May 2013 4for4 Player News Articles

It’s alarming, to say the least, to know that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski needs back surgery after a quartet of arm procedures.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, downplayed the gravity of the situation on WQAM radio in Miami earlier today.

“This is a lingering problem that Rob’s had for a while that’s he’s been playing with, actually through all of last season,” Rosenhaus told Joe Rose of WQAM. “The recovery will be very comparable to the amount of time he’ll miss with the arm surgery. So why not get it down and make sure when he is healthy he’s 100 percent and doesn’t have to address the back down the road?”

“This is a new injury and it’s minor, it’s not as significant [as the prior back injury],” Rosenhaus said. “I don’t think it’s a big deal, I think it’s more preventive maintenance than anything else. It’s something that, although he needs it, he’s had it for a while and he’s been able to function.”

If Rosenhaus is to be believed (and that's a 50/50 proposition, at best), then Gronkowski should be okay to play in 2013. We're waiting for a concrete recovery time after his surgery, which is reportedly scheduled for mid- to late-June.

Tom Coughlin may be irritated with the absence of his top two receivers from OTAs, but that also means he and the coaching staff can get a closer look at Rueben Randle.

Coughlin confirmed that Randle has a terrific opportunity this offseason to take a step forward.

"He’s moving in that direction," Coughlin said. "He’s certainly had many opportunities and if there’s a guy who really has a chance to step his game up and really show what he can do, it’s happening right now to Rueben."

Randle is a player to monitor, especially if the Giants can't come to terms with Victor Cruz on a new contract. Randle should serve as the Giants' WR3 with Domenik Hixon gone.

Redskins RB Alfred Morris impressed HC Mike Shanahan with his mindset in the offseason. Though Morris said he gained 10 pounds (of which he’s lost five), Shanahan said he likes the second-year back’s approach. “Anytime you have the success Alfred had as a rookie and you’re invited to speak you have a lot of banquets to go to, fundraisers to go to and sometimes guys lose perspective of what got them there. You don’t have to worry about that with Alfred. He’s in great shape. He does things the right way... He looks better in this camp than he did a year ago. You can see he’s practicing at a very high level.”

Heading into the season, it wasn't clear who was going to be the lead RB in Washington, but that question was answered quickly when Morris, a rookie, rushed 28 times for 96 yards and two TDs against the Saints in Week 1. He was barely involved in the passing game, but he did have five of his 11 catches in the final three games, which bodes well. The main concern with Morris is his head coach's history of RB shenanigans, but Morris seems as safe as any back can be under Mike Shanahan.

Mike Shula’s offense is considered to be more traditional than what the Panthers experienced under Rob Chudzinski’s direction the past two seasons as offensive coordinator.

What it will look like on Week One is still up in the air, but one thing is for sure with coach Ron Rivera: They’ll be getting out of the huddle faster in 2013.

By simplifying the verbiage for play calls, Rivera expects the team to break the huddle faster and with less confusion.

“We want to be up-tempo, we want to practice up-tempo and get things going up-tempo,” Rivera said Thursday at organized team activities. “That’s what you see, you see more of that in the last couple weeks in these OTAs.”

Quicker playcalling should mean more plays and more production from Cam Newton and the rest of the Carolina offense, provided the team is as effective on a per-play basis.

Wide receiver Pierre Garcon said Thursday that his recovery from shoulder surgery for labrum damage is going well and he doesn’t anticipate experiencing any problems with the injury this season.

“The shoulder is good,” Garcon said following the Washington Redskins’ offseason practice at Redskins Park. “There shouldn’t be any worries for me for the season coming up. So it should be good to go.”

For much of last season, Garcon expressed a strong preference to avoid undergoing surgery for the torn ligament in his foot that plagued him virtually the entire season. He opted not to have surgery for that injury, saying there had been no guarantees given by doctors that such a procedure would resolve the problem.

Garcon said Thursday that his foot is “getting better” and “it’ll be good” this season. But he also called his ongoing rehabilitation of the injury “a process” and stopped short of declaring he’s certain that he’ll be completely unbothered this season by his foot injury.

“You never know,” Garcon said. “We could be playing on a bad field and something happens. Or we could be playing on a good field and something happens. I can’t predict what’s going to happen or how it’s going to be. But I’m going to continue to rehab it and continue to work at it and continue to monitor it.”

Garcon had the #27 PPG average among WRs even though he struggled with a foot injury throughout the year. Not counting his abbreviated return in Week 4 and Week 5 (4-44 combined) or his first game "back" in Week 11, Garcon posted 5.1-66-0.5 in eight other games (including the playoffs). That equates to #19 WR numbers. His foot is a red flag.

Broncos HC John Fox said after Thursday's practice that tight end Joel Dreessen has had arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will not be available for the remainder of offseason workouts, including the team's mandatory minicamp June 11-13.

The Chargers are counting the minutes to get receiver Vincent Brown back on the field. They think he can be a star. Brown came on strong toward the end of his rookie season in 2011 and then was outstanding in training camp. However, he broke his ankle in the preseason and was lost for the entire 2012 season. The Chargers’ offense badly missed him. He is now healthy, and the Chargers are going to unleash Brown. He should be a major focal point of the offense. Brown and quarterback Philip Rivers were building a strong chemistry, and they will continue to work on it in training camp.

Brown has to beat out Malcom Floyd to have serious fantasy value in 2013, but this is certainly a player to watch this summer.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning on RB Montee Ball: "We are going to count on him in a big way this year. Coach Fox is not going to bring him along slowly."

One of the concerns with Ball is that HC John Fox has a tendency to lean on veterans and not utilize his rookies. Ball could be a high-end RB2 in Denver if he's given a full workload, but that's no sure thing.

Falcons HC Mike Smith on RB Steven Jackson: “He’s a big strong running back that catches the ball extremely well. He creates issues for defenses. He’s just another weapon that we have in our offensive arsenal. He’s a guy who had close to 100 catches in a season, so he’s a guy that we can use in the passing game. He’s not just a running back, he’s a receiving back as well.”

One of the concerns with Jackson in Atlanta is that the team will limit his workload to keep him fresh by using Jacquizz Rodgers as the main receiving RB. That still may be the case, but it's nice to hear Smith rave about Jackson's receiving.

Colts OC Pep Hamilton is expected to utilize the tight ends more extensively in the passing game than his predecessor Bruce Arians did a year ago. That, along with the natural improvement many players make between their first and second NFL seasons, are helping to send expectations soaring for Coby Fleener.

“You saw today, he made some outstanding catches,” Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said. “So he’s making progress every day. What did he have 20-, 30-some catches last year? That should double."

Fleener caught 26 passes for 281 yards and two TDs in 12 games, so doubling that output would put him at about #18 in our TE rankings. We're not as optimistic about his production, especially with Dwayne Allen in the mix.

Patriots Rob Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI to check on a disk issue from last season, according to ESPN and media reports. The disk injury is not related to the same one that required a procedure in 2009, according to a source.

We'll need to listen carefully to the prognosis for recovery after his surgery, which apparently won't be for another three or four weeks. Back injuries are tricky, but there's a chance that Gronk will be back for Week 1, miss part of the season, or miss the entire 2013 campaign. If he is slated for a midseason return, his incredible productivity warrants a early mid-round pick (3rd-5th round) since owners can stream TEs in his absence. The key is to have a healthy Gronk ready for the stretch run and fantasy playoffs. Stay tuned.

Dolphins RB Lamar Miller is taking the bulk of snaps with the first team, and when he does, he has been effective, showing the same explosiveness he did at the University of Miami.

“I think he’s just more comfortable,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “He knows the offense. He’s been in it for a year. He knows the protections. Now he can just go out and let his athletic ability shine for itself.”

Miller said he is focused on improving his blocking this offseason and expects that to show up when the competition begins in earnest come training camp.

Miller is expected to win the starting job and should be a fantasy RB2 in that role.

The New York Jets have signed WR Ben Obomanu.

Jake Ballard isn’t quite the player Rob Gronkowski is, but he had a solid season for New York in 2011, with 38 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. He started in Super Bowl XLVI against the Patriots, but suffered the left knee injury in the second half of the game.

New England’s OTAs are Ballard’s first on-field reps in 16 months.

Even without pads and with some limitations, he’s happy to be back.

“They’re not having me go full-go the whole practice. It’s not like they’re turning me to the wolves,” Ballard said. “I talked with the trainer and the coaches and they all tell me what I’m limited to do and what they think I’m going to be able to do. We just gradually improve from there every week and day to day.”

Ballard will be a sleeper if Gronkowski misses any regular season games. He was solid for the Giants in 2011, finishing 14th in fantasy points per game among tight ends.

Judging from the comments coming out of Cleveland -- from the owner down to the wide receivers -- the first impression of OC Norv Turner's offense is the aggressiveness of it.

“Everything is downfield, and you get taught pretty quickly that you have to be well conditioned to play fast and play at a high level,” wide receiver Greg Little said. “I just like the way Norv thinks. He calls more post and go routes than I’ve ever run before."

Said wide receiver Josh Gordon: "Defenses will be shocked to say the least with how much we're running downfield."

The new offense has helped to make Gordon a favorite breakout candidate in the middle rounds. There was a nine-game stretch from Week 5 to Week 14 where Gordon played like a fantasy WR2. He averaged 3.9-71-.56, which projects to #14 WR numbers.

Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos' top two receivers a year ago, both say that they notice that Peyton Manning has a stronger arm now than he did last year, as he continues to progress from the neck injury that cost him the entire 2011 season.

“We worked out at Duke in March or April and I definitely felt like he had more zip on the ball,” Decker said. “I think he’s come back stronger. . . . I think some of those throws that he fits in the holes, you feel a little more zip on it and he is getting it to you quicker.”

Good report on Manning, who looks every bit a top 5 fantasy QB heading into the 2013 season.

Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone indicated after today's voluntary workout C.J. Spiller will not be pulled from games in short-yardage, third-down or red-zone situations because of size or skill set.

"My philosophy's always been if someone starts off and they're running well, keep feeding them the ball," Marrone said.

Asked if he has any reservations about using Spiller in certain spots, Marrone shook his head.

"I've really seen him as well as Fred work on the things that make them both complete backs," Marrone said. "Our goal, when we put a back back there, is to make sure they're complete backs."

Spiller is one of the most explosive backs in the league, but saw inconsistent touches when both he and Fred Jackson were healthy in years past. It sounds as if Marrone plans to feed Spiller the ball early and often.

Running back Arian Foster will miss the rest of the Houston Texans' organized team activities and the team's minicamp due to his strained right calf, coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday.

Kubiak said Foster was on crutches Wednesday, one day after he suffered the injury on the first play of team drills during Tuesday's voluntary practice.

"He'll stay on crutches a couple of days, rehab, and we'll have him back for camp. He's going to be fine," Kubiak told reporters on Wednesday.

We're not panicking about this injury. It's just a reminder that Foster has racked up 1,115 touches in the last three seasons. He turns 27 this August and is still very much in his prime, but these bumps and bruises may be more common as he continues his career.

Rob Gronkowski is set to return to the operating table, but it doesn't involve his troublesome forearm.

NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Wednesday that the New England Patriots tight end will need back surgery, according to a source briefed on his status. Surgery tentatively is set for mid-June and will be performed by Dr. Robert Watkins, according to Breer.

It's expected that Gronkowski will miss at least part of Patriots training camp.

The possibility of back surgery previously was known, though the team had held out hope it could be avoided. Gronkowski has had back issues going back to his days at Arizona. He underwent a previous back surgery in Sept. 2009, which also was performed by Dr. Watkins.

It was reported that Gronk's recovery from this type of back surgery should take 10 weeks. We're not sure why they're waiting until mid-June to perform the surgery, but it might have something to do with his other ailment (forearm). Assuming he has surgery the week of June 10, ten weeks of recovery would sideline him until August 19 or so. If all goes well, Gronk should be back for Week 1, but this is obviously a fluid situation. Draft with caution.

Mike Goodson practiced Tuesday, as expected, per source. The running back’s attorney said last week that the Jets and NFL had held him out of practice following his arrest on weapons and gun charges. However, because the practices were voluntary no permission was required. Tony Fusco, Jr., the attorney, had said he believed it would be possible for Goodson to return to practice before the legal process was complete. Fusco said the entire ordeal could drag on for months.

Goodson pled not guilty in front of a municipal court judge last week to five charges: unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a loaded handgun, possession of a hollow-point bullet, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

49ers WR Anquan Boldin caught several passes from Colin Kaepernick, including one during a two-minute drill at the end of practice. He also was the top target for the team's other three quarterbacks - Colt McCoy, Scott Tolzien and rookie B.J. Daniels. In all, Boldin caught eight passes, one of them a touchdown snag between two defenders on a pass from Daniels.

Boldin and TE Vernon Davis are the two candidates most likely to pick up the slack left by the injured Michael Crabtree. It would not be surprising if Boldin led the team in targets. He hasn't cracked the 1,000 yard mark in the last three seasons, but when you factor in his last 16 games of 2012 (including the playoffs), Boldin caught 77 passes for 1,183 yards and seven TDs, and that even includes a goose egg against the Broncos in Week 15. He should be a nice value in the middle rounds.

Frank Gore's absence at 49ers practice attributed to "working through a little something" per HC Jim Harbaugh.

The Bills have been waiting to see Steve Johnson as a part of the team practice setting. After being limited to just individual position drills in his initial return to practice last week, Johnson’s workload was expanded to team work as he got some plays in Tuesday.

Johnson after going through individual position drills as he had last week, was rotated in for some team work during both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. The best catch of the day by the Bills wideout was the twisting grab he made during red zone work over the middle despite tight coverage from Bryan Scott.

It appears as though Johnson is recovered from his back injury that kept him sidelined as he was not shy about turning and contorting his body to adjust to passes.

Texans RB Arian Foster left practice today with an injury. HC Gary Kubiak said it's a strained calf.

This is just a reminder that Foster has racked up 1,115 touches in the last three seasons. He turns 27 this August and is still very much in his prime, but these bumps and bruises may be more common as he continues his career.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Morgan was arrested in Jefferson Parish early Saturday morning for allegedly driving while intoxicated. State Police booked Morgan, 25, with DWI and driving with no license, according to arrest reports.

A trooper happened upon Morgan sometime around midnight Saturday, asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle on the Earhart Expressway near Causeway Boulevard in Jefferson, the arrest report said.

Interesting hearing people out here talk about QB Tyler Wilson looking better than Matt Flynn. Have to agree so far.

This is a camp battle to monitor, but it's not like the Raiders is a great situation for a QB. The winner figures to be at best a fantasy QB2, though Russell Wilson blew expectations out of the water last season.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has been charged with battery after allegedly KO'ing a security guard at the Conch House in St. Augustine, FL.

According to the police report obtained by TMZ, MJD is accused of striking the security guard with a closed fist on the guard's left cheek, knocking him out.

Update: Adam Schefter writes, "Maurice Jones-Drew’s agent, Adisa Bakari, said St. Augstine police about to issue new release saying no charges filed against MJD."

Via ESPN: "Maurice was there and was not involved. As soon as an altercation broke out, Maurice exited the premises. He was not questioned by police immediately after, nor later that day," Bakari said Tuesday.

These are not the types of headlines players need to be making in the offseason. We'll have to see how the case shakes out over the next few weeks.

While Victor Cruz is in talks with Giants, WR Hakeem Nicks is in no hurry to ramp up talks. He'd be OK waiting until after the season.

That's good news for Nicks owners or those looking to draft him heading into 2013. He's coming off a nagging knee injury, but he's still going in the middle of the 4th round.

Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum seems confident kicker Mason Crosby will bounce back from a sub-par season in 2012.

“He had some technical issues that he worked through," Slocum said. "I thought he started to improve at the end of the season. He’s had a good offseason to this point. We want to get to the production we had at the end of 2010 through 2011. That’s what’s important for us to get to.”

The Packers brought in competition for Crosby in the form of Giorgio Tavecchio in the offseason.

“I thought [WR James Jones] had a phenomenal year last year, and this year he’s going to be even better than what he was last year,” Packers wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett said. “I think he understands that and I think knows what he’s capable of doing. I thought last year was just a starting point for James.”

He's being drafted behind both Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson, but provided his TDs don't regress too much, Jones will have a chance to be the top fantasy receiver in Green Bay. He looks to be a nice value in the middle rounds.

When asked if rookie WR Terrence Williams made progress in OTAs, Cowboys beat writer Bryan Broaddus replied, "He has a long way to go."

We're fully expecting Dwayne Harris to be the WR3 in Dallas in 2013.

It’s clear from watching that the Rams intend to be more high octane offensively. QB Sam Bradford discussed that possibility yesterday and it seemed it was very likely given the weapons that were added during the offseason.

“He’s an impressive guy,” Browns OC Norv Turner said of WR Josh Gordon. “He’s young. He has a lot of work to do, but he’s got a lot of ability. If you put those two things together and you just grind, as a player and a coach, I think he can be a really fine player.”

There was a nine-game stretch from Week 5 to Week 14 where Gordon played like a fantasy WR2. He averaged 3.9-71-.56, which projects to #14 WR numbers. His speed is a good match for QB Brandon Weeden's big arm.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians on QB Carson Palmer: "He's as pretty a deep-ball thrower as I've ever seen, and he has a way of making a rapport with his receivers. [The last two years] he handled a situation very similar to the one I had [last year] in Indianapolis, with injuries and death and all the crazy things that happened in Oakland. When he became available, I thought he was the perfect fit for us."

Palmer has finished in the top 18 in three of the last four seasons and has averaged a ranking of 19.8 in fantasy PPG over the same span. I like his prospects playing for new HC Bruce Arians with a talented receiving corps that features Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Andre Roberts and TE Rob Housler. The Cardinals often find themselves in garbage time and Palmer should be able to make the most of it. His situation has improved and he can still get the ball where it needs to go.

Both RB Roy Helu (Achillles, toe) and rookie RB Chris Thompson (knee) were rehabbing on the side at OTAs.

Helu and Thompson may be competing for a roster spot as the change-of-pace/3rd down back behind entrenched starter Alfred Morris.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera said WR Steve Smith has looked like he's 25 again during OTAs. Rivera said the veteran wideout has been diving for balls--something the coaching staff isn't wild about. And even though we're more than three months from Week One, he still shows his frustration when the ball doesn't come his way.

There is often value to be had with the aging (yet still productive) veteran as other owners are more interested in making sexier upside picks. Smith scares people off due to his age (34), but keep in mind that he has finished in the top 20 in seven of the last eight seasons, including the last two. There is a chance that Father Time comes calling, but Rivera's comments certainly quell some of that concern. We currently have him ranked as our #26 receiver in standard formats.

A.J. Jenkins, Quinton Patton and Ricardo Lockette will compete during the remainder of the 49ers' offseason program to replace injured Michael Crabtree, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Friday on 95.7 The Game.

"We'll put Jenkins, Patton, Ricardo Lockette at the same position and let them compete and emerge," Harbaugh said on the O'Connell and Steinmetz show.

"The good news is somebody will emerge because they have to. Then on the other side, Anquan Boldin, Chad Hall . . . Marlon Moore has been doing some really nice things in the offseason. Joe Hastings will compete on the other side."

Mario Manningham wasn't mentioned because he has been unable to practice due to a torn ACL late in the season. He may be able to return at some point, but it sounds as if the 49ers are preparing to go with Jenkins, Patton or Lockette to start the season.

By all accounts, Titans WR Kenny Britt got serious this offseason. After a squabble with police in his native New Jersey, he trained in California and showed up for the start of the offseason program in good shape, impressing coaches and teammates.

After multiple knee surgeries last offseason, Britt avoided the knife this offseason. If he’s healthy and motivated — which he should be in a contract year — this could be a launching pad for a big season.

The Titans took Justin Hunter in the second round of the draft, so the pressure is on Britt to have a great season if he hopes to return to Nashville in 2014. A tantalizing prospect, Britt will be an interesting pick in the middle rounds provided he can stay healthy (and out of trouble).

Chiefs TE Tony Moeaki has been little more than a spectator at offseason practice after having arthroscopic knee surgery at the end of last season. HC Andy Reid said it was unlikely that Moeaki would be able to practice in the final two weeks of the offseason program and he even hedged a little when asked if Moeaki would be ready by the start of training camp in two months.

“We’ll see,’’ Reid said. “Right now I’m thinking he will be but we’ll see how that goes. He’s working like crazy.’’

Tavon Austin, chosen No. 8 overall in the recent NFL draft, took a few handoffs midway through practice. At West Virginia last fall, in addition to catching 114 passes for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns, Austin rushed 72 times for 643 yards and three scores.

We're expecting Austin to fill a similar role as Percy Harvin and Randall Cobb have in recent years. He's not going to see a ton of carries, but 1-2 a game are likely.

Quarterback Sam Bradford and new tight end Jared Cook seem to be clicking. Signed as a free agent, the ex-Tennessee Titan should be a huge part of the new-look Rams' attack.

Cook certainly looks like a dangerous, pass-catching TE, but he's been unable to put together a good fantasy season in four years in the league. The Rams may be just the fresh start that Cook needs, though it's no sure thing he'll be anything more than a spot-starter at TE.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Anthony McCoy suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities this week and underwent surgery on Thursday repair the injury, a person informed of the diagnosis told USA TODAY Sports.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't confirmed the injury, said McCoy will miss at least six months.

This could mean additional work for Zach Miller, who didn't do much during the regular season (38-396-3), but did post 12 catches (on 15 targets) for 190 yards and a TD in two playoff games against the Redskins and Falcons. He averaged 3.6-38-.33 over his final nine games (including the postseason) which translates to 57-601-5.3 (TE15 numbers) over the course of a 16-game season. He's just 27, and had a couple of very solid seasons for the Raiders in 2009 and 2010. He played 85% of Seattle's snaps in 2012.

Under Eagles HC Chip Kelly, with the potential of much larger receivers creating mismatches and forcing opponents to pick their poison, WR DeSean Jackson is hoping he can go back to the future and make some history in 2013.

"I'm challenging myself to be able to play every position," said Jackson, who's been hinting all offseason that he could be lining up in the backfield as well. "There might be a play or a different position where I normally would not line up or be in, but the leeway of the offense gives us the opportunity to go inside and outside and things like that, so I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to learn the whole offense and be in different spaces throughout the game.

"... I don't have an exact number, but I just want to see myself hopefully scoring at least a couple times a game. I don't see why not, especially with this offense, being able to go out there and be confident at the same time."

We currently have Jackson ranked #39 in standard formats. He certainly is intriguing in a new offense, but his production has been on a steady decline since 2009.

Coming off ankle surgery this offseason, RB Jonathan Stewart was "very limited," per HC Ron Rivera. He stretched, but then went to the other field and worked out on the bike.

Rams TE Lance Kendricks not in OTAs. Had right knee scoped after swelling last month. WR Brian Quick sat out today; tight hamstring.

The Steelers plan to use the outside zone scheme to supplement their power style in order to take advantage of their all-of-a-sudden big, nimble and young offensive line. The hope is to kick start a running game that had its worst output in a decade last year.

Do the Steelers have the running backs to make the scheme work? Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer and rookie LeVeon Bell are more power runners than one-cut, take-it-to-the-house guys who are associated with the scheme.

“It is not like we are trying to run the sweep to the outside every play,” Redman said. “Outside zone, you are taking a certain landmark and picking a lane that you see fit.”

It sounds like the O-line loves the scheme, but it remains to be seen whether the Steelers have the RBs (namely LeVeon Bell) to pull it off.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon had surgery for a torn labrum after the season but his recovery has been "unbelievable," coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday.

Shanahan described the surgery as a "chest" procedure during his news conference Thursday. But in an interview with ESPN's "NFL Live" on Thursday, Garcon said the surgery was actually on his labrum, a type of cartilage in the shoulder joint. He didn't specify which shoulder was injured.

"It was a small surgery; it wasn't nothing major," Garcon told ESPN.

Garcon caught passes Thursday from quarterback Robert Griffin III, who is recovering from surgery to repair ligaments in his right knee. The two players worked with a group of players practicing apart from the rest of the team.

Shanahan said he expects Garcon to be cleared for training camp.

Garcon had the #27 PPG average among WRs even though he struggled with a foot injury throughout the year. Not counting his abbreviated return in Week 4 and Week 5 (4-44 combined) or his first game "back" in Week 11, Garcon posted 5.1-66-0.5 in eight other games (including the playoffs). That equates to #19 WR numbers. There is a lot of upside here, but his ability to stay on the field is questionable.

Bills TE Scott Chandler is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the penultimate game of the 2012 season, but five months to the day Chandler was on the practice field following the team’s OTA workout, running routes and catching passes. It’s an encouraging sign for Buffalo’s passing game as Chandler’s production largely flew under the radar.

This is a very quick recovery for a torn ACL, but it's a great sign that he's running routes.

Browns RB Trent Richardson sat out organized team activities today with a pulled muscle in his shin and might also miss the Browns' mandatory minicamp June 4-6, coach Rob Chudzinski said.

"It's precautionary,'' Chudzinski said. "We're holding him out. We've got minicamp in a week and a half. He may miss that. I'm not sure. We'll take it day-by-day.''

The Browns are being extra cautious with their second-year running back because of the injuries he battled through last season. He initially underwent a arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in February of 2012, a few months before the draft. He then had a second scope on the same knee a few weeks into training camp, on Aug. 9, to remove a loose piece of cartilage and sat out all four preseason games.

Richardson worked to be ready for the opener Sept. 9 against the Eagles, but wasn't 100 percent at the start of the season. Then, he broke two or three ribs in Week 6 against the Bengals, and was limited the following week to eight yards on eight carries in Indianapolis.

After the season, he revealed that he played much of the year in excruciating pain and had difficulty breathing and sleeping.

Richardson is in line for a heavy workload under new OC Norv Turner. The Browns are just being cautious with their offensive centerpiece.

There were two conspicuous no-shows to the Giants’ first on-field OTA of the offseason on Wednesday. And only one of them had a good explanation.

Nobody – not Tom Coughlin or Eli Manning or any other Giants player – expected Victor Cruz to show up as he continues to battle with the team over a long-term contract extension. But fellow wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was supposed to be in uniform and on the field, working with “limitations” according to Coughlin.

Instead, the receiver pulled a stunning disappearing act, with absolutely no explanation.

“I don’t know,” Coughlin said, when asked why Nicks wasn’t at the practice facility. “He should be here . . . I expect everybody here. We’re trying to get our team better.”

There are mixed reports about why Nicks missed practice. He may or may not be upset about his contract. Stay tuned.

Lions RB Mikel Leshoure was on the field but not participating on Wednesday, the second of three OTAs this week.

"He's battling some stuff," HC Jim Schwartz said. "He can do some individual stuff but he's not ready to do any team work."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130522/SPORTS0101/305220408#ixzz2U8...

Lions WR Nate Burleson made a surprise appearance at OTAs.

"I wasn't supposed to; I was told not to (practice)," said Burleson, who wasn't supposed to be back from leg surgery until July. "But it's like I always told you guys, if I can walk I can run, and if I can run I can play."

Burleson, 31, took part in all the drills, including 7-on-7s.

"It's as healed up as it's going to get," he said. "The good thing about being out there is I am playing at a high level and I am not 100 percent. When it gets stronger and I get endurance back in it, I will be back to playing with extreme confidence."

Burleson will likely start opposite of Calvin Johnson, giving him WR5-ish fantasy value.

In total, QB Mark Sanchez went 6-of-11, with three interceptions during the team drills today. Geno Smith went 4-of-10 with an interception. Both were an unofficial count.

Steelers TE Heath Miller on his recovery from a torn ACL late in the season: "I’m running now. I’m doing everything. I’m not at full speed, but I’ve been able to do everything that they’ve asked me to do. So, I’m pleased and encouraged. It’s been a long process, and it’s still going to be a long process. But I’m going to keep taking it one day at a time and get better every day."

We're not expecting Miller to be ready for Week 1, but if he makes steady progress during the offseason, he'll rise in our rankings.

