FBG Notes - Week 4 Training Camp Summary

Photo: USA Today Sports

One of the best and most comprehensive features we do every year is our Footballguys Training Camp Updates. Every week in August, our Bob Henry and his team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's incredible and frankly, probably worth the price of the Footballguys Season Long Pro subscription just by itself. Each edition is almost 40 pages long.

While I encourage you to read every word of every week, I also understand Life Happens. And one of the more valuable services Footballguys can add is saving you time. For this article, I had the idea of taking the comprehensive Training Camp Update and distilling it down into 80 proof shots of the Need-to-Know material. Some teams will have more news than others. Because that's how it works in real life. Much of it will be from the Camp Updates, some of it will be my takes but all of it will hopefully be useful to you. And make sure to jump on our Season Long Pro subscription to continue seeing this type of stuff all year long. And if this feature is helpful to you, shoot me an email at bryant@footballguys.com and let me know.

Let's get to it.

Arizona Cardinals | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins are working on chemistry off the field as well as on the field.
• Running back Kenyan Drake shed walking boot early in the week and is ready for the start of the season.
• Running back Chase Edmonds is viewed as more than a backup running back by the coaches and by himself.
• Tight end Dan Arnold continues to impress as Maxx Williams is off the field with an undisclosed injury.
• Safety Budda Baker because the highest-paid player at his position, as his salary jumps up to $14.75 million per season.

Atlanta Falcons | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The Falcons staff has limited Todd Gurley to keep him healthy and Gurley's top-end vision, speed, agility, and quickness showed up during Friday's scrimmage with multiple big gains with and without the help of the offensive line.
• Dann Quinn says reserve Brian Hill "is on a mission" during training camp and every phase of his game has improved over the summer.
• Calvin Ridley has had an excellent training camp and made multiple big plays in scrimmages, including a long touchdown from Matt Ryan against rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell on Friday.
• Backup Matt Schaub has had an inaccurate training camp but he found his groove during Friday's practice while third-stringer Kurt Benkert hasn't played well enough to make a move for Schaub's job.
• Keanu Neal appears sufficiently recovered from his Achilles tear and has performed well during training camp.
• Hayden Hurst earned a big play up the seam during Friday's scrimmage against Neal.

Baltimore Ravens | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed two practices early last week with a groin injury but has since returned and played in the team's scrimmage Saturday night.
• Running back J.K. Dobbins is making "highlight reel submissions" seemingly every practice.
• Wide receiver Marquise Brown hauled in a 40-yard touchdown from Jackson in the team's scrimmage Saturday. Their chemistry is evident, as noted by head coach John Harbaugh.
• Wide receiver Miles Boykin has stepped up since the team entertained signing Dez Bryant.
• Tight end Mark Andrews continues to be Jackson's most frequent target.

Buffalo Bills | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Josh Allen had a solid week of practice and is focused on running less and making more plays from the pocket this year.
• Running back Devin Singletary remains the starter but ball-security concerns could allow rookie Zack Moss to take on a bigger role than expected.
• Receiver Stefon Diggs caught everything thrown his way while rookie Gabriel Davis has been the star of camp.
• The Bills defense should remain among the best in the league with excellent talent at all three levels.

Carolina Panthers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater continued to build rapport with his offensive weapons, particularly running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
• Running back Christian McCaffrey showed himself to be a favorite target for Bridgewater.
• Wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel both performed so well, onlookers are hopeful they will both take the next step in their career.
• Tight end Ian Thomas became more involved, while Manhertz put in extra work to break out of his blocking tight end mentality.
• Rookie defensemen Derrick Brown, Jeremy Chinn, Yetur Gross-Mator, and Troy Pride, Jr. all earned spots on the first string.

Chicago Bears | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Neither Mitch Trubisky nor Nick Foles has played well enough to clearly win the quarterback competition to this point.
• Running back David Montgomery suffered a groin injury that will keep him out for 2 to 4 weeks and possibly create an opening for Ryan Nall or Artavis Pierce.
• Receiver Allen Robinson remains sidelined with an ankle injury but isn't expected to miss the opener, while Anthony Miller recently returned to practice.
• The tight end position has drawn raves as both Jimmy Graham and rookie Cole Kmet look capable of making an impact.
• On defense, Robert Quinn returned to practice but the #2 cornerback spot remains a concern with Buster Skrine expected to open as the starter.

Cincinnati Bengals | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Joe Burrow had some ups and downs this week but has fully won over his teammates, who have universally raved about his demeanor and grasp of the offense.
• Running back Joe Mixon signed a big new contract extension. This seems to have cured his "migraine" headaches.
• The Bengals are finally healthy at wide receiver but the coaching staff is playing it extra cautions with A.J. Green and John Ross due to their injury histories.

Cleveland Browns | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the passing offense were often out-of-sync this past week.
• The running game led by a committee of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt was consistently impressive.
• Behind wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry, there is little indication of the pecking order.
• Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones put together an impressive camp and will stick on the roster.
• Rookie tight end Harrison Bryant was a camp standout and jumped David Njoku on the depth chart.

Dallas Cowboys | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy insisted, for the third consecutive week, Ezekiel Elliott will be one of the primary focal points of the offense regardless of how good the passing game looks.
• Rookie receiver CeeDee Lamb continues to stand out in a crowded and talented, offensive huddle. The team's reporters said he's been better than either Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
• The hype behind new starting tight end Blake Jarwin is building. He has a chance to at least match Jason Witten's 80 targets, and do more with them because he's a more dynamic downfield threat.
• No. 4 receiver Cedrick Wilson has been a star throughout camp, and although he won't see many snaps while the Big 3 are healthy, he could be a waiver wire darling if the opportunity arises.
• Despite missing chunks of training camp, the team's offensive line, including its three top tackles, is healthy and rounding into form.

Denver Broncos | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Coach Vic Fangio wasn't happy about the offense's poor Saturday practice, but won't overreact against young quarterback Drew Lock.
• Running back Melvin Gordon (ribs) should be back to practice soon, and he's still expected to lead this backfield.
• Rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy continues to dazzle veterans and coaches, showing off instinct and technique beyond his years.
• Tight end Noah Fant is excited for what new coordinator Pat Shurmur, who's long valued the position, has in store.

Detroit Lions | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Matthew Stafford is dialed in, playing at a high level, and ready to start the season.
• Injuries have hit the running back position hard, and it appears to be a committee approach with the regular season approaching.
• The Lions have an excellent group of pass-catchers across the receiver group, and there is justifiable excitement with the passing attack.
• Rookie receiver Quintez Cephus continues to make plays in practice, and while he is a depth player now, he could be a critical piece as soon as 2021.
• T.J. Hockenson has had a phenomenal training camp, displaying excellent size, route-running ability, and the potential to be a red-zone mismatch for this offense.

Green Bay Packers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Rookie quarterback Jordan Love is taking baby steps but remains nowhere near challenging Tim Boyle for the backup job.
• Running back Aaron Jones is enjoying a great, healthy camp, and expectations should be managed for rookie A.J. Dillon's workload.
• Allen Lazard looks locked in as the No. 2 receiver, but there's a fierce battle for opportunity behind him and Davante Adams.
• On the heels of a shaky camp, Jace Sternberger may not have the starting tight end job locked down after all.

Houston Texans | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Contract extension talks are entering a crucial period with quarterback Deshaun Watson with the season fast approaching but there has been little momentum towards a deal.
• Beat writer Aaron Reiss believes David Johnson will get heavy usage as both a runner and receiver, in part because Bill O'Brien needs to justify the controversial offseason trade.
• David Johnson's receiving ability could lead to much less usage for Duke Johnson Jr.
• Jordan Akins has been one of the top performers in camp and looks like the tight end to target in what is likely to be a committee.

Indianapolis Colts | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Philip Rivers' flourishing connection with top wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is generating buzz.
• Running back Marlon Mack is having a stellar camp and is not making it easy for rookie Jonathan Taylor to emerge as the team's lead back in the short term.
• Wide receiver Parris Campbell, who is slated to start in the slot, was in a minor car accident and is in the league's concussion protocol.
• Tight end Jack Doyle has been limited to individual drills in his return from a neck injury, while Trey Burton left Saturday's scrimmage with a potentially serious calf injury.
• Tight end Mo Alie-Cox was activated from the PUP list and praised by head coach Frank Reich for his all-around game. Given the injuries to Doyle and Burton, Alie-Cox is a name worth monitoring in the Colts' tight end-friendly offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Gardner Minshew is ready to roll in Jay Gruden's offense.
• Running back Leonard Fournette was released. The team hasn't given a clear indication of exactly how carries will be distributed.
• Wide receiver's Laviska Shenault and Dede Westbrook are both battling minor injuries and missed practices this week.
• Wide receiver DJ Chark gains praise from Jay Gruden stating he can play all over the field and that there is no other receiver like him.
• Tight end's Tyler Eifert and James O'Shaughnessy could both produce in this offense.

Kansas City Chiefs | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• It's scary to imagine, but coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes II continue to add innovative wrinkles to the league's best offense.
• Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is locked in as the top backfield threat, and Darrel Williams has won the direct backup job.
• Reid and his coaches continue to rotate their wideouts liberally, giving speedy Mecole Hardman more opportunity to earn a bigger role.
• Rising star safety Juan Thornhill's return to team drills - less than eight months after ACL surgery - bodes well for an underrated defense loaded with playmakers.

