Training camp started for a number of NFL teams on Thursday, and media reports have started to trickle in from various NFL locales around the country. Here’s a look at the goings on so far:
Andre Johnson returns; Lebron James helps the Dolphins; injuries
Andre Johnson will be back in Houston, and LeBron leaving Miami is helping the Dolphins.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Andre Johnson Saga
Career Texan Andre Johnson has reportedly become troubled by the direction of the organization in recent weeks, and he held out of minicamp in June due to his unhappiness about yet another Houston rebuilding project. At the time, Johnson’s advisor, Andre Melton, said the ball was in the team’s hands.
“We’ve done what we can do, so we’re just sitting there waiting,” he said.
It appears that the team did enough to convince Johnson that the organization is headed in the right direction, and that Johnson will be in Houston for the foreseeable future.
Andre Johnson received an "understanding of where Texans are going & of his own future & security," source says. Hint he’ll be there in 2015
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2014 Andre Johnson: "I'm comfortable with where the organization is going. A lot of things I said were based on what happened in the past."
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 25, 2014 Andre on finishing career with #Texans : " thats my plan" #NFL
— Randy McIlvoy (@RandyMcIlvoy) July 25, 2014 Marshawn Lynch holdout
Thursday we learned that Marshawn Lynch would hold out of training camp this year in hopes of earning a bigger contract, despite participating in team minicamp in June.
Seahawks GM John Schneider confirmed Friday that Lynch "made a decision not to be here," according to the Seattle Times.
While Lynch is the team’s star, this holdout could end up backfiring, as the Seahawks have some capable running back depth and could potentially more forward without Lynch.
Asked if he would be comfortable going into the season with Christine Michael and Robert Turbin at tailback, Schneider said "I think it's a fair question. But I think obviously Marshawn Lynch is a heck of a running back, you know what I mean? But it's just like we had players at different positions, like last year we ran into the deal with Brandon Browner and (Byron) Maxwell steps up and has to go. ... I think that the players and teammates think that they are comfortable with the next player. And that's no disrespect to Marshawn - everybody knows what he can do."
Injuries
As of now, there are a few instances of bad news on the injury front, though there is only limited information available at this point:
WR Greg Orton suffers what appears to be a significant leg injury on a non-contact play. Bringing out the cart for him.
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) July 25, 2014 Right quad for Stills
— Nick Underhill (@UnderhillAdv) July 25, 2014 However, there is good news for Rams fans regarding quarterback Sam Bradford, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
"Sam is in great shape," Fisher said. "He's ready to go. We don't have (reservations) - right now as we speak, as camp starts - he's full-go. If we need to back him down here and there, we'll back him down."
LeBron gives Dolphins a boost
Who ever said pro sports in Miami would all be worse off without LeBron?
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross just asked the media, "Why is everyone here?" A writer responded, "LeBron left."
— Shandel Richardson (@ShandelRich) July 25, 2014 See More:
