The Philadelphia Eagles have restructured defensive end Brandon Graham's contract, providing him with an opportunity to earn a $1.5-million raise, league sources told ESPN's Field Yates.Graham can earn the additional $1.5 million over the next two seasons if he qualifies for the incentives and salary escalators built into his contract.The 29-year-old will earn $6.5 million in base salary this season, with a $7.5-million cap hit.Graham was named a second-team All-Pro for the first time in his career last season after recording 59 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.Based off the incentive structure in his deal, Graham can earn a $250,000 bonus if he records more than seven sacks, and an additional $250,000 if he racks up over nine sacks. Moreover, Graham can earn $250,000 if he is named to the Pro Bowl on the first ballot, or gains first or second-team All-Pro honors, even if he records fewer than nine sacks.Graham will earn an additional $250,000 in 2018 base salary if he records seven-to-eight sacks this year, $500,000 if he notches 9-11 sacks, and $750,000 if he gains 11 sacks or more.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

CINCINNATI - Coach Marvin Lewis was back with the Bengals on Wednesday after missing a practice to have a knee problem checked.Lewis had scans on a swollen knee Tuesday at the hospital. He plans to coach the Bengals' preseason opener at Paul Brown Stadium on Friday against Tampa Bay.Doctors told him that walking would help reduce the swelling, so he won't be limited on the sideline.Lewis, 58, is entering his 15th season with the Bengals and the final year on his contract. He led the Bengals to five straight playoff appearances from 2011-15, but has failed to win a playoff game, going 0-7 during his tenure. No other NFL coach has lost his first seven playoff games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant has been permitted by the NFL to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games, general manager Kevin Colbert revealed in a statement Wednesday.Bryant has yet to be fully reinstated by the NFL after being suspended for the entire 2016 season due to a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.The statement reads as follows:

NFL preseason play brings with it a rather different schedule, and this week, that includes an unusual Wednesday night game. Covers checks in on the action with Peter Childs, risk management supervisor for offshore site Sportsbook.ag, and Jeff Stoneback, director of trading for MGM Resorts books here in Las Vegas.

Forced to play under the franchise tag after failing to land a long-term deal this offseason, Le'Veon Bell has responded by staying away from Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.Unlike the standard contract holdout, though, the running back's absence isn't a strategy designed to get the Steelers to cave to his demands. The two sides can't even agree to a new contract until after the upcoming season.With that in mind, general manager Kevin Colbert believes Bell is only holding himself back by not reporting to camp."My feeling is there's nothing to be gained by a holdout," Colbert told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The situation won't change, it can't really change from our part on a long-term deal."So it hurts him not to be here. It hurts him because he's not working with his teammates, he's not getting the conditioning work that he's going to need to have a great 2017 season. And he's not working with his teammates to get acclimated to the offense - every year it's different."Bell has, however, played in the same system his entire NFL career. Some additional rest can certainly work in a running back's favor, and he doesn't have any financial incentive to report.Since he hasn't yet signed his franchise tag, a one-year tender that will pay him a fully guaranteed $12.12 million, he can't be fined for his absence from camp.Bell enters the 2017 campaign looking to put together a full season that will increase his leverage in negotiations as he seeks a long-term deal that would make him the NFL's highest-paid running back. Despite missing four games last year, the former second-round pick recorded an impressive 1,268 rushing yards, 616 receiving yards, and nine total touchdowns.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.In an effort to save you from the frustration that comes with a disappointing fantasy pick, here are this year's top bust candidates.Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of FantasyPros and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.Dak Prescott, QB, CowboysPrescott's rookie season was impressive, but his numbers were aided by the NFL's best rushing attack, an easy schedule, and defensive coordinators seeing him for the first time. The sophomore slump is a very real phenomenon for rookie quarterbacks who take the league by storm; just ask Robert Griffin III.Bust Potential: ☠☠☠

