A.J. Green is fighting, Colts lose a man & more from NFL training camps
It’s been an eventful day of training camps around the NFL, including Geno Atkins’ return from ACL surgery, A.J. Green getting into a scuffle, Ted Thompson re-signing in Green Bay and Aaron Williams showing off some exquisite dance moves.
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals star defensive tackle Geno Atkins was activated off the physically unable to perform list, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, marking a solid step in his recovery from an ACL tear last October.
According to the newspaper, coach Marvin Lewis was already confident that Atkins would be ready by Week 1, but waited to allow him to practice for fear of rushing him back. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther had previously said that he expected Atkins back for Week 1, as well.
Atkins, a fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, is a two-time Pro-Bowler and set a Bengals record with 12.5 sacks in 2012. His return will be a boost for the defense in its first year under Guenther.
A.J. Green involved in Bengals scuffle
Atkins' return wasn't the only interesting occurrence at Bengals camp. Clint Boling and Emmanuel Lamur apparently got into a scuffle -- and star wideout A.J. Green somehow wound up in the middle of it.
A.J. was among those who were trying to calm Lamur down. Lamur must have seen the wrong color and snapped. Fans shouted "Not A.J.!" #Bengals
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) July 30, 2014 Green tried to break it up and had to be restrained when Lamur tried to punch him
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) July 30, 2014 Big scrum after this play. Mostly harmless until Emmanuel Lamur threw a punch at AJ Green's helmet! What ar... https://t.co/0Bg8xofKo9
— Brennen Warner (@JustBeWarned) July 30, 2014 Bills give Fred Jackson 1-year extension; Nigel Bradham suspended
There had been talk that the presence of Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon meant 33-year-old Fred Jackson was being phased out of the Buffalo Bills' running back rotation. The extension the team handed him on Wednesday begs to differ.
Jackson, who was previously set to become a free agent after this season, has signed a one-year extension worth $2.6 million in new money, according to NFL Networks’s Ian Rapoport.
With starter C.J. Spiller owning a player option for 2015, extending Jackson another year provides insurance for next season in case Spiller leaves or threatens a holdout for a new contract.
In less cheerful Bills news, linebacker Nigel Bradham has received a one-game suspension from the NFL for a 2013 marijuana arrest. Bradham was expected to replace the injured Kiko Alonso in the starting lineup.
Aaron Williams has MOVES ON MOVES
OK, one more bit of Bills news. A storm forced the team inside for a while on Wednesday, time that safety Aaron Williams used to show off his sick dance moves.
Williams noted that he was showing his teammates “how to dance to dub step music” and gave special thanks to his “Austin people” (he went to school at Texas).
If only he could pick up his feet like that in practice. Here he is getting burned by Mike Williams earlier in the day.
Packers re-sign GM Ted Thompson
In an offseason in which the Green Bay Packers added Julius Peppers and re-signed Sam Shields, B.J. Raji and Jordy Nelson, the most important signing may have been that of the man behind those deals: general manager Ted Thompson, who inked a multi-year extension on Wednesday (details not released).
Once criticized for his role in the ugly Brett Favre divorce (which looks brilliant in hindsight), Thompson has come to be celebrated as one of the best GMs in the league since his hiring in 2005. His ability to stockpile young talent through the draft while making rare but well-timed veteran signings has resulted in rosters that have made the playoffs in five consecutive years and won Super Bowl XLV.
Donald Thomas injured at Colts practice
Bad news for Andrew Luck and the Colts: starting left guard Donald Thomas went down with what is believed to be an aggravation of the quad injury that cost him all but two games last season, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star.
There’s been no word on how bad the injury is or how long Thomas could be out. He’s expected to undergo an MRI to determine the severity.
Charles Woodson claims he's getting better with age
Charles Woodson is 37 years old, and after the Packers released him following the 2012 season, leading to his signing a one-year deal with the Raiders, many fans believed he was back in Oakland for a retirement tour.
But when Woodson moved to safety from cornerback, he claims that helped him learn more about the game, and he’s still working like a rookie to become a better player, according to Fox Sports.
“I’m loving it because I’m growing. If you’re not growing in this game, you’re not getting better. I plan on getting better.”
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