In the span of a day, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has gone from a holdout to being the team's featured back again. On Friday, NFL.com's Michael Fabiano reported that there won't be a backfield committee in Seattle this season, as Lynch is once again penned in to take the vast majority of snaps.
Marshawn Lynch remains Seahawks’ featured back
The first week of NFL training camp is in the books, and the Bills and Giants will kick off the preseason opener this weekend. Here’s a wrap-up of Friday’s training camp news and notes.
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The news means Lynch will likely continue to be one of the most high-volume backs in the NFL. Each of the past three seasons, Lynch has at least 300 touches for Seattle, and as one of the key engines behind the team’s balanced offense, that could be the case again in 2014.
Behind Lynch, the Seahawks currently have Robert Turbin, Christine Michael and Demitrius Bronson listed at running back on the roster. Turbin seems likely to retain his backup role this season, and could see extra snaps if Lynch shows signs of wear and tear.
Patriots get physical
During the first week of training camp, the New England Patriots defense has already established a physical tone. That can rub some the wrong way, such as new cornerback Brandon Browner bringing the heat, but quarterback Tom Brady understands that the team’s offense has to get used to that to prepare for the regular season.
"That's just part of football, and I think the best defenses I've ever played against – they get their hands on you, and they don't let you get into your route, and they disrupt the timing," Brady explained. "Our corners, Kyle Arrington, and linebackers in coverage do a great job of that, too. But we've got to learn to be just as physical. We've got to learn to push off in the right way and get our leverage because that's how it's going to be when it matters."
With the addition of Browner, Darrelle Revis, Will Smith and first-round draft selection Dominique Easley, the Patriots have added several significant contributors on defense. Expect the Pats to be much improved if they can remain healthy.
Injuries
#Jaguars announce WR Tandon Doss and Allen Robinson out for an extended period -- at least two weeks.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) August 1, 2014 Good sign for Morgan Burnett. He's back in pads after missing just one full day because of the ankle injury.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 1, 2014 #Chiefs Eric Berry (ankle), WR Jenkins (hamstring), WR Hemingway (hamstring) will not practice.. CB Cooper is back
— Randy Covitz (@randycovitz) August 1, 2014 Not practicing: Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, Daryl Smith, Eugene Monroe, Terrence Cody, Will Rackley, Brent Urban, Timmy Jernigan
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) August 1, 2014 Rookie safety Calvin Pryor (concussion) is in red no-contact jersey for 2nd straight day.Highly unlikely he play in scrimmage tomorrow #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) August 1, 2014 Bill O'Brien says no need to rush Andre Johnson back. He's out with a minor hamstring injury.Says Andre has done great job picking up system
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 1, 2014 DT Jesse Williams placed on injured reserve; WR Randall Carroll released; LB Marcus Dowtin signed: http://t.co/OGJxwGzvkj
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 1, 2014 Per @TyDunne, Packers fear torn ACL for Jared Abbrederis. Too bad, figured he'd surprise. In the Big 10, he & Gallon were a pain in the ass.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 1, 2014 #Browns release information that DT Phil Taylor is not practicing because of hamstring injury. Carry on.
— PatMcManamon (@PatMcManamon) August 1, 2014 TE Clay Harbor (calf) has been told six weeks for his injury. Hopes to be ready for opener. #Jaguars
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) August 1, 2014 Crabtree and Lloyd injuries
Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd were both held out of Thursday’s 49ers practice with injuries, and according to head coach Jim Harbaugh, they could both miss one or two weeks of camp. The good news is that Crabtree did not reaggrevate his foot or Achilles, but Harbaugh didn’t elaborate past that.
According to Niners Nation, offensive coordinator Greg Roman has been very happy with Crabtree’s work to date.
"Mike's looked really, really good starting into the spring. Think he's in great shape relative to what he did last year. He came off the Achilles injury and just really gutted it out the end the year. I don't have this as a fact, but I don't know that everybody would've played that early coming off that injury, but he wanted to get out and help the team. Didn't make a lot of fanfare about it, just toughed it out. That's just the kind of guy he is. He's looking sharp."
Position Battles
#Bears open team drills with de la Puente in garza's center spot and Adrian Wilson making first appearance w/ 1's ahead of Mundy.
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) August 1, 2014 The #Ravens had Sam Koch trying field goals today, and he connected from 60 yards out. Justin Tucker better watch his back...
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) August 1, 2014 News & Notes
Steelers DC Dick LeBeau: "We’re fast. Sometimes we go the wrong direction but we’re getting there in a hurry and that’s good defensively."
— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_ESPN) August 1, 2014 Eagles have referees at camp, who throw flags. Eagles chart the flags, and bring refs into film room to show players why they were flagged.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) August 1, 2014 Cardinals signed T Max Starks.
— NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) August 1, 2014 Instead of allowing Hoyer or Manziel to settle in #Browns coaches have turned the D loose. One said "they bring crazy blitzes all day long."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2014 After playing to crowd, Woodson gets next one too and sprints towards end zone with arms upraised. Crowd restless at site of Schaub picsix
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) July 31, 2014 See More:
