NFL mandatory minicamp Day 2: OBJ, Lamar Jackson getting into rhythm
It’s Day 2 of mandatory minicamp for the 21 teams that didn’t start last week, including the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the entire AFC South — where two of the top three quarterbacks taken in the 2023 NFL draft reside. Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick, is also in action with his Carolina Panthers.
Two teams, the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles, chose not to have mandatory minicamps.
Here are some snapshots, some by ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters who are on the scene, from Wednesday’s minicamp action:
Justin Herbert not planning to ‘hold-in’ during training camp
The Chargers broke their two-day mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, bound for a six-week break before reporting to training camp in late July. While uncertainty remains regarding a timeline for a contract extension for quarterback Justin Herbert, this much is clear: Herbert intends to be on the field at training camp and will have a full arsenal of playmakers to distribute the football to.
Bills’ Stefon Diggs back practicing day after his absence
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs is present and participating in the team’s mandatory minicamp practice Wednesday. His attendance comes a day after he was not present at the team’s first minicamp practice.
Lamar Jackson relishing chance to play with ‘legend’ OBJ
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson acknowledged this offseason that he requested that the team sign wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. This week, Jackson has gotten a chance to work with a wide receiver whom he has long admired for the first time. “Odell is a legend to a lot of us [with] what he did early in his career and the [2021 season] when he was with the Rams,” Jackson said Wednesday. “Odell is him, one of those guys.”
Source: Texans’ Maliek Collins to sign 2-year, $23M extension
The Houston Texans will sign defensive tackle Maliek Collins to a two-year, $23 million extension that includes $20 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bucs’ Lavonte David said emotions got best of Devin White
Inside linebacker Devin White allowed emotions to get the best of him when he requested a trade this offseason, longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers team captain Lavonte David said Wednesday. White reported to minicamp to avoid a holdout, but he isn’t practicing with the team and instead has watched from the sideline. “Emotions got the best of him, but he’s here,” said David, who has mentored White since he was selected fifth overall in the 2019 NFL draft. “He’s ready to work. He’s not ready to go right now but he’s getting himself ready for training camp. I talked to him throughout the whole process.”
Seeking deal, Colts’ Jonathan Taylor wary of how NFL values RBs
Jonathan Taylor has assessed the current economic attitudes toward running backs in the NFL, and the All-Pro is beginning to wonder what it all means for him. The Indianapolis Colts star said Wednesday that recent developments with backs such as Dalvin Cook, Saquon Barkley and others have given him reason for pause as he embarks on his own contract negotiations. Taylor, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, is guardedly optimistic.
Other news:
Kirk Cousins not expecting contract talks with Vikings until March