Las Vegas Raiders | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Derek Carr has been sharp and solidified his hold on the starting position.
• Lynn Bowden is suffering growing pains while making the transition to running back and may not have much of a role as a rookie.
• Wide receiver Tyrell Williams suffered a shoulder injury. He will try to play through it but the door is open for impressive rookie Bryan Edwards to steal the starting job.
• Hunter Renfrow has had a strong camp and will again have a big role out of the slot.

Los Angeles Chargers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Mike Williams suffered a shoulder injury in a fall during practice and is at risk of missing early-season games.
• Hunter Henry is healthy, and without Mike Williams in the offense early in the season, is likely to see a focal role.
• Justin Jackson suffered a foot injury of unknown severity during practice over the weekend, and his status is unknown.
• Joshua Kelley has played well in camp and could take Justin Jackson's job as the lead back up to Austin Ekeler.

Los Angeles Rams | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Cooper Kupp suffered a sprained ankle over the weekend, but it is not expected to affect his week one status.
• Darrell Henderson has missed time with a hamstring injury which has allowed Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers the opportunity to consolidate their hold on the running back position.
• Jalen Ramsey is entering a contract year and has not been signed to a long-term deal yet.

Miami Dolphins | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Ryan Fitzpatrick has a solid hold on the starting quarterback position.
• Tua Tagovailoa has mostly struggled in scrimmages. There are some questions as to how much he'll play this season.
• Wide receivers DeVante Parker and Preston Williams continue to stand out as camp and should have strong seasons.
• Rookie Malcolm Perry is listed as a running back but has been making plays all over the field while lining up at different positions. He is making a strong push for snaps in the slot.

Minnesota Vikings | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Running back Dalvin Cook and the Vikings broke off contract talks and now Cook is ready to show his worth on and off the field. Some are still worried. Adam Schefter said he'd give "pause" to drafting Cook without a new contract.
• Running back Alexander Mattison is ready to prove his worth entering year two in the NFL.
• Wide receivers Bisi Johnson and Justin Jefferson continue to battle for the No.2 depth chart role with Johnson currently in the lead but helping to push Jefferson.
• Tight end Irv Smith Jr.has taken a significant step forward from Year 1 to Year 2.
• The Vikings traded for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to help fill the void that the team was looking for in the pass-rushing game.

New England Patriots | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Cam Newton appears to have pulled away decisively in the starting quarterback competition.
• Running back Sony Michel (foot) has come off the PUP list, but will have his work cut out in competition with camp star Damien Harris.
• Julian Edelman remains integral, but the young wideouts - particularly N'Keal Harry - continue to underwhelm behind him.
• Rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene continue to prove their worth, and both could lock down notable Week 1 roles.

New Orleans Saints | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The backup quarterback competition remains wide open, with Taysom Hill taking most of the first-team snaps behind Drew Brees.
• Running back Alvin Kamara missed several practices and reports flared up Tuesday the team was open to trading him. This seems to have calmed down Wednesday as the team and Kamara's agents resumed negotiations.
• Worry was raised Tuesday with reports Kamara had received an epidural injection for his back. Later it was clarified it was a less serious shot just for SI joint inflammation and not a big deal.
• Coach Sean Payton continues to talk up the role of big-play wideout TreQuan Smith in his ideal attack.
• Rookie tight end Adam Trautman offers lots of athleticism up the seams, and early reports of his all-around game are positive.

New York Giants | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Giants starting quarterback Daniel Jones struggled in the team's Blue-White scrimmage, which was meant as a dress rehearsal. He led the team to 3 points in five drives, was sacked four times, and lost a fumble.
• Veteran Dion Lewis has earned the No. 2 backup job, mainly thanks to his skills as a receiver. But the coaches have made it clear Lewis won't be a third-down specialist, as Saquon Barkley will be on the field in most situations.
• Although Golden Tate, Darius Slayton, and Sterling Shepard will all play a lot this year, Shepard has been the best player at the position in camp – day in, day out.
• Evan Engram had a terrific training camp. The only thing keeping him from stardom is health.
• The offensive line is taking shape, with rookie Andrew Thomas at left tackle, veteran Cam Fleming at right tackle, Will Hernandez at left guard, and Kevin Zeitler at right guard. The competition at center between Nick Gates and Spencer Pulley is dead even.

