Cincinnati Bengals: How Long Will Ja'Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson Hold In?
Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson reported to Bengals training camp, but they've done more watching than playing.
Heading into Monday afternoon's session, Chase had missed all four practices while Hendrickson had missed the past three.
It remains to be seen how long the Bengals' top receiver and top pass rusher will hold in, but both are seeking new contracts.
Last week, Bengals owner Mike Brown said getting a long-term deal done with Chase was a priority but did not offer a timetable.
"He's a key player, next to Joe [Burrow] he's our next one," Brown said via James Rapien of Sports Illustrated. "He knows it, we know it. This may take a while. We are going to bend over backwards to get it done. I can't tell you when, though."
Head Coach Zac Taylor said he wasn't worried about unresolved contract issues becoming a distraction. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is playing under the franchise tag after not reaching an agreement on a long-term deal.
"We've got great communication with all these guys," Taylor said. "Ja'Marr and Tee specifically have repped more times than you can count [over the years]. All these [other] guys that are getting all these reps, it's going to help the depth of our team and the competition we've got at that third receiver spot."
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin Expects Russell Wilson to Practice Tuesday
Quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is expected to participate in his first training camp practice with the Steelers on Tuesday, according to Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
Wilson said he injured his leg pushing a blocking sled but was getting better each day.
"Just tweaked it a little bit," Wilson told reporters via the Steelers' website. "Just working hard and sometimes things happen. But the good news is a I feel good.
"I hate missing practice. I hate not being out there. That's always been a thing for me, my whole career, is practice."
The competition between Wilson and Justin Fields at the quarterback position will be closely watched throughout the summer, and Wilson acknowledged that he's going to be pushed by Fields.
"He's done a good job," Wilson said. "Every play, he's going against some really good defense. So, every day there's some really great plays and plays he responds back to and this and that. He's a really good competitor. He processes as well, and he's a tremendous young talent for sure."
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson Getting Plenty of Reps to Work Off Rust
Deshaun Watson has only played 12 games over the last three seasons, and this is a critical campaign for Cleveland's starting quarterback. Watson is unlikely to see much if any action during the preseason. But the Browns are making sure he gets plenty of snaps during camp, probably more than most starting quarterbacks.
"He needs reps, needs live action," Browns new Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey said via ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The Browns are banking on Watson returning to the form he had with the Houston Texans when he led the league in passing yards with 4,823. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski will continue to be the play caller in Cleveland even though Dorsey has joined the staff. Stefanski is confident Watson can return to being an elite quarterback.
"I'm confident in Deshaun as a winner," Stefanski said. "That's what he's proven to do his entire career. He even did it for us last season, even though he wasn't 100 percent."
