This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.
Another week of preseason action concludes Sunday and with it, another edition of Training Camp Notes. Roster and position battles are at stake with each performance, and a number of key players are on the mend.
• Just three weeks after surgery on his foot, Carson Wentz is expected to return to practice this week. With recovery reportedly lasting from five to 12 weeks, the latter end of which would mean missing almost half the regular season, it's certainly good news that he'll be back on the field so soon. The North Dakota State product instead has a shot to be on the field in Week 1. As the 21st quarterback off the board, this news affects the draft stock of the rest of the Colts' weapons more than his own.
• Jalen Hurts also returned to practice for the Eagles, getting in a full practice Sunday after missing the team's most recent preseason game Thursday with a non-COVID illness. It sounds like he's back to normal, and the illness shouldn't have any impact.
• Deshaun Watson could be a healthy scratch as long as he remains with the Texans. With a standing trade request and the NFL yet to levy any penalty pending its investigation into his legal troubles, it's clear the Texans plan to proceed with Tyrod Taylor under center.
• Julio Jones has missed three weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury, and the Titans still don't know when he'll be back at work. The 32-year-old is the 17th receiver off the board, and given the injuries he battled in 2020 and his current health status, I might rather grab a younger, healthier Diontae Johnson or DJ Moore, who are going immediately after him at the position.
• On the opposite end of the injury spectrum is Stefon Diggs, who returned to Bills practice after nearly a two-week absence with a knee injury. It appears the 27-year-old is still on track for Week 1, as expected.
• Saquon Barkley also appears to be trending in the right direction as he works his way back from a torn ACL. He may get some on-field reps in the Giants' joint sessions with the Patriots this week. This aligns with previous reports that he would ramp up his workload in the final week of the preseason.
• Courtland Sutton is a bit further along in his ACL rehab and is slated to play in Denver's final preseason tilt Saturday against the Rams. By all accounts, the SMU product has looked like his former 1,100-yard self throughout camp, and as the 32nd receiver off the board, he could be a major steal in drafts if he can fully regain that form.
• Tyler Lockett is dealing with a groin issue but is also making headway. After missing a couple days earlier in the week, he had returned to practice by Thursday and participated in warm-ups before the Seahawks' preseason matchup with Denver on Saturday but did not play. Coach Pete Carroll said the 28-year-old could play in the team's final preseason game with the Chargers on Aug. 28.
• San Francisco rookie and popular breakout pick Trey Sermon missed Sunday's preseason game with the Chargers due to a previously unreported ankle injury. There's been no word as to the severity of the issue, but if it forces him to miss any regular-season time, Raheem Mostert would presumably get extra touches.
• If performance in preseason exhibitions is any indication, Teddy Bridgewater might have taken the lead over Drew Lock for the Broncos' quarterback job. The former had the advantage of playing with the first team in Saturday's game, but he has been effective in both of Denver's preseason games, while Lock struggled in his second outing Saturday, getting sacked and fumbling twice each.
• David Johnson saw primarily third-down work behind Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay in the Texans' preseason win over the Cowboys. Each of the latter two got goal-to-go work, but only Ingram converted his chance into a touchdown. The usage of the trio this preseason indicates a true committee to start the year, making it difficult to rely on any one of them for consistent production.
