When a veteran player sits unsigned on the open market well into the summer, the prevailing sentiment is that they'll simply have to wait until injuries strike in training camp.It's only ever a matter of time in a sport as physical as football, after all.For the most polarizing player of the year, and perhaps the most controversial free-agent case the NFL has ever seen, that circumstance may have taken shape faster than anyone expected.News that Joe Flacco is dealing with a back issue, and the series of conflicting reports indicating he could miss anywhere from one to six weeks, suddenly has Baltimore entering training camp with a need at the most important position on the field.Flacco returning on the short side of the estimated timelines would, of course, ease concerns about his status heading into the regular season. And even if he's out the full six weeks, it's still possible he'd suit up for Week 1.But finding someone to fill in during his absence is just one small part of the equation.Back injuries, as any athlete human can attest, are no joke. That feeling all Ravens fans had upon hearing the news is a clear reminder of just how much a team's season depends upon the quarterback.Would Baltimore really be comfortable turning to Ryan Mallett in the event that Flacco is held out longer than expected? How about if he were to suffer some sort of setback midseason? Only those within the organization know the real answer to those questions. Those on the outside know exactly what the answers should be.It just so happens, here in the latest of offseason stages, that another starting-caliber quarterback is waiting in the wings. And given that he's had just one visit this offseason, it's safe to assume his price tag would be nothing more than a flier contract.Signing Colin Kaepernick would give the Ravens the perfect replacement for however long Flacco ends up on the sidelines, and the ideal insurance policy for when he returns. For those already preparing to reference the good ol' "scheme fit" argument, consider the finer points of this situation.Greg Roman, a senior offensive assistant and tight ends coach, was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco when Kaepernick was torching defenses en route to a Super Bowl appearance. The all-important familiarity is there.We're also talking about an offense that, with question marks all over the field, wouldn't do a thing without Flacco. Making opposing defenses account for Kaepernick's ability in the running game, and effectively creating a numbers advantage up front, would go a long way toward keeping the unit afloat if need be.So, will the Ravens make the call? If the ridiculous stance all NFL teams (including Baltimore) took throughout the offseason can be taken as any indication, perhaps we shouldn't bet on it.But if this organization wants to cover all its bases in an effort to get back to the postseason, getting a bona fide starter to provide insurance for a now-concerning quarterback situation is a no-brainer.A reasonable argument can even be made that Kaepernick would be the most talented quarterback on the Ravens' roster, even when Flacco is healthy. We'll leave that one for another day, though.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is preparing to miss three-to-six weeks with a disc issue in his back, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.A separate item from ESPN's Adam Schefter indicates Flacco will take a week of rest, and that the team doesn't expect him to be out for a significant amount of time.Word of the injury, first reported by Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, surfaced on the eve of Ravens training camp, and just one day after news that running back Kenneth Dixon would miss the entire season following knee surgery.Flacco's initial timeline is far less significant, as missing even the full six weeks could still have him back in time for Week 1. But the Ravens going without their leader for the majority, if not all, of training camp and preseason would certainly be a considerable setback.Ryan Mallett will be in line for first-team quarterback reps for as long as the veteran starter remains sidelined, pushing Dustin Vaughan into a role as the primary backup.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills traded quarterback Cardale Jones to the Los Angeles Chargers for a conditional draft pick, the team announced Wednesday.Official terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Chargers are sending a conditional seventh-round selection to Buffalo, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source.The surprise swap comes just one day after the Chargers, evidently in search of depth behind Philip Rivers, worked out veteran free agent Robert Griffin III.Jones appeared in just one game after first landing with the Bills as a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft. For all he may lack in terms of experience at this early stage, the physical skills demonstrated during a brief career at Ohio State certainly still give him some upside looking ahead.As Rivers nears the latter year of his career, the addition of Jones provides a low-risk, high-reward option for the future. He'll likely also be given the opportunity to push Kellen Clemens for the primary backup job in the short term.Jones was the odd man out in Buffalo after a new management regime selected Nathan Peterman in the fifth round of April's draft. Widely considered to be a stronger fit for the Bills' new offensive scheme, the Pitt product can provide depth behind Tyrod Taylor during his early career development.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was placed on the physically unable to perform list to open training camp, the team announced Wednesday.It's a procedural move, but also another in a long line of notable developments as Bridgewater works his way back from the significant knee injury suffered last summer.The former first-round pick remains without a timetable to return, so it's no surprise that he's sidelined to open camp.A PUP list designation isn't permanent, though, as Bridgewater can be activated in the event he continues to make progress and is cleared for practice.The latest apparent update on the 24-year-old's recovery came earlier this month, when he posted pictures of himself working out without a brace.Minnesota also announced that Bridgewater will be available to meet with reporters Thursday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EA Sports unveiled the five highest rated quarterbacks in "Madden NFL 18" on Wednesday, and it should come as no surprise that the top spot is held by the video game's cover star, reigning Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady.The New England Patriots quarterback earned a 99 overall rating, as well as a 99 awareness rating. Aaron Rodgers finished one point behind Brady for the second spot, followed by Matt Ryan at 96.Related: Rookies react to their Madden ratingsDrew Brees (92) and Ben Roethlisberger (91) rounded out the top five, while Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck both earned honorable mentions as the only other quarterbacks rated 90 or higher.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears continue to make it known that the most important position on the field won't be left up to a training camp competition.Reiterating a position stated by the team on the heels of April's draft, general manager Ryan Pace said this week that Mike Glennon is the club's starting quarterback."Glennon's here for a reason," Pace said, according to JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago. "We evaluated him over the years. We're very confident in him. Glennon's our starter and we're confident with that."This thing is going to have to play out. But Mike Glennon is our starting quarterback and I don't think now is the time to deal in hypotheticals going forward."Trading up one spot to select Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2 overall was, of course, a move made with an eye to the future. At some point in the not too distant future, the former North Carolina standout should have his opportunity to lead the Bears' offense.But Chicago sticking with its veteran signal-caller for at least the early parts of the upcoming season, if not for Trubisky's entire rookie campaign, is certainly to be expected.Clearly optimistic that the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback can at least be a bridge option under center, the Bears were comfortable giving Glennon a three-year, $45-million contract in free agency.Trubisky will presumably enter training camp competing with Mark Sanchez for the primary backup role.