Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray requires wrist surgery after getting a second opinion, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Ray is expected to miss the start of the 2018 regular season as a result.The 25-year-old faced numerous wrist issues over the course of the 2017 season, and was placed on injured reserve in December after undergoing his third operation.Ray, selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, recorded 16 tackles and a sack in eight games during the 2017 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears are using the 2018 NBA Finals' biggest moment as a teaching tool for the upcoming NFL season.According to Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, head coach Matt Nagy made the team watch Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith's Game 1 mistake as a lesson on clock management."We actually watched (the play) the next day as a team and tried to learn from the situation," Trubisky told NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano and Stacey Dales at minicamp Wednesday. "I was having a hard time watching it twice again, but it just goes to show you everyone gets caught up in the moment even if it's the biggest of lights. But you always have to know the situation, so take advantage of it."An Ohio native, Trubisky is a longtime Cavaliers fan, so the NBA Finals have been tough for the signal-caller to watch thus far.Chicago finished 5-11 in 2017, the fourth straight season it has finished last in the NFC North. The team is looking to rebound in 2018 under its new head coach and young quarterback.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A former All-Pro Cowboys pass-rusher is helping a current Dallas standout sharpen his craft.DeMarcus Ware, who starred for the Cowboys from 2005-13 before finishing his career with the Denver Broncos (2014-16), is mentoring another DeMarcus in edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence this summer, helping the 26-year-old with an array of pass-rushing moves."As a pass-rusher, you always think about consistency," Ware told Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "When you think about DeMarcus Lawrence - first, second, third year, now he had that big push last year. Now, it's what have you done for me lately? It's a new year. He has to look at it that way. What can you put in your toolbox this year to make yourself a little bit more consistent, because now you're going to have that bullseye on you. But also, how can you make the other guys better with your leadership? That's going to make you a lot better inside the room, on the team, but also out there on the football field."Ware is one of the most decorated defensive players of his generation, recording 138.5 sacks, leading the NFL in sacks twice, being named to nine Pro Bowls, and helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.Lawrence is clearly welcoming the legendary pass-rusher's advice."Pass-rusher to pass-rusher, you always want to learn something new to up your game," Lawrence said. "That's what he's coming out here to do - help us."Lawrence was named a second-team All-Pro and went to his first Pro Bowl in 2017 after recording 58 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Coming off a career season, he could only stand to improve with the help of one of the greatest Cowboys of all time.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Richie Incognito has returned to his home in Arizona after three days in a mental hospital, the guard told The Associated Press Wednesday.Incognito was placed on psychiatric hold after a reported altercation with another man at a Florida gym in May. In a series of text messages sent to the Associated Press, the free-agent guard said he's feeling great and resumed training in hopes of an NFL comeback.

The Baltimore Ravens will lose two final organized team activities this week and pay a fine for a violation of the offseason workout rules, the NFL announced Wednesday.While the league didn't specify the amount of the fines, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the infraction cost head coach John Harbaugh and owner Steve Bisciotti $50,000 and $100,000, respectively.Harbaugh issued a statement shortly after the news that suggests the rule violation concerned contact during pass coverage."Our team has been singled out for pass-coverage contact during the early part of OTAs. We have heavily emphasized these CBA pass coverage rules in meetings, and coached them diligently on the practice field," Harbaugh said in a release. "Even with consistent and repeated teaching, these rules pose considerable adjustments for younger players. We have tried very hard to eliminate contact in pass coverage during OTAs, even so far as to pull players out of practice who struggle with these adjustments."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier shared a positive update on his recovery from a season-ending spinal injury Wednesday.Walking with the use of a cane, Shazier took to the podium at a scheduled press conference and said, "I feel like I'm constantly getting better."My dream is to come back to football and to play. I have that in the back of my head every day when I go to rehab."Shazier said the next milestone he'd like to hit is walking without any assistance or the use of a cane.The two-time Pro Bowler underwent spinal stabilization surgery Dec. 6 after suffering an injury on an attempted tackle in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4.The Steelers have already ruled him out for the 2018 season, but he will remain with the team during the year in another capacity.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster was sentenced to two years probation Wednesday after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor weapons possession charge, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic.The charge stemmed from the February incident involving Foster's ex-girlfriend, who recently admitted to fabricating domestic violence claims against him at the time. The misdemeanor was the last remaining charge against him after he had assault and marijuana charges dismissed.Foster entered the plea through his lawyer Wednesday. A no contest plea means the defendant neither disputes nor admits to the crime. He was accused of having a loaded assault rifle in his home, which was purchased legally in Alabama but possessed illegally in California, according to Robert Salonga of The Mercury News.The NFL, which has monitored Foster's legal situation, is still considering a multi-game suspension for the second-year defender, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.Along with probation, which prohibits Foster from possessing guns or ammunition for two years, his sentence requires him to complete 232 hours of community service.