Colts practice will get an extra boost on Tuesday with star linebacker Darius Leonard making his training camp debut.
Leonard was sidelined to this point while recovering from ankle surgery he underwent in June. The procedure wasn't considered to be major nor threaten his ability to play in Week 1.
Leonard's return to the practice field adds to what has been a stellar week for the 26-year-old. The two-time All-Pro became the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL on Sunday, signing a five-year, $99.25 million extension with the Colts and securing himself as a pillar for the Colts defense going forward.
In his first three seasons, Leonard's energetic play has resonated with a Colts defense that has steadily improved since the team selected him in the second round. The 2018 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has been a tackling machine since his inception into the league and his knack for causing turnovers (nine career forced fumbles, seven career interceptions) has since made him a valued playmaker.
Retirements
- Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson informed the team that he is retiring, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, via Robinson's agent. The 11-year veteran proved to be a key member for the Eagles during their recent Super Bowl run. Robinson spent the past three seasons with New Orleans, which also drafted him in the first round in 2010. He finishes his career with 16 interceptions and 83 passes defensed in 123 games. Robinson's retirement leaves New Orleans thinner at the cornerback position than they expected to be. Asked if CB is a "must position" for the Saints to address ahead of the season, coach Sean Payton told reporters, "It still is. We'll keep working the rosters. There'll be a cutdown. In the meantime, we're working closely with the guys we have here."
Injuries/COVID-19
- Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said defensive end Myles Garrett (hamstring) and cornerback Denzel Ward (soreness) will not practice Tuesday, calling Garrett day to day.
- Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Andre Dillard is considered week to week after an MRI revealed a knee sprain, Rapoport reported. Jordan Mailata will take Dillard's first-team reps for now, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Defensive back Obi Melifonwu was moved from the waived/injured list to the reserve/injured list.
- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman suffered a groin injury during Tuesday's practice and is week to week, per Garafolo. The 2021 first-rounder does not have any structural damage but it's unclear if he'll be sidelined for the start of the regular season, Garafolo and Rapoport added.
- The Minnesota Vikings activated rookie quarterback Kellen Mond off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Mond has been sidelined since July 31 due to a positive test.
- The Chicago Bears are activating safety Eddie Jackson off the non-football injury list. Jackson, who was dealing with a hamstring injury, can begin practicing Tuesday.
- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper passed his physical and has been removed from the physically unable to perform list.
- The Buffalo Bills activated defensive end Jerry Hughes off the non-football injury list and will return to the practice field after missing the first two weeks of camp with a calf injury. The team placed linebacker Marquel Lee on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- The New York Giants activated outside linebacker Ryan Anderson from the non-football injury list and tight end Rysen John from reserve/COVID-19 list.
- The Miami Dolphins activated tight end Mike Gesicki off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi passed his physical and was been cleared to practice. Ogunjobi (hamstring) had been placed on the PUP list on July 28.
- The Houston Texans activated offensive lineman Geron Christian off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif recently broke a bone in his hand during practice and will be out four to six weeks, Rapoport reported Tuesday afternoon. No surgery will be needed and Duvernay-Tardif does have a chance to play in Week 1, Rapoport added. The team also activated center Darryl Williams off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- The New York Jets placed offensive tackle Teton Saltes on the reserve/injured list from the waived/injured list.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers placed defensive end Calvin Taylor on the reserve/injured list from the waived/injured list.
- Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters Tuesday that quarterback John Wolford, who recently had his appendix removed, would not play in the preseason. McVay also said cornerback Darious Williams did not practice due to an ankle injury and that wide receiver Van Jefferson has a COVID situation the coach believes to be a false positive.
Roster signings
- The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Case Cookus.
- The Detroit Lions agreed to a one-year contract with kicker Zane Gonzalez, per Gonzalez's agent. The former Lou Groza Award winner spent the past three seasons with the Cardinals.
- The Colts signed linebacker Curtis Bolton.
- The San Francisco 49ers signed defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun and cornerback Alexander Myres to one-year deals.
- The Philadelphia Eagles Eagles claimed wide receiver Marken Michel off waivers.
- The Texans claimed offensive lineman Drake Jackson off waivers from the Lions.
- The New England Patriots signed defensive back Malik Gant, the team announced.
- The Arizona Cardinals announced the signing of four veterans on Tuesday: tight end Demetrius Harris and defensive linemen Jack Crawford, Margus Hunt and Josh Mauro. Harris is a seven-year NFL veteran who has played with the Bears, Browns and Chiefs with 44 starts in 101 games. Crawford has 35 starts in 109 games played over nine years with the Titans, Falcons, Cowboys and Raiders. Hunt has eight seasons of NFL service with 26 starts and 104 games with the Bengals, Saints and Colts. Mauro began his career with four seasons in Arizona before stints with the Giants and Raiders. He returned to the Cardinals in 2020 and made a pair of starts in an injury-shortened season.
- The New Orleans Saints signed kicker Brett Maher. Maher played for the Cowboys in 2018-19 and the Saints are need of kicking help with Wil Lutz sidelined due to core muscle surgery. Since being cut by the Cowboys in 2019, Maher has spent time with the Jets, Washington, Texans and Cardinals.
Roster cuts
- Detroit is waiving kicker Matthew Wright to make room for Gonzalez (see above), NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.
- The Colts waived tackle Jake Benzinger.
- The Giants waived tight end Tommy Stevens.
- The Carolina Panthers waived fullback Mikey Daniel.
- The Tennessee Titans waived tight end Donnie Ernsberger with an injury designation and also released defensive back Greg Mabin and center Ryan Pulley with injury settlements.
- The Niners waived cornerback Mark Fields II and offensive lineman Isaiah Williams.
- The Raiders waived wide receiver Trey Quinn.
- The Eagles waived wide receiver Michael Walker.
- The Texans waived long snapper Mitchell Fraboni.
- The New England Patriots released running back Tyler Gaffney and waived quarterback Jake Dolegala.
- The Baltimore Ravens waived tight end Jacob Breeland.
- The Miami Dolphins waived long snapper Rex Sunahara.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers waived tight end Dax Raymond.
- The Arizona Cardinals released tight end Cary Angeline, offensive lineman Ryan Pope, safety Jamal Carter and linebacker Donald Rutledge.
