NFL Training Camps 2016: Updates, Rumors & Analysis for August 16

The dog days of August are upon the NFL. This doesn't prevent the league from being any less entertaining. Something is always happening.

Practice can be a grind, though. Depth charts are being re-evaluated after the first preseason performance, while the turnaround for another game comes quickly. Twelve teams will be in action Thursday. Eight of those franchises won't have a full week to prepare. 

Players are already chippy, especially those practicing against other squads. As such, fights break out and individuals are kicked out of practice—like New England Patriots center Bryan Stork, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. 

Thursday's sessions provided plenty of reasons to be excited for multiple teams as others deal with injuries or roster adjustments. Meanwhile, Week 2 of the preseason looms over every organization. 

Bleacher Report identified the biggest stories from Tuesday's practices—including an unexpected trade, a pair of stars returning to practice, Adrian Peterson's preseason status and couple injuries to wide receivers. 

Colin Kaepernick's Status with 49ers Remains in Question

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Colin Kaepernick may never throw another pass as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. 

This statement might border on the realm of hyperbole, but the quarterback continues to deal with a "dead arm", according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. As a result, he hasn't attempted a pass this week. 

"Colin Kaepernick has not thrown a football at 49ers practice. That's [six] days in a row without a pass attempt," KNBR's Kevin Jones tweeted. 

The $114 million quarterback underwent shoulder surgery in November to repair a torn labrum. He spent the offseason rehabbing outside the organization's purview. And the 49ers nearly traded him to the Denver Broncos before the deal fell apart.

Thus, it's logical to question whether he's done in San Francisco. 

"With the season approaching, the 49ers would surely entertain unloading the salary if a starting quarterback with another team (I won’t name names in order to avoid being accused to applying a jinx, hex, and/or kibosh) suffers a serious injury in the preseason," Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote. "The 49ers also could cut Kaepernick before Week 1. They’d owe him $11.9 million, minus whatever he makes with another team—which at this point probably wouldn’t be much." 

These possibilities still exist. Although, the amount of money the organization still owes the quarterback makes both of these scenarios unlikely.

Even if Kaepernick's dead arm is revived through some type of miraculous resuscitation or football voodoo, he's fighting an uphill battle to be named the 49ers' starting quarterback. 

"I've heard for weeks that [general manager] Trent Baalke is pushing for Blaine Gabbert and against Colin Kaepernick in 49ers QB race," the San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami tweeted. 

While this situation has yet to be resolved, Kaepernick and the 49ers may have already reached the point of no return. 

Will Adrian Peterson Actually Play a Preseason Game?

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All of the planets must be perfectly aligned, because Adrian Peterson might play in the preseason. 

The last time the Minnesota Vikings running back actually carried the ball in a preseason contest Donovan McNabb handed him the pigskin and everyone else was just having a good time. 

Five years later, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer just might have lost his mind. 

"I'm going to sit down and talk to him about it and if he wants to play then we’ll discuss what we think," Zimmer said, per the Minneapolis Pioneer Press' Chris Tomasson. "If he goes in there, he’s probably not going to get one and out, so he’s going to play.” 

Peterson wouldn't commit to the possibility, though.

"I don't know," the running back said. "We're just playing it week by week."

There's no gamesmanship needed for preseason contests. This comes down to a player and coach trying to decide if the 31-year-old runner actually needs a few reps to get warmed up for the regular season. 

Peterson never needed to do so before, but bodies change over time. Every day Peterson is shuffling his way toward the record books, but this doesn't mean his body reacts the same way today as it did two or three years ago. 

If the veteran feels a few reps will be beneficial to his regular-season performance, he'll get his first preseason carries since 2011. If he doesn't, there is no reason to play him. 

Titans Move on from Dorial Green-Beckham, Trade WR to Eagles

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Dorial Green-Beckham didn't fit into the Tennessee Titans' plans. This became obvious when the organization traded the former second-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for backup offensive lineman Dennis Kelly. 

The second-year wide receiver is extremely talented, but Titans head coach Mike Mularkey questioned his effort level last week, per the Tennessean's Adam Vingan. 

Green-Beckham didn't contribute much in Tennessee's first preseason contest with only one reception for 15 yards. As naturally talented as the young receiver is, Titans general manager Jon Robinson saw more value in Kelly. 

"I like his versatility," Robinson said of the line, per Jim Wyatt of the team's official site. "He has really good size, he’s versatile, he's played a lot of positions. He embodies the traits we look for in an offensive lineman—smart, tough, and dependable."

Dependability is something Green-Beckham hadn't been during his 16 months with the organization. But he's exactly what the Eagles were looking to acquire. 

"The Eagles have been in the market for a receiver all offseason," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted. "They offered Anquan Boldin a nice deal, for instance. Now deal for DGB."

At 6'5" and nearly 240 pounds, the St. Louis native is a much better fit in Doug Pederson's offense. Pederson brings back many of the same West Coast concepts Andy Reid once had in Philadelphia before the Chip Kelly experiment. But the team lacked big-bodied receivers to overwhelm defensive backs on slants and jump balls.

Green-Beckham has the potential to be the answer alongside Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff. The young receiver needs to take advantage of his new surroundings, because the trade doesn't guarantee him anything. 

"He comes in with an opportunity; no promises have been made," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer's Les Bowen. 

Roseman added, "It's up to him to prove his value to this football team." 

Nothing will be handed to Green-Beckham. Over the last four years, he's gone from the nation's No. 1 wide recruit to a freshman sensation with the Missouri Tigers to kicked off the football team to not being eligible to play for the Oklahoma Sooners to a second-round pick and now he's on his second professional team in less than two years. 

Natural ability only takes a player so far. The Titans got something out of nothing, while the Eagles hope to strike gold if the light finally comes on for Green-Beckham. 

Buffalo Bills' Marcell Dareus Faces Another Suspension

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The Buffalo Bills' offseason has gone from bad to worse. 

After both of the team's first- and second-round draft picks required surgery thus keeping them out for large portions if not all of the upcoming season, enough seemed to be enough. 

More bad news came in the form of a suspension to Pro Bowl defensive lineman Marcell Dareus. The Bills announced Dareus will miss the first four games of the season, per Chris Brown of the team's official site. 

The organization certainly didn't hide it's disdain for the defensive lineman's actions:

"

We are very disappointed Marcell chose to put himself first, before his teammates, coaches and the rest of the organization through his recent actions. From ownership down we have made it clear his behavior is unacceptable. We will continue to take the necessary steps to work with him in order that he adheres to the policies set forth by our league.

"

This is the second time in two years Dareus won't be available at the start of the season due to a suspension. 

With the Alabama product out of the lineup, veteran Corbin Bryant and Kyle Williams will have to pick up the slack. The team also signed a pair of capable defensive linemen on Monday in Brandon Deaderick and Alameda Ta'amu, per the Bills site.  

Deaderick and Ta'amu both have experience playing in a three-man front as a defensive end and nose tackle, respectively. 

Plethora of Stars Come off Injured Lists

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Three of the league's best players were cleared to practice on Tuesday. 

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu and Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy are back. 

All three are vital to the respective franchises, and each of them being cleared should be a reason to rejoice. 

Charles is the Kansas City Chiefs' all-time leading rusher and the only running back (of those who qualify) to average more yards per carry than the great Jim Brown. 

According to the Associated Press (via USA Today), the Chiefs removed Charles from the PUP list Tuesday, and he returned to the practice field. 

Head coach Andy Reid should ease Charles back into the lineup as he continues to work his way back from last year's ACL injury. Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware and Knile Davis are all capable backs who can shoulder the load until the four-time Pro Bowler is ready to resume starting duties. 