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carson Wentz's recovery from a torn ACL took another positive step on Wednesday, as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has been cleared for 7-on-7 work during organized team activities this week."Part of the rehab process with him is just giving him a little more - I don't want to say freedom - but a little more practice time," head coach Doug Pederson said to reporters. "One of the controlled environments that we can obviously put him in is a 7-on-7 situation. Being able to sprinkle him in and watch him in more of an up-tempo kind of practice has been good."Wentz has been confident he'll be ready to play in the 2018 season opener. Luckily for the Eagles, should Wentz still be out at that point, Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is ready to step in again.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Dez Bryant still a free agent and wide receiver still an area of concern for the Dallas Cowboys, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders would like to see the two sides reconcile and reunite."Let's just apologize and say, 'Dez, I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Come on back,'" the man known as Prime Time said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.The Cowboys released Bryant in April, and the three-time Pro Bowler hasn't generated much interest on the open market. Since cutting ties with him, the Cowboys lost longtime tight end Jason Witten to a broadcasting job, while veteran receiver Terrance Williams is embroiled in legal trouble."You didn't know Jason Witten was getting ready to do this," added Sanders, who played for the Cowboys from 1995-99. "You didn't know this knucklehead (Williams) was getting ready to do what he did - got out of the car and run out of the Lamborghini. Who leaves the scene of a crime with a Lamborghini? That means something's foul. Let bygones be bygones. Bring the dude back and let's move on."Bryant turned down a one-year offer from the Baltimore Ravens following his release from Dallas, but interest in him since has been rather sparse.In 16 games last year, Bryant posted 838 yards and six touchdowns receiving.- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three years into an NFL player’s career is often when he starts to discuss an extension with his agent.The Collective Bargaining Agreement prevents teams and players from agreeing to extensions during the first two years of a rookie’s deal, making the third year an important one.For first-round picks, the fifth-year option attached to rookie contracts enables teams to have an extra year of service time before they must decide on whether to make a long-term investment. The May 3 deadline passed with 20 of the 2015 first-rounders having their options exercised, per NFL.com.But for players drafted in Round 2 or lower, the offseason after the third year is their first opportunity to sign an extension. A handful of pros with three years of experience who weren’t first-round picks have performed well enough to warrant new deals.Some of the names still waiting are surprising: Giants safety Landon Collins, Eagles running back Jay Ajayi, Cardinals running back David Johnson, and Seahawks receiver/returner Tyler Lockett have either made the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team at least once, but remain locked into their rookie deals.Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden, Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, Buccaneers offensive lineman Ali Marpet, Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby and linebacker Jordan Hicks, and Browns running back Duke Johnson are other major contributors aiming for new deals.Only three players from the 2015 draft who weren’t first-rounders have already inked extensions – Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks, 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt, and Dolphins corner Bobby McCain.The potential for free agency to be more fruitful in 2019 than recent years is there if some of those players aren’t extended, or retained through a franchise tag.Collins, a two-time Pro Bowler who placed third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2016, would arguably be the hottest free-agent commodity from the 2015 class if the Giants don’t secure him with a long-term deal.Collins flourished in former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, but a regime change – in both the front office and coaching staff – could alter his role going forward and impact the 24-year-old's value on the open market.New Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher is a known heavy blitzer, and teams that blitz often usually prefer defensive backs who excel in man coverage, since blitzing frequently puts DBs on an island against pass-catchers.Collins is an excellent box defender who has also played well as the deep safety. But he hasn’t been asked to play much man coverage, at least not intentionally. One of the few knocks on Collins coming out of college was his struggle to defend in man coverage, which helps explain why he wasn’t drafted in the first round.Bettcher, the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator from 2015-2017, morphed first-round pick Deone Bucannon into a linebacker because he believed the former college safety would excel at the position as a pro. He could envision a similar role for Collins in the team’s new 3-4 scheme, as Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Advance Media noted.“We haven’t gotten that far yet, we’re just kind of learning the defense, taking it step by step and making things work,” Collins, who recently shed his non-contact jersey during OTAs after needing two wrist surgeries, told reporters this week, according to team transcripts.“If it doesn’t work, he’ll take a note to it and we’ll go from there. But he hasn’t asked any of the players that I know of, anything about what they like about the defense yet.”The Giants have to determine whether Collins’ role in the new defense will be impactful enough to pay him top safety dollar, which is $12-$13 million annually. The longer the Giants wait, the more they risk Collins opting to test free agency, which often inflates a players' price tag.Collins told reporters, including Patricia Traina of Inside Football, he enjoys his new coordinator’s scheme so far.“It was back to what I knew like the back of my hand,” Collins said in April, “and it's going to play fast because it's very stern.”Here’s a look at some other standout players who have logged three NFL seasons and remain on their rookie deals:RB Jay Ajayi, Philadelphia EaglesJay Ajayi made the Pro Bowl in 2016 with 1,423 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, and then he averaged 5.8 yards per carry in seven games with the Eagles after being dealt at the 2017 deadline. He’s a gifted running back who was criticized for attitude problems in Miami and has a history of knee issues going back to college. The Eagles are taking the wait-and-see approach with him.RB David Johnson, Arizona CardinalsAfter piling up 3,156 yards and 32 touchdowns over his first two years, making the Pro Bowl and being named an All-Pro in 2016, David Johnson had his career derailed last year by a broken wrist in the season opener that shelved him all season. The Cards have a new head coach and quarterback, but Johnson will still likely be the focus of the offense and get extended before hitting free agency.WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota VikingsStefon Diggs, a fifth-round pick from Maryland, has become a major part of the Vikings’ passing offense. However, he still hasn’t produced a 1,000-plus-yard season despite catching 84 passes in 2016 and 64 in 2017. Perhaps the QB change from Case Keenum to Kirk Cousins and offensive coordinator switch from Pat Shurmur to John DeFilippo will increase Diggs’ production. Fellow receiver Adam Thielen received an extension this past offseason, but the Vikings have other players, including Hunter, to potentially reward after 2018. With all the money now going to Cousins, the Vikings might not have enough left for Diggs.LB Preston Smith, Washington RedskinsThe Redskins should be able to retain Preston Smith, the 38th overall pick in 2015 from Mississippi State. While not spectacular, Smith has played steadily enough to deserve an extension that shouldn’t break the team’s bank. Smith’s 20.5 sacks are the fourth-most of the 2015 draft class, behind only Hunter, Vic Beasley, and Frank Clark. But nobody from Smith’s class has recorded 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Smith should command around $10 million annually, which the Redskins would be wise to pay.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 is co-host of "The Sports Shop" on Facebook.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson addressed the media Wednesday for the first time since President Donald Trump disinvited the team from the White House."We've got the greatest fans in the National Football League. When we had that parade back in February ... Our true fans, they're beside us, we're beside them," Pederson said.Pederson was prepared to attend a ceremony celebrating the Super Bowl LII champions Tuesday, but the Eagles contingent would have consisted of only the coach, his wife, owner Jeffrey Lurie, and lone confirmed player Nick Foles, reported NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.President Trump disinvited the team Monday, noting the small size of the delegation in his statement, and another statement from the White House on Tuesday accused the Eagles of abandoning their fans.Pederson admitted he was disappointed that he and the team were unable to make the trip. He added that he didn't feel a team meeting was required to address the situation and the club remains united."I was looking forward to going down, obviously. We did something last season that is very special. It's a milestone here in the city of Philadelphia ... I was looking forward to going down and being recognized as world champions. It is what it is," Pederson said.He said he didn't want to field future questions about the situation."What you've seen and what you've heard is enough," the coach said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite an underwhelming end to his tenure in Indianapolis, Chuck Pagano is chomping at the bit for another coaching opportunity."I'm young. I'm 57 years old. I've got a couple years left in me," the former Colts coach said Wednesday on "Good Morning Football," according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "I've got unfinished business. I'd love to have another opportunity. I just love being around the guys, being on grass and competing."Pagano spent six seasons in Indy. The Colts made the playoffs in each of his first three years (he missed most of his first season while battling cancer), but in none of his final three.Perhaps he was just being self-deprecating, but Pagano acknowledged Monday that quarterback Andrew Luck often covered up for his shortcomings as a coach."He got me more years than I probably deserved," Pagano said of Luck, who didn't play in 2017 because of a shoulder injury.Pagano reportedly spoke with the Baltimore Ravens about their defensive coordinator vacancy in January but didn't come away with the gig.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt was reportedly involved in an altercation at a resort in Ohio over the weekend.The NFL's leading rusher in 2017 was at the Bay Lodging Resort in Put-in-Bay, Ohio when a verbal confrontation ended with Hunt punching another man in the face, according to TMZ Sports.A resort official confirmed to TMZ Sports that an incident took place. The alleged victim didn't need medical attention and said he does not intend to press charges.Hunt was accused of pushing a woman at a Cleveland hotel in February and didn't face charges.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White seems plenty happy with the team's rookie class ahead of his sophomore season.After praising No. 7 pick quarterback Josh Allen late last week, White has turned his attention to the team's No. 16 selection, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds."Since the first day he's got here, man, he's on the defensive side of the ball," White said on Tuesday's edition of "Good Morning Football." "You could tell by OTAs he's been getting tremendously comfortable in the playbook and every day he's getting better and better. By that first game, he's going to be knocking folks around."White thinks it will only take until training camp for Edmunds to become "one of the best young linebackers in the league.""This is an alpha male here," White said. "The guy goes sideline to sideline, he's a 4.4 (40-yard dash) guy. He has tremendous brains, athleticism, his knowledge of the game is next to none."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jimmy Garoppolo isn't listening to widespread talk that the San Francisco 49ers could earn a playoff berth in 2018."People always like to talk about the predictions with the season. Even when the season just ends, they start talking about it," Garoppolo told reporters on Tuesday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "It's all noise on the outside, but I think we have a good group that is locked in right now. We're focused on OTAs. We'll go into training camp, hopefully have a good training camp and take it day by day."The 49ers have a projected win total of 8.5 for 2018, according to Bovada.They finished the 2017 season on a five-game win streak in Garoppolo's only five starts since being acquired via trade from the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A civil trial began in St. Louis on Tuesday to settle a lawsuit filed by former NFL running back Reggie Bush, who's reportedly seeking at least $25,000 in damages for an injury he suffered at Edward Jones Dome (now the Dome at America's Center) in St. Louis in 2015, according to Joel Currier of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.Bush submitted the lawsuit against the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission in January 2016, after he suffered a season-ending knee injury as a member of the San Francisco 49ers when he slipped on concrete as he was being pushed out of bounds."You can see, it's like all of a sudden he's running on an ice rink," Bush's lawyer Tim Cronin told jurors in opening statements Tuesday as he played video of the injury in the courtroom. "Whatever risks a football player assumes, concrete 11 yards outside the sidelines is not one of them."The then-St. Louis Rams were added as a defendant roughly two weeks after Bush initially filed the suit, which claims the owners and operators of the dome showed negligence by allowing "a dangerous condition to exist at the Dome."The suit states the concrete surface was covered with rubber padding two weeks after the injury."There have been hundreds of games here and they haven't had any issues with it," said then-Rams head coach Jeff Fisher shortly after the incident.Bush finished the 2015 season with just 28 rushing yards in five games. He then signed with the Buffalo Bills for the following season but lost three yards on 12 carries in 13 games, though he added 90 yards on seven receptions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Chris McCain has been charged with battery stemming from a January incident, according to L.A. District Attorney's Office documents provided to NFL.com.McCain is accused of spitting on a woman and grabbing her neck in Los Angeles on Jan. 7.The 26-year-old defensive end, who signed with the Colts in May, denies any wrongdoing.

Deshaun Watson seems to be excited for his sophomore season.The Houston Texans quarterback had his rookie campaign ended by a torn ACL in practice following a 400-yard passing performance in Week 8, but head coach Bill O'Brien said he's been working hard to make sure he gets back to that level."He's in the building every morning at 6:00 a.m.," O'Brien told reporters on Tuesday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "He's taking care of his body. He's eating correctly. He's in the meetings. He's focused in the meetings. He's ready to go. He has good ideas. There's good interaction in the meetings, and he's come out here on the field and been able to do what he can do. "It was reported earlier Tuesday that Watson, along with defensive end J.J. Watt, is expected to avoid the physically unable to perform list for the start of training camp. O'Brien reiterated the importance of the mid-July practices."Obviously, training camp will be a big period of time for all of us, especially for he and I moving forward through getting into 11-on-11, full pads, but he's had a good spring," said O'Brien.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent safety J.J. Wilcox evidently had a case of cold feet Tuesday.After meeting with the San Francisco 49ers, the defensive back reportedly intended to sign a one-year deal with the club. However, he had a last-minute change of heart and is currently en route to pen a contract with the New York Jets, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.According to Schefter's sources, Wilcox "got stage fright" after visiting the 49ers’ facility, and decided he wanted to play for Jets head coach Todd Bowles. He'll now join New York on a one-year deal.Wilcox signed a two-year, $6.25-million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason, but was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of Week 1. The hard-hitting safety accumulated 12 tackles and one interception in a sub-package role for the Steelers in 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles' White House contingent would apparently have been a party of one, as quarterback Nick Foles was the only player planning to attend the ceremony, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday fewer than 10 Eagles players were scheduled to appear at the White House with owner Jeffrey Lurie and head coach Doug Pederson before President Donald Trump canceled the event.Foles, of course, was the MVP of Super Bowl LII, helping Philadelphia hoist its first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.After being granted an unexpected day off, the Eagles reportedly held an organized team activity practice Tuesday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles is defending his team's handling of player arrests in the wake of rookie tight end Christopher Herndon IV's DWI charge over the weekend.Despite it marking the sixth arrest of a Jets player in the past 13 months, Bowles believes the team is handling its business the right way."Our disciplinary process is fine," Bowles said, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "There's nothing wrong with our disciplinary process. The arrests are going to happen. We deal with them as they come."And come they have. Linebacker Dylan Donahue has two pending drunken-driving cases, wide receiver Robby Anderson has been arrested twice, and cornerback Rashard Robinson is subject to a charge of marijuana possession.However, Bowles is putting the onus on the players to correct their own behavior."There's nothing wrong with our policy right now," he said. "If you sign a contract and everything else, and you're making 10, 20, 30 million (dollars), if that doesn't stop you, what else is going to stop you?"Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson and quarterback Baker Mayfield have differing opinions on the rookie's progress now that the team's in its third week of voluntary offseason practices."I think he's right on schedule," Jackson said Tuesday, according to Pat McManamon of ESPN.Mayfield, however, has a little more optimistic perception of himself."The pace has been a little bit slower than I've really wanted," Mayfield said.Mayfield has been spending time with the second team during practice, and while Jackson said that it's a chance for him to work with different teammates, it seems to reaffirm Jackson's previous statements that veteran Tyrod Taylor will be the team's starter for 2018.Mayfield said he'll accept whatever role he's given to begin the season, but he intends to make Jackson's final choice as difficult as possible."I have to be ready for whenever that opportunity comes, if that's this year, next year, or in five years," Mayfield said. "I have to be ready as soon as that comes, and right now, getting better every day. That's all I can do."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has taken a positive step to returning to the field for the beginning of his sophomore season.Cook was cleared to participate in certain portions of 11-on-11 drills on Monday, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN. It's the first time Cook's participated in team drills, as he'd been limited to individual exercises on the rehab field for the first two weeks of voluntary team workout. He's been working his way back from a torn ACL that ended his 2017 rookie campaign in Week 4."I've been feeling good, but this week was another milestone in the rehab," Cook said. "This was a milestone for me just to get back out there and get some things done."Cook was seen wearing a brace on his wounded left knee, but he was able to take reps with the first-team offense and work on situational drills in the red zone.The 41st overall pick of the 2017 draft understands he still has a way to go in order to get back to his rookie form that had him gain 354 rushing yards and score two touchdowns on just 74 attempts."You think you're in shape until you go take four reps back-to-back and then you're like, man, it's a different type of shape you need to get in. Just getting back out there and just getting that feeling back out," Cook said. "Just to get your body back out there, I got to still take those steps. It's a long process. I've got a long way to go. Just got to keep working."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has already made quite the impression on the quarterback with whom the team hopes he'll be teaming up for many years to come."I've never seen anybody like him," rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield said Tuesday, according to ClevelandBrowns.com's Andrew Gribble.Gordon returned to the Browns in 2017 after last playing a regular-season game in Week 16 of the 2014 season.He recorded just 18 receptions on 42 targets for 335 yards and one touchdown in five contests last year, a far cry from the 87-catch, 1,646-yard, nine-touchdown performance that earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his sophomore season in 2013.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.Waiting on quarterbacks has become the norm for fantasy owners looking to maximize value on draft day, but you still need to hit on the right players for the strategy to be most effective.Let's see if we can identify this year's crop of late-round or undrafted quarterbacks who will outproduce expectations to emerge as low-end fantasy starters, or at least streaming options.Mitch TrubiskyThe second overall pick didn't see the field until Week 5 last season, as the Bears decided it was best for him to sit and watch bridge-starter Mike Glennon embarrass himself with eight turnovers in four games. Trubisky had his own struggles, failing to throw for more than one touchdown in any game, and only topping the 200-yard mark three times. However, he showed promise down the stretch, finishing as the QB14 in fantasy over the final five contests.Gone is John Fox's archaic coaching staff, replaced by a bright offensive mind in Matt Nagy, who most recently served as the Chiefs' coordinator. As Warren Sharp of Sharp Football points out, Trubisky was miscast in 2017, lining up under center 50 percent of the time after primarily playing out of shotgun in college. Nagy's new offense will employ more shotgun concepts, making it better suited to his young quarterback's strengths.Trubisky will also have a much more talented supporting cast in his sophomore year, with the team investing in free-agent wideouts Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, as well as tight end Trey Burton. Even second-round receiver Anthony Miller could be an immediate contributor thanks to his polished route running.It's likely Trubisky goes undrafted in most fantasy leagues, meaning owners in deeper formats can select him in the final rounds as an upside backup, or can be ready to scoop him up off the waiver wire if he starts the season strong. No one should enter the year relying on the Bears' young passer, but in a perfect scenario, he could crack the top 15 and emerge as a solid streaming option.Alex SmithWith rookie Patrick Mahomes threatening to steal his starting gig, Smith exploded for the fourth-most fantasy points among QBs last year. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to keep his spot in Kansas City, and he was promptly traded to the Redskins after the season.Smith was a sneaky fantasy producer long before his job-security-fueled 2017 campaign, when he recorded a career-high 4,042 yards and 26 touchdowns, while throwing just five interceptions. The 34-year-old has posted top 15 fantasy finishes in four of the last seven seasons, thanks in large part to his ability to pick up yards on the ground. Smith had three seasons with at least 350 rushing yards during his time with the Chiefs.The weapons in Washington are a downgrade from what Smith had to work with under Andy Reid, but we're not talking about a Bills-level skill void. Josh Doctson has No. 1 receiver potential, if he can unlock his game; Jamison Crowder is a steady slot man; Paul Richardson offers the deep speed the team has lacked since DeSean Jackson left; and Jordan Reed is an elite tight end, albeit one trapped in a body made of porcelain. Chris Thompson was also breaking out last season as one of the league's best receiving backs before suffering a broken leg in mid-November. Most importantly, head coach Jay Gruden has kept the passing game humming, with the team placing in the top 12 for passing yardage four straight years.No disrespect to Kirk Cousins, who's a quality NFL starter, but Gruden's system has proven it can deliver a borderline elite fantasy quarterback from a passer who may not be the most physically gifted at the position. On the flip side, Smith has shown he can maximize his abilities while playing within an effective offensive scheme. It would be foolish to expect another monster season from Smith, but just because the Chiefs didn't want him, doesn't mean fantasy owners should write him off. Another season as