The NFL preseason resumes Wednesday with an intriguing matchup between the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers.The contest will serve as the first real test for some of the game's brightest young stars, with an array of talent transitioning to the professional ranks.Here are three players to watch Wednesday:Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers McCaffrey finished a dominant collegiate career at Stanford and was billed as the prototypical modern running back, equally adept at power running and as a slot receiver. The 21-year-old is tasked with reinvigorating an offense that stalled badly in 2016, after leading the NFL in scoring the year before and will get every opportunity to put his versatile skill set on display Wednesday. McCaffrey has earned numerous rave reviews this summer from players and coaches alike, and now it's time to live up to the hype.Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans One of the most decorated collegiate players of the past decade, Watson is fresh off leading Clemson to a national title over Alabama, and is now expected to become the franchise quarterback the Texans have sorely lacked. Head coach Bill O'Brien said Watson is further ahead in his progress than any rookie quarterback he's coached, and it's entirely possible the No. 12 overall pick wins the starting job ahead of the upcoming season. Wednesday marks the first pivotal date in his campaign for the role, and a standout performance could see him separate from Tom Savage on the depth chart.Shaq Thompson, LB, Panthers Thompson is entering his third year with the Panthers and is expected to take on a larger role, giving Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly a slightly reduced workload. The 2015 first-round pick is an excellent athlete and lost 12 pounds this summer in order to improve his coverage skills against tight ends and running backs coming out of the backfield. Thompson has plenty to gain from a strong preseason and Wednesday could be his coming out party as he looks to make his imprint on the Panthers' defense.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The white Ford Bronco that served as O.J. Simpson's getaway vehicle during his infamous 1994 police chase is coming to "Pawn Stars."Mike Gilbert, Simpson's former agent and the current owner of the Bronco, took the car to World Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas in the hopes of convincing co-owner Rick Harrison to buy it off him."Not many people realize it's for sale ... and I just thought it was a really cool thing to put on the show," Harrison told Michael Starr of the New York Post. "I never glorify gangsters or murderers on the show ... and I think O.J. is a douchebag ... who did some really bad things. I'm a dad with six kids and I'm trying to teach each of them a little bit of morality."But I felt it would be good for the show and I figured I'd give it a shot."The episode, titled "If the Pawn Don't Fit," will air Aug. 14 at 10 p.m. ET on History. You can watch a preview of it on TMZ Sports' website.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jeremy Zuttah won't head up a new-look 49ers offensive line after all.San Francisco released the veteran offensive lineman Wednesday, parting ways just months after acquiring him in an early offseason trade with the Baltimore Ravens.Zuttah's history of success in a zone-heavy scheme made him a logical target for the middle of a front five that would pave the way for Kyle Shanahan's system.While the gamble didn't pay off, the 49ers only had to swap a pair of late draft picks, moving back 12 spots in the sixth round, to keep the Ravens from releasing Zuttah in March.Daniel Kilgore, who started a career-high 13 games for the 49ers last season, is now a clear favorite for the first-team center spot.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

So-called curse aside, landing on the cover of Madden is a great honor for NFL players.With the release of "Madden 18" fast approaching, Sportsbettingexperts.com put together this GIF showing every cover of the video game from its launch in 1988 (when it was known as "John Madden Football") to now.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Martavis Bryant may not be relegated to the sidelines for much longer.The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, who has yet to practice as he awaits his conditional reinstatement, is now simply waiting on doctors and counselors to get paperwork cleared by the league, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Rapoport adds that the NFL will process those documents and could give Bryant his conditional reinstatement within the next few days.News of Bryant being conditionally reinstated on the heels of a one-year substance abuse suspension first surfaced back in April. At the time, the NFL outlined that he could only participate in preseason team activities when arrangements are made for clinical resources in Pittsburgh.Though there was some confusion as to why Bryant was still being held out of practice in the early stages of training camp, more than two months after the announcement of his pending reinstatement, Rapoport's update would appear to confirm there's still some work to be done in officially satisfying the stated requirement.Bryant should return to practice soon after getting the green light from the league office, and he'll do so with the opportunity to regain the role he held before his second career suspension.The former fourth-round pick gives the Steelers an explosive target with endless upside to deploy alongside perennial Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown.In just 21 games across his first two seasons, a stretch in which he made only eight starts, Bryant amassed an impressive total of 76 receptions for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs is a big fan of the "Cleveland Show."New York-based company Mache Custom Kicks shared a photo Tuesday on Instagram of a pair of custom cleats it designed for Diggs featuring two of the show's characters. Diggs will be wearing the cleats in upcoming preseason games.

A movement against the NFL in support of Colin Kaepernick is picking up steam in a hurry.Less than two weeks after launching, a Change.org petition calling for fans to boycott the league if the free-agent quarterback remains unsigned surpassed the 135,000 mark Thursday.The initial petition, released in late July, detailed plans for it to be delivered to Roger Goodell and each of the NFL's 32 team owners upon reaching 100,000 signatures.A response that allowed for that total to be easily topped within just 12 days has now resulted in an amended goal of 1 million. In addition to contacting the top league executives, the group behind the petition now intends to mail the CEOs of numerous prominent NFL sponsors upon reaching that milestone.

The NFL will hire up to 24 full-time officials from the current crop of 124 ahead of the 2017 season, the league announced Wednesday."We believe this is a great development for NFL officiating overall and ultimately the quality of our game," vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a release.The NFL has garnered criticism for employing only part-time referees, many of which have jobs outside of football or have to pick up additional gigs in other sports and/or the college ranks."We're the only league that has officials that have primary other jobs, which is really madness," New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said in 2016."We can pay these guys. They should be full-time NFL officials, and they should be working throughout the week, communicating."Full-time officials will be implemented at all seven positions.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Someone finally topped LeSean McCoy.A number of NFL running backs postured all offseason for a new contract that would make them the highest-paid player at their position. That title had been held by McCoy, who signed a five-year, $40-million extension with the Buffalo Bills in 2015.On Tuesday, Devonta Freeman climbed atop the money heap as he inked a five-year extension with the Atlanta Falcons reportedly worth $41.25 million.Now that Freeman has his deal, which backs are next in line to be the league's highest-paid runners?Le'Veon BellBell is already the highest paid by annual average salary. He'd hoped to earn a long-term deal that would reset the running back market this offseason, but instead settled for a franchise tag that will pay him $12.1 million for the 2017 season.At some point or another, however, Bell will own the largest contract. He could conceivably be franchise-tagged again in 2018, but considering he's yet to arrive at training camp, he's made it clear he wants the security a multi-year deal provides.He's just 25 and recorded the fifth-most rushing yards last season despite playing in only 12 games. It's safe to say Bell will be the next highest-paid running back in the NFL - likely before the 2018 season begins.Todd GurleyOnce Bell signs a new deal, Gurley won't be far behind.The Los Angeles Rams running back has one season and the possibility of a fifth-year option remaining on his rookie contract after the upcoming campaign. And while he struggled to produce in 2016, you can ignore the stats. Gurley is still considered among the best talents at the position and is one player the Rams can't afford to let go. At some point, they'll have to pay the price to keep him, and it'd be smart to do so before the running back market gets any higher.Gurley can be projected to sign a long-term deal sometime prior to his fifth-year option season in 2019.Ezekiel ElliottElliott has just one year under his belt, so he'll have a lengthy wait for the big reward. But rest assured, he'll become the league's highest-paid running back when he's up for a new contract.Elliott's current rookie deal will pay him $24 million over the course of four years - a bargain for the Cowboys - but then Jerry Jones will have to pony up to keep the talented youngster under the big top.Before this season's rookie class gets set to receive deals befitting professionals, Elliott will own the spotlight as the running back with the biggest contract. By then, rushers should be earning more than Freeman's $8.25 million per year.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Although they play different sports, Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins can relate to one another quite a bit.In addition to being among the top players at their respective positions, Suh and Cousins have both earned reputations for being bad boys. They also aren't afraid to poke fun at themselves, as seen in this new spot for Foot Locker.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the strength of a Rookie of the Year campaign, Dak Prescott is getting the commercial spotlight. Well, parts of Dak Prescott.The Dallas Cowboys quarterback was reduced to just a head and leg in the latest DirecTV ad ahead of the upcoming regular season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A domestic violence case against former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock was dismissed by a Santa Clara district attorney due to lack of evidence, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Brock was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence back in April after police responded to a call from a woman with visible injuries. He was subsequently released by the 49ers.In light of the developments in his case, as many as four teams have expressed interest in Brock, ESPN's Adam Caplan reports.Brock spent his entire seven-year career with the 49ers. He played in all 16 games in 2016 and recorded 59 tackles, 14 passes defensed, and one interception.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The timeline for Andrew Luck's return from offseason shoulder surgery remains up in the air, but the Indianapolis Colts at least appear optimistic he won't miss much, or any, of the regular season.General manager Chris Ballard told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero that all indications suggest the star quarterback will be removed from the physically unable to perform list before Week 1.The update doesn't guarantee Luck won't miss time in September. As Pelissero added, a decision on his Week 1 availability is yet to be made.Given that the regular-season PUP list comes with a required six-game absence, though, the expectation of him avoiding that designation is certainly a positive sign.Luck, who's been limited to his throwing program and team meetings, has yet to take part in a practice in training camp.While preseason reps may not be necessary for a quarterback of his caliber to be ready for action Sept. 10, the Colts will certainly avoid rushing him back before he's ready.Luck showed signs of his previous form across 15 starts in 2016, connecting on 63.5 percent of passes for 4,240 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marvin Lewis is back at work with the Cincinnati Bengals just one day after being forced to take a medical absence.In a statement released by the team Wednesday, the veteran head coach confirmed he has made his return to the team facilities and will coach in Friday's preseason opener."I was able to return to work last night after receiving great medical care," Lewis said. "I especially want to thank all of the doctors, nurses and technicians who treated me. I am glad to be back with the team as we prepare to play the Buccaneers on Friday."Lewis first stepped away from the team Tuesday with what the team called a "minor health issue." No further details were provided, but a team source later told NFL Network's Stacey Dales that he was dealing with a cyst in his knee.Friday's matchup with the Buccaneers is the first of two home games to kick off Cincinnati's four-game preseason slate.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway began his day Wednesday debunking rumors of his team's interest in acquiring additional quarterbacks.Word had been circulating that Denver may be in the market for Cincinnati Bengals backup AJ McCarron, but Elway took that talk down with one swift tweet.And he borrowed from President Donald Trump to do so.

Not much has been seen or heard of Scot McCloughan since he was fired by the Washington Redskins in March after two years as their general manager.He resurfaced on social media Monday night, though, tweeting how much he misses everything about the team.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.With fantasy draft season upon us, we identify this year's fantasy breakout candidates.Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of FantasyPros and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.Carson Wentz, QB, EaglesThere aren't many quarterbacks who can sneak up on fantasy owners and deliver a breakout campaign. Wentz is coming off a competent rookie season where he started all 16 games, but failed to make a fantasy impact after a hot start. The Eagles wisely and aggressively decided to build around their young arm in the offseason, adding Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, and LeGarrette Blount to a core that already had Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz, and Darren Sproles. With his weapons in place, the 2016 second overall pick has been on a mission to better himself, undergoing laser eye surgery and hiring a pair of QB gurus to help work on his mechanics. There won't be any excuses this time around if Wentz fades as the season goes on.Star Potential: ★★★★☆

Devonta Freeman is getting the payday he's been pining for.The starting running back agreed to a five-year extension with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday that will make him the highest-paid rusher in the league, NFL Network's Mike Silver reports.Freeman's extension is worth $41.25 million with $22 million in guarantees, according to Silver's colleague, Ian Rapoport.Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy previously owned the richest contract for a running back, valued at $40 million over five years."We are very pleased that we were able to get this extension done," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a press release. "Devonta embodies everything we are looking for in a Falcon, and we are proud that he'll be able to spend his career in Atlanta."Freeman has produced back-to-back seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He helped lead the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, a game in which he scored a touchdown.The 25-year-old was entering the final year of his rookie contract, and spoke extensively this offseason of his desire for a new deal."This is where I've always wanted to be," Freeman said in the press release.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Unsurprisingly, starting quarterback Jameis Winston was the star of the first episode of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," which premiered Tuesday night.In the episode, the former Heisman Trophy winner and rising NFL star showed off his humble beginnings in Bessemer, Ala."I don't know how, but like seven of us slept in this room right here," Winston said, showing off his childhood room."Three people used to sleep in this bed. There were toes in everybody's face."He then pointed to the tap his family used to drink from, and the spot off the porch where the men used the washroom when the only one in the house was occupied.Winston's already come a long way, from those beginnings to being a budding superstar at age 23.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Many NFL fans were wondering what the Philadelphia Eagles were doing in the offseason leading up to the 2016 campaign. They still had quarterback Sam Bradford but elected to sign career backup Chase Daniel to a three-year contract worth $21 million.Daniel’s resume did not include much regular season experience. In fact, it would be fair to say Daniel was signed entirely based on the positive reviews from former coaches and, of course, his reps in the silly season – the NFL preseason.When you’re backing up Drew Brees in New Orleans – a future Hall of Famer who’s missed two games in 10 years – you’re going to have to make the most of your game snaps in August.Daniel owns a 93.9 career preseason QB rating with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His teams are 16-9-1 against the spread and the over is 16-10 in preseason games Daniel’s played in.The Saints reacquired Daniel this offseason and he’s listed as their No. 1 backup to Brees.Knowing who else qualifies as a so-so starter but a sensational performer in the preseason can be valuable information for NFL bettors this August.Here’s a quick look at three other backup QBs who shine brightest this time of year. One additional note here - quarterbacks who have been starters for the majority of their careers were dismissed from qualifying in our list. Starters only play significant time in Week 3 and even then coaches appear to be lightening the number of snaps their No. 1 guys get.Colt McCoyCurrent team: Washington RedskinsPreseason career stats: 92.8 QB rating, 68 percent completion percentageThe former Texas Longhorn and Heisman finalist has carved out a career for himself as a reliable backup and spot starter in the pros. McCoy is entering his fourth season in Washington and he’s well versed in head coach Jay Gruden’s offense. The Redskins are 7-3 ATS in preseason games McCoy has appeared in.NFL teams are a collective 15-10 ATS and the over is 13-11-1 in preseason games McCoy has either started or played in.McCoy is listed as Washington No. 2 quarterback meaning he should get significant playing time this week when the ‘Skins play the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. Washington is a 1-point road underdog and the total is 37.5.Luke McCownCurrent team: Dallas CowboysPreseason career stats: 92.9 QB rating, 27 TD/7 INT*The asterisk is to indicate McCown stats only go back as far as 2007. He put up some numbers in the preseason in 2005 and 2006 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but that was before NFL stat guys thought it was a good idea to record the game logs in August games. What a bunch of amateurs.At any rate, McCown is the original gangsta when it comes to preseason excellence. He’s been compiling stats in pro exhibition contests since 2004 and his teams are 21-18-2 in games he’s made appearances in. The over is 24-17 in those 41 preseason games.McCown was signed by the Cowboys at the end of July to either slot in as their QB3 or to compete for the No. 2 spot behind starter Dak Prescott.McCown didn’t play for the ‘Boys in the Hall of Fame game but bettors should expect him to see some game action this week when Dallas visits Los Angeles to face the Rams on Saturday. Oddsmakers have the Cowboys as 2.5-point favorites with the total set at 37.5.AJ McCarronCurrent team: Cincinnati BengalsPreseason career stats: 99.4 QB rating, 7.7 yards per attemptMcCarron, also known as Katherine Webb’s husband, is the new kid on the block with just two years of preseason action under his belt. He’s put up great numbers but the Bengals are 3-4 ATS and the over is 2-5 in McCarron’s seven preseason contests.Cincinnati is a 2-point favorite Friday against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The total is set at 37.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys could be without one of their top defenders for awhile following Tuesday's practice.Defensive end Tyrone Crawford appeared to suffer a major ankle injury while trying to tackle running back Ezekiel Elliott, clutching his leg at the end of the play.Although the Cowboys didn't reveal the severity of the injury, he was reportedly diagnosed with a lateral ankle sprain, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.Crawford was later carted off the field and was seen crying while leaving.Here is a video of the play:

Warning: Story contains coarse languageFormer Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy has filed an injury grievance against the team, stating that the Lions cleared him a day before his March release even though three other doctors told him his knee hadn't healed.Levy played in just one game during the 2015 season due to a hip injury, then suffered a knee injury during the opening game of the 2016 campaign that he never overcame. The 30-year-old underwent knee surgery in April after an operation to repair his torn meniscus during the regular season."I figured there was something wrong because they passed me on a physical when I couldn't even sit down to a chair or get into a linebacker stance at the time," Levy said to ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "In my mind, I didn't think about the legal contract part of it. I thought, this is fucked up. I can't get into position; how can I pass a physical? I didn't know it was a physical the first time."I went in for just a follow-up for my knee, we go through the exam or whatever and I see he puts 'pass' on it for the physical. I'm like, 'OK, this ain't right.' So I called my agent and I'm just now learning about the process."Levy, currently a free agent, is still waiting for his knee to fully heal before returning to action. The veteran linebacker was amid the best stretch of his career before the injury."Just kind of, it's frustrating, man, because the way I was trending, I just hit a wall and it's like, I feel like it could have been avoided last year," Levy said. "I feel like it could have been avoided if I was shut down earlier."The cartilage is wearing because my knee was jacked up. Like the cartilage is pretty much gone now because I'm out there, and you're telling me I'm not going to make it worse, it's just a psychological injury. And now I'm here, maybe missing another season because of it. And it's frustrating, man. I was there for a decade and I never complained about any of my injuries."Levy, who said he no longer trusts NFL doctors, expects to recover by December.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. could each be considered the NFL's best wide receiver, but they aren't territorial when it comes to each other's attempts to reach the top.Brown's served as a mentor for Beckham throughout his career, and the two share a clear bond off the field as well.The Pittsburgh Steelers superstar told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler he's pushing Beckham to become the best player he can possibly be, even though they're in direct competition for All-Pro honors every year. They offer feedback on each other's games, even trading video clips of their offseason work."Everybody's coming ... That's what makes the game competitive and amazing," Brown said to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "A guy like Odell Beckham is a game-changing guy, trying to unlock the codes. One of my close friends. I always tell him, keep coming."Beckham and Brown swapped jerseys after the Steelers defeated the New York Giants 24-14 last December.Brown, who has been named a first-team All-Pro in each of Beckham's three seasons, offered him another piece of advice Tuesday."If you want to be the best, you have to strive to be the best and sponge off everything," Brown said.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler didn't have much trouble shaking off the rust during his first practice with his new club Tuesday.Cutler, who accepted a job with FOX upon hanging up his cleats in May 2017, was coaxed out of retirement in the aftermath of the gruesome knee injury Ryan Tannehill suffered Aug. 3.The 34-year-old signed a one-year, $10-million contract with the Dolphins and will presumably become Miami's starting quarterback over Matt Moore.Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said Cutler was in fine form."He said he felt good," Gase said to ESPN's Josh Baumgard. "He is not going to sugarcoat anything with me. It was good that he felt right back in it."Cutler said it will take a few more days to get his arm strength back, but isn't experiencing any soreness."I think a couple more days out here, I'll be back and be 100 (percent)," Cutler said. "The offense is gonna come. I think it's just sitting in the pocket, getting my feet underneath me, just the timing of the game, the rhythm. That kind of stuff is gonna take a little bit of time, but hopefully it comes back pretty quickly."... I told Adam thanks for bringing me in. It's fun to be back out."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has confirmed he'll play Saturday in the second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.Some believed Prescott would be exempt from action, clearly earmarked as the Cowboys' starting quarterback.Prescott didn't play in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals, where Kellen Moore led the Cowboys to a 20-18 victory."That's up to coaches how much I'm going to play. I'm excited. It's football. I get to play in another game," Prescott said to ESPN's Todd Archer. "I wanted to play last week, obviously, and just watching the guys play gets you fired up even more, so I'm ready to go."Everything has changed for Prescott over the past 12 months. Last year, he was expected to compete for a backup role before Tony Romo suffered a fractured vertebra in the preseason. Prescott stepped in and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, never ceding the position back to Romo once he recovered.Prescott also spoke about the importance of last summer's preseason reps:"I think it was important. I think it showed some significance in the fact it was the first game experience they got to see me play with the offense," Prescott said. "I mean, I had plenty of scrimmages and live reps out here, but the first game experience with the crowd, a huge crowd out there in the Coliseum, it was a pretty good performance, and I think it gave them confidence in believing in me and pushing further."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis will be taking an absence to address a "minor health issue," the team announced Tuesday.The Bengals didn't reveal what the issue was, but Lewis is reportedly battling a blood clot in his ankle, according to the NFL Network's Stacey Dales.Lewis could be back later this week, but special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons will take over his duties for the time being.The statement reads as follows:

The beef between Sheldon Richardson and Brandon Marshall is alive and well, much to the chagrin of New York Jets coach Todd Bowles."I don't have time for the BS," Bowles saids Tuesday when asked about his defensive lineman's remarks from a day earlier, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.Richardson reignited the feud with his former Jets teammate in an interview on "The Michael Kay Show," referring to the wide receiver's locker-room antics as "drama-queenish." Richardson and Marshall engaged in a verbal confrontation early last season, and their relationship never seemed to improve as the campaign progressed.Richardson, 26, is set to enter the final year of his contract with Gang Green, while the 33-year-old Marshall was released in the offseason before signing with the New York Giants.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk revealed Tuesday that one-third of the team is for sale.Susie Adams Smith is beginning the process of selling her share of the team, and the Titans will not interfere with her decision, Strunk said.Here is the statement:

Myles Garrett is the face of the Cleveland Browns' rebuild and has every intention of wreaking havoc on the field ahead of the season.The Browns make their preseason debut Thursday against the New Orleans Saints, and the No. 1 overall pick from the 2017 NFL Draft isn't considering a gradual transition to the professional ranks."It doesn't matter if it's preseason or a scrimmage," Garrett said to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I'm trying to have a dominant performance, whether it's preseason first series or whenever I get out there."Garrett is expected to be the centerpiece of the Browns' defense as the unit underwent a drastic makeover this summer.The former Texas A&M star considered Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller among his idols, but when he faces the five-time Pro Bowler for the first time on the field it'll be all business."You've spent most of your life looking up to those guys and watching them play, watching them make big plays, not only in the regular season but in the playoffs and Super Bowls," Garrett said. "But now idolizing them is over. It's time to show that you're in their class and you can play with the big boys."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast."The 2016 season didn't go as planned for the Indianapolis Colts, but two players on offense really stood out: Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton.New general manager Chris Ballard has his work cut out for him to build this roster to where it needs to be, but he does have two foundational pieces in place in Luck and Hilton.Though Luck is coming off the best season of his career, Hilton was simply outstanding in 2016 and really has been a consistent force for the Colts since entering the NFL. Last year he racked up 91 catches for 1,448 yards, both career highs. That was Hilton's fourth straight 1,000-yard season.In the 2014 and 2016 seasons, when Luck was healthy, Hilton averaged over 90 receiving yards per game. And he was basically the entire Colts passing attack last year.Hilton's speed is the first thing that stands out; he can run with any player in the league. But Hilton also possesses fantastic acceleration and explosion. He is a great deep threat, but he doesn't run as many go routes as you might expect. Some of that surely has to do with the Colts' pass protection issues over the past few years, but it also indicates that Hilton is far more well-rounded than you might think.Hilton is obviously small compared to the rest of the league. However, he plays bigger than his height and weight would indicate and has really improved in contested ball situations. Hilton is also highly competitive fighting for the ball in the air, but isn't quite as sure-handed as Indianapolis would like.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Hilton is also a developed route runner and realizes that opposing cover men fear his speed, but his lateral quickness and agility is also top notch. Therefore, Hilton has really turned into an excellent runner of routes like comebacks and hitches at the intermediate levels. He consistently gains separation at all levels of the field.Hilton also aligns all over the formation, including a lot of time in the slot, in Indianapolis' offense. He has also only missed two games in his career. The Colts obviously understand Hilton's great value and have him locked up through 2020.The term "No. 1 wide receiver" gets thrown around too liberally. There certainly are not 32 No. 1 receivers. Not every team has one - and most of the league's true No. 1s are in the Julio Jones/Dez Bryant prototypical mold. Smaller wide receivers like Odell Beckham and Antonio Brown have to be special players to make up for what they lack in size and physicality.Hilton isn't quite on Beckham and Brown's level, but there is no denying that he is a No. 1 receiver. And at age 27 and coming off his best campaign, assuming Luck is ready to go to start the season, Hilton's best might still be yet to come.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran cornerback Brandon Flowers announced his retirement from the NFL with an Instagram post on Tuesday.

The New England Patriots have a mode of transportation befitting a five-time Super Bowl champion.Excuse me, two new modes of transportation.The Patriots bought two 767 jets to take them to and from their games this season, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.

Joe Mixon was always going to have to earn his way to the top of the Cincinnati Bengals' depth chart.The Bengals' second-round draft pick, who assaulted a female student in college, will begin his first preseason as the fourth man out of Cincy's backfield. The Bengals released their depth chart on Tuesday and it lists Jeremy Hill as the No. 1 back, Giovani Bernard behind him, and Mixon as part of a collection on the third team.

There's a new starting quarterback in the AFC East and Tom Brady is acutely aware.Brady and the New England Patriots will now have to compete against Jay Cutler twice this season and the defending Super Bowl MVP is looking forward to the challenge.But Brady wouldn't address the Cutler signing without heaping praise on the Miami Dolphins as a whole."Ryan (Tannehill) is a great player. We've lost a bunch of games when Ryan's been playing quarterback. Obviously with him getting hurt and Jay, another Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, coming in, we always have our problems with that team," Brady said to Willie McGinest on NFL Network. "They have a great defense - they always have. We've always struggled with winning down there and it's always challenging playing against those guys."So, they'll be ready to go. We don't play until late in the year, we have a long way to go between now and then but they're going to be a good team."Brady has a career 20-9 record against Miami, which has handed him his most career losses.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It seems like every August there's a surprise that shoots the NFL - already America's favorite league - to the top of sports headlines.Last year, it was Tony Romo injuring his back in a preseason game. A few weeks later, the Minnesota Vikings suffered a similar fate when their starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, went down in a practice just 13 days before their season opener.The 2017 version of the "August Surprise" is Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill's knee injury, suffered during an early training camp practice.The Dolphins' situation is a mix of what happened in both Minnesota and Dallas. Like the Vikings, their starting quarterback is presumably out for the entire season, which meant they couldn't simply wait and watch how things played out. On the other hand, like Dallas, they have a strong running game and receiving corps.Convincing Jay Cutler to come out of retirement was a no-brainer for head coach Adam Gase. Cutler, who played for Gase with Chicago, had one of the best years of his career under his direction in 2015.Cutler is also only 35, which means his retirement was more about lack of interest around the league than his inability to play the position. Teams looking for a starting quarterback to be the face of the franchise rarely "start over" with a 35-year-old, especially one who played poorly the year before.Cutler was a different quarterback in 2015. Not only was his on-field performance an improvement over his previous six seasons in Chicago, but his press conference attitude was more upbeat and positive. It was obvious Cutler enjoyed playing for Gase. There was mutual respect between player and coach, which hadn't always been the case in the past.Gase and general manager Mike Tannenbaum are the lucky ones in this situation. They've found a legitimate NFL starter (though Cutler haters may dispute that claim) without having to give up any draft picks. More than that, they found a quarterback who already knows Gase's system.Lastly, the injury occurred at the beginning of training camp, which means Cutler will have five weeks to get acclimated to Miami's players, and the South Florida heat.That said, what happens beyond this season is anyone's guess. Like Minnesota, who could have Sam Bradford, Bridgewater, or someone else starting in 2018, the Dolphins could go in multiple directions.Cutler could very easily play well. He has an excellent offense around him, with three legitimate wide receiver threats and a tight end who can be a matchup nightmare for defenses. Most importantly, he has a real running game, as Jay Ajayi's performance down the stretch was one of the many reasons Tannehill had one of his best NFL seasons last year.If Cutler plays well, would he and Miami be interested in a long-term deal, thus releasing Tannehill? Yes, Cutler is 35, but quarterbacks are playing longer and longer these days. Tom Brady just turned 40, and Cutler is a much better athlete than Brady.If he plays poorly, do they quickly switch to backup Matt Moore, who's one of the five best backups in the league? Last season, Moore played well in Tannehill’s absence, ending the season with a quarterback rating over 100. Like Cutler, he knows Gase's offense well, and has excelled in it in the past.Tannehill is under contract with the Dolphins through 2020, but there's no more money guaranteed to him. Miami will have decisions to make after this season, and his future with the team will be at the forefront of their conversations.Tannehill's future in Miami is unknown, but what is known is that the Dolphins are so far the unlucky team this season. Fortunately, they found a reputable replacement who knows the system, without having to give up draft-pick compensation. If Cutler plays well, they may have found a new quarterback for the coming seasons, too.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers released defensive lineman Letroy Guion on Tuesday.Guion played in 44 games for the Pack over the past three seasons. He drew a four-game suspension for a PED violation in March.The move comes a couple of days before the Packers' first preseason game. Guion was listed on the second team of Green Bay's depth chart behind Kenny Clark.He played in 15 games last season and recorded 30 tackles and no sacks, adding four tackles in three playoff games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time since a domestic violence accusation was made public on Monday.Landry is currently under investigation for battery due to an incident involving the mother of his child. His girlfriend, Estrella Cerqueira, spoke out on Monday, stating she "was not in any way physically harmed" and that an observer called 911.On Tuesday, Landry said he did nothing wrong, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald."I've been very up front with the team. I've been very up front with the law enforcement. I'm here, at training camp, to help my guys get better," Landry said.Beasley adds that Cerqueira filed a paternity suit against Landry in April.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Unretirement is the latest craze in the NFL.This offseason has already seen Zach Orr, Jay Cutler, and Branden Albert cut their retirements short, while popular running back Marshawn Lynch returned to the league after a one-year hiatus.With that in mind, here are four more former NFLers we wish would return to the gridiron:Tony RomoIdeal landing spot: BroncosRomo led the exodus to the broadcast booth, but in a mild surprise, Cutler was the first to land another quarterbacking job. Like Cutler, Romo should keep his phone lines clear and jump at an opportunity to return.He may be older and more weathered than Cutler, but an ideal scenario for Romo's return still exists.The Denver Broncos were expected to pursue the former Cowboy this offseason had he been released, but instead of waiting for Jerry Jones to determine his immediate future, Romo opted for retirement and a gig with CBS. The Broncos have still yet to name a starting quarterback for the upcoming season and boast a roster - outside of the QB position - that's ready to win now.Romo might have to make the first call, but he should hit up John Elway's cell and get the ball rolling on another compelling quarterback return.Calvin JohnsonIdeal landing spot: DolphinsJohnson was spotted at Dolphins training camp practice on Monday, leading to early whispers that he may be considering a return to the league to join Cutler in Miami.Megatron quickly shut that talk down, but the 6-foot-5 receiver would give the Dolphins (on paper) the best chance they've had to dethrone the New England Patriots in the AFC East.Miami already owns a strong receiving corps - led by Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, and DeVante Parker - but Cutler is at his best when paired with a star pass-catcher, as he was with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery during his time in Chicago. A Cutler-Johnson duo could vault the Dolphins to Super Bowl contender status.Vince WilforkIdeal landing spot: TexansWilfork joined the latest group of retired players Monday with a funny sponsored video. He may be getting out of Houston at the wrong time, though.J.J. Watt is back, Jadeveon Clowney's coming off his best season as a pro, and the quarterback of the future is on board in Deshaun Watson.Should Watson see any time as the starter this season, it's possible he could prove to be an immediate fix - a la Dak Prescott in Dallas last season - and Houston just needs competent quarterback play to be a true AFC contender.Wilfork has his rings, and has nothing left to accomplish after 13 seasons, but it would still boost his resume to win one last time without Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots.DeMarcus WareIdeal landing spot: CowboysWare had to leave Dallas to win a ring, but he'll forever be associated with the Cowboys. He even signed a one-day contract in order to retire as a member of the team.Jerry Jones heaped praise on his former defensive end during his Hall of Fame induction speech this past weekend, and it's no secret he's been in the market for a "war daddy" type of pass-rusher.The Cowboys' defensive line has been sapped of much of its talent due to injury and suspension, and it could use a veteran to get them over the hump.The additions of Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have opened a new championship window for the franchise. It would fulfill a decade-long odyssey for Jones and Ware to win one together.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Starting quarterbacks don't often start in the first week of preseason, but Carson Wentz won't be given such leniency.Entering his second season, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback will get the nod in the team's opener against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. Head coach Doug Pederson made the announcement Tuesday morning, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, and wouldn't specify how long he intended Wentz to play.Wentz has spent the offseason refining his mechanics and getting acclimated with some of his new targets.He also played in the first week of last year's preseason and suffered an injury. He sat out the rest of the preseason, and was healthy for the regular-season opener.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.The preseason isn't just a time for NFL clubs to evaluate their talent; it's a time when fantasy owners become fantasy scouts - watching games, doing research, and forming opinions that'll guide them on draft day.Exhibition games may not mean much overall, but they provide us with our first live-action look at rookies and give us a glimpse of veterans in new situations. Knowing when an aging star is on their last legs is just as important as figuring out if a young player is ready for a breakout.With that in mind, let's take a look at 12 players whose preseason performance could have a major impact on their draft stock.Marshawn Lynch, RaidersThe Raiders would be wise to hold Lynch out for most (if not all) of the preseason, but fantasy owners are hoping they'll get an early look at the former Seahawks star in silver and black. Playing behind one of the league's best offensive lines, the only question will be whether Lynch can still kick it into Beast Mode, and for how long.Joe Mixon, BengalsMixon is the complete package at running back, but will still need to beat out Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard before he can stand alone in the Bengals' backfield. It's possible Hill remains a goal-line weapon and Bernard serves as a passing specialist, so Mixon's fantasy upside depends on him proving himself worthy of a three-down role over the next month.Josh Doctson, RedskinsAfter a lost rookie year, Doctson was flashing his talent early in training camp before a hamstring injury sent him back to the sidelines. The 2016 first-rounder has the talent to eventually emerge as a No. 1 receiver, but he'll face plenty of competition for targets from Terrelle Pryor, Jamison Crowder, and Jordan Reed.Christian McCaffrey, PanthersPutting Luke Kuechly on skates made for a nice viral video, but it was in a one-on-one drill that favored offensive players. McCaffrey needs to prove he can make dynamic plays like that while being chased by 11 defenders to justify his current third-round price tag.Carson Wentz, EaglesThe Eagles surrounded their franchise quarterback with receiving weapons during the offseason in hopes that he'll take a big step as a sophomore. This will be our first chance to see how that experiment might play out and gauge whether Wentz could be a fantasy asset in 2017.Mike Gillislee, PatriotsThe former Bills rusher is the favorite to lead the Patriots' backfield this season, and offers a more complete skill set than LeGarrette Blount, who scored 18 touchdowns a year ago. Still, as enticing as Gillislee might be, it's always dangerous to put your faith in a single New England ball-carrier, especially with Rex Burkhead, James White, and Dion Lewis capable of carrying the load.Martavis Bryant, SteelersBryant will need to be officially reinstated if fantasy owners are going to get the chance to be wowed by his freak athleticism and receiving skills in the preseason. Get ready for his ADP to skyrocket once the league gives him the go-ahead to get back on the field.Ty Montgomery, PackersCan Montgomery handle a three-down workload and are the Packers willing to let him try? That's what fantasy owners will be hoping to find out in the preseason. Rookie backup Jamaal Williams is already stealing first-team reps and could eat into Montgomery's touches. It would take one hell of an August for Williams to take over the starting job, though.Devin Funchess, PanthersFunchess has locked up a starting receiver role across from Kelvin Benjamin and should be in for a significant target increase. The 23-year-old scored nine touchdowns over his first two NFL seasons despite limited snaps, and could be an intriguing late-round flier for fantasy owners if he keeps it up.Dalvin Cook, VikingsAfter tanking at the NFL combine, Cook has managed to rebuild his fantasy draft stock with a strong performance in OTAs and training camp. It helps that Latavius Murray was sidelined until recently, but Cook is putting himself in position to run away with the lead-back job in Minnesota. Let's hope that continues when he faces teams other than his own this month.Austin Hooper, FalconsHooper's production in 2016 left a lot to be desired, but first-year tight ends rarely make an impact. This offseason he's been working out with Matt Ryan in an effort to build chemistry and incite a sophomore breakout. With a new offensive coordinator in town, it's tough to guess how much the tight end will be used, but Hooper will have a chance to carve out a bigger role.Adrian Peterson, SaintsIt will be strange seeing AD in a Saints uniform, but how he's used/performs in the preseason will help fantasy owners make wise decisions on draft day. Mark Ingram should still lead the Saints' backfield in touches with Peterson serving as a complementary back, unless the latter regains his former superhero-like form and forces New Orleans to make him the unquestioned starter.Others to scout