The Jets starting quarterback job battle rages on as Mark Sanchez took the majority of first-team reps Monday and Tuesday while Geno Smith handled most of them over the weekend. Unless one of them really outshines the other during the week and/or during Saturday's game against the Jaguars, this decision may be put off for yet another week. The gut feel is that the Jets would like to make the switch to Smith, but without him doing anything to prove he should have the job, they may just stick with Sanchez.
A dislocated thumb could cost Montario Hardestyhis job as Trent Richardson's back-up in Cleveland this season. He is expected to try and play through the injury, but it may have an adverse effect on his ability to hold onto the ball. With Dion Lewis knocking at the door and having a strong camp, Hardesty could slide down the depth chart if this injury gets the better of him. Richardson, meanwhile, is still dealing with his shin injury but is expected to play a few series during Thursday's preseason game.
With a hamstring injury continuing to keep him off the field during camp,Domenik Hixon is going to have to do something spectacular and soon if he wants to still earn the number three receiver job in Carolina. Hixon hasn't had any chance to build a rapport with quarterback Cam Newton while Armanti Edwards is not only working well with Newton but is also starting to stand out more to the coaches.
The Ravens still haven't put Dennis Pitta on injured reserve and are now saying that he could be back at some point during the season. It's not likely, but some folks in Baltimore seem to be holding out hope. In truth though, there's still no reason to draft him. None. Meanwhile, Dallas Clark could be an interesting sleeper ifEd Dickson remains sidelined much longer.
Titans receiver Kenny Britt missed his third straight day of practice Tuesday as he is still experiencing both swelling and soreness in his right knee. The team is saying that they are simply being cautious right now as the goal is to have him on the field come September, but this does seem like one of those nagging injuries that Britt could be dealing with all year.
The Colts will be without Coby Fleener for a little while after suffering a concussion during Sunday's game. He will have to get through a series of tests as part of the NFL's concussion protocol before he is able to return to practice. That puts Dwayne Allen in a much more favorable position as the second-year tight end has the potential to put up strong numbers with Andrew Luck at the helm.
Though he was activated from the PUP list on Monday, Ahmad Bradshaw still didn't practice Tuesday and is expected to sit out the Colts next preseason game with the lingering foot issue that has hampered him over the past two seasons. He is still expected to beat out Vick Ballardfor the starting running back position.
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan reiterated that there is no chance that we'll see Robert Griffin play during the preseason. Dr. James Andrews, who performed the knee surgery, recommended he not play in the preseason and Shanahan says that the goal is to have him ready for Week 1. Drafting RG3 is a definite risk, but simply cannot be ignored as his potential is massive should the knee be healthy.
The receivers in San Diego are dropping like flies these days asKeenan Allen left Tuesday's practice to receive treatment on his knee. First Danario Alexander tore his ACL, then Malcom Floyd went down with a serious knee strain and now this. The Chargers were well aware of Allen's knee issues in college, so there isn't much surprise here. Still, it's looking like Antonio Gates is going to see quite a number of targets as there aren't too many reliable options left.
And finally, with the position looking a little thin these days, keep your eye on tight end Heath Miller. There's talk that the Steelers are looking to activate him from the PUP list – not that he'll play Week 1, but he could practice with the team for a few weeks and then be activated. Miller is always a nice play due to the number of red zone targets he sees, and could be worth a look late in the draft if reports are positive and he doesn't miss much time.