Patrick Mahomes' NFL career is one preseason game old, but he's already earned a promotion.Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid indicated Sunday that Mahomes will now be working with the second team as the backup quarterback, as Tyler Bray moves down to the No. 3 role."It's not because of Tyler's performance in the game," Reid said, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN. "I thought he actually did very well ... and Patrick did a nice job, too. It gives (Mahomes) an opportunity to step up and work with that second group and see what he can do there. It's not something (Tyler) didn't do. (Tyler) is playing well. But Patrick has also done a nice job. In order to step up with that group, Pat would have had to (make) progress."Mahomes was impressive against the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, going 7-of-9 for 49 yards and a touchdown, but Reid added he was happy with more than just his young quarterback's numbers."It's being able to get in and function in the huddle, still seeing the defenses and the reads, knowing the calls that he needs to make to get (out) of trouble in both the run and pass games," Reid said.Kansas City made Mahomes a first-round pick this spring to eventually take over for Alex Smith and it appears to be only a matter of time before that happens.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marqise Lee isn't the only Jacksonville Jaguar dealing with an injury.Jacksonville head coach Doug Marrone revealed after Sunday's practice that running back Leonard Fournette suffered a foot injury and the team will be "careful with him," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.It's unclear where Fournette suffered the ailment, as the rookie played against the New England Patriots on Thursday, rushing for 31 yards and a touchdown.Fournette is no stranger to injuries, as an ankle issue bothered him for much of the 2016 season while at LSU. Marrone and company will be hoping this isn't as serious, as the Jaguars are banking the fourth overall pick takes some of the pressure off Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville passing game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw passes during the team period for the first time in two weeks as the team wrapped up training camp at Wofford College.Newton participated in red zone drills, but did not throw any long passes on Sunday while rehabbing from soreness in his right shoulder that stems from rotator cuff surgery in March.It's unclear at this point if Newton will participate in this week's scrimmages against the Titans or the team's second preseason game at Tennessee on Aug. 19.Coach Ron Rivera said after the team's final training camp practice that it was a ''good step'' for Newton, according to the team's website.''It was very positive,'' Rivera told the team's website after practice. ''A lot of good things happened. I'm pleased with his progress.''Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars can reportedly breathe a sigh of relief.Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee was carted off the practice field Sunday with an apparent leg injury, but a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network the injury isn't serious.Lee's leg was put in an air cast after he went down in a non-contact 7-on-7 drill and Jacksonville head coach Doug Marrone offered no update on Lee's injury following practice, saying he needs to meet with doctors first.Lee missing a significant length of time would have been bad news for quarterback Blake Bortles in what is a likely make-or-break year. The signal-caller developed a strong rapport with the USC product in 2016, as Lee posted a career-high 63 receptions and three touchdowns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marshall Faulk was on hand to call Saturday night's preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams for NFL Network, but he also tried to do a little mentoring while he was there.Faulk and Ezekiel Elliott have been close since the Cowboys running back was in high school, and the Hall of Famer spoke to Elliott about his six-game ban for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Faulk noted that Elliott "totally understands" he needs to make better decisions."Obviously, we all have to grow up in life and make mistakes, and sometimes some of those mistakes cost you dearly," Faulk said, according to Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News. "It's another thing of just understanding the magnitude of what's around you and how things are."Faulk added that Elliott needs to understand when to walk away."We're not talking about a kid who is dumbfounded and doesn't know," Faulk said. "It's not just about making the right decision, but when things start to go wrong knowing when to walk away. I say this to him often, this platform and this stage that you're on, it's bigger than you think. The Cowboys, the (NFL), it's bigger than Zeke. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair. We all want it to be fair, but sometimes it's not."Elliott was suspended six games after a 13-month investigation by the NFL into alleged domestic violence.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Logan Ryan is his own biggest critic.The Tennessee Titans cornerback graded his performance Saturday against the New York Jets, and it wasn't pretty."Personally? An ‘F,’" Ryan said, according to Jason Wolf of USA TODAY Sports. "I just felt like I put a lot of pressure on myself to come out here and have a good debut, being home and all that stuff. I made it probably a little bigger than I should have."Tennessee lost the game 7-3, but more importantly, Ryan was beaten for 77 yards on three passes his way from the likes of Josh McCown and Christian Hackenberg. Ryan came over to the Titans on a three-year, $30-million deal this offseason after totaling 13 interceptions in four seasons with the New England Patriots. Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is likely to appeal his six-game suspension Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Elliott has until Wednesday to file an appeal.Elliott was suspended Friday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after a 13-month investigation into whether the 22-year-old committed domestic violence. Elliott hasn't been charged with a crime, but the league deemed the evidence "substantial and persuasive."As of now, Elliott is set to miss games against the Giants, Broncos, Cardinals, Rams, Packers, and 49ers if the suspension is upheld.Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was reportedly "furious" with the news, believing Elliott wouldn't be suspended.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jay Ajayi appears to be closing in on a return to action.The Miami Dolphins running back returned to the practice field Sunday, but he remains in concussion protocol, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Salguero also noted Ajayi was healthy enough to participate in team drills.Ajayi has been sidelined for two weeks with a concussion and the Dolphins sorely need him to be ready for Week 1. Miami lost Ryan Tannehill to a season-ending knee injury and now Jay Cutler is being tasked with trying to learn the offense in just a few weeks, so Adam Gase and Co. will no doubt be leaning on Ajayi in the early goings.The 24-year-old was a breakout start last year for the Dolphins, posting nearly 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Witten knows the effect of domestic violence all too well.The Dallas Cowboys tight end's family was impacted by it when he was growing up and he currently runs a foundation in hopes of preventing it. Witten now finds himself trying to balance supporting Ezekiel Elliott, who was suspended six games Friday for alleged domestic violence, and continuing his strong stance against the act."Look, there's no place for a man to put his hand on a woman, and most of you guys know that it's a situation that's affected my family as a kid, and I put a lot of work and attention and have a platform to step out and speak on stopping domestic violence," Witten said Saturday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. "Having said that, Zeke is continuing to work through it, and he's talked about that. The game and all that stuff, that's not what you deal with. He's our teammate, and we'll continue to work through it with him and have this opportunity to grow from it, and I think that's what his focus is now."Elliott was never charged, but the NFL deemed Elliott violated the personal conduct policy after a 13-month investigation that included photographic evidence and a panel of experts.Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett weighed in on the matter, though he wouldn't comment on whether the ban was justified."We talked to our team about the situation and the importance of focusing on what we can control. We can't control what the NFL does," Garrett said. "It's not my place to comment on whether I think it's justified."The situation has put Witten in a difficult spot, but he remains focused on being a leader in the locker room."There's a lot of things there that I just don't know," Witten said. "I've heard what Mr. Jones has said, and I've looked at him as a mentor for 14 years, and I still think a lot of things that just don't know. There's a recent investigation that was dropped, too, so that's something where you grab a teammate and you support him in ways. But that doesn't mean you come off your standard of what you stand for. I'm confident in that because, you know, it's been my life in a lot of ways. I don't take that lightly."Quite frankly, it's uncomfortable even having the conversation right now, but you go through it, and (you're) in a position to be a leader, and you continue to show the way and allow guys to grow, and I know that's been a tough year on him. I think that his mindset has been such what he's said, what he's already released, I think that that's a pretty good perspective on what he's trying to do moving forward."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.Every game night during the preseason, theScore gets you caught up on the most important fantasy performances from around the league.Waiting in the wingsNo one needs to be reminded how good Derrick Henry is ... but let's talk about it anyway. The Titans backup got the start Saturday with DeMarco Murray sitting out and immediately began punishing the Jets' defense.Henry powered his way up the middle on several runs, racking up 29 yards on eight carries. The Titans even targeted him on a screen pass that didn't amount to much, but highlighted his underrated pass-catching skills. It's only a matter of time before he's a fantasy star, though it might not happen this year if Murray stays healthy all season.Marcus Mariota saw his first action since a broken leg brought a premature end to his 2016 season. The Titans quarterback played two series, going 2-for-3 for 15 yards and adding a 6-yard run. He should have been picked off on his final play, but Buster Skrine was unable to come down with the ball. The good news is Mariota is back on the field and will be ready to go for Week 1.Why risk it?Technically, we're still in the first week of the preseason, even though the Cowboys and Cardinals are onto their second exhibition games of the year. It's still tough to understand why teams risk some of their biggest stars in meaningless games.David Johnson played half of the Cardinals' opening drive, carrying the rock three times for 16 yards. Every time he touched the ball, fantasy owners held their collective breath in hopes one of the best players in the league didn't suffer a serious injury. Luckily, Johnson looked great and escaped unscathed.Darren McFadden isn't the elite talent that Johnson is, but he's in position to start the first six games of the season if Ezekiel Elliott's suspension holds up. So why was the soon-to-be 30-year-old back still in the game well into the second quarter Saturday night? McFadden finished with 36 yards on seven touches and zero injuries. Thank the fantasy gods. He'll be an intriguing mid-round pick as a potential high-end RB2 if Elliott is sidelined.Forever youngJohnson didn't play the entire first drive with the Cardinals' starters, but they still managed to reach the end zone, with Carson Palmer finding Brittan Golden for a 12-yard score.Palmer was steady, completing 4-of-8 passes for 39 yards and the touchdown during his lone series, but overthrew a wide-open Jaron Brown deep down the middle of the field midway through the drive.It was still a positive outing for the 37-year-old quarterback, who continues to prove that the team's new approach limiting his reps in practice is definitely working. Palmer is an interesting upside QB2 in fantasy who has a chance to get back to QB1 production.Instant Impressions

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch became the latest athlete to not stand during the national anthem ahead of Saturday's preseason game versus the Arizona Cardinals.

