoxed the NFL yet again.John Owning is an NFL writer at theScore. He has written for Bleacher Report and Football Insiders. He was also the lead NFL content editor at FanRag Sports. John provides analysis on the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News and edits for The Quant Edge. Find him on Twitter @JohnOwning.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Following an impressive preseason debut, New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold received the lion's share of the reps at practice Sunday.The development comes as each of Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, and Darnold are making a claim to open the regular season as the starter under center.Head coach Todd Bowles said he hasn't settled on a quarterback rotation for the Jets' next preseason game Thursday against the Washington Redskins and Darnold's increased reps shouldn't be taken as an indication he'll get the next start."No indication. Just getting him caught up on some things," Bowles said.Darnold missed the first three days of training camp as details in his rookie contract were being negotiated. As a result, Bowles said the youngster is still getting caught up.Darnold, McCown, and Bridgewater split time in the Jets' exhibition opener. Bowles wouldn't confirm whether the same scenario will unfold Thursday."All three need to be ready to play," he said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leave it to Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson to unleash one of the most unorthodox punishments in recent memory.Jackson revealed that he played rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway extensively Thursday against the New York Giants as a disciplinary action. Callaway was cited for marijuana possession, while police also found bullets and a gun strap in his vehicle.Although most teams would elect to sit or suspend their players for a similar incident, Jackson thought otherwise."That was part of the consequence of what he has been through, and he knows it. That is what it was. Either you sit him or make him play. I thought it was better to make him play," Jackson said Sunday to ESPN."Make him play as long as he could. There were a couple of times he kept waving to come out, and we said, 'No, stay in.'"Callaway caught three passes for 87 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown from Baker Mayfield."I was trying to make him play the whole game if we could," Jackson said. "I did not want him to come out."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars suspended star cornerback Jalen Ramsey for one week after critiquing local media outlets for what he believed to be unfair treatment of his teammates, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Ramsey was particularly upset about criticism directed at Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler, according to Rapoport.Fowler was also suspended for violating team rules and "conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars football player."Both players will miss Saturday's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, and neither player will travel with the team this week, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Ramsey took issue with Jacksonville.com reporter Phillip Heilman and addressed him on Twitter.

Football has mercifully returned to quench our gridiron-starved souls.While the NFL preseason naturally lacks the intrigue of real games, it's a vital time in which the coming regular season's elaborate tapestry takes form as potential stars emerge and teams around the league begin to show their quality.Here are five of the biggest things we learned from the opening week of preseason action:Jets have real QB competition The Jets have historically struggled to find even one capable starting quarterback, so New York must be pinching itself after a preseason opener in which its two supposed backups, Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Sam Darnold, showed why it's foolish to think Josh McCown should be locked in as the Week 1 starter.Bridgewater displayed few signs of trepidation with his surgically repaired knee as he smartly maneuvered the pocket, picking the Atlanta Falcons apart with short-to-intermediate passes. He finished the contest an impressive 7 of 8 for 85 yards and a touchdown.The former first-round pick will need to prove he can stay healthy, but with odds stacked against the entire league getting to Week 1 without a starting quarterback going down with an injury, Bridgewater's trade stock could be set to soar.As solid as Bridgewater looked, however, he was quickly turned into a side story by the No. 3 overall pick. Darnold flashed his star potential in extended action, tossing his first touchdown, hitting on 13 of his 18 throws, and playing with a poise and confidence beyond his years.While Darnold's scrambling 14-yard scoring pass to Charles Johnson was the headlining play of his preseason debut, it was a far less flashy third-down conversion that should have Jets fans salivating.

Christian Hackenberg has found his next home and potential path to redemption.The former New York Jets quarterback is signing with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Sunday.Signing Hackenberg is a chance to develop another young pivot alongside Nate Sudfeld, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added, and it isn't a reflection on the health of Carson Wentz and Nick Foles. Wentz is still working his way back from a season-ending knee injury, while Foles has recently been dealing with back issues.The Jets used a second-round pick to select the former Penn State standout in 2016, but he failed to log even a single regular-season snap with the team. He was traded in June to the Oakland Raiders, then subsequently released less than a month later.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.