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NFL Training Camp Notes: Limp, Eagles, Limp

Just finished the auction for the RotoWire Steak League. Is it bad when you execute your initial plan almost to the letter, and still end up hating the team you assembled? Asking for a friend.

  • sidelined since Sunday, the Eagles finally fessed up that Jay Ajayi is dealing with a lower-body injury and confirmed he won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Browns. The 25-year-old hasn't played a full 16-game schedule yet in his career, so this latest boo-boo isn't be much of a surprise, but the coaching staff doesn't seem too worried about his Week 1 availability. That's good, because the Eagles' depth chart at RB is pretty threadbare right now due to all the injuries they've experienced -- Corey Clement, Donnell Pumphrey and UDFA Josh Adams are also limping, and Darren Sproles could break down again at any time. There's a non-zero chance the champs may end up heading into the season with retread Matt Jones as their No. 2 back.
  • speaking of banged-up backfields, J.D. McKissic could miss up to six weeks after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot, which all but guarantees C.J. Prosise will begin the season as the Seahawks' passing-down back -- assuming he doesn't get hurt himself between now and then, of course. Seattle's job battles have mostly been decided by attrition this preseason, as Rashaad Penny's finger surgery also keeps him out until at least Week 1, leaving the starting job in Chris Carson's hands. Don't be surprised if the roles here are a revolving door all year, as none of their RB options are exactly iron men.
  • Tyrell Williams got held out of practice Tuesday with what's reported to be a foot injury. The injury doesn't appear to be a serious one, but given the competition for targets behind Keenan Allen, any prolonged absence would give Mike Williams and Travis Benjamin a chance to leapfrog Tyrell on the Chargers' depth chart. The 26-year-old hasn't missed a game the last two years, though, and this doesn't seem likely to end his streak.
  • in more encouraging injury news, Kenny Stills returned to practice Tuesday after recovering from an ankle issue. With DeVante Parker not guaranteed to suit up for Week 1 due to a broken finger, Stills could be Ryan Tannehill's primary target out of the gate -- for what that's actually worth.
  • Rishard Matthews got a one-year extension on his contract that includes 2018 incentives. The Titans still haven't offered any clues as to why he's on the PUP list right now, but the fact that they're willing to keep him under contract past this season must be a good sign, right?
  • Cole Beasley also got back onto the practice field Tuesday, as he looks to put his groin injury behind him before Week 1. The slotback has a golden opportunity to return to his 2016 level of production, with the Cowboys' wide receiver corps experiencing huge turnover in the offseason and Jason Witten's retirement leaving the job of Dak Prescott's third-down security blanket wide open.
  • in some IDP news, Jimmy Smith has been suspended for four games for a personal conduct policy violation. The Ravens' corner will actually end up missing eight straight contests after a PED suspension cost him the final four games of 2017. This won't matter so much in Week 1 -- they're only playing the Bills, so it's not like they're facing a passing attack that could exploit his absence -- but A.J. Green, Demaryius Thomas and Antonio Brown await in Weeks 2-4, and are probably clapping their hands with glee at this news.
  • Baltimore isn't the only team that could be missing an elite corner. Casey Hayward injured his hamstring in practice Tuesday. He hasn't missed a game in four seasons dating back to his Green Bay days, so he could be fine for Week 1, but the Chargers will need Desmond King to step up in a big way if Hayward's injury proves to be serious.
  • finally, the snakebit Panthers' offensive line developed another hole when starting left tackle Matt Kalil underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee Tuesday. The unit's already lost right tackle Daryl Williams and left guard Amini Silatolu to knee injuries, and while none of them are expected to be out for the season, it might be time to start fading Carolina's skill players at their current ADP if they have to work behind a gutted O-line. Yes, that even goes for Cam Newton, who might gain more rushing yards as he runs for his life but will be at an increased risk of an injury of his own. As for Christian McCaffrey, it generally doesn't go well for backs who have to start dancing two yards behind the line of scrimmage instead of two yards beyond it, no matter how elusive they are, and it's hard to set up a screen pass when your QB has no time to let a play develop.