This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.
The majority of news this weekend will come from the first full slate of preseason games, so be sure to monitor all the game recaps on RotoWire. However, there's still news out of camp to get to regarding both injuries and job battles. We'll conclude with some of the top performances from Thursday's games.
Let's start with injury updates:
- Zack Moss has dealt with injuries for much of camp. First, he was eased into practice after undergoing ankle surgery in the offseason. Although he's ramped up since, Moss is now dealing with a hamstring injury. That will presumably hold him out of the team's first preseason game Friday. Although the team has stated the injury isn't serious, Moss' inability to get fully healthy in training camp is a concern.
- Darren Waller remains sidelined, though the team has downplayed the severity of the injury. Jeremy Fowler noted that Waller would have likely suited up for a regular season game but is taking a cautious approach because it's preseason. This isn't concerning yet, but surely is worth monitoring.
- Mike Boone is set to miss four to six weeks with a quad injury. There wasn't much doubt that Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams would sit atop the Broncos' depth chart in some order, but this news solidifies that for the start of the season.
- Both Travis Homer and D'Wayne Eskridge are expected to be activated from the PUP list next week for the Seahawks. Eskridge could return to compete for the team's third-receiver role, while Homer will be competing for a third-down role, though he has already lost valuable ground to DeeJay Dallas.
- Jordan Akins continues to miss practice time with a leg injury. That has allowed Brevin Jordan to get more reps with the Houston first team. As can be expected of a rookie, he's been inconsistent, making mental errors but also making athletic catches.
Role updates:
- The Rams are reportedly committed to Darrell Henderson as their top back. This isn't a surprise, but coach Sean McVay has shown a desire to rotate his backs, so there may still be some ceiling on Henderson's touches.
- Austin Hooper will reportedly see an expanded role in year two in Cleveland. Coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Hooper has a better understanding of the offense. Even so, the team has a number of options at the position, including Harrison Bryant and David Njoku. The Browns, though, ranked 28th in pass attempts last season, and a similar low-volume passing offense this year could limit Hooper's potential despite the coach speak.
- Michael Thomas might hit the trade block after a reported fall out between he and the Saints. There has reportedly been an ongoing dispute between Thomas and the team regarding how his ankle injury was handled, which ultimately led to surgery that will cost Thomas regular-season time. He would obviously add firepower to any offense should he be moved, though he also probably wouldn't have the chance to dominate targets the way he does in New Orleans.
Now to some preseason news:
- Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger are seemingly in a full-blown battle for the backup quarterback job in Indianapolis with the chance for a start or two to begin the season. Eason will start the team's first preseason game and is expected to play into the second quarter. However, the Colts already announced that Ehlinger will get the nod in the second preseason game and has reportedly getting plenty of first-team reps in practice.
- Mac Jones impressed in his preseason debut with New England, completing 13 of 19 passes. Cam Newton still tops the depth chart, though it remains possible that Jones surpasses him at some point during the season.
- Quez Watkins scored a 79-yard touchdown on a screen pass on which he broke through the Steelers' defense. With DeVonta Smith sidelined, Watkins could emerge with a larger-than-expected role in the Eagles' offense if he continues to perform well.
