Week 2 of the preseason slate is all but over. The teams are now preparing for the ever important preseason Week 3 tilt:
Gordon Returns
Josh Gordon is finally on his way back to Cleveland. After taking time early in camp to handle personal issues, which are believed to be related to his sobriety, Gordon is returning to Browns’ camp. While he still has some steps he has to pass with the league, he can join meetings and conditioning and coach Hue Jackson is optimistic that he could be ready for week one of the regular season. With new additions Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway, the Browns all of the sudden boast a very serious passing threat. Throw in new quarterback Tyrod Taylor, or even number one pick Baker Mayfield, and the Browns might be pretty explosive this season. Last year, in just 5 games, Gordon had 18 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown.
Tackle Rule Is Annoying Both Fans And Players
If the preseason is any indication, this could be a long and controversial season for NFL referees as they try to enforce the new tackle rule. The rule looks to try to avoid players from lowering their head and initiating contact with the helmet on the opponent. With a couple calls already this preseason that look like legitimate, rule-abiding tackles hit with penalties, NFL players, current and old, have voiced their discontent. One player in particular, Richard Sherman, has tweeted a couple of his opinions. One of his tweets read, “Welcome to NFL football. More offense is all they want. That’s why the calls go the way they do.” In a separate tweet, he concluded it by saying, “Will be flag football soon.” Regardless, with players struggling to find the appropriate technique, especially when you are trying to hit a moving target that is trying to avoid you, it could make for a long season for fans, players, the referees and the NFL as a whole.
Bears Suffer Two Big Injuries In Second Preseason Game
The Chicago Bears are holding their breaths on two players who they hoped would have big impacts this season. Both pass rusher Leonard Floyd and tight end Adam Sheheen left their second preseason contest against the Denver Broncos before the game was over. For Sheheen, it was an ankle injury that forced him to leave. Reports on Sunday indicate that it is believed that he simply has a sprained ankle as opposed to a fracture or a break. That would be great news for the second year player, but it will be interesting if he can be back and healthy for week one. For Floyd, who left with a hand injury, tests are still pending. Coach Matt Nagy did not believe it would be a significant injury, but for a player who missed 10 games over his first two years, any injury is worrisome for the Bears.
Wentz Closer To Return
Carson Wentz is still hoping to start week one of the regular season. After having his season ended last year with a torn ACL and LCL right before the Eagles made their run to a Super Bowl championship, Wentz has been cleared for 11 on 11 drills. He is still avoiding contact at this point, but it is an encouraging sign for a quarterback who very well could have been on his way to an MVP season had he not gotten hurt. Last season, in 13 games, Wentz went 265 for 440 for a 60.2% passing completion. He had 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns versus only 7 interceptions. It may be even more encouraging that Wentz could be ready for week one given that Nick Foles suffered a minor shoulder injury in the first preseason game.
Adrian Peterson To Redskins?
After a 2017 season that saw Adrian Peterson struggle with the New Orleans Saints and be inconsistent with the Arizona Cardinals, the free agent running back might be finding a new home. According to Ian Rapaport and Mike Garafolo, with the loss of rookie Derrius Guice, who tore his ACL, Peterson will be visiting the Redskins on Monday. Peterson did show some signs of life after being traded to the Cardinals last year. He had a couple games of over 100 yards. For the season, Peterson ended up with 529 yards rushing on 156 attempts in 10 games. However, at 33, he is certainly nearing the end of his career. Despite this, the Redskins might be willing to see if he has just a little more left in the tank. Washington will also be working out Orleans Darkwa and Jamaal Charles along with Peterson.
Allen Could Replace Injured McCarron
After serving as a backup for four years with the Cincinnati Bengals, AJ McCarron thought this was finally his time. The Buffalo Bills would be his first opportunity to start and show what he had. A hairline fracture in his collarbone, suffered in his game Friday against the Cleveland Browns, may put that dream on hold. While further testing is expected, McCarron will still likely miss the beginning of the regular season. This may open the door for rookie, Josh Allen, to take over the team. When the Bills drafted Allen with the 7th overall pick, they thought he would have some time to be groomed while McCarron started the season. Now, Allen may show whether he has the goods from day one.
Jets Quarterback Battle Could Be Most Intriguing One To Watch
Teddy Bridgewater is definitely turning heads. In a three person race for the quarterback position, Bridgewater is holding his own against veteran Josh McCown and the number three overall pick, Sam Darnold, for the rights to open as the Jets’ starting quarterback. Bridgewater, who suffered a knee injury during camp in 2016, is 17 for 23 in passing for 212 yards and a pair of touchdown in the first two preseason games. Even if he doesn’t end up winning out the starting spot, it is definitely a feel-good story to see him back on the field.
