NFL training camp 2023 updates: Dalvin Cook at Jets practice

ByESPN staff ESPN logo
Monday, July 31, 2023

How starved are we for the NFL? Passes and catches from the start of 2023 training camps have already gone viral.



Every team has taken the field this week in preparation for the upcoming NFL regular season -- which is six weeks away. We will have updates every day of camp to keep you informed with the latest news, best videos and most interesting photos.




Sunday was a bit of a chippy day as fights broke out among the Cleveland Browns, included one that injuredTyrone Wheatley Jr.And New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgerstook offense with recent comments of Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton, who criticized Rodgers' assistant coach Nathaniel Hackett.



Elsewhere around the NFL, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn't say much about Ezekiel Elliott's visit, D'Andre Swift is impressing with his receiving skills in Philadelphia, and there was another turn in the story with Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts.



Here's what you need to know from camps across the league:





Top NFL news of the day




Rodgers snaps back at Payton over Hackett comments



Defending offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers jumped into the Sean Payton controversy Sunday with a scathing rebuke of the Denver Broncos coach. "It made me feel bad that someone who has accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some easy fall if it doesn't go well for that team this year," Rodgers told NFL Network in a sit-down interview after practice. "I think it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coaches' names out of his mouth."





Source: Colts RB Taylor reported back pain in pre-camp physical



Indianapolis Coltsrunning backJonathan Taylor, who has requested a trade, reported back pain during his pre-training camp physical that was deemed to be from an injury that was not sustained while playing for Indianapolis, a league source told ESPN. The situation now has the team considering whether to place Taylor on the non-football injury list, which could result in Indianapolis withholding his salary, the source said.





Seahawks wary of Walker, Charbonnet injuries as camp rolls on



TheSeahawksare dealing with injuries to their top two running backs during the first week of training camp. Starter Ken Walker III is considered week-to-week because of a groin injury that has kept him out of the last three practices, coach Pete Carroll said Sunday after the fourth practice of camp. Meanwhile, rookie second-round pick Zach Charbonnet missed his second straight practice due to discomfort in his shoulder.





Vikings, Hunter reach new deal worth up to $20M



After a contract conflict that extended into training camp, the Minnesota Vikings and pass-rusher Danielle Hunter have agreed to a one-year deal that can be worth up to $20 million, a source confirmed to ESPN on Sunday. Hunter will receive $17 million guaranteed, the source said. Hunter can earn $3 million in sack incentives, and the new agreement prohibits the Vikings from using the franchise or transition tag on him next season, a source confirmed.






Bengals add QB depth, signingReid Sinnett



The Cincinnati Bengals have signed quarterback Reid Sinnett in the wake of Joe Burrow's calf injury. The team announced the move on Sunday as the Bengals look to add depth during training camp with Burrow. Coach Zac Taylor said Burrow is expected to miss several weeks while he recovers from a strained calf.



More:





What our NFL Nation reporters saw Sunday


New York Jets:Free agent RB Dalvin Cook visited the Jets on Sunday, watched the entire practice from the sideline and received a rousing welcome from the 3,000 fans in attendance. At the start of practice, the crowd chanted his name. He spent several minutes talking with owner Woody Johnson and vice chairman Christopher Johnson.



Cook took a physical, mingled with players and met with coaches. Coach Robert Saleh described it as "a meet-and-greet." The Jets are interested in signing Cook even though Breece Hall (ACL surgery) is two to three weeks from returning to practice, according to Saleh.



The Dolphins and Patriots are reportedly interested in Cook, although that will have no bearing on the Jets' approach. Saleh said, "To make decisions to spite another team, you're just asking for it." -- Rich Cimini



San Francisco 49ers:The 49ers offense had its best day of camp, especially in the passing game. With the Niners defense dialing up a few more blitzes, the middle of the field was open more often and the quarterbacks took advantage. Trey Lance got 12 of the 16 first-team reps and went 5-of-8 with a touchdown pass and a touchdown run in red zone work. Sam Darnold, who took the other four first-team reps and 12 with the second unit, was 8-of-10 with a pair of touchdown tosses to Brandon Aiyuk in the red zone. The timing of an offensive surge couldn't be better as the Niners transition into full pads for the first time on Monday morning. Coach Kyle Shanahan said repeatedly after practice that he is excited to get into pads as he can get a better picture of everything, not least of which is the jockeying for position behind Brock Purdy at quarterback.-- Nick Wagoner



Cleveland Browns:Cleveland's final practice at the Greenbrier turned chippy. Halfway into practice, Browns DE Ogbo Okoronkwo beat RT James Hudson III into the backfield. As Okoronkwo dashed away whooping it up after slapping Hudson's face mask, Hudson chased after him before throwing a punch into Okoronkwo's helmet. That led to the first skirmish. Moments later, another fight broke out between the two sides, which led to OT Tyrone Wheatley being injured. Kevin Stefanski immediately ended practice and had the players run sprints, as Wheatley hobbled to the locker room. Said Stefanski: "They're tired, they're hot, they've been going against each other, so I'm not surprised at that at all. ... We don't throw punches, so I'll review that stuff, and there's obviously penalties. If you're throwing punches in games, you get thrown out of the game. So why practice something that would get you thrown out of a game? So we will address that. But I don't think anybody's ever been around a bunch of football players in the heat that don't get a little agitated."-- Jake Trotter



New England Patriots:Patriots coach Bill Belichick deflected questions about RB Ezekiel Elliott's free agent visit, as he spoke Sunday before the team's fourth practice of training camp. He acknowledged with the roster at 90 players, the Patriots would have to release a player to bring a new one aboard. With the team's first full-pads practice on deck for Monday, all eyes will be on whether Elliott is brought aboard to add depth to a thin RB group. -- Mike Reiss



Detroit Lions:The Lions' rookie class had a tough act to follow after Aidan Hutchinson's rendition of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" went viral last season, a performance captured on HBO's "Hard Knocks." First-year linebacker Jack Campbell said he performed "A Country Boy Can Survive" by Hank Williams Jr. as his rookie song while running back Jahmyr Gibbs picked "Let Me Love You" by Mario. For Campbell, who describes himself as an introvert, he said he's thankful his performance didn't make "Hard Knocks." "You just got togo up there and enjoy the moment and just be yourself," Campbell said. "Everyone has to do it, so you might as well go up there and have fun with it." Moments like those have helped lighten the mood during training camp. "I think it gets people out of their comfort zone and shows your teammates that you're open with them," Gibbs said. -- Eric Woodyard




Philadelphia Eagles:Jalen Hurts andD'Andre Swifthooked up for the play of the day. Swift motioned from the backfield and lined up outside as a receiver before taking off down the left sideline. Hurts' long throw was on point and Swift was able to haul it in as he fell to the ground with linebacker Nicholas Morrow in coverage. Swift has been lining up all over the field and has been used primarily in the passing game to this point in camp. -- Tim McManus



Kansas City Chiefs:Deneric Prince, an undrafted rookie, has been the starting running back for the past two days with Isiah Pacheco not cleared for full practice and Clyde Edwards-Helaire absent from practice because of an illness. Prince has showed ability as a receiver and made a spectacular catch in the end zone Sunday. It seems clear Prince will make the roster when the regular season begins with a specific role to be determined. Much may have to do with how quickly Pacheco returns to his role as the regular featured back. -- Adam Teicher



Buffalo Bills:Bills co-owner Kim Pegula watched the team's full practice Sunday from a black SUV parked near the field. Coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen were among those who came over to talk.It was her first public appearance since suffering cardiac arrest in June 2022. In an essay written for The Players' Tribune in February, her daughter, Jessie Pegula, shared that Kim was "dealing with significant expressive aphasia and significant memory issues."



Her presence Sunday made an impact.



"Well, that's beautiful," left tackle Dion Dawkins told ESPN upon getting confirmation that she was in attendance. "I definitely [saw her]. That's pretty cool. It's amazing."



Co-owner Terry Pegula, who has been at every training cramp practice thus far along with other family members, was named the team's president earlier this month, a role Kim previously held. -- Alaina Getzenberg



Pittsburgh Steelers: With Minkah Fitzpatrick excused for personal reasons and Damontae Kazee in a walking boot from an ankle injury sustained Saturday, newcomer Kenny Robinson saw more action at safety in Sunday's practice.



Robinson, who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, quickly made the most of his opportunity, intercepting two passes thrown by Mason Rudolph.



"I was appreciative of the playmaking from Kenny Robinson today," coach Mike Tomlin said. "Another guy who had an opportunity to rise up because of the short lines."



Robinson's first pick came in the team's Seven Shots drill from the 2-yard line, and the second came in the final team period when Rudolph badly underthrew a deep ball.



"Coach Tomlin knew me a lot my whole life, so just watching me growing up, just giving me the opportunity, I'm thankful for that," Robinson said. "And just having his praise, I just want to pay it all to him, giving me the opportunity."



Robinson spent his college career at West Virginia before being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. He has a collage of all those places tattooed on his right arm, including the zip code for his hometown of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and the Pittsburgh area code. Next up, he said, is adding a Steelers logo.



"Of course," he said, "it's going to go right here at the top." -- Brooke Pryor



New York Giants: The play of the day came on the last rep of practice, and came from a player who is fighting for a starting spot. Safety Jason Pinnock made an incredible one-handed interception on a pass intended for tight end Darren Waller. It was a competition play inside the red zone with the loser running a gasser afterwards as a result.



Quarterback Daniel Jones was likely sacked multiple times on the play and the whistle was eventually blown, but Jones threw the ball into the end zone anyway. That's where Pinnock made the interception and tossed the ball in the air in celebration. He credited his 40-inch vertical leap to ESPN afterwards. Surely it wasn't a bad way to make a strong impression as he battles for the starting job alongside Xavier McKinney. -- Jordan Raanan



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