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president and CEO Stephen Jones offered his support for Ezekiel Elliott after the star running back received a six-game suspension Friday for a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy.It was the first public statement by a Cowboys official since Elliott was formally sanctioned.Report: Jerry Jones 'furious' with NFL decision on Elliott suspension"Obviously, we knew that this was something that could happen," Jones told ESPN's Todd Archer. "We knew that the investigation was ongoing, and whenever you prepare a football team, you prepare for injury. You prepare for things that are unexpected. And certainly we have done that and are comfortable with who we are on this football team. If we have to play with other running backs, we like the running backs on this team. But at the end of the day, we certainly support Zeke. At the same time, we understand the very, very, very serious nature of domestic violence, certainly that people should be held accountable if that takes place."Elliott released his own statement Friday, saying he "strongly disagreed" with the league's ruling.The NFL conducted an investigation into his conduct after one of his ex-girlfriends accused him of domestic violence in 2016. Elliott was never arrested or charged.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long denounced the actions of numerous white nationalist groups that converged in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday, marching toward the University of Virginia campus.

Terrelle Pryor finally has the stability he's craved throughout his career.His time at Ohio State and with five NFL teams was often marred by controversy, and his own inability to meet his potential.Last year, he played wide receiver exclusively for the Cleveland Browns and submitted a starring performance, racking up 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. It wasn't enough to keep him in Cleveland, though, and Pryor says he was happy to join Washington, a team with a solid quarterback, in free agency."I wanted to play with Kirk. It's something that really lit my eyes up and lit my mind up. Kirk Cousins is here; Jay Gruden is here. Obviously, we have a fabulous organization here. This is the best possible spot. And also I have a supporting cast ... I'm going to be the main focus, but at the same time, you can't double me every single play. And that is something that caught my eye as well," Pryor told Kalyn Kahler of Sports Illustrated.Pryor also raved about Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, and said he hopes to be part of the team's long-term plans."I just like the camaraderie that we have. I like how Coach Jay Gruden handles us; I think he is a fantastic coach. I like the organization, I like how it moves, from the training camp to the equipment people, fans - it's just great. I'm sure that this isn't the only great atmosphere, but being here is one of the best I've been around. I enjoy it and hopefully look forward to playing here for a long time."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An 180-pound backup kicker practicing with defensive linemen may sound like some kind of punishment, but Giorgio Tavecchio actually volunteered to take part in the Oakland Raiders' tackling drills.As Tavecchio explained to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, he got bored during training camp and approached defensive line coach Jethro Franklin about helping out."My spirit animal is a defensive lineman," Tavecchio recalled telling Franklin. "I am just not built like one."

The NFL closed its investigation into a nightclub incident in which Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott allegedly punched a DJ in the face, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.The victim suffered a broken nose during the altercation. Elliott wasn't arrested or charged.NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told Florio the league would review any new evidence.Elliott received a six-game suspension Friday for a separate violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. Some believed the league would suspend him in connection with the nightclub incident, adding to his six-game sanction.It's been an incident-filled offseason for Elliott, who exposed a woman's breast in public during a St. Patrick's Day parade.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFLPA president Eric Winston says the association has offered to help free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who remains unsigned with the season rapidly approaching"We've been in contact with Colin's representatives, and we've let them know that we're there and ready to help with whatever they'd like - whether it's just some guidance on PR or whatever," Winston told Deadspin's Dom Cosentino on Friday. "I know they've chosen to lay low, and I respect that. Every player has to make a decision on how they want the union's help, and I completely understand that, and that's fine."The union's always stood ready to help him in any way that we need to. We will continue to monitor that situation, we'll continue to do anything that we can to make sure that he has another opportunity to play. At the end of the day, that's really it. We're not going to force ourselves on a player. He's calling the shots, he wants what he wants, and I respect that, and that's what we'll do."Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 3 and hasn't received much interest since. The Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens both publicly contemplated signing him, before electing for other options.Winston agreed with the notion that Kaepernick is being blackballed, but said it's hard to surmise the burden of proof."Of course. You definitely get that feeling - obviously, that's very hard to prove and it's very hard to show. But, at the same time, for Christ's sakes, you have an owner out there publicly saying, 'I'm polling fans to decide whether I should have this guy on my team or not.' It's obvious that owners are scared of it, are worried about it."That's fine. I guess that's their business or whatever. But it kind of seems a little ridiculous to me. To act like Colin isn't one of the top - let's just call it 64 quarterbacks in the world right now is even more disingenuous. The fact that he's not on a team right now, I think, kind of speaks to that. It's kind of pretty silly."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe avoided a catastrophic injury during practice Saturday, after some initially believed he could've been out indefinitely upon being carted off the field.Wolfe told Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post that he suffered an ankle sprain, but will be ready for Week 1.

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen couldn't help but notice some similarities between himself and teammate Christian McCaffrey while looking at an old photo of himself Friday.The photo, taken three years before McCaffrey was born, shows Olsen wearing the rookie running back's No. 22.

The Los Angeles Rams provided sophomore quarterback Jared Goff with a new weapon when they traded for receiver Sammy Watkins on Friday.The trade took the NFL by surprise, as Watkins is just 24 years old and three years into his career, and remains regarded as a top talent.The Rams are thrilled to have him aboard, even if his contract expires after this season."With Sammy, I think clearly you're getting a special receiver," first-year head coach Sean McVay said to Myles Simmons of TheRams.com. "Obviously, his career when he's been available, he's been outstanding in terms of being able to stretch the field vertically, but when the ball's in his hands, good things happen. We feel like he's going to be a good addition to our offense."The Rams surrendered cornerback E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-round pick for Watkins and a sixth-round pick in next year's draft.Watkins, a former fourth-overall draft pick, has a 1,000-yard campaign and a 980-yard season on his resume. He played in just eight games last season due to foot problems, and recorded 430 yards and two touchdowns.The organization hopes, if healthy, he'll open up the field for fellow wideouts Robert Woods, Tavon Austin, Cooper Kupp, and Pharoh Cooper."When you attack a team with your pass game, you'd like to use the width of the field and the length of the field. And that's what speed can do to allow you to attack vertically as well as the width," said general manager Les Snead.- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Remember when Roberto Aguayo thought kicking in the NFL was easy?No? Well, here is a little reminder.During the 2016 NFL combine, Aguayo was asked a number of questions regarding his future and some of the similarities and differences between college football and the NFL.In the midst of all that, Aguayo provided this little nugget, that, in hindsight, doesn't look all that great, considering the kicker was released Saturday after just one disappointing preseason performance."To me field goals, it's easier," Aguayo said, according to Eric Edholm of Pro Football Weekly. "The hashes are closer. Growing up I always thought, wow, NFL is much easier than high school, let alone college. Kickoffs are out the back. There's not that much placement, not that much hang time putting it on the goal line, trying to cover."Related: Aguayo among biggest busts in NFL draft historyAfter controversially being picked in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Aguayo posted a disappointing rookie season that saw him make just 71 percent of his field goals.Not exactly a number you would associate with something easy to accomplish.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carson Wentz is having mixed emotions about Friday's trade that sent Jordan Matthews from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Buffalo Bills.The sophomore quarterback spoke about the departure of Matthews following practice Saturday, and expressed both faith in the Eagles organization as well as lamentation of the fact that one of his closest friends on the team will now wear a different jersey, according to Reuben Frank of CSN."You know, it's tough. It's one of those things where there's the personal side of things and the football side of things," Wentz admitted. "The football side of things, you've just got to trust what they're doing upstairs. Ultimately, they're the ones that make those decisions and what they think is best for the team, I'm going to be in support of 100 percent."But on a personal side, it's tough. This is my first time experiencing something like this with someone who's one of my best friends. You know? And seeing him yesterday, it was tough on him, too. It was kind of out of the blue … It's just kind of tough personally."Eagles head coach Doug Pederson addressed the move during a press conference Saturday."What are you losing? Well, I think you're losing a great person," said Pederson. "He (Matthews) and I had a good relationship. This business is a difficult one. You got to make some tough choices from time to time, (and) obviously we do what's best for the Philadelphia Eagles. We felt that this was a good opportunity for both sides."Matthews was shipped off to Buffalo along with a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in exchange for cornerback Ronald Darby, who recorded 69 tackles in 14 games last season for the Bills.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the price of a third-round draft pick, a fourth-round draft pick, and the 59th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received just 22 made field goals on 31 attempts from kicker Roberto Aguayo.Rather than watch Aguayo struggle through a second season, the Bucs waived the kicker on Saturday, bringing an end to his tenure with the team after 16 regular-season games and five preseason contests.Wow.The bold move by general manager Jason Licht blew up in his face and now resides among the biggest draft busts in league history.Aguayo now joins the annals with other such familiar names:Trent Richardson, No. 3 pick - 2012Richardson sent his position back five years with his brief stay in the NFL.After Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III went 1-2 to start the 2012 NFL Draft, the Browns thought they had their running back of the future in Richardson. He did well enough for himself in his rookie year, falling 50 yards short of a 1,000-yard season and adding 11 touchdowns. He was shipped out of Cleveland the next season, however, after just two games.After two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, he didn't play another regular-season game.He'll best be known for this:

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.Being able to accurately identify which players will improve from year to year remains one of the most important skills in fantasy football.We've recently looked at the quarterbacks and running backs who are being undervalued heading into the preseason. Now let's turn our attention outside the hash marks to locate the receivers who will outperform their ADPs this year.Who will exceed expectations?

Should Jimmy Haslam ever consider selling the Cleveland Browns, he may want to give model Chrissy Teigen a call.After news broke Friday that former New York Yankees star Derek Jeter and his bidding group had reportedly reached a deal to buy the Miami Marlins for $1.2 billion, Teigen asked her Twitter followers which professional team would be the cheapest to purchase.

So much for that training camp battle.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released kicker Roberto Aguayo after he missed a field goal and an extra point in the team's first preseason game of the season Friday night.The Bucs famously traded a third- and fourth-round pick in last year's draft to move up to the second round and select the most accurate kicker in college football history.Aguayo had nailed 88.5 percent of his kicks during his three seasons at Florida State, but that kind of success did not translate into the pros. He was a woeful 71 percent on 31 attempts in his rookie season and also missed two extra points.His woes continued Friday night when an extra-point try hit the right upright and he missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt.Veteran Nick Folk had been brought in to compete with Aguayo for the position and he connected on his lone try Friday night, a 45-yarder.The kicking competition was expected to be featured on this season of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers." Perhaps Aguayo's release will be featured in an upcoming episode.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A group of about 15 people gathered outside of the Baltimore Ravens' stadium Saturday morning, holding signs that read "Say NO to NFL Racism, Sign Colin Kaepernick," among other things.The group, with signs credited to the Peoples Power Assembly, knelt like Kaepernick did during the national anthem last season and hoped to convey to the Ravens that they would support the franchise signing the free-agent quarterback, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports."One Ravens fan walked by the small gathering of protesters outside of M&T Bank Stadium and said 'Kaepernick sucks.' A protester responded, 'He's better than (backup Ryan) Mallett," Hensley adds.Ravens starting quarterback Joe Flacco will miss the entire preseason with a back injury. In his stead, Mallett has disappointed both in training camp and in the team's first preseason game on Thursday, when he went 9-for-18 for 58 yards.Kaepernick has remained a free agent since opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers at the close of last season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers second-round draft pick JuJu Smith-Schuster is being evaluated for a concussion, head coach Mike Tomlin said after Friday's preseason game.The rookie had to leave his first exhibition game as a pro after making a catch for four yards and taking one rush for nine yards against the New York Giants.Smith-Schuster, a standout at USC, was taken with the 62nd overall pick in April and is hoping to carve out a niche in a loaded receiver group.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will get a boost to their defensive secondary, as the team announced Saturday that cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be activated from the PUP list and participate in practice.Ramsey was originally put on the PUP list with a core muscle injury on July 22.The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign last year after being selected fifth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, recording 65 tackles and a pair of interceptions along with 14 passes defensed in 16 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL came down hard on Ezekiel Elliott on Friday, suspending the Dallas Cowboys running back six games for what the league deemed "substantial and persuasive" evidence that he was physically violent with a former girlfriend.The league had been investigating the matter since July 2016 and it has NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith asking what took so long."I do know that the Ezekiel Elliott investigation now has to be over a year old. I know that it resulted in a 165-page report and probably hundreds of thousands of billable hours by league personnel. I just have a hard time understanding how come an investigation takes a year, results in a 165-page report, and takes so long and so many person hours," Smith said to The MMQB's Albert Breer, according to SI's Chris Chavez."As a homicide prosecutor and violent crimes prosecutor, I had to try a violent offender or a murderer 100 days after arrest or the person goes free. I know there's a couple of prosecutors that are working with the league on these personal conduct issues but I gotta tell ya there's whole group of prosecutors and law enforcement folks laughing at them going, 'Why does it take so long?'"Elliott also provided a statement Friday evening and his attorneys have stated he plans to appeal the suspension.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.Every game night during the preseason, theScore gets you caught up on the most important fantasy performances from around the league.Same as it ever wasEven with some new weapons on his offense, Jameis Winston continues to only have eyes for Mike Evans. Winston targeted his top wideout on seven of his 13 attempts, connecting four times for 58 yards. The duo were in midseason form on a 29-yard back-shoulder pass where Evans outdueled a pair of defenders to come down with the ball. Evans wasn’t able to cap the drive off with a touchdown, coming up empty handed on two chances in the end zone, but any worries about his workload can be put rest. He’s a surefire WR1 in fantasy and Winston has serious breakout potential.Tight end Cameron Brate picked up where he left off last season, catching two passes for 27 yards in the early going. The sort of usage shouldn’t be surprising to those who’ve followed Buccaneers OTAs and training camp. The team drafted O.J. Howard in the first round, but Howard will be used for his elite blocking abilities, while Brate continues to serve as a receiver in the middle of the field.Doug Martin won’t be allowed to participate in the first three regular-season games, but he got the start Friday and had some bounce in his step. He split first-team touches with Jacquizz Rodgers, who is the favorite to handle starting duties while Martin sits out. Martin looks poised to lead this backfield from Week 4 on, but Rodgers is a sneaky fantasy play in the first few weeks of the season.Earning your stripesJeremy Hill got the start for the Bengals and actually found a few nice holes, running with renewed purpose, likely due to the arrival of rookie Joe Mixon. In the end, Hill finished with 26 yards on seven carries, for an average of 3.7 yards per rush, befitting of a pedestrian talent.Mixon, on the other hand, looked the part of a rookie sensation, flashing his playmaking skills in the second quarter on a short pass where he made several tacklers miss and picked up 11 yards for a first down. Mixon is without a doubt the best back on the Bengals' roster and has the ability to gain yards regardless of the help from his surrounding cast. Pass protection will be the ultimate decider for when Mixon takes over in Cincinnati’s backfield.The Bengals would be committing a major offence by limiting his playing time in Year 1. Hopefully playing behind Hill in the preseason scares off fantasy owners, dropping Mixon’s ADP into a more enticing range in the fourth or fifth round.A Giant problem?The Giants held out most of their key stars, allowing Josh Johnson to start at quarterback, but we did get a brief look at their new lead back Paul Perkins. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great outing for the sophomore, who didn’t look entirely comfortable on the field. That could explain why Orleans Darkwa has been getting some of the first-team reps in the offseason.Perkins was limited to three yards on five carries, while Darkwa rushed for 18 yards on the same amount of touches. The truth is no one in the running game looked particularly impressive as the offensive line remains a problem. Perkins was hit in the backfield on multiple occasions and was stuffed on a third-and-1 at the 5-yard line when his blockers were completely blown up by the Steelers' front. For what it’s worth, Perkins converted on fourth-and-1.Rookie Wayne Gallman also saw action Friday and came away with five carries for 11 yards, as well as one reception for four yards. If Perkins doesn’t step up during the preseason, this could quickly devolve into a running-back-by-committee situation, with Shane Vereen in the mix as well. For now, Perkins is a mid-round fantasy target with RB2 upside if he can separate himself.Red HotWhether it was the Chiefs' offense performing at a high level or the 49ers' defense showing us they’re one of the worst units in the league, Kansas City’s starters were able to move the ball with ease early in Friday’s contest.Tyreek Hill caught a 37-yard bomb down the right sidelines on the opening play of the game. Maybe Alex Smith will finally start taking more chances now that first-round rookie Patrick Mahomes is waiting in the wings. Hill dropped a screen pass on the very next play, which was almost ruled a fumble, but the officials changed their minds after a quick conference. Either way, Hill’s lone catch was enough for him to make a positive impression.Backup Tyler Bray followed the same script on the second drive, launching an 83-yard touchdown to a streaking Chris Conley, only to have it called back by a penalty. Conley did eventually pull down two receptions that counted, for 46 yards. Perhaps the Chiefs' offense won’t be as boring as it has in years past. For the record, I laughed as I typed that last sentence.Spencer Ware made his case to maintain the lead back role with 26 yards and a score on seven touches. There’s no question Ware will open the year as the Chiefs' top running back and might see his stock rise a bit in August, after a sharp decline spurred on by the selection of Kareem Hunt in the draft. Hunt was held in check in his preseason debut catching one pass for nine yards. The rookie is still one of the best handcuffs in fantasy this year.Instant Impressions

Ezekiel Elliott released a statement Friday in response to his six-game suspension, claiming he disagrees with the NFL's findings and decision.

Ezekiel Elliott could be the next Emmitt Smith, but a six-game suspension for alleged domestic violence has the Hall of Famer worried about whether he ultimately will be."What I'm really concerned about is his future," Smith told "The Rich Eisen Show" on Friday, as transcribed by Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "This is a tremendous opportunity for a lot of athletes to be able to do something that you absolutely love and get compensated for it and be able to have an impact in another person's life."But this is temporary. We have a shelf life in this sport. This doesn't last long, so we have to take advantage of every moment and missing six games right now is not affording you the opportunity to take advantage of every moment."Elliott's suspension marks the latest turn in a career already stacked with ups and downs, both on and off the field. For all the thrilling moments he's enjoyed in a Cowboys uniform, he's also dealt with his share of drama when he's out of the jersey."For Zeke, it’s going to be tormenting to watching someone else taking the reps that he should be getting," added Smith. "It's going to be tormenting. So I want to be a sounding board for him. I want to see him become very, very successful."Elliott was a first-team All Pro selection last year, but will be hard-pressed to get there again in 2017 with six fewer games on his docket.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be placed on injured reserve and have season-ending reconstructive surgery on his torn ACL, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.The Dolphins have prepared themselves to play the season without Tannehill, having signed Jay Cutler to a one-year contract.Tannehill suffered a partially torn ACL last year and elected not to have surgery this offseason, but re-injured the knee during training camp last week.The 29-year-old had yet to miss a game prior to last season. He has been Miami's starting quarterback since 2012, and is under contract through the 2020 campaign.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

LeSean McCoy doesn't sound particularly pleased with his team's roster movement Friday afternoon.After a pair of moves left the Buffalo Bills with receiver Jordan Matthews and without Sammy Watkins, McCoy hinted he expects a drop off in talent between the two, saying there's "obviously a difference.""If you compare the two, it's obvious you can agree who is better," McCoy said Friday, according to ESPN's Mike Rodak.McCoy isn't giving up hope that the moves will be positive for the Bills, saying he'll need to "wait and see" what the effect will be. The running back sympathizes with Watkins, having been part of a trade for Kiko Alonso in 2015, saying he's also been traded for "a guy he's probably better than."Related: Bills start rebuilding process with shocking Watkins tradeWatkins and Matthews were both drafted in 2014, and while the former Philadelphia Eagle's career numbers are better, the new Los Angeles Rams receiver has missed substantial time to injury.Player GP Rec. Yards TDsSammy Watkins37153245917Jordan Matthews46225267319Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nearly 11 years after taking office as the Commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell is officially playing with fire.The self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner of the NFL's disciplinary system has been upsetting fans and players alike with his inconsistent decisions, condescending comments, and overall lack of respect for their intelligence.What's always kept Goodell's job safe is the backing he has received from the NFL's owners. However, the 58-year-old executive has managed to alienate two of his greatest allies over the past two seasons, putting his position in further danger.After turning good friend and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft into an enemy by pushing so vigorously to suspend Tom Brady for his role in Deflategate, Goodell's decision to ban Ezekiel Elliott for six games following more than a year-long investigation has reportedly left Jerry Jones furious.Whether you agree with the punishment administered for Elliott's alleged act of domestic violence, Jones' indignation is completely understandable. Over the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys owner has said Elliott wouldn't be suspended and the investigation had nothing to do with domestic violence. His son Stephen, the team's executive vice president, also criticized the league for how slow the investigation had been moving. In short, Jones was blindsided by the lengthy suspension and is likely now left offended he was not privy to that information ahead of time.Both Jones and Kraft have built reputations as two of the most powerful owners in the NFL, controlling two of the league's most popular and successful teams. In 2015, The Washington Post's Kent Babb characterized Jones and Kraft as Goodell's two closest allies and two of five owners who were in the commissioner's "inner circle" at the time.Jones had already begun pushing against Goodell in May when the Cowboys owner and his son began advocating for a change to the league's marijuana policy. Jones had proven in the past he can force changes in the NFL, as he has been largely credited with the league's return to Los Angeles, swaying enough owners to vote to move the Rams back to Hollywood in 2016.If he and Kraft put their resources to work, it's imaginable they could get 24 of 32 owners to vote to remove Goodell from his post.Goodell has helped set up a very lucrative television deal, won two lockouts against the players union, and made NFL owners richer than they already are, but after 11 years, the infrastructure has been set to continue the commissioner's model without him - if they so choose.Also under Goodell, the league has been relatively slow to adapt in comparison to Adam Silver and the NBA, and still push old ideas such as television broadcasting's continued prominence over internet streaming. There are a myriad of outdated ideas Goodell and the league have clung on to, and at this point, it may be easier to bring in a new head with new ideas instead of backtracking through the self-preserving statements the NFL has been hiding behind.Fans have never been shy to criticize Goodell as he and the league refuse to sensibly address topics like player safety, marijuana use, and the awfulness of Thursday Night Football, while cracking down on how players are allowed to dance after touchdowns. Players, with the outlet of social media, have become more comfortable calling out the league's hypocrisies and disclosing any disagreements with Goodell's rulings.There are plenty of reasons why Goodell should be removed from his job, according to fans and players alike, but until those reasons begin to matter for the owners, they won't be brought into question.Jones and Kraft may not even need to care about the validity of those reasons in order to push for Goodell's removal. If they feel they've lost a level of control throughout the league, they may do what they deem necessary to get it back. If they cannot trust Goodell with matters concerning their most important players, the 11th year of the current commissioner's reign may be his last.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams aren't waiting to see their new star receiver in uniform before deciding if he'll be part of their long-term plans.After trading for Sammy Watkins on Friday, Rams general manager Les Snead said the team already knows they want to lock him up on a new contract as his current one expires after the season."Definitely," Snead said, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "He's 24, so you don't just talk for the now. Because of the age, we'd like it to be long term instead of short term."Watkins joins former teammate Robert Woods in a revamped Rams receiver corps. Snead said the team also plans to keep former No. 1 pass catcher Tavon Austin after planning to make a run at Watkins since the Buffalo Bills didn't pick up his fifth-year option this spring, per Gonzalez.Snead says Watkins can bring the Rams offense to a new level."When you attack a team, you want to use the width of the field and the length of the field, and that's what sped can do," Snead said, according to Gonzalez. "It's really about trying to open the field up."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every jaw-dropping deal seems to leave the football world craving more, doesn't it?Just as fans were digesting news of Ezekiel Elliott's suspension Friday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills announced a pair of stunning trades, sending Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams and acquiring Jordan Matthews from the Philadelphia Eagles.Wishful as the thinking may be, there's still plenty of time for other deals of this magnitude to take shape in advance of the regular season.We've got a few ideas.Broncos pick up Tyrod TaylorThe Watkins trade further illustrates a front-office strategy based on building for the future. At this point, there are few players in Buffalo who shouldn't be made available. And considering the back-and-forth about keeping Taylor earlier this offseason, it's probably safe to assume the dynamic quarterback wouldn't be considered a part of any such group.It's been made abundantly clear just a few weeks into camp that the Denver quarterback group is in no better shape than last year. Trevor Siemian is not a long-term starter at this level, and there's been no indication that Paxton Lynch has made any significant strides heading into his second season. Let's not forget: the Broncos were one of the teams linked to Taylor when it was thought he might become available this offseason.This is a deal that lands Denver a major upgrade at the most important position on the field, allowing the offense to better complement what remains one of the league's best defenses. John Elway has to know better than anyone that the Broncos aren't a playoff team with Siemian or Lynch. Taylor gives them a chance.Saints trade for Rob GronkowskiThe Saints and Patriots already gave us one blockbuster this year, with the former sending the latter Brandin Cooks in exchange for a first-round pick. This time, it would be a 2018 first-round pick going the other direction for the best tight end ever to play the game.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will not play the rest of the preseason, but will be available for the regular-season opener, the player announced Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Flacco was diagnosed with a disc issue in his back at the beginning of training camp and was reportedly expected to miss three-to-six weeks.Ryan Mallett has taken over first-team duties in Flacco's absence, helping the Ravens to a 23-3 preseason victory over the Washington Redskins on Thursday.While Flacco's injury is concerning, his Week 1 return is good news for the Ravens, as they have already lost several offensive players for the season with injury, including Kenneth Dixon, Crockett Gillmore, Nico Siragusa, and Alex Lewis.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have released veteran left tackle Branden Albert just days after putting him on the reserve/retired list, the team announced Friday.The move is just the latest in a strange two weeks for the two-time Pro Bowler, who abruptly announced his retirement on July 31 and then approached the team about returning in the future days later."During my short stint in Jacksonville, I quickly realized that they are working incredibly hard to turn the corner and I truly believe that they will find success in the coming years," Albert said in a statement announcing his retirement less than two weeks ago. "I look forward to returning to Miami, the place that I now call 'home,' and running my businesses, while giving back to the community. While this chapter of my life is coming to an end, my story is still going and I hope you'll follow along. I will be furthering and finishing my education. God bless and Godspeed."Albert was scheduled to make $8.8 million in 2017 and $9.5 million in 2018. The former Pro Bowler would have owed the Jaguars $3.4 million in salary if he would have stayed retired.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The attorneys for Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott have fired back at the NFL following their client's six-game suspension.The NFL issued a statement Friday saying its investigation, which included photographic evidence and a panel of experts, found there to be sufficient reason to conclude that Elliott was physically violent with his ex-girlfriend on multiple occasions.Elliott's attorneys questioned the league's conclusion, saying "the NFL's findings are replete with factual inaccuracies and erroneous conclusions and it 'cherry picks' so called evidence to support its conclusion while ignoring other critical evidence."The full statement is below:

Washington Redskins linebacker Trent Murphy will miss the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.Murphy, who is coming off a breakout season that saw him record nine sacks, was already scheduled to serve a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.The loss in pass-rush depth for the entire season, rather than just the opening month, is a major blow to Washington's efforts to improve upon the consecutive seasons ranking 28th in total defense.Murphy's absence should immediately push second-round rookie Ryan Anderson into a more prominent role behind starting edge rushers Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills sent shock waves through the football community Friday when they traded Sammy Watkins and a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for cornerback E.J. Gaines and a second-round pick.The key for the Bills was likely the second-round selection, which along with picks acquired via other trades, gives the Bills six picks in the first three rounds of the 2018 draft. The rebuild is on.For the Rams, the key was clearly Watkins, a former first-round pick who is a supreme talent (albeit one set to hit free agency next spring and who has dealt with major foot injuries in recent years) who can help Jared Goff's development.So, who won the trade?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.