a consistent QB2, who flirts with low-end QB1 fantasy numbers, is the most likely outcome.Eli ManningThe 37-year-old would probably like to forget 2017, after compiling some of the lowest totals of his career. The question becomes whether his atrocious output was the result of a fading skill set, a porous offensive line, or directly related to the absence of Odell Beckham.Manning was a fantasy QB1 in Beckham's first two seasons, but fell to QB21 in his last full campaign with his star wideout. That's exactly the range he finished in without Beckham in the lineup for the year. The blocking issues and overall lack of talent up front have exacerbated Manning's decline, but the team has made strides to improve in that area, signing free-agent left tackle Nate Solder and drafting mauling guard Will Hernandez in the second round. That doesn't solve the line problems completely, but it should solidify the left side.The Giants will also enter the season with one of the best arsenals Manning's had since being drafted by the team in 2004. Beckham, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Saquon Barkley should take pressure off Manning. New head coach Pat Shurmur was able to guide the Vikings' offense to the 11th most passing yards during his last season as OC in Minnesota, despite having a previously unproven Case Keenum at the helm. The Vikings had a questionable offensive line, but surrounded their quarterback with playmakers. Sound familiar?Manning's current ADP is QB23. Beckham's return alone could be enough to propel him to a higher finish than that. Add in the upgrades to the line and the coaching staff, and you've got legitimate potential for a bounce-back campaign. Keep him on your re-draft radar early in the season, and don't hesitate to use Manning-Beckham as a daily fantasy stack in the opening month.Deep ShotsJosh Rosen - The Cardinals haven't outright crowned veteran Sam Bradford as their early season starter, leaving open the possibility that the rookie wins the job. Rosen's offensive line will be an issue, but with Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson anchoring the offense, the 21-year-old will have a chance to enter the streamer conversation immediately.Baker Mayfield - Tyrod Taylor will likely handle the first half of the season, relegating Mayfield to a late-season option for fantasy. With the collection of skill players Cleveland has amassed (Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, Corey Coleman, David Njoku, Nick Chubb, Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson) it's hard to imagine the offense not putting up numbers. If the Browns screw this up, the blame belongs on their coaching staff.Josh McCown - No one is drafting McCown in fantasy, but don't overlook the Jets' starting QB in 2018. Before his season-ending injury in Week 14, McCown was the QB7 in fantasy through 12 games last season. The longtime backup was ahead of players like Matt Stafford, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger. Whether it's McCown, rookie Sam Darnold, or everyone's favorite comeback story Teddy Bridgewater, the Jets' offense might not be the wasteland many perceive it to be.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski reported to the team's mandatory minicamp Tuesday after skipping voluntary practices.Gronkowski hopes to sign a new contract with the Patriots, admitting as much during his post-practice press conference."Who wouldn't?" Gronkowski said to reporters when asked if he wanted a new contract before the season, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra.He didn't provide much of an update on negotiations, saying "I don't know. We're trying to (complete an extension)."The 5-time Pro Bowler also addressed his contemplation of retirement following the 2017 season."I was just seeing where I was at after a long season," Gronkowski said. "(Retirement) was definitely on the mind, but I had to do what I had to do."I felt good enough to get my body prepared and get my body right again. I had to see where my body was at and where my mind was at. But now I'm out here and I feel good, I feel like I definitely made the right decision coming back out."If he doesn't receive a new deal Gronkowski will earn a base salary of $8 million during the 2018 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A day after re-signing Zach Miller, the Chicago Bears ended his 2018 season by placing the tight end on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.The team knew Miller likely couldn't play again after a devastating knee injury suffered last season on an overturned touchdown catch; however, by bringing Miller back, the team ensured he will earn the veteran minimum of $458,000 for 2018.Miller, 33, said he hopes to resume his NFL career, but will have to wait until 2019 to try and make an improbable comeback.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman will begin treatment for lymphoma in the very near future, the club announced Tuesday.Lymphoma is a form of cancer that threatens the lymphatic system."The doctor's outlook for the treatment and the prognosis is positive, and so am I," Gettleman said in a statement.The 67-year-old gave no indication that he intends to step down from his post but acknowledged he could be limited in the amount of time he spends at the Giants' facility going forward."I will continue to work as much as the treatment process will allow, and as they know, when I am not in the office, I will be in constant communication with (head coach) Pat (Shurmur), (assistant GM) Kevin (Abrams) and the rest of our staff," he said.Gettleman was named general manager of the Giants on Dec. 28. He served in the same role for the Carolina Panthers from 2013-16.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a critical statement Tuesday, the White House accused Philadelphia Eagles players of abandoning their fans by offering to send "only a tiny handful of representatives" to President Donald Trump's celebration of their Super Bowl accomplishment.The White House said the Eagles - who were initially slated to appear in Washington D.C. on Tuesday - attempted to reschedule their trip Friday night because of their expected lack of attendance, but proposed dates on which Trump will be overseas.The statement added that the White House sensed "a lack of good faith" on the Eagles' behalf to reschedule the event.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt are both expected to avoid the physically unable to perform list for the start of training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.Watson is rehabbing from a torn ACL, while Watt missed the majority of the 2017 campaign with a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg.The quarterback burst onto the NFL scene as a rookie, throwing 19 touchdowns in seven appearances before going down with the season-ending knee injury.With Watt and fellow pass-rusher Whitney Mercilus already on the shelf, the injury-plagued Texans struggled to a 4-12 record in 2017, but are widely expected to contend for the AFC South title if their stars can stay healthy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fox News apologized Tuesday for contextualizing photos of Philadelphia Eagles players praying before games as players protesting during the national anthem."During our report about President Trump canceling the Philadelphia Eagles trip to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win, we showed unrelated footage of players kneeling in prayer," a statement from the network said. "To clarify, no members of the team knelt in protest during the national anthem throughout the regular season or post-season last year. We apologize for the error."The report aired Tuesday morning. Though a number of Philadelphia players demonstrated during the anthem last season, all of them stood for the Star Spangled Banner each week.Related - Trump cancels Eagles' visit to White House: 'They disagree with their President'Eagles tight end Zach Ertz called the segment "propaganda" on Twitter shortly after it was broadcast.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

XFL commissioner Oliver Luck said Tuesday the league will make players stand for the Star Spangled Banner, reinforcing the message founder Vince McMahon conveyed in January."We respect individual freedoms, but we will require our players to stand for the national anthem," Luck told Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report shortly after he was announced as the league's new commissioner and chief operating officer.The XFL, which existed for one season in 2001, is set to relaunch in 2020. Upon announcing the league's revival on Jan. 25, McMahon said its employees wouldn't be permitted to make political statements while on the job."People don't want social and political issues coming into play when they are trying to be entertained," he said. "We want someone who wants to take a knee to do their version of that on their personal time."At the time, McMahon refrained from guaranteeing players would be forced to stand for the anthem. He did, however, note that standing for the anthem "would be appropriate."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots' offense is finally whole again.After missing the voluntary portion of the offseason, both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski returned to the Patriots' facility for the start of mandatory minicamp Tuesday, head coach Bill Belichick confirmed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

President Donald Trump instructed White House officials to try to punish the NFL for its protesting players as part of the recent GOP tax reform, White House and Capitol Hill aides told The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey and Wesley Lowery.Some aides reportedly even began researching how to follow through on such an act, though a White House official noted that Trump's ideas never came to fruition and were interpreted "more as venting."Trump's request to hit the NFL in its wallet came after players continued to kneel despite the president calling for those demonstrating during the national anthem to be "fired" at an Alabama rally.The NFL recently implemented an anthem policy that requires players and personnel to stand if on the sidelines; however, Trump has continued his attacks on the league, canceling the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' White House visit due to only a small contingent of team members deciding to make the trip to Washington.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oliver Luck, the father of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, will be the first commissioner and CEO of the rebooted XFL.Luck, who currently works for the NCAA in its eligibility department, will vacate his post and relocate from Indianapolis to Connecticut for the new job."The XFL will be a labor of love as I get to combine my experiences as a player and executive," Luck wrote in an email to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I'm thrilled to have this unique opportunity to reimagine the game that has been a constant in my life for 40 years."The XFL is set for relaunch in 2020. Its founder, WWE chairman Vince McMahon, tried to get the league off the ground in 2001 but it folded after one season.Luck has a wealth of executive experience in the sports industry and previously served as president of the now-defunct NFL Europe."Oliver and I share the same vision and passion for reimagining the game of football," McMahon said in a statement. "His experience as both an athlete and executive will ensure the long-term success of the XFL."The 58-year-old Luck had a short playing career in the NFL, suiting up for the Houston Oilers from 1982-86.

In its Tuesday morning coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles, Fox News used images of players praying on a knee before games as evidence they were kneeling during the national anthem.President Donald Trump rescinded the Eagles' invitation to the White House on Monday after realizing no more than 10 players planned to show up. While some Eagles players did participate in demonstrations during the national anthem last season, none of them took a knee during it.Some of the images used predate the 2017 season - one photo includes wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who played for the Buffalo Bills last year.Outraged by the wrongful use of the images, Eagles tight end Zach Ertz called out Fox News for spewing "propaganda."

The Philadelphia Eagles will use their nixed White House invitation as an opportunity to improve on the gridiron, as the club will hold an organized team activity Tuesday, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The Eagles were initially supposed to have the OTA on Tuesday but canceled it when President Donald Trump invited them to the White House, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.Trump withdrew his invitation to the Eagles upon learning that only 10 players - at the most - planned to join him at the White House.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New information has emerged regarding the Philadelphia Eagles' canceled White House visit.Following up his initial statement Monday, President Donald Trump cited "a small number of players" who'd decided to attend the ceremony as the primary reason for the cancellation.