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Public opposition is growing against the planned induction of former football star Michael Vick into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.The Roanoke Times reported Tuesday that two online petitions at change.org had received more than 90,000 combined signatures against the September induction. The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine has also announced its opposition.The university in Blacksburg has continued to defend its recent decision, noting that some believe Vick is the greatest athlete in school history.Vick served 19 months in federal prison on 2007 dogfighting convictions. He was a top contender for the 1999 Heisman Trophy after leading the Hokies through an undefeated regular season and to a spot in the national championship game. He went on to play professionally for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles have traded veteran offensive lineman Allen Barbre to the Denver Broncos for a conditional 2019 draft pick, the team announced Wednesday.The deal comes just hours after Philadelphia initially announced, with a departure quote and all, that Barbre was being released.As has been the case with many veteran cuts in the past, it would appear that Denver got word of the impending move and was able to swoop in and offer up some draft compensation before it became official.Rather than having to compete for his services on the open market, the Broncos now add an experienced and versatile lineman who will provide some depth up front.Barbre, a fourth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2007, started 12 games for the Eagles last season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lucky Whitehead has reportedly been claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.The Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints also expressed interest the return specialist, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.This caps what will be remembered as one of the worst weeks of Whitehead's career as he goes from the NFC-leading Dallas Cowboys to the Jets, who are expected to have one of the worst rosters in the league.Whitehead was cut by the Cowboys on Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of shoplifting in Virginia. However, the warrant was rescinded when police determined they had the wrong man.The 25-year-old had flight records proving he was not in Virginia at the time of the charge, but, according to his agent, the Cowboys did not believe his innocence.Whitehead also had his dog stolen and had to pay to get it back earlier this month.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

He hasn't necessarily had the experience of working with any franchise quarterbacks in his pro career, but DeAndre Hopkins has been more than pleased with what he's seen from Deshaun Watson and Tom Savage.The Houston Texans receiver isn't picking a winner of his team's quarterback battle, but he is confident the pair of competitors in camp this year."You know, through my whole career I think I've played with the most quarterbacks through any wide receiver's career throughout my first four years," Hopkins told NFL Network on Wednesday."So, I've never had stability at quarterback to be able to build chemistry in back to back years. So to have two guys like that in the locker room that I know can be franchise quarterbacks, it's a great feeling."Over the past four seasons, Hopkins has lined up with Savage, Brock Osweiler, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Ryan Fitzpatrick, T.J. Yates, Matt Schaub, and Case Keenum. While Watson was a national championship winner last season, Savage did not throw a touchdown in three appearances, passing for 461 yards on 46 completions. Clearly, Hopkins sees something more.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles parted ways Wednesday with the one of their most disappointing first-round picks in recent memory, cutting defensive end Marcus Smith, according to the team.Smith was one of the picks made during Chip Kelly's era of roster control and has regularly been pointed to as proof the Eagles made a mistake by giving their former head coach personnel power.The 25-year-old didn't earn a single start in his three seasons, producing four sacks and 23 tackles over 37 games played. He had one year remaining on his rookie contract as the Eagles didn't pick up his fifth-year option.After signing Chris Long and drafting Derek Barnett in the first round, the Eagles will have no problem replacing Smith's small amount of production.The team also released veteran guard Allen Barbre.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Devonta Freeman left town after a few days of negotiations with the Atlanta Falcons without a new deal and is not expected to reach one before training camp Thursday, reports NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Monday he wanted a new contract before camp, but clearly, negotiations met an impasse. The team is not putting a deadline on a contract, adds Pelissero.Freeman's contract is set to expire after the 2017 season, and he wants to be paid as an elite running back after back-to-back season with at least 1,500 scrimmage yards.The Falcons also haven't had any substantial contract talks with quarterback Matt Ryan, whose deal has two years remaining, and are likely to wait until after the season to negotiate, according to Pelissero.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the strength of the NFL's top-ranked scoring defense, the Houston Texans captured their second consecutive AFC South title in 2016, despite J.J. Watt missing the majority of the season after undergoing back surgery.While employing the brutally underwhelming Brock Osweiler at quarterback, the Texans managed to outlast their competition, with a 9-7 record being good enough once again - a testament to the division's mediocrity.Still, the Texans shouldn't be dismissed as long as they boast one of the league's best defenses. Jadeveon Clowney turned into the player everyone expected after being taken first overall in 2014, Benardrick McKinney quietly emerged as a second-team All-Pro, and the team weathered a storm without their best player in Watt, emerging unscathed.Can the Titans, Colts, or Jaguars knock off the Texans? There's certainly cases to be made, but the Texans won't go quietly.Tennessee Titans Marcus Mariota is developing into a bona fide superstar, and there's an outside chance he could displace Andrew Luck as the division's best quarterback. Few knew what to expect from head coach Mike Mularkey's "exotic smashmouth" offense, but the run game spearheaded by DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry continually wore down defenders. Tennessee added Corey Davis with the No. 5 pick in the draft to bolster its receiving corps, making it a real sleeper in the AFC.The Titans solidified their secondary during the offseason, adding Johnathan Cyprien and Logan Ryan, while drafting Adoree' Jackson with the No. 18 overall pick. After Kevin Byard showed flashes of future stardom during his rookie year, the Titans have improved a unit that was once a laughingstock, in an era when five-defensive back sets have become the norm. Tennessee finished tied for 16th in scoring defense last year, and, after making some subtle tweaks, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if it finished in the top 10 this year.Since general manager Jon Robinson was hired in January 2016, the club has reversed its trajectory. The division is up for grabs, and the young, upstart Titans should be in contention for the entire season.Indianapolis Colts Will Andrew Luck be healthy in time for the regular season? That question needs to be addressed before anyone can map the Colts' upcoming season in earnest.Luck underwent shoulder surgery after the season and still hasn't been cleared to throw. The Colts quarterback has elevated some decrepit offenses in years past, but if he's not healthy, the team's margin of error evaporates. T.Y. Hilton boasts the world-class speed to take over games, but it's hard to forecast the offense's output without Luck.The Colts may have snagged the steal of the draft when Malik Hooker fell to No. 15. Hooker will be counted on to make an immediate impact, aided by fellow rookie cornerback Quincy WIlson and veteran standout Vontae Davis. Indianapolis also made a few astute signings among its front seven, adding Johnathan Hankins, Jabaal Sheard, and Margus Hunt in free agency. It may not be enough, however.Indianapolis' success is directly linked to the health of Luck's shoulder, and it's too early to project if he'll be the same. If he's healthy, the Colts should make a serious push for the playoffs; if he isn't, they could be angling for a top-eight pick.Jacksonville Jaguars After developing a reputation for performing worse than the sum of their parts would indicate, the Jaguars fired head coach Gus Bradley, who compiled a cumulative 14-48 record. After promoting Doug Marrone to head coach, will the Jaguars continue to be among the NFL's most underachieving teams?Blake Bortles is the starting point in any assessment of the Jaguars, as he's thrown 51 interceptions through three seasons. The 25-year-old boasts NFL-caliber arm strength, but he's still wildly inaccurate, and has yet to show that he can remain composed throughout the season. If Bortles can make a leap in his fourth year, elevating a passing game that includes Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marquise Lee, and rookie Dede Westbrook, the Jaguars could sneak up on the division. If he can't, they may live and die by his turnovers.Leonard Fournette, selected fourth overall in this year's draft, provides the Jaguars with the every-down back they've so desperately needed. Fournette's been on the national radar since he was a New Orleans high school prodigy, but it may be too much to ask him to replicate a rookie season in the vein of Ezekiel Elliott.The Jaguars' defense always appears promising on paper, and this year is no different, after they added standouts Calais Campbell and A.J. Bouye in free agency. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey could quietly develop into one of the NFL's best cornerback pairings, while Telvin Smith and Myles Jack sneak under the radar at linebacker. Is it too good to be true once again?Bortles will ultimately direct the state of the franchise. If he can reduce his turnovers, the Jaguars have a shot at upsetting the division. If not, it's back to the drawing board.Also from this series

The Chicago Bears may have traded up to draft Mitchell Trubisky at pick No. 2, but he'll begin his pro career as No. 3 on the depth chart.Mike Glennon will open camp as the team's starting quarterback and Mark Sanchez will be his backup, Bears general manager Ryan Pace announced Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jeff Dickerson.It's not a surprising development, as Glennon was signed to a three-year, $45-million deal in the offseason and Trubisky enters the pros with 13 college starts under his belt. The 22-year-old is in need of further seasoning."I just think you've got to bring these guys along the right way," Pace said, according to Zach Zaidman of the Bears' radio network.Sanchez was also signed by the Bears before the draft. He inked a one-year, $2-million deal after spending the previous season as a backup with the Dallas Cowboys.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Martellus Bennett sure knows how to endear himself to a new fan base.Signed by the Green Bay Packers in the offseason, Bennett arrived in De Pere, Wis. on Tuesday, ahead of the first day of training camp, and slept on the locker-room floor.

Julio Jones lost a very expensive diamond earring while jet skiing on Lake Lanier in Georgia recently, so he hired a dive team to help retrieve it.The Atlanta Falcons wide receiver told WXIA-TV he suspects the earring, worth more than $100,000, fell off after he hit a boat wake and was tossed into the 65-foot deep water. The dive team has come up empty so far, and considering the bottom of the lake is pitch black, there's a good chance the earring will never be found.Jones doesn't sound too concerned, though."As long as I'm good, it's materialistic stuff," he said. "You can always get that kind of stuff back."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cody Kessler will open training camp as the Cleveland Browns' No. 1 quarterback.Head coach Hue Jackson made the announcement Wednesday at the open of the training camp."Cody will walk out there first, and we'll give him an opportunity there," Jackson said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.Kessler started eight of the nine games he appeared in during his rookie campaign in 2016. He proved himself a competent quarterback, completing 65 percent of his passes and throwing six touchdowns against two interceptions. But his year was plagued by injury."He's still the guy who demonstrates, who knows the offense the best," Jackson said. "He's the guy that's played the most football for us in that group, and I think he deserves the chance to walk out there first."Entering 2017, he will compete with rookie DeShone Kizer and Brock Osweiler, who was acquired via trade, to open the year as the starter.Though it was assumed Osweiler wouldn't figure into the team's plans going forward, Jackson confirmed he has a legitimate shot at the starting job.Despite his $16-million price tag, Osweiler doesn't have to be the starting quarterback in order to remain on the roster, team vice president Sashi Brown said.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Have no fear, Cleveland Browns faithful. First overall draft pick Myles Garrett is healthy and "ready to go."Head coach Hue Jackson provided the update Wednesday at a training camp press conference."We're a very, very healthy team," Jackson said.Garrett suffered a lateral foot sprain on the final day of minicamp in June and was spotted with a walking boot on his left foot afterward. He wasn't expected to miss any practice time, however.Jackson said the team will continue to monitor the defensive end, but he's a full-go for training camp.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A medical study released Tuesday found CTE in 99 percent of the brains of NFL players used in the research - a result that's concerning for the Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis.Speaking to the media Wednesday, Davis called the findings "alarming.""I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," Davis said, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.As an NFL linebacker, collisions are part of the job description for Davis. He's played the game for 12 seasons and racked up 939 career tackles. Still, the joy outweighs the pain for him."This game, I just love it so much," Davis said, according to Jeff Darlington of ESPN.CTE is a degenerative brain disease often found in athletes who have suffered repeated brain trauma. It can only be diagnosed after death.Davis does allow his 13- and 9-year-old sons to play football and said he likes the way their coaches teach tackling, according to Person.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings announced the signing of defensive end Everson Griffen to a contract extension Wednesday.The deal is a four-year extension worth $58 million with $34 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. His $14.5-million annual average value makes Griffen the NFL's sixth highest-paid defensive end, according to Spotrac.Griffen has plied his trade with the Vikings for seven seasons, racking up 234 total tackles and 48 sacks. He was handed a starting role in 2014 and has shined in the time since, compiling seasons of 12, 10.5, and eight sacks.Entering the fourth year of a five-year, $42.5-million deal he signed ahead of the 2014 season, Griffen was scheduled to make more than $8 million this season and hit free agency in 2019.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The more you look into Lucky Whitehead's departure from the Dallas Cowboys, the worse the team looks.While police admitted Tuesday they did not arrest Whitehead for a June shoplifting charge, the receiver's agent, David Rich, said the Cowboys were unwilling to accept that truth beforehand.Related: Cowboys cut Whitehead despite claim he wasn't in state during alleged shopliftingAccording to Rich, Whitehead met with the Cowboys to make his case to stay with the only pro team he's known, but did not receive the response he was looking for from the coaching staff."They basically sat across the table, eye to eye, man to man, and he (Whitehead) said, 'I need you to believe me, coach,'" Rich told "PFT Live" on Wednesday. "And they said, 'We think you’re a liar.'"Rich also said Whitehead probably won't be open to re-signing with Dallas after the messy breakup, despite enjoying his experience with the team."I can't speak for Lucky, we'd have to have a conversation about it because he loved being a Cowboy so much. I can't put into words - this dude loved it, loved it as much as I've ever had a player love an organization. Loved it," Rich said. "This guy was arguably the most popular player on the team, which is interesting to have this happen to him, but I don't think so."Rich added that he believes the team was already looking to replace Whitehead, and that the decision was partly due to the receiver's on-field performance."I think they’d already moved on from Lucky," Rich said. "I think they had already decided it was too much of a distraction, I think they drafted Ryan Switzer ... who does a lot of the things Lucky does, so they just decided he was unnecessary."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's Weigh-in Wednesday for Dontari Poe.The Atlanta Falcons nose tackle will again hit the scales in an attempt to earn another cash incentive in his contract. If Poe weighs 330 pounds or less on the first day of training camp Wednesday, he'll earn $125,000, ESPN's Field Yates reports.Poe collected $125,000 in June for tipping the scales at 340 pounds or less. He signed with the Falcons this offseason on a one-year, $8-million deal that includes $500,000 for four separate weigh-ins, according to ESPN's Vaughn McClure.It's clear Atlanta wants the five-year pro at his leanest and meanest for the 2017 season.Poe spent the first five years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he recorded 13 total sacks and 200 tackles. He played in all 16 games last season and netted 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After losing running back Kenneth Dixon for the season Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens signed free agent Bobby Rainey.Dixon will reportedly miss the entire 2017 season after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus. His absence leaves Terrance West, Danny Woodhead, and Buck Allen as the Ravens' only running backs, so Rainey would provide some insurance at the position.Since entering the league in 2012 with the Ravens, Rainey has bounced around between the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Giants.He played in 15 games with the Giants last season, featuring more as a pass-catcher than a runner. He recorded 20 catches for 153 yards and 17 carries for 63 yards.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hundreds of players change teams every NFL offseason - mostly without a second look back from either the player or NFL fans. But for a select few who have almost become synonymous with their previous teams, the football world needs some time to get used to seeing them in their new colors.We rank how weird it will be to see seven big-name players on new teams in 2017:7. Marshawn LynchFormer team: Seattle Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates injured his knee during offseason training and, as a result, had his knee scoped last week, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.The injury isn't believed to be serious as Coates is only expected to miss the beginning of training camp, Fowler reports.It's an inopportune time for Coates to suffer an injury as the Steelers own a loaded receiving corps with talented players all jockeying for a prime position in the rotation. Star wideout Antonio Brown leads the group, and is followed by Martavis Bryant, who is returning from a year-long suspension, Eli Rogers, who hopes to build on an impressive rookie campaign, sophomore Cobi Hamilton, and second-round draft pick JuJu Smith-Schuster. The group also includes veterans Darrius Heyward-Bey and Justin Hunter.With Bryant out last season, Coates started five games, but battled injuries for much of the campaign. He finished the year with 21 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Robert Griffin III's visit with the Los Angeles Chargers went well, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson, though a signing doesn't appear imminent."It was a good workout ... We are still weighing all of our options before camp ... We are always looking to upgrade," the source told Anderson.The source said that the Chargers will have follow-up conversations about the free-agent pivot Thursday, but added that L.A. isn't set on adding to its quarterback room, which contains starter Philip Rivers and journeyman backup Kellen Clemens."Young man can move," the source said to Anderson about Griffin. "He's athletic, threw the ball well ... but he's not the only QB available. Not sure we'll add another QB or not."The Chargers were the first team to bring in Griffin this offseason following his release from the Cleveland Browns in March. He made five starts for the Browns in 2016, throwing for 886 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali took to Facebook Live on Tuesday to clear up the criticisms he leveled at the team for his dwindling role and some of his teammates for their lack of commitment in a Twitter rant Saturday.The 33-year-old said his comments were "blown out of proportion" and emphasized that his frustrations stem from a desire to win a championship before his time in the NFL ends."I've always wanted to win a championship, and I've always been a part of the equation," said Hali. "What happened last year is I just wanted to win. I think anyone can bear with me and understand that the frustration of losing a game in the playoffs and barely playing. Being a competitor, you just want to win. That was basically what the rant was about."Related: Why Andy Reid is wrong about Hali publicly voicing complaintsHali continued, saying he was "all in" with the Chiefs. And while the linebacker insisted his comments about teammates missing some of the offseason program wasn't a shot at anyone in particular, he said Kansas City needs its leaders present as much as possible."I wasn't calling out any players, I was just letting people know how I feel," said Hali. "This is our team. The players play."He added: "Sometimes you need chemistry as a team, and you need your leaders around. And we have a young team. Sometimes you have to tell your leaders, or point fingers at your leaders and let them know that, 'guys, you gotta be around. You gotta be around.' You know, I've been here 12 years and I'm not getting younger."Hali was mostly a non-factor for the Chiefs in 2016, starting just two games - though he appeared in all 16 - and picking up 3.5 sacks.The pass-rusher has two years left on his current deal. Barring an extension to lessen his 2018 cap number, 2017 could be Hali's last year with the Chiefs, and he's set on making it count."We just need to make sure everybody is on board and understand what's at stake here," said Hali. "It's real serious business when it comes to football and me. Some people don't take it that serious. I do."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis was found not guilty Tuesday in his misdemeanor domestic violence trial, the rookie's lawyer confirmed to NFL.com.The trial stemmed from an alleged physical altercation between Lewis and his girlfriend in Ann Arbor, Mich., in March. At the time, police told NFL.com that they believed Lewis was the aggressor in the incident after conducting two interviews with his girlfriend.The 21-year-old pleaded not guilty to the original domestic violence charge on March 16.Lewis, a third-round pick, will now join the Cowboys for training camp after missing the first two days to attend the trial.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon will miss the entire 2017 season after undergoing surgery to repair a tear in his meniscus, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Dixon's recovery will take four-to-five months, but having the meniscus repaired, not trimmed, means the knee will be in better shape in the long term, adds Rapoport.The 23-year-old's rookie season was a disappointment, as he finished the year with just 382 rushing yards.A four-game PED suspension meant Dixon's sophomore season was also off to a rocky start, but the expectation was that he'd push Terrance West hard for the starting job upon his return.West and Danny Woodhead are now the only two proven options in the Ravens' backfield, so Baltimore may look to the free-agent market for reinforcements.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Brandon Linder to a five-year, $51.7-million contract extension, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL, according NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.His reported $10.34-million average annual salary would top Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick's earnings by just under $1 million.Linder, a third-round pick in 2014, has played the last three years for the Jaguars. He's moved between center and guard, and could move back to guard again.The 25-year-old started 14 games in 2016 for Jacksonville's 23rd-ranked offense, and was Pro Football Focus' fifth-ranked center.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago is a hotbed for NFL talent.A study conducted by OnlineCasino.ca found that players hailing from the Windy City have the highest chances of making it in the NFL, followed by Los Angeles and Houston. The three cities have produced over 1,000 players collectively.On a per-capita basis, the South reigns supreme. Mississippi averages 2.02 active NFL players per 10,000 residents, while Louisiana and Alabama round out the top three with 1.80 and 1.39 players per 10,000 people, respectively.(Photos courtesy: OnlineCasino.ca)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"TAMBA HALI IS TWEETING HIS THOUGHTS."Of the many truth-telling posts Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali tweeted across a five-hour span on Saturday, the line above summarized things best - and honestly, what's so wrong with it?Related: Hali unhappy with playing time, questions future with ChiefsAccording to head coach Andy Reid, there's definitely something. But it wasn't what Hali complained about - his own role on the team, playing time, and how players who show commitment are treated versus those who don't - that upset Reid; it was how he voiced his opinion."The fact that the guy wants to get out there and go, absolutely (I approve), but let's not do it through tweeting or whatever he did," Reid said Monday.It's long been the norm in the NFL, and across professional sports, to keep any complaints in-house, deal with them among your teammates and coaches, and move on.However, as the sports landscape continues to evolve and NFL players are regularly pushed to just accept the way things are, using social media to directly voice opinions is more important than ever.Players cannot rely on their teams to accurately portray them, as we've recently seen with the Washington Redskins trying to use the media to make Kirk Cousins seem greedy. While some reporters are very trustworthy, anyone can take a quote or an action and spin it in the direction they want.On the other hand, social media and personal blogs give players a direct line to fans and the public in general. They also allow players to present their own news with their own takes - something Reed took issue with. But if teams and media are allowed to do it, why can't players?Whether playing time, safety, treatment by management, or contract structure, there are plenty of valid reasons for players to feel a need to address the public and tell their own side of the story. And with a strike potentially looming at the end of the current CBA, it will be crucial for players like Hali, Richard Sherman, Le'Veon Bell, and anyone else willing to speak their minds to be able to do so.Related: Sherman glad Bell refused to be 'bullied into a fluffed up' contractThe NFL has gone through six lockouts in its history, beginning with a 12-day boycott in 1968 and most recently with a five-month stretch in 2011. Though the narrative has moved more toward favoring the players in these disputes, there's still a large portion of fans who lash out at the athletes for wanting more money.Those fans are wrong. The players may be looking for more dollars, but the league and its owners who refuse to pay them their worth are far, far richer and greedier.If the players do decide to strike when the current CBA expires in 2020, they will be under enough pressure from the league and its owners; they certainly don't need droves of uneducated fans calling them out with no way to respond.There's also the issue of player safety. The Journal of the American Medical Association's recent study of NFL players' brains revealed a startlingly high frequency of CTE diagnosis - certainly no small development. Several players immediately shared the article on Twitter after reading, sending the message to fans that all these new findings are concerning. Many observers still aren't getting the message that players are putting their lives on the line every game, and until they learn about those personal struggles, pressure to make real player safety changes may never reach the league office.This all comes back to the players' ability to have a voice - their own voice. Whether through The Players' Tribune, Twitter, Instagram, personal websites, or whatever else can be used to get the word out, they have a right to be heard. The days of just doing what you're told because that's the way things are is disappearing from society, and football should be no different.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys signed right tackle La'el Collins to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.The deal is worth $15.4 million, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Collins was entering the final year of his rookie deal and would have been a restricted free agent after this season.The lineman's contract has been a complicated matter since he entered the NFL. Once considered a possible first-round pick, Collins became involved in a murder investigation prior to the 2015 draft (for which he was ultimately fully exonerated) and wasn't selected. He was signed by the Cowboys to a three-year, $1.6-million deal, which is better than most undrafted free-agent contacts, but certainly undervalued him.Collins started three games at guard for the Cowboys last season and is expected to start at right tackle in 2017. With an average annual value of $7.7 million per season, he's the second highest-paid right tackle in the NFL.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick has embarked on the next phase of his football career.Vick, who played under Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles, has joined the Chiefs' staff as a coaching intern at training camp.

It took a last-second prayer on Christmas Day for the Pittsburgh Steelers to clinch the AFC North title over the rival Baltimore Ravens last season. Antonio Brown stretched the ball over the goal line with nine seconds remaining in the game to give the Steelers the division. That's the kind of drama we've come to expect from the AFC North.The upcoming season should produce even more dramatics, as the Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals hope to wrest the division away from Pittsburgh.The Steelers enter the year as heavy favorites to not only outclass their northern rivals, but to challenge for a championship. Ben Roethlisberger opted against retirement, Le'Veon Bell is back on a one-year, franchise tag, and Antonio Brown has a new deal and license to dance his heart out when he gets to the end zone.Talent abounds throughout the division, however. Here are the contenders for the crown in the AFC North:Baltimore RavensThe Ravens hung in the division race until the end of their Week 16 matchup with the Steelers. The four-point defeat ended their playoff hopes, however, as the wild-card spots had all been accounted for.They figure to be playoff contenders again in 2017 with the addition of Jeremy Maclin to the receiving corps, Danny Woodhead to the stable of backs, and Tony Jefferson and Marlon Humphrey to the secondary.Baltimore owns one of the more balanced lineups and is a popular pick to challenge the league's top teams. The defense again ranked in the top 10 last year, but it's the offense that will have to keep up as it finished 17th in total offense and 21st in total points.Cincinnati BengalsThe Bengals took a significant step backwards in 2016, dropping six victories off their win total from the previous season. Cincinnati finished the year without a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.This year figures to be a make-or-break season for many in the Queen City. Head coach Marvin Lewis enters the campaign on the last year of his contract and there is a potential out in quarterback Andy Dalton's contract following the season.The Bengals have been infused with a lot of young talent that will be relied upon early. First-round pick John Ross is expected to slot in as a starter, many anticipate running back Joe Mixon will eventually climb into the regular rotation, and William Jackson III may have to play opposite Dre Kirkpatrick at corner with Adam Jones suspended for the opening game of the season. He missed his entire rookie year with a torn pec.Much also depends on whether the Bengals can manage the free-agent losses of Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler on the offensive line and if injured tight end Tyler Eifert can return to Pro-Bowl form.That's a lot of ifs.Cleveland BrownsThe obvious answer is no, the Browns cannot unseat the Steelers. Cleveland could barely muster a win last season, so the club is in no position to challenge for a division title.The slow rebuild continues, however, with another year under Hue Jackson's leadership and a much-heralded draft class on board. The Browns used the first pick in the draft on the best defensive talent available and, with their subsequent picks, added a versatile safety and athletic tight end.The Browns have yet to settle upon, or even acquire, their quarterback of the future and the rest of the offensive roster is also in flux. Gregg Williams was brought aboard to bring some structure to the defense.The team remains in the talent acquisition phase. It'll be a while before the Browns can even think about chasing a division championship.Also from this series

New England Patriots receiver Andrew Hawkins is retiring before ever playing a snap for his new team.The former Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns player, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots this offseason, cited his declining health as his reason for hanging up his cleats."After OTAs and through summer training my body just didn't respond and wasn't feel the way it should going into camp," Hawkins said in a video for Uninterrupted."Basically, it just started breaking down on me. ... So I had to make a tough call."

