DeMarco Murray might miss a second preseason game on Saturday, and although he says he's ready to go, people are getting a little worried about the Eagles' new featured running back.
Eagles still keeping DeMarco Murray under tight wraps, Tim Tebow plays peacekeeper
In other news from around training camp Wednesday, Tom Brady rejoined the Patriots while the Panthers-Dolphins practice was a bloodbath.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
According to NFL Media's Conor Orr, Murray had his usual low-speed, low-workload practice as the Eagles practiced with the Ravens Wednesday, even though offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur had said he wouldn't be limited. Murray is coming off a 392-carry season with the Cowboys, well above the 370 threshold that historically caused future problems for running backs.
Eagles coach Chip Kelly has talked about Murray’s workload issues, but the running back doesn’t know if that’s why he has been limited in training camp.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal at all,” he said. “(Kelly) is doing what is best for the team and I’m all for it. It feels like certain days there might not be as much work but I’m for it. They know what is best for the team.”
Murray said that he “feels great,” and would like to get hit a few times in the preseason just to get used to the feel again.
While Murray was taking it easy, another Eagles back, Kenjon Barner, had the cut of the day:
Tim Tebow to Kenjon Barner, who put a dirty move on the Ravens' defender. pic.twitter.com/BVYcqxdMdH
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) August 19, 2015 As usual when two teams come together for preseason workouts, there was a scuffle between the Eagles and Ravens, but it didn’t last long before Tim Tebow made his presence felt:
A little scuffle between #Eagles-Ravens third team offense and defense until Tim Tebow parts them, as@MikeTanier said, like the Red Sea.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 19, 2015 Joint practices around the league have turned into fight fests, but Bill Belichick and Sean Payton kept things peaceful as the Saints and Patriots worked together Wednesday at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. The teams will work together for two more days before playing each other Saturday.
The big news on Wednesday was the return of Tom Brady, who missed Tuesday's practice while attending DeflateGate settlement talks. Brady skipped Wednesday's hearing in Manhattan.
Tom Brady avoids the pass rush during joint practices with the @Saints. pic.twitter.com/3dah7EdLxe
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 19, 2015 The offenses dominated the defenses, with Brady going 18 of 24 in 11-on-11 drills, while Drew Brees was 15 of 22. New England CB Malcolm Butler struggled badly against Brees, with the team's website calling it "probably his worst practice as a Patriot."
Matthews makes surprise appearance
Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced Wednesday morning that LB Clay Matthews would not practice, but he took part in padded individual and positional drills before sitting out the team portion of the day. McCarthy didn't announce what was ailing Matthews, who missed the early part of camp and Green Bay's preseason opener with a knee problem, but ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that it was a sore elbow.
The Packers also got LB Nick Perry, DT Letroy Guion and CB Casey Hayward back from injury, while rookie LB Jake Ryan had the defensive play of the day:
Jake Ryan drops in coverage, leaps and bats away a pass to White that would've been a definite completion otherwise. #Packers
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) August 19, 2015 Injury updates
Cardinals G Mike Iupati missed Wednesday's practice to get tests run on his left knee.
“I’m sending him to a doctor. I don’t know,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. “He’s got a knee swelling a little bit.”
The Cardinals signed the 28-year-old away from San Francisco this summer in order to try to strengthen their running game. The three-time Pro Bowler will make a guaranteed $22.5 million on a deal that could extend to five years and $40 million.
The Raiders announced Wednesday that WR Andre Holmes will miss the rest of the preseason and possibly the season opener after sustaining a broken hand Sunday in practice. Holmes, who is battling for the final receiver spot, had the best year of a spotty career last season, catching 47 passes for 693 yards and four touchdowns.
While Dolphins S Louis Delmas and Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin suffered major knee injuries in Wednesday's joint workout, another Panthers receiver got off a little easier. According to the team website, rookie Devin Funchess "tweaked" a hamstring and is expected to miss a few days of practice.
Funchess was a second-round pick out of Michigan, where he battled injuries for much of his three-year career. In his final season, he caught three touchdown passes in the first half of the Wolverines’ revenge win over Appalachian State, and only scored once more all year.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera was happy with the effort that starting C Ryan Kalil and RG Trai Turner showed in their drills against Miami's new star, DT Ndamukong Suh.
Rivera felt Turner and Kalil battled well with Suh. "But he really is a special player."
— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) August 19, 2015 The Dolphins did get some good injury news, activating rookie WR DeVante Parker from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Parker, Miami’s first-round pick out of Louisville, still isn’t taking part in workouts, but hopes to be ready for the season opener.
See More:
