Jaguars’ Terrance Knighton expects to be ready for Training Camp

In one of the weirder stories of the offseason, Jaguars’ defensive tackle Terrance Knighton needed emergency eye surgery after injuring it in a bar fight earlier this offseason. The injury, and the location of the incident, seemed very bad for Knighton, a talented player, who was already being criticized for being out of shape and unable to keep his weight in check.

While Knighton will miss the Jaguars’ mandatory minicamp, as he is unable to run or lift until the injury is healed, Knighton did sound optimistic today saying that the injury is progressing faster than expected and that he does feel he’ll be ready for Training Camp. We’ll have just to wait and see on this. The Jaguars’ organization can’t be very happy with this and it could end up costing him playing time or even his roster spot if he doesn’t have a good camp.

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Andy Reid thinks Donovan McNabb can still play

Donovan McNabb has yet to go on a single visit this offseason, or at all since being released midseason by the Vikings last year, but at least he has one supporter, former Head Coach Andy Reid, who said that he thinks McNabb can still play and that he looks good physically. While that does suggest Reid has seen McNabb work out this offseason, don’t expect any reunion between the two.

Reid’s scheme is the only one that McNabb has ever had any kind of success in, but the Eagles already have 3 quarterbacks under contract behind Michael Vick in Mike Kafka, Nick Foles, and Trent Edwards and McNabb might not even agree to go back to Philadelphia in a backup role after being the starting quarterback there for so long. While McNabb might be glad to hear he has someone supporting him, it likely won’t lead to any tangible change for him. He’ll still struggle to find a #3 quarterback job, if he’d even accept one.

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Robert Turbin could be Seahawks’ 3rd down back

The Seahawks spent a 4th round pick on Robert Turbin, despite giving Marshawn Lynch a great contract this offseason. Turbin provided much needed depth behind the talented, but injury prone Lynch. However, he could provide more than just that. Today, Carroll suggested that Turbin could be their 3rd down back, praising his pass catching abilities and saying that he has all the tools to become a good pass protector.

Turbin’s name is certainly one to monitor for fantasy purposes because before last year, Lynch had managed just 322 carries in the last 2 years. With a new contract in hand, Lynch could revert to his previously disappointing self and/or get hurt. Turbin might not worth a fantasy draft pick, but he could end up making a few starts this season.

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Jason Peters’ career in doubt?

When Jason Peters tore his Achilles for the 2nd time in as many months yesterday, many wondered if he’d ever be the same player again. The Achilles won’t lead to a major setback in his recovery, reportedly around another 3 weeks, but it’s never a good thing when a guy tears the same thing twice in this short of time. If you ask the Philadelphia Inquirer, Peters career could be in doubt.

The Inquirer, who consulted with a notable foot and ankle surgeon for this report, said that a 2nd tear like this is a rare phenomenon and that it’ll make the road to recovery much tougher. Peters won’t play in 2012 and is no sure thing in 2013, a shame for a player who had finally lived up to his potential as one of the top tackles in the league in 2011.

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Jets QB coach “pleasantly surprised” by Tebow

Tim Tebow is a lot of things and one of them is a notoriously bad practicer. Tebow’s performance in practice during Training Camp last year was so bad that he was at one point listed at 4th on the depth chart. He eventually overcame that and proved he was much better in games than in practice, leading the Broncos to an AFC West title and a playoff win in overtime over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now in New York after Denver signed Peyton Manning, Tebow appears to be impressing more in practice. He’s made an impression on one notable figure, Jets quarterback coach Matt Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh said that Tebow’s mechanics looked good and he was impressed with his arm strength. The mechanics part is news as that’s Tebow’s biggest flaw, but he has been working a ton on it this offseason so maybe he’s made noticeable improvements. This is just one more reason to believe that Mark Sanchez is on a very short rope at quarterback for the Jets and that Tebow could be starting for them sooner rather than later.

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Saints’ Mark Ingram unlikely to be ready for start of Training Camp

The Saints used a first round pick on Mark Ingram in 2011, but he had a disappointing rookie season, rushing for just 474 yards and 5 touchdowns on 122 carries. Some expect him to have a breakout season in his 2nd year, but he already had a deep running back corps (Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles) as well as a coaching staff who hasn’t given a back more than 176 carries since 2006 working against him for 2012.

Now it appears that injuries will once again work against him. Ingram has lingering turf toe problems as well as a recently operated on knee, the same knee that caused him to fall from the mid teens to the late 20s on draft day. Today, interim Head Coach Joe Vitt said that Ingram would likely be limited for the start of Training Camp in August. There’s definitely a buyer beware on him for fantasy football owners.

 

Tim Hightower to start for Redskins?

The Redskins resigned Tim Hightower this week, giving them a 4th running back to go with Roy Helu, Evan Royster, and rookie Alfred Morris. It was believed that Hightower was brought in to be a #2 back, but Mike Jones of the Washington Post believes Hightower could start for them. This makes some sense because Hightower is such a well rounded back and he played well to start the season last year before a knee injury. Roy Helu averaged a higher YPC as the starter after Hightower got hurt and Royster was solid as a backup last year.

Meanwhile, Mike Shanahan has been talking up rookie Alfred Morris in rookie camp. Shanahan changes his mind often with running backs and he seems to have set himself with the ability to do so several times during the season this year. It’ll once again be a frustrating situation for fantasy owners. Gun to my head, I’d rank the 4 backs Helu, Hightower, Royster, and Morris in the order I value them in fantasy.

 

Titans bring in two veteran safeties for visits

The Titans have already brought back their two starting safeties from 2011 this offseason, franchising Michael Griffin and resigning Jordan Babineaux long term. They also added a safety in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Markelle Martin, which could end up being a steal as Martin was once seen as a 3rd or 4th round pick before an injury.

However, they don’t appear to be done adding safeties as they brought in two veteran safeties, Chris Crocker and Yeremiah Bell, for visits. They seem committed to adding depth at the position so it’s likely they sign one of them. Crocker and Bell were both cut this offseason, by the Bengals and the Dolphins respectively, but both were starters last season, albeit below average starters on the wrong side of 30.

Eagles’ Jason Peters ruptures his Achilles again

When the Eagles’ Jason Peters, one of the league’s top offensive lineman in 2011, tore his Achilles in March, the Eagles wasted no time in finding a replacement, signing Demetress Bell, formerly of the Buffalo Bills. Peters was fully expected to miss the entirety of the 2012 season and the Eagles prepared themselves for that. It didn’t get any better for Peters today, as he ruptured that same Achilles injury once again. This will add at least another 3 weeks to his recovery, and further solidifies the belief that he will not play in 2012. It also could lead the more long term issues as he tries to return in 2013 and beyond. Peters may never be the same player again.

Brandon LaFell is “heavy favorite” to be Panthers’ #2 receiver

According to Panthers insider Darin Gantt, Brandon LaFell is expected to be the Panthers #2 receiver once again in 2012 opposite Steve Smith. This makes a lot of sense since LaFell was solid in that role last season in his 2nd year in the NFL. There was some speculation that David Gettis could challenge for that job after coming back from a major injury suffered in 2011, but it appears he won’t, at least not seriously.

Earlier this month, Adam Schefter predicted that LaFell could be a breakout star of the 2012 season. A 3rd round pick out of LSU, Lafell is entering his 3rd season, a year when young receivers often breakout. He has some sleeper value in fantasy leagues with Steve Smith getting up there in age opposite him.