Out in the desert, the Cardinals welcomed Mathieu back to the fold. The league's newly minted highest-paid safety is ready to return, too, after the organization removed him from the PUP list. 

According to fellow defensive back Tony Jefferson, the Honey Badger brings another dynamic to the field and the meeting room, per Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals official site: 

"

You could kind of notice that he was coming off that PUP list. He started talking a lot more in meetings, being more involved. He’s hyped up and excited. We went through walkthrough today and he’s jumping around. I’m like, ‘Calm down. In walkthrough we don’t do nothing.’ But he’s excited, and I’m excited to see him back. Even as his teammate, you just enjoy watching him play.

"

The versatile defensive back worked his way back from previous injuries, and he's ready to be on the field and play to the level expected of him. 

"But this time it won't take me to long to get back in my groove," Mathieu tweeted. 

Last but certainly not least, the Lions removed Levy from the non-football injury list, per MLive.com's Kyle Meinke.

In 2014, the Wisconsin product finished second in the NFL with 151 total tackles, but he missed nearly all of the 2015 campaign with a hip injury and then suffered another undisclosed injury during the offseason. 

Although Levy is practicing, he won't play in Thursday's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

"Not a huge priority," Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said, per Meinke.

Steelers' James Harrison Remains Steadfast in Stance Against NFL

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Steelers linebacker James Harrison doesn't have any issues with the NFL. He has an issue with the NFL demanding he must report to the league to conduct an interview after being linked to PED usage from last year's Al-Jazeera report. 

"I don't have a problem doing the interview," Harrison told reporters Tuesday, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Come to my house. Bring Roger (Goodell) with you." 

Although, the linebacker's stance could prove problematic for the Steelers. An Aug. 15 letter from the league indicates those linked to the previous actions will be suspended for the first four games if they don't conduct these mandated interviews by Aug. 26, per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. 

Clearly, Harrison doesn't plan on meeting the league on its terms. Instead, he's "definitely" prepared to sit out, according to Fowler. 

While this might be an issue over principles, the Steelers need to remain practical. Even at 38 years old, Harrison is still the team's best outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme that desperately needs an edge presence

The threat of a suspension looms large in this case, because Harrison's potential absence will significantly affect the Steelers defense. 

Whether the veteran is available or not, a pair of former first-round picks, Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree, need take over as the starting outside linebackers and not look back. They're the future. Harrison might not even be the present depending on how this situation ends. 

Jeff Janis to Miss at Least a Month After Surgery

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If wide receiver Jeff Janis is going to finally step up and become a big part of the Green Bay Packers offense, he'll have to wait at least a month. 

Janis underwent surgery Monday to repair a fractured hand, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Michael Cohen. 

The Saginaw Valley State product mesmerized fans with his potential. His 145-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC's divisional round of the playoffs displayed his overall ability. However, an NFL adage states, "A player's best ability is availability."

Unfortunately, the wide receiver could miss up to six weeks due to his current ailment. Janis described his status with Cohen:

"

I’ve always kind of prided myself on being one of the guys who is always available and ready to play. But this is something that happens and you can’t really control it. Just got to stay in the (playbook), keep going to meetings, keep paying attention and make sure I’m up with everything in the game plans and everything. Then when it is healed, be ready to play.

"

Prior to the injury, Janis received first-team repetitions, but his absence will surely put him behind others on the depth chart. Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis and Ty Montgomery now have an edge to make the final roster. 

The former seventh-round pick must sit out preseason and hope the Packers gives him an another opportunity to make a positive impression upon his return. 

"That’s one of the things you just can’t control and you’ve got to take it and just try to heal up and stay mentally in the game," Janis said. "Keep going to meetings, keep listening and be ready when you come back."

Brandon LeFell's Hand Injury Might Require Surgery

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The battle to be A.J. Green's bookend in the Cincinnati Bengals offense has been competitive and remains undecided. Although, one less competitor could be available in the coming weeks.

Brandon LeFell—who is listed as a starter on the Bengals' initial depth chart—is dealing with a torn ligament in his hand, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. 

The seventh-year pro hasn't decided whether he'll play through the injury or undergo surgery. 

"Bengals WR Brandon LaFell likely to wait a week before deciding if he'll play thru hand/ligament injury or do surgery," Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported. "Out [six weeks] if surgery."

The veteran might play Thursday against the Detroit Lions. 

"I don't know if we’re going to play Brandon or not," head coach Marvin Lewis said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer's Jim Owczarski. "We'll make the decision before we land [in Detroit]."

Usually, an experienced receiver wouldn't have much to worry about beyond a possible surgery. However, rookie Tyler Boyd continues to impress during Bengals camp. LaFell has an opportunity to be a big part of a talented offense and playoff-caliber team. 

His role has yet to be defined, though. As such, this becomes an interesting decision. If LaFell has the surgery, Boyd could vault into the starting spot opposite Green, while others like Brandon Tate will garner more playing time, particularly early in the season. 

LaFell's status remains uncertain, and his decision could have a profound impact on the Bengals' starting lineup.

After Long Absence, Browns DT Finally Returns

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Cleveland Browns defensive lineman John Hughes remained conspicuously absent during the first act of training camp. He arrived in time to help his team just before the second act as if it were written in a movie script. 

"Browns DL John Hughes returned to Berea after missing the last [nine] practices due to a 'personal family matter,'" the Orange and Brown Report's Fred Greetham reported. 

Said Hughes, "Everything is good now. I'm back 100 percent now."

The Cincinnati product will be a welcome addition to Cleveland's defensive line. 

It might have only been one preseason contest, but the Browns' starting defensive front underwhelmed. The Green Bay Packers' first-team offense—sans Aaron Rodgers and starting center Corey Linsley—ran the ball eight out of 13 times and averaged 4.75 yards per carry.

Second-year nose tackle Danny Shelton and veteran defensive end Nick Hayden didn't show much at the point of attack, which is where Hughes excels. The fifth-year pro is the team's best pure run defender. 

Plus, the defense is still scrambling to identify who can fill the void left by Desmond Bryant after the veteran suffered a season-ending labrum injury. Hughes provides much needed experience, depth and—once he's fully up to speed—quality reps. 

"It's just like riding a bike, for the most part," Hughes said."I have to get back into the routine of things."

Broncos' Draft-Day Steal and DeMarcus Ware Update

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The Denver Broncos' defense gets better with each passing day. This may seem to be an impossible feat after last year's remarkable Super Bowl run, but the statement isn't based on last year. It's where the unit currently stands after its offseason losses. 

One of the team's captains is close to being fully healthy, and a talented rookie continues to contribute during training camp. 

Of course, it's impossible to replace Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan and a handful of others, but this is still one of the league's most talented defenses. 

It starts with the team's pass-rush. Von Miller is the now the league's highest-paid defensive player, but DeMarcus Ware remains a strong veteran presence and team leader. Ware is still listed on the non-football illness list after having offseason back surgery. However, he's expected to be back on the field as early as next week. 

"He's real close," head coach Gary Kubiak said, per the Denver Post's Nicki Jhabvala. "I think you can see him be a part of the team here in about four or five days. That’s what we’re thinking."

Meanwhile, this year's third-round pick, Justin Simmons, might be the most pleasant surprise in Broncos camp. 

"One guy everyone is raving about: rookie safety Justin Simmons," USA Today's Tom Pelissero tweeted. "Third-round pick from BC off to a strong start."

The Boston College prospect is a tremendous athlete who can cover plenty of ground from the safety position. He'll likely be used in multiple defensive sub-packages alongside veterans T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart. 

With an almost-healthy Ware and a third safety who excel in multiple roles, the Broncos defense is rounding back into shape.