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NFL coaching camp updates 2022

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4:28 PM ET

ESPN employees

It was a giant birthday Wednesday across the NFL.

None was greater (or older) than Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady turning 45. There have been many “goat” tributes available throughout social media.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 38, was requested on the finish of his Wednesday information convention if he’ll nonetheless be taking part in when he is 45.

Rodgers answered in a short time and with a giant smile: “No, no. However joyful birthday, Tom.”

Brady’s wasn’t the one birthday of observe. New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson turned 23 and promptly had his greatest apply this yr.

Different NFL gamers who celebrated Aug. 3 birthdays included Los Angeles Chargers security Derwin James (26), Kansas City Chiefs operating again Ronald Jones (25) and Jets linebacker Kwon Alexander (28).

And do not look now, however there’s additionally a recreation on Thursday! The Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders will conflict within the Corridor of Fame Recreation at Tom Benson Corridor of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

However again to motion Wednesday. Some rookies stood out whereas others stood shut and listened intently whereas being tutored by legendary vets. A few groups had exercises indoors, and a few took the time off.

This is what you could know from camps throughout the league:

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What our NFL Nation reporters noticed at the moment

Washington Commanders: Extensive receiver Curtis Samuel returned to apply after sitting out the previous three days of exercises. Samuel’s Washington profession has been marred by begins and, principally, stops. Samuel performed in simply 5 video games final yr due to a groin damage after which a hamstring damage. This spring, Samuel was out and in of practices due to some tightness within the hamstring. So Washington coach Ron Rivera stated they wish to be good with him and “ramp him up” to verify he is again in soccer form. Samuel was energetic in full-team work Wednesday, catching a number of passes on screens or beneath throws. Samuel moved and lower effectively — when he labored with trainers the previous a number of days he continued to chop sharply. Wednesday, Samuel was aligned on the identical facet at instances as rookie receiver Jahan Dotson and veteran Terry McLaurin, offering a quick and various trio for defenses to cowl. Washington’s offense might be a lot better if Samuel can keep on the sphere. — John Keim

New York Giants: The day of relaxation seems to have labored. Extensive receiver Kenny Golladay had his greatest day of coaching camp after spending a lot of the earlier afternoon watching on a semi-maintenance day. Golladay, who did not rating a landing and struggled in his first season with the Giants final yr, beat beginning cornerback Adoree’ Jackson for a protracted landing in 1-on-1 drills. He additionally caught three passes in stay intervals in his most energetic day of the summer time. It is a promising signal contemplating Golladay wasn’t shifting notably effectively for the second consecutive yr early in camp. “Final yr there have been lots of accidents concerned,” Golladay stated earlier this week. “I believe this yr is slightly bit higher so far as simply the coaching employees, power employees after which teaching employees taking good care of our our bodies and us as gamers doing the proper issues on and off the sphere.” Appears the additional day of relaxation paid dividends on this case. — Jordan Raanan

Atlanta Falcons: With the season-ending damage to Vincent Taylor, there are alternatives on the Falcons’ defensive position rotation and this may very well be a spot the place a shocking participant wins a job. Third-year professional Jalen Dalton, who was kicked out of Saturday’s apply for throwing a punch, has gotten some first-team reps, and undrafted free agent Derrick Tangelo has constantly flashed the primary week in pads. It will create an fascinating battle as coaching camp strikes on at one of many extra intriguing positions on the roster. — Michael Rothstein

New England Patriots: In a slower-tempo apply not held in full pads, QB Mac Jones flashed a hand sign to WR DeVante Parker earlier than the snap, and shortly thereafter threw a move in his route alongside the left sideline that was intercepted by CB Terrance Mitchell. It seemed to be a breakdown in communication between Jones and Parker, as Jones’ throw indicated he was anticipating a unique kind of route. It has been a wrestle at instances for the Patriots’ offense early in camp, and this was an instance of the issues they’re working by means of. It was Jones’ fourth INT of camp (seven practices). — Mike Reiss

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs continued to type by means of a deep group of operating backs with a bodily apply that included an prolonged interval devoted to the operating recreation. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones, Derrick Gore and rookie Isiah Pacheco every had a number of carries within the interval and every had no less than one productive run. The Chiefs have one other operating again in Jerick McKinnon who shines as a receiver, so that they face a tricky resolution at operating again when it comes time to trim the roster. The Chiefs could wind up maintaining 4 backs. — Adam Teicher

