NFL training camp updates 2022: Green Bay Packers start joint practices with New Orleans Saints, backup quarterbacks get time with New York Jets and New York Giants
This part of the NFL training camp schedule could be called “joint practice season,” as teams are linking up in greater numbers this week. Tuesday saw the New Orleans Saints travel to Wisconsin to work out with the Green Bay Packers, and the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers taking each other on. The San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings will also link up this week.
Along with providing the opportunity for teams to practice against one another, joint practices see spirited competition between starters, which sometimes turns into fighting (see the Patriots writeup below). But if you’re looking for the closest simulation of regular-season play, the joint practices are it.
Tuesday also saw Big Apple-based teams navigating with veteran backups, as the New York Giants are giving Tyrod Taylor some reps with the starters by choice while the New York Jets are giving Joe Flacco time with the starters out of necessity as Zach Wilson sits out with an injured knee. Perhaps these older quarterbacks still have some fantasy value left.
Here’s the rest of what you need to know from camps across the league.
Packers’ Aaron Rodgers frustrated with drops, inconsistency by young receivers: The expiration date on Aaron Rodgers‘ patience with the Packers’ young pass-catchers must have read Aug. 16. For the first time since losing Davante Adams in free agency this offseason, Rodgers expressed some frustration with the group. “The young guys, especially young receivers, we’ve got to be way more consistent,” Rodgers said. “A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We’ve got to get better in that area.” The frustration wasn’t directed at Allen Lazard, who Rodgers believes is a legitimate No. 1. Nor was it pointed at Randall Cobb, who Rodgers called one of the premier slot receivers in the league, or free-agent pickup Sammy Watkins, who Rodgers said had his best day.
Zach Wilson’s right knee surgery deemed a success, sources say: Jets quarterback Zach Wilson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles, and a source told ESPN that the procedure was deemed a success. There were no surprises from the original diagnosis, the source said, and the team isn’t putting a timeline on his return, but it seems to be the same as the two- to four-week range the Jets had originally envisioned.
Tyrod Taylor may get some 1st-team reps but Daniel Jones still QB1, Giants coach Brian Daboll said: The Giants might get quarterback Tyrod Taylor some first-team snaps this summer, coach Brian Daboll said on Tuesday. Taylor, however, is currently the clear-cut backup to fourth-year quarterback Daniel Jones. “I have full confidence in Daniel, and I have full confidence in Tyrod in what his role is,” Daboll said. “Each day we sit there and evaluate the guys, but will [Taylor] get a few reps here or there? He might.”
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Panthers name Ikem Ekwonu starting left tackle over Brady Christensen: The Panthers aren’t ready to name a starting quarterback, but they are ready to move forward with first-round draft pick Ikem Ekwonu as their starting left tackle. Ekwonu, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft out of North Carolina State, opened Tuesday’s joint practice against New England as the starter over 2021 third-round pick Brady Christensen. According to coach Matt Rhule, “That’s where we are moving forward.”
Steelers WR Anthony Miller out for season due to shoulder injury: Steelers wide receiver Anthony Miller has been placed on injured reserve and is out for the year after suffering a shoulder injury in practice before the team’s first preseason game. Miller, 27, had a good showing in training camp, and he especially displayed good chemistry with quarterback Mitch Trubisky, with whom he played in Chicago for three seasons. Miller didn’t play in the Steelers’ preseason win against Seattle and was spotted with a brace and immobilizer on his shoulder and arm after the game.
Dolphins place Adam Shaheen on IR after voided trade: The Dolphins placed tight end Adam Shaheen on injured reserve Tuesday after he failed a physical last week because of a preexisting knee injury, which voided a trade with the Houston Texans. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that Shaheen will undergo surgery after getting more opinions on his knee and the organization is “100% supportive” of his decision.
New York Jets: Joe Flacco, in his third practice as the Jets’ temporary QB1, delivered his best performance. Unofficially, he completed 14 of 17 passes in 11-on-11 periods, hitting 10 in a row at one point and spreading the ball to seven different receivers. His best throw was a deep out to Elijah Moore — a frozen rope that showed he still has a fastball at age 37. WR Garrett Wilson, asked to compare Flacco and injured Zach Wilson, said Flacco throws “receiver-friendly” passes because he “takes some pace off the ball” on certain routes. That comes with experience — a lot of experience. — Rich Cimini
Los Angeles Chargers: With five practices remaining in training camp, including combined practices against the Dallas Cowboys over the next two days, All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr.’s hold-in continues. James is entering the fifth and final season of his rookie deal, is scheduled to earn slightly more than $9 million and is due a contract extension. Chargers coach Brandon Staley expressed confidence Tuesday that — if a deal gets done — James would be in “football shape” and ready for the season, despite having the end of training camp within sight. “I don’t worry about Derwin James,” Staley said. “There’s no one who has more pride in his performance and his ability to be in shape, mentally and physically, to do the job at the highest level than him. … No matter when this happens, Derwin is going to be ready.” James continues to participate in walk-throughs and runs through agility drills individually before maintaining a constant presence on the sideline throughout practices. — Lindsey Thiry
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• Defense: DE/OLB | DT | LB | CB | S
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Carolina Panthers: Baker Mayfield didn’t do much, if anything, to separate himself from Sam Darnold in the competition for the starting quarterback job in Tuesday’s joint practice against New England. He completed only one of his first six pass attempts in 1-on-1 drills between the wide receivers and cornerbacks. He was 3-for-10 in his final series, a two-minute drill. But he did complete a pass of more than 45 yards to DJ Moore that got the fans excited, and had another big pass to running back Christian McCaffrey that turned heads just enough to say it wasn’t a bad day. He also hasn’t let his sometimes boisterous personality overshadow his progress on the field. “I haven’t been surprised by it. I’ve been really impressed by it,” coach Matt Rhule said of Mayfield’s demeanor. “He’s got a natural feel for learning things, the verbiage and how fast it comes. He does a really nice job.” — David Newton
Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick went up against rookie standout wide receiver George Pickens in a one-on-one period in Tuesday’s padded practice. Coach Mike Tomlin admitted afterward the two were paired “thoughtfully.” Pickens won several of the reps, including catching a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone despite tight coverage from Fitzpatrick. “I’ve gotta be more patient,” Fitzpatrick said of the drill. “I haven’t done it in a long, long time. The couple reps I felt outta whack, like I was shaking the rust off. The more I did it, the more comfortable I felt, getting tighter and tighter and coverage. “George is a great player. I love the competitiveness that he brings and that coach T brings to the table.” — Brooke Pryor
Philadelphia Eagles: Tight end Dallas Goedert is heating up. Fresh off his 22-yard touchdown catch in the preseason opener against the New York Jets, Goedert had his most prolific day of training camp. Jalen Hurts hit him with three straight completions during 7-on-7s, including one over the middle for the touchdown to cap the drive. Later, Hurts faked the handoff, rolled right, and again found Goedert in the end zone. They skied in the air for a chest bump to celebrate. — Tim McManus
Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Reid has been getting a lot of attention lately for his kicking accomplishments but made his mark on defense on Tuesday. Reid, a starting safety, intercepted two Patrick Mahomes passes during a team period. Reid cut in front of Travis Kelce to make one interception and caught a deflection off Kelce for another. Reid’s interceptions were part of a stronger effort from the defense than it showed in Monday’s practice. That was of relief to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has said the Chiefs were racing the clock to be ready for the regular season with their many new players and can’t afford to be wasting any more days. The defense recently added two significant players, with the return from injury of third cornerback Rashad Fenton and the signing of defensive tackle Danny Shelton. — Adam Teicher
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Washington Commanders: Linebacker Jamin Davis didn’t make much of an impact during his rookie season. But the second-year linebacker, the 19th overall pick in 2021, has started to look like he could help this season. During practice Tuesday, Davis made three consecutive plays — defending a pass to the tight end, forcing an incompletion; stopping the running back in the hole and then hustling back to pick off a tipped ball in the secondary. He did a nice job in the preseason opener vs. Carolina. Davis plays best when aligned closer to the line of scrimmage, allowing him to read less and be more aggressive attacking the ball or his gap. For this defense to improve, Davis has to show these skills during the regular season. — John Keim
Baltimore Ravens: Ravens safety Chuck Clark is having a strong training camp after an offseason that didn’t go his way. Clark broke up a couple more passes, including knocking the ball away from All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews in the end zone. In this camp, Clark is the only defender who has had repeated success against Andrews. Clark’s role on the defense was in question after Baltimore added two big-name safeties, signing Marcus Williams in free agency and drafting Kyle Hamilton in the first round. But Clark’s play could force the Ravens to put three safeties on the field. — Jamison Hensley
Buffalo Bills: The Bills held their first full training camp practice back at the team’s facility in Orchard Park, New York. During the practice, rookie wide receiver Khalil Shakir came down with a catch on a perfect pass towards the sideline from quarterback Case Keenum. Shakir has continued to impress among a strong wide receiver group after catching all five of his targets for 92 yards in the win over the Colts. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey remarked Tuesday that he has been on top of things, including from a mental perspective.
“We felt like that he came out, and he competed, and he really kind of put his best foot forward,” Dorsey said. ” … But as a rookie wide receiver in this offense, very few mental errors, very few busted routes. I don’t think he had any. He was on top of the stuff. … We were really excited for that first step and looking forward to continuing to progress with him.” — Alaina Getzenberg
New England Patriots: In a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers that was somewhat marred by WRs Kendrick Bourne and Kristian Wilkerson being kicked out for their role in a melee (with C James Ferentz later tossed in a separate mini-tussle), one of the highlights for the Patriots was WR DeVante Parker making multiple contested catches along the sideline. He said his mentality in those situations is “if the ball is in the area, it’s mine.” He said 50-50 balls are more like 80-20s to him. — Mike Reiss
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Cleveland Browns: Second-year wide receiver Anthony Schwartz had his best practice of training camp. Schwartz, who dropped two passes in Friday’s preseason opener in Jacksonville, actually dropped a TD pass early in Tuesday’s practice. But then Schwartz came back with maybe the play of Browns training camp, a diving TD catch near the pylon. Before practice, Schwartz said he “might be pressing” too much. Cleveland is counting on Schwartz to play a key role in the WR corps, despite his inconsistency to this point. — Jake Trotter
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons have been working cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who had been their starting nickel corner last season until he tore an ACL against Washington, at safety the last two days in practice. It’s not necessarily a position switch — but more cross-training by the Falcons in case they want to use him there in the future. Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith said they’ve cross-trained a few players throughout camp to prepare for various packages they might run offensively and defensively. It’s been part of an eventful camp for Oliver, who said he’s hoping to be able to remove the brace he’s been wearing within the next two weeks. He’s hoping to be on track to be ready for Week 1 against New Orleans. On Tuesday, Smith wouldn’t say whether or not that’s the goal, but said he’s “glad Isaiah feels that way.” — Michael Rothstein