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8/23/22

57 min read

2022 NFL Training Camp News, Notes and Live Updates

Jessie Bates
Dec 26, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Jakeem Grant out for the Year

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has confirmed that Jakeem Grant will miss the 2022 NFL season with a torn Achilles. The Browns signed Grant this offseason to a three-year contract worth $13.8 million to be their returner and play in the slot.

Broncos Sign JaQuan Hardy

The Denver Broncos have signed former Dallas Cowboys Running Back JaQuan Hardy. Hardy played in just three games for the Cowboys last season after being signed as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Tiffin University.

La’el Collins Activated

Cincinnati Bengals right tackle La’el Collins has been cleared to return to practice after passing his physical, according to Adam Schefter. Collins signed a three-year, $21 million contract this offseason after playing the last six seasons in Dallas. He’ll join a Bengals offense that finished top-ten in scoring last season. Collins' PAR (Points above replacement) was six, which was better than any Bengals lineman except Quinton Spain. 

Dolphins and Bucs Set for Joint Practice

The Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come together today to kick off both teams’ joint practice period. First-year head coach Mike McDaniel will have the chance to try out his newest offensive weapons—including All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill—against Bucs' head coach Todd Bowles and his squad. Much of the attention in today’s practice will likely fall on Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady. Brady found himself caught in the midst of investigations into the Dolphins' alleged tampering this offseason. Though Brady ultimately faced no punishment, the Dolphins were penalized both financially and in the way of draft pick forfeiture.

Mekhi Becton Likely to Miss 2022 Season

Mekhi Becton will most likely miss the entirety of the 2022 NFL season, according to Ian Rapoport. The former eleventh overall draft pick will see a surgeon tomorrow to address his ailing right knee cap. Reports indicate that head coach Robert Saleh and the Jets' front office are operating under the assumption that Becton will be out for the year. 

Dolphins add Draft Capital

The Miami Dolphins have acquired a 2023 6th-round pick for TE Adam Shaheen and a 2023 7th-round pick. Will Miami keep this pick or continue to make moves to better their roster this season and going forward?

Commanders Move on From DL Coach Sam Mills

According to Ian Rapoport, Washington Commanders’ Head Coach Ron Rivera has chosen to move on from Defensive Line Coach Sam Mills III. Rivera is entering his third season in Washington following a nine-year run in Carolina that included a trip to Super Bowl 50. Mills, a former Panthers assistant, followed his boss to Washington when Rivera signed on as Head Coach. Mills served as Washington’s Defensive Line Coach over the last two seasons. He will hand things over to Assistant DL Coach Jeff Zgonina, a seven-year NFL coaching veteran.

Roquan Smith Requests a Trade

The Bears' first-round pick from the 2018 draft has officially requested a trade. Releasing a statement this morning, Smith wrote that it was a dream come true to put that Bears helmet on the same way that the legendary LBs did. Smith also detailed his frustrations, including the new Bears front office "not negotiating in good faith," stating every step has been a "take it or leave it" deal. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also noted other frustrations Smith had, including unprecedented salary de-escalators that nobody else making more than $15 million has. It also wouldn't make him the highest-paid LB by salary, which is the trend with these contracts. Whoever trades for Smith will likely want to work out an extension right away, as he is in the final year of his rookie contract.

Mekhi Becton Leaves Practice

Rich Cimini of ESPN reports that on just the second play of practice today Mekhi Becton is leaving the field. While the extent of the injury is unknown, Becton was limping “heavily” when going off the field. The knee in question is the same knee that the Jets' former first-round pick had surgery on this past September. He appeared in only one game last year after dislocating his knee cap.

"2022 was already a "prove it" year for Becton," said T.J. McCreight, The 33rd Team's Head of Scouting. "He needs to show he was worthy of getting picked 11th overall. He has had weight issues and injury issues already in his young career, and now he is hurt before the first pre-season game! We are barely in August, and from the Jets perspective: They picked him ahead of Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs has made a Pro Bowl and has 33 starts. The fact you can’t count on Becton really puts the team in a bind."

Despite earlier reports of the knee being of no concern to head coach Robert Saleh, it appears the Jets now may be concerned. The team will know more on August 9th after further testing is done. The team does say that to this point that the new injury to his knee is different from the one he suffered last year. Again, we will update this post as more information becomes available.

Malik Willis Flashes Arm Talent

After getting a ton of talk heading into the NFL Draft in April, Malik Willis fell to the Tennessee Titans in round three. Willis at this point is clearly going to be backing up Pro Bowler Ryan Tannehill heading into this year. Despite that, he is still getting chances to flash the arm talent that had draft pundits excited about his potential. In practice today, Willis was able to throw up a perfect pass that dropped right into the bucket of his receiver. Based on the clip it is hard to see how far the pass actually went, but regardless, you see Willis demonstrate the arm strength he had while at Liberty.


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