Carolina Panthers: Many assumed the left deal with job would go to rookie Ikem Ekwonu, chosen No. 6 total within the April draft. However up to now the job has belonged to 2021 third-round decide Brady Christensen, who gained the employees’s confidence final season due to the best way he performed within the last couple of video games. It comes all the way down to method, and it was apparent watching Christensen and Ekwonu in Wednesday’s pass-rush drills that Christensen had a determined edge. So do not be shocked if the previous BYU left deal with will get the nod there for the season opener. “He is acquired a protracted technique to go,” coach Matt Rhule stated of Ekwonu. “He does some issues rather well naturally. He is unbelievably highly effective and gifted. However there’s loads to this recreation. … He has a protracted methods to go. He’ll get there, however each day he is started working.”— David Newton

Green Bay Packers: If it is arduous for Christian Watson to take a seat again and watch fellow rookie receiver Romeo Doubs get all the eye in coaching camp, he isn’t letting on. Actually, Watson was photographed in mid-jump celebrating with Doubs after a play in apply. “We will rejoice one another’s successes,” Watson stated. Nonetheless, Watson, the Packers’ second-round decide, admitted that being sidelined to begin coaching camp as a result of he underwent knee surgical procedure this summer time has taken its toll. “It is undoubtedly irritating, however I’ve tried to not let that have an effect on me an excessive amount of,” Watson stated. In the meantime, the reward retains coming for Doubs, the fourth-round decide. “Each single day, there’s been no less than one form of ‘Wow’ play for him,” Aaron Rodgers stated Wednesday. “And that is form of uncommon for a younger man like that. Now we have had some guys through the years form of try this, however they’re all within the high 10 I believe within the Packers’ receiving historical past. So good begin for him.” — Rob Demovsky

Los Angeles Chargers: Security Derwin James, the important thing playmaker within the Chargers’ secondary, has continued a hold-in that now has lasted seven days as he awaits an settlement on a contract extension. Coach Brandon Staley stated Wednesday that there was no replace on James’ state of affairs. In James’ absence, security Nasir Adderley has commanded consideration over the past two practices, intercepting passes from quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Chase Daniel. “Actually big-time break by him. Nice play,” Staley stated about Adderley’s interception off Daniel, which concerned a diving effort (and led to a momentarily scary collision with receiver Maurice Ffrench, who remained on the grass for a number of minutes earlier than standing up. Staley stated afterward he was “OK.”). “I advised you guys on the finish of minicamp that I believed that he was an actual vivid spot, a standout,” Staley stated about Adderley. “He is actually flashing within the run recreation and within the passing recreation.” — Lindsey Thiry

New Orleans Saints: Security Tyrann Mathieu made his first look at coaching camp on Wednesday morning after lacking the primary week because of a private matter. Mathieu participated within the group walkthrough and particular person drills however stayed out of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills as a part of the steps to get his conditioning again up. Additionally, vast receiver Michael Thomas took the subsequent step in his development from his ankle damage that precipitated him to overlook final season, taking part in 7-on-7 drills for the primary time. Saints quarterback Jameis Winston wasted no time in getting the ball to Thomas, kicking off the 7-on-7 session with two fast throws to Thomas, who made catches in opposition to Bryce Thompson and Bradley Roby. Thomas additionally caught a move from Andy Dalton to begin the subsequent arrange 7-on-7 drills, ending the day 3-for-3. — Katherine Terrell

High NFL information of the day

Directive to lose games in 2019 by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross never made it to field, assistant says

Whereas an NFL-backed investigation could have discovered Dolphins proprietor Stephen Ross made it recognized he believed the group’s draft place ought to take priority over successful video games in 2019, these beliefs didn’t make it all the way down to the soccer subject. Dolphins operating backs coach Eric Studesville, who has held that title since 2018, stated the group’s directive throughout the 2019 season was not questioned so far as he knew. “From the highest down (the purpose was) to win soccer video games and put together and prepare to go — that is the way it’s at all times been,” Studesville stated Wednesday.

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