The Detroit Lions may be getting an unexpected visitor at training camp.Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson sent out a tweet Monday asking if any of his followers were available to give him a ride to Lions camp next week.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft KitFootball is back.While we're still 10 days away from preseason action, NFL players have returned to the practice field as several teams have begun training camps, with the rest kicking things off this week.This is the time when fantasy players are desperate for clues that will help them get an edge on their competitors.Let's take a look at five AFC storylines you should pay close attention to during training camp.Related - Fantasy: 5 NFC training camp storylines to followDoes Marshawn Lynch still have his mojo?Beast Mode seems to have a good time no matter where he is, but returning to the field as a 31-year-old after a full year away from the game might put his fun-loving personality to the test.The good news for Lynch is that he's picked one of the league's best offensive lines to run behind, and the Raiders should find themselves in plenty of positive game scripts, meaning goal-line opportunities and clock-killing carries. If Latavius Murray can finish as the RB13 in this offense while playing in just 14 games, Lynch should be able to post similar stats.Expect a deluge of videos to come out of Raiders camp featuring Lynch looking like his old self, but the real test will be whether he can stay healthy through August and into the regular season. Lynch is worth drafting if he falls into the third round and the first dozen running backs are off the board.Is DeVante Parker poised for a breakout?All the offseason talk from the Dolphins organization revolved around Parker impressing the coaching staff, finally appearing ready to deliver value on the first-rounder Miami spent on him in 2015.The narrative centers on Parker being an immature player early in his career, then dedicating himself to his craft this offseason. Sometimes coaching staffs speak like this in an effort to build up a player's confidence, which could be the case here.Worth noting: There's a growing belief that the Dolphins will move on from Jarvis Landry after the season. If that is their plan, it would make sense to increase Parker's role in the offense this year. For now, we'll keep a close eye on Dolphins training camp to see if Parker is indeed standing out as a dominant force downfield.Can Spencer Ware hold off rookie Kareem Hunt?Fantasy owners' last impression of Ware was a pedestrian back who averaged 3.7 yards per carry in the second half of the season. What they forget is that before his concussion, Ware was a different player, gaining 5.2 yards per carry over his first six games of the year. So the assumption that Hunt will immediately supplant him might be a little overblown.The Chiefs liked Hunt enough to invest a third-round pick in him, and reports suggest the coaches are immersing him in the entire offense with the hope that he'll become a three-down back at some point. Whether that happens in 2017 depends on how both he and Ware perform in camp.If you're planning to draft Ware, make sure to wait until the fifth or sixth round, and even then, be cautious unless you're going to snag Hunt in the eighth as well.How will Jeremy Maclin and Eric Decker fit in with their new teams?We're mostly working off of beat-writer speculation at this point, but it seems like Maclin and Decker both face some serious competition for targets in their new cities.Maclin could emerge as Joe Flacco's top option in the passing game, but he'll have to overcome fellow veteran Mike Wallace and former first-rounder and breakout candidate Breshad Perriman. The injuries at tight end should free up some targets, but we've yet to see how Danny Woodhead will work into the offense, and those Dennis Pitta touches could easily be turned into short passes to Woodhead.Meanwhile, Decker is coming back from hip and shoulder injuries and has to battle incumbent Rishard Matthews as well as this year's fifth overall pick, Corey Davis. And unlike the situation Maclin faces in Baltimore, the Titans have a quality tight end in Delanie Walker. Some reports suggest Matthews remains the best bet to lead the Titans' receiving corps this season, but the next few weeks of camp should help shed light on everyone's usage.Maclin and Decker are both intriguing picks in the seventh or eighth rounds, but don't get caught overpaying with so much uncertainty still surrounding their roles.Will Joe Mixon completely take over the Bengals' backfield?Yes. Period. There's really nothing to discuss here.Frustrated with the lack of top-end production from Jeremy Hill or Gio Bernard, the Bengals jumped at the chance to draft Mixon in the second round. The only reason he was available there was due to his off-field issues, but this is the Bengals, who rarely shy away from character concerns.Since then, they've gone out of their way to praise the rookie back, and they aren't wrong - Mixon has a much higher ceiling than any of the backs Cincinnati has rostered in recent years.Unfortunately, his ADP is likely to rise as more hype builds around him in training camp and the preseason. If you're interested in drafting Mixon, be prepared to pay a high price.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett has never shied away from speaking his mind, particularly when it comes to social issues, and will now be putting his thoughts on paper.Dave Zirin, a sports editor at The Nation, announced Monday on Twitter that he's co-authoring a book with Bennett titled "Things That Make White People Uncomfortable."