The Philadelphia Eagles may not be attending President Donald Trump's party, but the team still has its fair share of invitations.The White House issued a statement Monday canceling the Eagles' customary Super Bowl champion visit, but Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kinney won't let that ruin the team's celebration.

Joe Lockhart, the NFL's former executive vice president of communications and top public relations official, had some harsh critiques of President Donald Trump's decision to cancel the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' visit to the White House.

The NFL community lost one of its members Monday when San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark died after a battle with ALS.Clark was not only a two-time Super Bowl champion, but a respected man off the field. Here are some of the reactions from around the NFL.

The Houston Texans released a statement Monday defending themselves against a lawsuit filed by a group of former cheerleaders that cites issues with compensation and work environment.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram became the latest NFL player to predict a Super Bowl victory for his team.After his first practice with Los Angeles during organized team activities, Ingram had trouble containing his excitement for the upcoming season."This Super Bowl we're going to win," Ingram told reporters Monday, according to ESPN's Eric D. Williams. "We haven't been to the playoffs in a while. I think it's going to be crazy, this Super Bowl we're going to win is going to be crazy. We're ready. We've got to bring a Super Bowl to the city."The Chargers haven't reached the postseason since 2013, and narrowly missed the playoffs last year after going 9-7. Ingram believes a positive attitude is the first step necessary to end the streak."Nah, (my Super Bowl prediction) is not added pressure," he said. "I was taught you've got to speak stuff into existence. If you want to do something, you've got to say you're going to do it and then you've got to go do it."We can't just say we're just trying to win a few games. Nah, that's not what we're trying to do. We're trying to win a Super Bowl."Ingram tied a career high with 10.5 sacks in 2017 while forming a dynamic edge-rushing duo with fellow defensive end Joey Bosa.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark has died at 61 after a year-long battle with ALS, his family confirmed Monday.Clark was the 49ers' 10th-round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft and spent nine seasons with the team. He ranks third in franchise history in receiving yards and fourth in receptions.The two-time All-Pro is best remembered for his role in "The Catch," one of the most memorable moments in NFL history. Clark caught the game-winning touchdown pass at the end of the 1981 NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, sending San Francisco to its first Super Bowl and launching a dynasty.Clark is a two-time Super Bowl champion, and later had his No. 87 retired by the 49ers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles lost their invite for a planned visit to the White House on Tuesday, according to a statement by President Donald Trump.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says any reports of what he wants included in his next contract aren't coming from him, and likely aren't coming from his representation, either."I don't talk about it to the media, and I don't think my agent is either," Rodgers said, via video from Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "A lot of it is just conjecture. Or stories that aren't really based in factual interactions or misrepresented actions."A report from late last week claimed that Rodgers - who has two years remaining on his current deal - was seeking an opt-out clause in an extension that would allow him to renegotiate his contract if another quarterback receives more money afterward."It's kind of a slow period for football right now and we're heading into the summer, and there’s not much to talk about unless somebody gets arrested or injured in the offseason or something happens on the Fourth of July," Rodgers added. "That's usually the stories we get now until training camp. I don't have anything to report at this point, but I'm sure there will be some unnamed sources close to me that have some sort of scoop along the way."Fans and fellow quarterbacks have been eagerly waiting for Rodgers' contract extension to be finalized, as it's expected to set the market for future quarterback deals and top the five-year, $150-million extension that Matt Ryan recently signed with the Atlanta Falcons.Related: Falcons GM says Rodgers told him to finish Ryan deal 'so I can get on with my life'- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets tight end Christopher Herndon IV was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a car accident early Saturday morning, according to Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald.The car Herndon was driving hit a vehicle owned by 76-year-old Albert Elliott at 4:45 a.m. ET on Saturday morning in New Jersey, a State Police spokesman confirmed to the Herald. Herndon was seen being taken away in handcuffs."The case remains under investigation,'' spokesman Jeff Flynn said. "Mr. Herndon was arrested and charged with DWI. The DWI charge is considered a violation of New Jersey motor vehicle statutes."A fourth-round pick out of Miami in April's draft, Herndon had recently signed his rookie deal with the Jets and was considered to be in competition with Jordan Leggett, Clive Walford, and Eric Tomlinson for the Jets' starting job at tight end.A team spokesman said they are "aware of the situation," according to Calvin Watkins of Newsday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry's third NFL season ended before it could begin when he suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities in mid-May.As the Chargers continue to evaluate their options at the position in his absence, Henry posted a photo to Instagram on Monday with a caption reading, "I haven't known what to say or what to think since the injury happened."

Nude photos and videos of New York Giants defensive end Avery Moss surfaced online Monday after several of the second-year player's digital accounts were hacked, according to the New York Post's Jake Nisse.It took less than 30 minutes for the material to be removed from his Twitter account, as NFL security reportedly intervened on his behalf.Moss, who was charged with indecent exposure while attending Nebraska in 2012, tweeted Friday that his Instagram account had been hacked.A fifth-round draft pick of the Giants in 2017, Moss registered 14 tackles as a rookie.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.