New York Jets | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• While actual carries are up in the air, Le'Veon Bell is getting a ton of targets from Sam Darnold, which bodes well for his PPR status.
• So many injuries to receivers mean Chris Herndon, Jamison Crowder, and, when healthy, Brashad Perriman could be in line for big targets.
• The Jets defense remarked a lot about how strange it was to play in an empty stadium. That could be an issue for a unit that feeds on the fans, and ultimately any team which can get some fans in the building could have an advantage.
• Injury aside, La'mical Perine is having a great camp and is someone who should be on Dynasty radars.

Philadelphia Eagles | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The team was already down All-Pro guard Brandon Brooks, and now starting left tackle Andre Dillard is out for the season. It's unclear whether Jason Peters will shift back out to tackle, or if the team will give Matt Pryor a try while keeping the venerable Peters at right guard.
• Eagles starter Carson Wentz started with a good training camp, showing accuracy and an undeniable rapport with most of the receiving corps. But he showed up on the injury report with a "lower-body injury" and is labeled day-to-day.
• Starting running back Miles Sanders remains week-to-week, but there is optimism he will be healthy for Week 1.
• Rookie receiver Jalen Reagor had earned a starting role opposite DeSean Jackson with an exemplary camp, but he dislocated his shoulder on Sunday and will miss at least four weeks, which pushes his debut to Week 4 versus the 49ers.
• For a team that relies on 12-personnel groupings, keep an eye on rookie Noah Togiai, who appears to be a roster lock with Josh Perkins' season-ending injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is lighter than he's been in 15 years and is feeling no pain in his elbow.
• Running back James Conner appears to be the number one back with Benny Snell the clear number two.
• Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had a great week of practice and is the favorite to lead the team in targets.
• Wide receiver Chase Claypool continues to draw rave reviews from coaches and teammates alike. He has been dominant in recent weeks.
• Tight end Eric Ebron was mentioned in more practice reports this week than Vance McDonald, suggesting he could be the bigger part of the passing game among the duo.

San Francisco 49ers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk continue to be out of practice while recovering from injuries.
• RB Raheem Mostert has begun working as the starter in recent practices, ahead of Tevin Coleman.
• TE Jordan Reed has had a good start to his first training camp with the 49ers and could find an opportunity in the passing game with the injuries to the 49ers wide receiving corps.
• Dante Pettis and Kendrick Bourne have been the two starting receivers with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk out of the lineup.

Seattle Seahawks | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Russell Wilson may not get the oodles of passes he wants, but between what he does get and the fact that he is dangerous with the ball in his hands, he is in line for another productive fantasy year as one of the best QBs to roster.
• WR Tyler Lockett started off last season as the No 1 but will be the No. 2 this year. That doesn't mean a massive dropoff, especially as teams double up on DK Metcalf, which will open things up for Lockett.
• RB Deejay Dallas is having a great camp but it will be unlikely he gets significant carries in 2020. That said, he is an emerging talent and with Chris Carson's contract ending – and his asking price high – Dallas could have a massive role in 2021.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• A slimmed-down Mike Evans is having a fantastic training camp and has a great rapport with Tom Brady.
• As good as Evans has been, O.J. Howard has been the offensive star of camp and is far more consistent at earning separation and catching the football. His red-zone rapport with Tom Brady is notable, too.
• RBs Ronald Jones II and LeSean McCoy will enter the season splitting third-down duties until one proves he is the superior pass protector.
• DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches has been the most improved defensive player in training camp and will help limit the snaps of aging tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Tennessee Titans | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a bounce-back week and looked better in practices.
• Running back Derrick Henry had an injury scare in practice but appears to be fine.
• Wide receiver A.J. Brown left practice with a trainer and there has been no update to clarify his status.
• Wide receivers Kalif Raymond and Rashard Davis are locked into the fourth and fifth receiver spots respectively on the roster.
• Tight end Jonnu Smith continued his strong play in camp.

Washington Football Team | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Dwayne Haskins has been named the starter.
• Alex Smith participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time on Saturday. He remains a long way away from pushing Haskins for the job, but it's another big step in a miraculous comeback.
• One prominent beat writer believes Bryce Love may be inactive on game days unless the team keeps four backs active because Adrian Peterson is the starter, J.D. McKissic will be the third-down specialist, and rookie Antonio Gordon has value as a gadget player and on special teams.
• At receiver, Terry McLaurin is in a class by himself, and Steven Sims Jr has outplayed everyone else on the roster. Coach Ron Rivera said rookie Antonio Gandy-Golden is having trouble learning the offense, which validates last week's proclamations about Dontrelle Inman locking up the starting role.
• Logan Thomas, a converted quarterback, is winning the tight end competition by default.

And that's that for this week. Let me know if you found this type of thing useful by shooting an email to bryant@footballguys.com. And keep up with me on Twitter by clicking the follow button below.

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