The warrant issued for the arrest of former Dallas Cowboys receiver Lucky Whitehead was rescinded after police determined they had the wrong man, Whitehead's agent announced.It's the latest in a bizarre turn of events for Whitehead, who was cut by the Cowboys on Monday amid reports of the warrant being issued.It turns out that Whitehead wasn't guilty of shoplifting after all and was indeed not in Virginia when the alleged crime occurred.All this comes only a week after Whitehead announced that his dog was kidnapped, held for ransom, and then later returned.Perhaps the name Lucky isn't the most fitting.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease believed to be caused by repeated impacts to the head, was discovered in 99 percent of the brains of deceased NFL players in a recent study.The findings were published in the medical journal JAMA.The brains of 202 former football players (including high school, college, semi-pro, CFL, and NFL) were donated for the study.CTE was diagnosed in 177 of the 202 brains, including 110 of the 111 former NFL players.The study found CTE to be less severe in the brains of former high school players who did not continue to play football in college or the pros.CTE can only be diagnosed with an autopsy.

Gary Kubiak just can't stay away from football.After stepping down as Denver Broncos head coach due to health concerns in January, Kubiak has been hired by the club as a senior personnel executive in the scouting department, a source told Mike Klis of 9News.Kubiak will be primarily based out of his home near Houston and is expected to help evaluate college prospects as well as contribute to the Broncos' free agency plans.Though coaching proved to be too harsh of a lifestyle for Kubiak's health, he indicated at his press conference in January that he would stay connected to the game."I'm getting out of coaching, but I have a lot to give," Kubiak said Jan. 2. "I'm going to find something else to do and I’m going to wake up with that same passion and do that, just like I’ve coached for the last 20-something years."Kubiak coached the Broncos for two seasons, winning Super Bowl 50 in 2015, and played for the team as John Elway's backup from 1983 to 1991.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the eve of training camp for the 2017 NFL season, each team has turned its focus to the upcoming grind, and, of course, its respective Super Bowl aspirations. Though only a handful of clubs are truly capable of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in downtown Minneapolis this February, every player, coach, and owner likely still believes that, indeed, this could be their year.Every team president and general manager has worked tirelessly to assemble the best possible product under the league's rules and regulations. And while certain owners' finances may give their teams a spending advantage, the playing field is mostly even and fair.That parity has been one of the keys to the NFL becoming hands down the biggest sports league in America. With a $14-BILLION annual revenue stream, the NFL is a high-stakes game in which wins and losses cost owners, coaches, players, and even cities tens of millions of dollars.Each season, every team installs its own philosophy with the goal of winning a Super Bowl in mind. Nearly every decision made is in some way designed to help pave a path to a world championship.But this year, why are the majority of teams not giving themselves the best chance to win? They do everything stated above, yet are skipping an easily added piece - at the most important position.Quarterbacks are at the heart of every NFL team. If you get a good one, they are harder to replace than any good GM or even a head coach. That’s why they get paid more than everyone else.There are 32 starters and 32 backups across the league, while nearly every team will have a third QB on either the roster or practice squad. Yet somehow, a player who I’d rank at best 20th and at worst 40th among all quarterbacks hasn’t been added to a roster.That player should be making somewhere between $3 million and $10 million, but remains unsigned. He's traveling around the country, giving to community programs to better our society, yet nobody seems interested in him. He's in the prime of his career, has very tangible tools that every team could use, has rarely had a teammate or coach speak badly of his character, yet he has no contract. I will add that the player hasn’t publicly spoken much about why he's unsigned, or what he wants, but seems to be content handing out business suits to parolees and donating money to social causes throughout America.If you explained this scenario to someone from say ... Australia, they’d be wondering what the heck this guy must have done. Did he assault someone? No. Did he steal money from a teammate? No. Did he say he hates the military? Not that I recall. Did he say all police are bad people or racists? Nope, he didn’t do that either. Well, what could this man have done to warrant a lack of interest from nearly every NFL team?He kneeled. That’s pretty much all he did. He kneeled down during the playing of our country’s national anthem, and it offended too many for the NFL to bear. I believe the look on that Australian's face just went from intrigued to utterly confused.People who love the NFL love America. The majority of its loyalist fans consider themselves patriotic supporters of our dedicated military members and police force. That demographic overlap fits like a perfect glove in most NFL cities, and more than anything else is why we see so much thanks and praise dished out in stadiums each fall. And it's great that this happens. These courageous men and women, whether military or police or fireman, deserve recognition and a thank you. What they do allows the league and its players to make millions, and its fans to feel safe every day in America.So, when Colin Kaepernick sat and then knelt for the national anthem last fall, right or wrong, millions of Americans were offended. They believed his lack of respect for those who protect him and the rest of us was unforgivable. His reasons for the protest are too complex for a small article on a sports website, but in essence he wanted to shine a spotlight on the abuses that occur to minorities by a small percentage of those who are paid to serve and protect them.This isn’t an outrageous claim. It does occur. It’s a fact, and Kaepernick decided to protest in a peaceful way. Many Americans were nevertheless outraged, believing his kneeling for the anthem was a slap in the face to our troops despite Kaepernick repeatedly saying he respects what those brave women and men do for us all.It quickly became a hot-button issue that was/is easy fodder for the political voices in America to separate us, again. Kaepernick's gesture of kneeling seemed to split NFL fans into three categories. The first being those who felt it was wrong. The second being those who agree with him and support his causes. The third being people who just don’t care either way.Meanwhile, the NFL and its franchises say they're all about winning. They most certainly are. But winning is apparently No. 2 on the list of values deemed important across the league. The real No. 1 priority for each team is to make money, while winning comes second. In case that wasn't clear before, the Kaepernick situation has ripped the curtain right off the hinges, revealing the true intentions of each NFL franchise. Signing him would hurt the bottom line, even if he helps the team win.I've played and studied the quarterback position for well over half of my life. I believe I've seen brilliant offensive coordinators and coaches who can, and will, create an offense that best fits the players they have on their roster. At this point, a good NFL coach understands how to take advantage of pocket passers, running QBs, talented tight ends, multi-faceted running backs, depth at wide receiver, and winning with an undrafted free-agent center. These coaches aren’t dummies. The best ones may not prefer Kaepernick’s style of football, but they know they could create an offense that capitalizes on his skill set to win football games.No, Kaepernick isn’t a great passer. Yes, he has flaws in his game and NFL teams prefer quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. The problem is that really good pocket passers are so rare that only half the league is fully committed to their starter long term. After