The 2021 regular season is just around the corner, and NFL Network has you covered with wall-to-wall training camp coverage each day starting at 10 a.m. ET. Follow along here for some of the best sights, sounds and moments from "Inside Training Camp Live" and around the NFL.
- Reporting from Eagles practice in Philadelphia, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo is left reading between the lines when it comes to the Zach Ertz saga. "Just being here is not a sign that everything is copacetic," Garafolo said on Inside Training Camp Live. "He's still not happy, he didn't get that contract extension last season and nothing has changed right now." The embattled tight end has yet to speak publicly on his offseason trade request from the team, so Garafolo is left to speculate further through Ertz's bleach blonde hair and his inside out shorts which hid the Eagles logo during practice. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said he expects Ertz to be on the team's roster come Week 1, but Garafolo remains skeptical. Earlier this week, Garafolo reported that Ertz would've 'loved' to team up with ex-Eagles teammate Carson Wentz in Indianapolis. The ongoing speculation will continue through training camp and Garafolo will fish for more subliminal messages in the meantime.
- Newly acquired Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is loving his new scenery. Reporting from Colts training camp, NFL Network's Stacey Dales spoke with Wentz on Inside Training Camp Live about his new digs after spending his first five seasons in Philadelphia. "Just coming in, both football-wise and getting around Frank (Reich) and (Chris) Ballard and just this whole locker room, the culture is different in the building but the culture outside of the building -- the community, it's so family friendly, so supportive and encouraging," Wentz said. "Feels a little bit more like home, I would say, just being in the Midwest and everything. It's been a lot of fun for me and my family to transition to something new here." Wentz reunites with Colts head coach Frank Reich, who was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when Wentz was drafted by the Eagles at No. 2 overall in 2016. "I feel great," Wentz told Dales about reacclimating himself to Reich's system. "It's only Day 2, so there's always gonna be some cobwebs and some things you gotta work on. There's good and bad in every practice, that's why we're out here in training camp. Just the dialogue with Frank, with coach (Marcus) Brady, coach (Scott) Milanovich -- really everybody -- it's such a community thing where everyone's opinion matters and everyone is trying to build this offense together."
Marlon Mack is a 'full go' with 'no restrictions' at Colts training camp, Dales reported. Coming off his first 1,000-yard season, Mack saw 2020 end after just four snaps due to a torn Achilles. The Colts re-signed Mack on a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason with the hope he can return to form and add to what would be a loaded backfield alongside Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines.
- Washington coach Ron Rivera offered a little bit of clarity on the team's quarterback competition this summer, saying Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke will be the main contestants. The news comes as no real surprise considering Kyle Allen is coming off a brutal ankle injury from last season, which had everything to do with Rivera's clarification. "I'm not selling Kyle down the river by any means," Rivera said, via Matthew Paras of the Washington Times. Rivera added that Allen could be in the QB competition at a later date once getting his legs under him. Paras added that Heinicke took the first-team reps on Thursday, but Fitzpatrick is unfazed on the matter. "He's doesn't look over his shoulder," Rivera said. "That's a confident player. I think guys can learn from that."
- The Steelers kicked off their training camp last week but All-Pro defensive end T.J. Watt has yet to do any team drills. Reporting from Pittsburgh on Inside Training Camp Live, NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala spoke to Mike Tomlin on the matter but the Steelers coach offered a cagey answer. "I don't have to report injuries this time of year so I won't," Tomlin told Kinkhabwala. Tomlin went on to say he feels Watt is "day to day" but didn't disclose any specific injury. Kinkhabwala adds that the star pass rusher was seen doing individual work, running sprints and staying late after practice to help teammates. Whatever type of minor injury Watt is dealing with will be handled with the utmost precaution as speculation season marches on.
- With Aaron Rodgers back in Titletown, Jordan Love enters Year 2 as the Packers' backup quarterback. Speaking with NFL Network's Steve Mariucci on Inside Training Camp Live, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur described Love's positive attitude upon Rodgers' arrival and how this summer will be different compared to the QB's rookie season. "You can never have enough reps, especially as a young quarterback," LaFleur said. "We're really excited about the fact that we have preseason games this year, so he's going to get a majority of the reps throughout the course of the preseason. I really love his attitude and how he's attacked this whole thing and his approach. (He's) focusing on himself each and every day and I think he has progressed. The relationship that he and Aaron have is really, really strong and it's great to come out here and watch Aaron coaching him up on specific mechanics and whatnot. So, it really is a great quarterback room." As for Rodgers, who comes off his third MVP season, LaFleur said: "He looks pretty damn good, like he's picking up right where he left off."
- Broncos safety Justin Simmons is calling all aboard the Jerry Jeudy hype train as the wideout enters Year 2. "No, I don't think that's an overreaction at all: There's no doubt in my mind that Jeudy can have an All-Pro, Pro Bowl season this year. He's just that good," Simmons said, via NFL Network's James Palmer. That's high praise from one of the best defensive backs in the league. Jeudy had 53 receptions for 856 yards (three TDs) as a rookie during a year where Broncos quarterback Drew Lock went through growing pains. Teddy Bridgewater was acquired via trade this offseason to compete for the starting QB role. Whoever wins the job, they will have a budding young WR with great route-running abilities and breakout speed.
- Emmanuel Sanders is another veteran in a new city, and the experienced Buffalo Bills wideout was in awe of his new quarterback Josh Allen after seeing a throw to teammate Cole Beasley. "It was crazy -- my mouth dropped and I've been in the league 12 years," Sanders told reporters, via NFL Network's Peter Schrager. For context, Sanders has played with a handful of elite quarterbacks including Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. The sure-handed slot receiver adds to a well-round receiving corps of a Bills team coming off an appearance in the AFC Championship Game. As Sanders seamlessly conforms to Western New York, the hype surrounding Allen in Buffalo knows no bounds.
- Celebrating Dak Prescott's 28th birthday on Thursday, Ezekiel Elliott handed the Cowboys quarterback a cake to the face. Hijinks we're sure to learn more about on HBO's Hard Knocks (debuts Tuesday, Aug. 10), a cheerful mood besets Cowboys camp by virtue of Prescott's inspiring comeback season.
- Dennis Kelly's new threads must still be at the cleaners. One day after signing with the Packers, the veteran offensive lineman needed to borrow veteran David Bakhtiari's practice jersey. Bakhtiari, who is currently on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL injury, won't need it during training camp but is expected to be ready for Week 1.
