NFL: Training Camp Updates (08-11-09)
The Pickle is back with some more updates from training camps around the NFL. The Panthers lose another starter but get one back, Bryant is on the shelf in Tampa, Bowe has been demoted in KC, Massaquoi impressing in Cleveland, and Derrick Brooks may play this season after all.
Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver Steve Smith went down with a shoulder injury Monday evening. His agent says Smith is considering having a MRI done on the shoulder and will be out for at least two weeks. This is potentially a huge blow to the Panthers if this carries over into the beginning of the season as their cupboard is pretty bare in terms of receivers after Smith.
The Panthers did get a bit of good news as middle linebacker Jon Beason returned to practice after tweaking a hamstring last week. Thomas Davis, however, is still not participating in workouts as he nurses sprained knee.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost wideout Antonio Bryant for the remainder of training camp with a torn meniscus in his left knee. He will have surgery to clean the knee out and is expected to be ready by the start of the season but one wonders how ready he will be to play. This is bad news for the Bucs as he is the only established receiver they have that is remotely productive. Fantasy owners should stay away from Bryant as a primary receiver for now until they see if and when he is going to be ready to play at 100%.
Apparently Dwayne Bowe has been demoted by head coach Todd Haley and was seen working out with the second and third team offense yesterday. Not sure what the motivation is behind this but surely Haley does not believe the Chiefs are a better football team with Bowe on the sidelines. After Larry Johnson he is the next best skill player they have.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that rookie Mohamed Massaquoi is spending more and more time with the first team offense and may have the upper hand on the starting wide receiver job opposite Braylon Edwards when the season opens.
With Mark Simoneau out with a torn triceps muscle The Times Picayune in New Orleans is reporting the Saints are bringing free agent linebacker Derrick Brooks in for a workout. While Brooks is clearly not an elite player any more he did have a solid season in 2008 and the Saints could do a lot worse.
Darrelle Revis, Kris Jenkins, Damien Woody, and Nick Mangold will all be held out of the Jets’ preseason opener against the Rams on Friday as they work their way back from minor injuries.
Seattle’s Lofa Tatupu missed practice for the second time in three days on Tuesday.