that top 16, many teams could certainly use an upgrade, especially if it's readily available. Good quarterbacks are a rare commodity.Kaepernick can help a good team win football games. He doesn’t have the skill set to carry one on his back, but his style is conducive to keeping his side competitive.Jim Harbaugh knows this. He used Kaepernick’s skill set to lead his talented 49ers team to within yards of winning the Super Bowl. That squad was loaded defensively, and could run the ball extremely well, partly because of Kaepernick. They won ugly, but they won. Since leaving for Michigan, Harbaugh has only had positive things to say about his former quarterback. He obviously liked Kaepernick as a player - and that's coming from someone who's never shy about expressing his displeasure.Training camp opens up for every NFL team this week, and there will be over 100 quarterbacks on the field hoping to chase their respective dreams. Colin Kaepernick won’t be one of them. I’m interested to see - as quarterbacks get injured in the preseason and regular season - if he gets a phone call. It's certain that lesser experienced, and way less talented, quarterbacks will be contacted. I know this because I was one of those guys.The fact that nearly every NFL team hasn’t reached out to Kaepernick to simply have a conversation about being their backup quarterback, and to hear his side of the story, is the real shocker here. He's stated he won’t kneel this year. He's said he doesn’t want to be a distraction, despite his previous head coach, Chip Kelly, stating publicly that Kaepernick was not a distraction. Teammates have said he was an exemplary member of the 49ers. And at the minimum, teams looking to upgrade their rosters bring in free agents for visits. Only the Seahawks have done this with Kaepernick. The other 31 have said no thanks.Yes, Kaepernick would be an outside distraction for any NFL team that brings him in, but it wouldn't be an issue within the locker room. Instead, it would be an easy “news” story that's used as clickbait by our country’s hungry media. It would lead to strong stances by the anti-Kap crowd, which would lead to fewer dollars for the NFL.I recently spoke with an agent - one who's represented multiple pro quarterbacks - and his stance was that Kaepernick is just too much of a distraction for NFL teams to want to deal with, and that his talent doesn't outweigh the annoyance. My answer to him was that it would last for a day or two, and then everyone would move on to their business of winning football games. Imagine dealing with a short-term distraction that could hugely help your football team. Head coaches in the NFL have to do really hard press conferences sometimes. I don't think this one would be that difficult.But this concern is why Kaepernick hasn’t been signed. It’s not because he "sucks," which is what I see on Twitter every day. It’s not because of his long hair, which Michael Vick stated last week. The reason Kaepernick isn’t signed is because he would cost the league, and the team that signs him, money.If I was an offensive coordinator who only cared about winning football games, I’d love to have Colin Kaepernick as my backup quarterback. Yeah, I’d have to spend some extra time to create a running and passing package that best fits his skills, just in case we had to win a game with him as our starter some day. But, since NFL coaches work 80 hours a week, I bet we'd figure out how to use a quarterback who can run well, yet threw 16 touchdowns to only four interceptions last year. I bet he would give the team a chance to win more games than its current backup, with the exception of maybe a half-dozen situations such as New England, which has Jimmy Garoppolo waiting in the wings.I can’t wait for the 2017 NFL season. It’s the greatest soap opera in sports because of its wide variety of personalities, its incredible feats of athleticism, and its nerve-racking finishes. But this year feels a little different for me. No longer will I believe an owner, president, general manager, or head coach when they say, “We are doing whatever we can to win each week.”I understand that's what they believe is true, but the fact is that winning is clearly not the most important thing in the NFL while Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned. I’m just calling a spade a spade before this circus hits the road on its way to Minneapolis in February.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After staying away from OTAs and minicamp in reported hopes of negotiating a new contract, Houston Texans left tackle Duane Brown is not traveling to his team's training camp and is not expected to attend, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.Brown has two years remaining on his current deal, though he has no guaranteed money remaining. He is due to earn a salary of $9.4 million in 2017 and $9.75 million in 2018.The 31-year-old has played all nine of his NFL season with the Texans, making the Pro Bowl in in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Without Brown in the lineup, the Texans face a problem on the offensive line, since starting right tackle Derek Newton is on the PUP list with a shoulder injury.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No need to question Dez Bryant's commitment to the Dallas Cowboys. He loves it there.After the star receiver reported late to training camp and missed his conditioning test, some questioned his dedication to the team, but Bryant says everything is good between him and his club. It's nothing but love."Everybody in this organization knows what's up with me," Bryant told NFL Network's Jane Slater. "They know I love this football team. You know, me personally, I feel nobody reps the star more than me. That's not a shot directed at nobody, that's just how I feel. I always loved it. I love the fans and I put my all out for them you know? I don't care if I'm injured, I'll try my best to get out there and play. That's how it's always been."I love Dallas. I love this place, I just love everything about it. I love the coaches, I love Jerry Jones, I love Stephen (Jones), I love everybody around this place."Showing up late for team meetings is reportedly nothing new for Bryant. Though he says he had legitimate reasons for his tardiness entering training camp, he took responsibility for his actions."I don't have much room to talk, but even though I had a legit deal - the reason why I missed - I should have been there," said Bryant. "And we handled it. At the same time I understand what coach Garrett is trying to do. You gotta take care of business."Thankfully for Bryant, as a star playmaker, he didn't face the potential of heavy-duty repercussions, unlike depth receiver Lucky Whitehead, who was cut by the Cowboys after apparently being wrongfully identified as a shoplifter.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The theme for the Carolina Panthers' training camp this summer is "Wofford is Coming," a merging of a "Game of Thrones" reference (winter is coming) and the location of the team's practices (Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.).But with the surprise firing of general manager Dave Gettleman last week, a Panthers veteran is questioning whether the team has delved too far into the cutthroat world of Westeros from HBO's hit show."We've obviously taken it too literal with the offing of major characters," center Ryan Kalil joked ahead of camp Tuesday, according to Max Henson of the Panthers' website.The Panthers re-hired former general manager Marty Hurney, who was fired in 2012, to take over for Gettleman. If Hurney can come back from the (metaphorical) dead, does that make him Jon Snow?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts have placed safety Malik Hooker on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to begin training camp after the rookie injured his hamstring during his conditioning test Monday, according to Kevin Bowen of the team's website.It's not the start the Colts wanted for their first-round pick and a player they likely hope will become the centerpiece of their rebuilt defense. Hooker has yet to participate in any offseason practices, missing spring OTAs after undergoing surgery in January.But it's no reason for the Colts to panic. Players can come off the PUP list at any time during training camp, and it's possible Hooker will miss only a few practices.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.