In three-receiver sets, Brandon Gibson lined up in the slot and showed good quickness, with Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline outside.

"We had a good-looking receiving corps that wasn't out there," Jets HC Rex Ryan said.

Santonio Holmes' absence was expected, as he's still recovering from a LisFranc injury that required surgery last September. Ryan said Holmes won't be ready for next month's minicamp, but he expects him to be ready for training camp in late July. Chances are, he'll be limited in camp. The team's goal is to get him ready for Week 1.

Stephen Hill underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last December, and said as recently as two weeks ago that he was 100 percent. But he has sat out the first two OTA practices, according to Ryan.

Cowboys beat write Bryan Broaddus on the team's WR3 battle:

"I really believe that Terrence Williams is going to have to have a great training camp to beat Dwayne Harris out of a job for this third receiver spot. I know there is going to be a competition for the spot but these offensive coaches really like to use Miles Austin in the slot and Dez Bryant opposite on the outside so that leaves the receiver next to Austin and right now, I believe that guy appears to be Harris. I honestly believe that Harris along with Bryant has made the biggest jump as a receiver in the terms of route running and catching the ball. We all have seen what he does in the open field with the ball in his hands on punt returns and the feel he has for reading blocks plus pound for pound he is the best blocking receiver they have on this squad. I do not see Harris’ height as a limitation to him because I feel like he turns that into a strength for him. Williams is a talented player but he really is going to have to fight to win that job."

Peyton Manning may be the one of the best quarterbacks of all time, but if he wants to keep his passing game diversified, he can't dish 94 catches to Demaryius Thomas, 85 to Eric Decker and 112 to Wes Welker in the same season. Somebody has to take fewer.

"If I have to catch 112 balls, that probably means we're in trouble," Welker said Monday after his first practice with the Broncos.

There you go. Problem solved. Welker not only doesn't expect to catch 112 passes now that he's with the Broncos, he believes it's better if he doesn't.

"(The catches) are not the goal," Welker said. "The goal is to go out there and help your team win games. However many catches that is, however many blocks that takes, however many routes I've got to run, whatever. I think we all feel the same way about that."

We currently have Welker projected for 96-1158-8, which would still make him a solid WR2 in standard formats.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on the team's receiving corps:

“I still like the guys we've got,” Rodgers said after practice. “We have a lot of talent at that position. I think Randall Cobb is a guy who could be a 100-plus catch guy every year. James Jones led the league in touchdown receptions last year. [Jordy Nelson] has had some real big years for us.”

After the big three, the Packers have Jarrett Boykin, who came to the rookie orientation camp a year ago as a tryout player after being cut by Jacksonville and earned a spot on the 53-man roster coming out of training camp as the sixth receiver. The rookie caught only five passes for 27 yards in regular-season play, but his final catch was a big one: A critical 7-yard grab on fourth down against Minnesota in the regular-season finale that kept a late scoring drive alive. The coaches like his size (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) and detailed approach to the game.

“I like what Jarrett Boykin brings. He's a big, physical receiver who's going to get some opportunities this year,” Rodgers said. “And I think he really has a great approach to the game, as does Jeremy Ross. Both those guys last year really stepped up and cared about it enough to put in a lot of extra time.”

Owners shouldn't sleep on Boykin who is an injury away from being fantasy relevant in 2013.

Colts RB Delone Carter is on the mend from recent shoulder surgery.

WR Ramses Barden has officially signed back with the Giants, according to a source.

It's probably not a coincidence that the team re-signed Barden with both Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz dealing with contract issues. He had a nice game against Carolina (9-138) with Nicks sidelined early in the 2012 season.

Chris Ivory, who averaged an eye-opening 5.1 yards per carry in limited snaps over three seasons with New Orleans, is sitting even prettier in the fight to be the Jets’ top backfield option now that newly acquired Mike Goodson’s future with the team is up in the air after his arrest last week on drugs and weapons charges.

Ivory’s only competition for snaps with Goodson out are Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight, and new general manager John Idzik seemingly has spent much of the offseason trying to write McKnight’s ticket off the roster.

The article also describes Ivory making a move off of a swing pass, which is good news for his potential upside heading into 2013. The Saints didn't use him at all in the passing game, but if he can show playmaking ability and decent hands, he may be a three-down back for the Jets. Right now, we're projecting him as a two-down back.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end James Casey will undergo arthroscopic surgery to clean out loose cartilage his right knee and will be out of action for the rest of the spring, a team spokesman confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The spokesman said Casey should be ready to go by the start of training camp.

Robert Griffin III threw the football off quick three-step drops in a group of rehabbing Washington Redskins players at the start of Thursday practice, showing decent, half-speed mobility.

Griffin wore a heavier black-brace sheathing than the one he wore late last season after he suffered a strained lateral collateral ligament in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens. He has been throwing since late April and that showed in his good velocity.

Griffin read off a script of plays designed by the training staff so he doesn't do too much, too fast. He threw with good zip and accuracy to a group that included tight end Fred Davis, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon last October.

One thing to note here is that RG3 and Fred Davis should have an opportunity to build a rapport after showing disappointing chemistry in 2012 before Davis went down.

When asked about the severity of WR Michael Crabtree's Achilles injury, 49ers HC Jim Harbaugh said, "It was completely torn and completely repaired."

Crabtree is expected to miss six months which means he could make it back late in the season or potentially the postseason. We believe that Vernon Davis may be the biggest beneficiary of this injury.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch had a court date this morning for a motion to suppress evidence in Alameda County District Court, stemming from charges filed against him for driving under the influence of alcohol in July of last year.

According to Teresa Drenick, assistant district attorney for the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, the motion to suppress was continued to July 5.

Drenick also said that no court date has been set.

The "motion to suppress" means that Lynch's lawyers are trying to get certain evidence thrown out for one reason or another. If they are successful, it will be very difficult to get a conviction. Regardless, this is a grey cloud hanging over Lynch's fantasy value and it's unclear how his previous run-ins with the law will impact how the NFL handles this one.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities Tuesday and will soon undergo what could be season-ending surgery, a person informed of the injury told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the 49ers haven't commented on the injury, which used to be an automatic season-ender but has since become one that can sometimes be rehabbed in a matter of months -- as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers did last year.

Both players tore the tendon in the spring and returned to the field after starting the year on the physically unable to perform list.

Crabtree will miss a minimum of six months which means 2013 will be something of a lost season for him. It's a huge blow to the 49ers passing game and especially Colin Kaepernick. Anquan Boldin, Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins and Kyle Williams figure to split up his snaps and targets. Rookie Quinton Patton may be in the mix as well. The 49ers could also rely on Vernon Davis more heavily, though that's no sure thing given his history of erratic targets.

About the Ravens' WR2 job:

"[Deonte Thompson] could sneak in there, he looks different, is fast and catches everything," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. "But the other guys like [Tandon Doss] and [David Reed] have done well and worked hard during the offseason. As I've always said, the best player will play."

It's interesting that he didn't mention Jacoby Jones, who most assume will get the chance to start. Earlier this month, Assistant GM Eric DeCosta said the team was "very excited" about Jones as a receiver this year.

Demarco Murray missed one day of OTA because of a hamstring tweak.

Murray is a talented player, but this early injury underlines his relative fragility.

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins has practiced with the first-team offense, which meant he and Andre Johnson were the starting receivers. The veteran and team-captain also believes Hopkins is well on his way to contributing.

“He’s picking up everything pretty well,” Johnson said after Monday’s practice. “He went and made some plays today and that’s a good thing. I think day-by-day, he’ll continue to get better and better.”

We currently have Hopkins ranked #56 among WRs, but his stock could rise if he continues to have a good offseason.

Giants WR Hakeem Nicks said he hasn't had any problems with the knee that vexed him throughout last season, and that he's feeling "as good as I've felt in awhile."

Nicks is a bounceback candidate, but understandably fantasy owners are hesitant to invest a top draft pick in a player who seems to have chronic knee problems. He's currently going in the middle of the 4th round.

The good news for CB Darrelle Revis and the Bucs (and the bad news for everyone they play) is that Revis now has clearance to cut and change directions.

“I feel very confident,” Revis tells Andrea Kremer of NFL Network in the latest installment of Health of the Game: Project Revis. “If Todd tells me to cut, I am cutting. I am not trying to think about [it].”

Revis remains confident that he’ll return to the form that made him the best cornerback in the league.

If healthy, Revis should provide a big boost to a Buccaneers pass defense that was pretty dreadful in 2012.

Charles Woodson is returning to the Raiders. He's agreed to a one-year deal.

For the first time in voluntary offseason workouts, Buffalo Bills receiver Steve Johnson was on the field. He had been forced to watch previous practices because of a lower back injury.

"It definitely feels good to just be out there on the field, even through the little pains I have," Johnson said.

"It's getting better every week. They gave me a six- to eight-week thing to even get on the field, and it's only been about three, so I feel good."

While it's certainly good news that Johnson's back issue appears to be clearing up, he still has a very unsettled QB situation. Buyer beware.

Lions WR Calvin Johnson confirmed that he played with broken fingers last season. Said he's been trying to straighten them out. No offseason surgery.

We're not sure how one "straightens out" broken fingers, but this makes Johnson's 2012 campaign all that much more impressive. He caught 122 passes for 1,964 yards and five TDs. The news doesn't impact his position as the #1 WR in our rankings.

Klis: RB Willis McGahee not expected to attend OTA today. OTAs are voluntary.

Jones: RB Knowshon Moreno (knee) not cleared for team drills yet. But in uniform for individual drills.

Montee Ball figures to have the inside track on the RB1 job provided he can prove he's ready to pass protect for QB Peyton Manning. This will be an interesting position battle to watch this summer.

Cleveland Browns columnist Terry Pluto on WR Josh Gordon:

The game comes outrageously easy for Josh Gordon, as he glides down the field. If Gordon keeps his concentration and work ethic at NFL caliber, he could have a breakout season in the new "throw it downfield" offense.

We currently have Gordon ranked #34 among receivers. His upside largely depends on the QB play in Cleveland.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo will be held out of organized team activities the next three weeks as he recovers from a minor procedure to remove a cyst from his back, but the quarterback is optimistic he will be cleared to take part in the Cowboys mini-camp next month.

There is absolutely no question about his health for the start of training camp in July.

This doesn't sound like it's anything to worry about. Fantasy owners should still be able to get Romo as the 11th or 12th QB off the board in the 7th-9th rounds in August.

Rob Gronkowski came out of surgery Monday with good news for the New England Patriots.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the star tight end had new plates put into his troublesome left forearm, and doctors have determined the infection in the arm is gone, according to a source. No further surgery is planned at this time.

The team now can turn its primary focus to Gronkowski's other issue -- chronic back pain. Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI to determine the severity of the injury and will see spine specialist Robert Watkins in three to four weeks in California for a consultation, NFL.com's Albert Breer reported.

The Patriots hope Gronkowski's back issue can be treated without surgery and the rehab process can be concurrent with the forearm. Gronk isn't in the clear by any stretch, but Monday was a positive development in the Patriots' hope that they have their star on the field by Week 1.

This is obviously great news for Gronk and his owners. The plan now is to see a spine specialist. If he has to have back surgery, it is estimated to take 10 weeks to recover which would put his return somewhere around mid-August. He could still be a great value in 2013, but he does come with considerable risk. We'd be more comfortable with Jimmy Graham in the 2nd/3rd rounds.

Lions WR Ryan Broyles is currently recovering from his second ACL injury in two seasons. Detroit did not draft a receiver early this offseason, which means the Lions must be comfortable with Broyles' progress. He had six receptions for 126 yards against the Houston Texans before sustaining his latest injury. If that is the type of production Broyles can provide consistently when healthy, he can be a solid contributor.

Broyles tore his ACL in early December, so he'll only have about eight months of recovery by the time August rolls around. Nate Burleson (who broke his leg in late October) figures to start opposite Calvin Johnson.

The Browns really like tight end Jordan Cameron as their starting tight end and plan to throw to him a lot. Cameron was targeted on plenty of deep balls in OTAs.

Buccaneers HC Greg Schiano said he believes QB Mike Glennon “can play quickly” if he is needed. “But our situation will be only if he’s needed,” he said. “Or if he wins the job. Look, I’m not against that. We have a starting quarterback. It’s not like we’re looking to find a starter. But competition is competition. Mike Glennon is a fierce competitor. I knew that when he was coming out of high school. Now being able to work with him a little, you can see it on the practice field.”

“He has pocket presence, ability to feel the rush and move in the pocket,” Schiano said. “He can extend the play. Can he tuck the ball and run away from people? No. He is not going to be the guy who makes the 30 yard run. Can he tuck it and keep himself safe? Yes, he shows that he does that on college tape a lot. He takes off to run to get out of bounds.”

Through Week 14 of the 2012 season, Josh Freeman had thrown 25 TDs and only eight interceptions, and was fantasy football's #11 QB heading into the final three games. Unfortunately, he threw just two TDs (against nine interceptions) against the Saints, Rams and Falcons to close the season, and now he doesn't seem to have the full confidence of his head coach. This will be a situation to watch in 2013.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will have a fourth procedure performed on his left forearm on Monday at 2 p.m. at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The date was somewhat up in the air, but come tomorrow Gronk will have some definitive answers about whether he’s finally free and clear from an infection that’s dogged him for months.

Browns OC Norv Turner on QB Brandon Weeden:

"He does throw the ball up the field awfully well. There are some things we still need to work hard on to get him speeded up. We did it with Brad Johnson when he came to Washington. First of all, the physical act of your drop(back), putting your foot in the ground, turning the ball loose. What helps speed that up is recognizing where we want to throw the ball and then making quick decisions."

Considering what a transcendent talent Patriots QB Tom Brady is, the career he's had, and that he turns 36 in 11 weeks, this statement he made to me over the weekend is significant: "Going into my 14th year, I have never had more confidence in how I am throwing the football. I've never felt better throwing the football."

"Over the years, I was a little inefficient and I learned how to get away with it. I've been working with Tom House on what's called ground-force production ... Kinetic sequencing, getting the power from the ground, which translates from the ground to your legs, to your hips, to the shoulder, and all the energy is going toward the target. I've always had confidence throwing the football, but you have to stay on top of it. That's going to be a never-ending quest for me."

With Wes Welker gone and Rob Gronkowski's Week 1 status up in the air, Brady may not enjoy his usual weapons at receiver. That's the only real reason to question his fantasy value heading into 2013.

Packers LB Desmond Bishop, 28, admits he'll probably stay cautious through organized team activities and minicamp this spring. But he also says he'll be "110%" ready for training camp.

If Bishop is healthy, it will be a big boost for the Packers defense.

Eagles HC Chip Kelly answered a question about having three starting-caliber tight ends this way: "We're going to go three tight ends in a game." So Brent Celek, James Casey, and Zach Ertz should see plenty of action.

In Kelly's four seasons as head coach, Oregon tight ends caught 16.3 percent of completed passes. By comparison, Penn State coach Bill O'Brien, one of the architects of New England's tight end-heavy offense, had his quarterbacks complete 30.1 percent of their passes to tight ends in 2012.

The difference probably had more to do with personnel than anything - Kelly had explosive wide receivers and pass-catching running backs at Oregon - but scheme played a part as well.

We aren't excited about Celek given the Eagles' additions at TE and the arrival of Kelly.

Back in March, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that the Lions plan to use running back Reggie Bush in a similar role to the one he played for the Saints during the first five years of his career.

It’s little surprise, then, that Bush appeared on the NFL Network Friday and said that the offense in Detroit is a lot like the one that the Saints ran while Bush was in New Orleans. Bush explained that it has made it easier to pick things up after signing with the Lions as a free agent.

“As far as from an offensive perspective it’s a lot like what we did in New Orleans,” Bush said. “It’s a lot of spread-open passing. Obviously we can attack downfield, and with the running game, a lot of screens, draws and stuff like that. Basically what I did in New Orleans, so running this offensive system has been pretty easy for me.”

Eagles beat writer Jeff McLane on RB LeSean McCoy:

Chip Kelly’s plans remain a mystery, but using deductive reasoning it’s safe to assume that LeSean McCoy, Bryce Brown and company will get more action than they did under Andy Reid. McCoy could thrive in Kelly’s college system, which had zone blocking schemes designed to create space for his running backs. McCoy thrives in space. Kelly likes to use his running backs just as much in the passing game. I think we’ve yet to see McCoy tap into his full potential as a ball catcher.

After an all pro 2011 season, McCoy wasn’t as productive last season. The injuries on the offensive line certainly didn’t help, and he did miss four games with a concussion, but there was something missing from his game – namely touchdowns. After reaching the end zone 20 times in 2011, McCoy scored only five times in 2012. Despite his off-the-field problems and some immaturity issues, I heard McCoy came into spring workouts in perhaps his best shape ever. He still has something to prove. He could have a blockbuster season.

Second year WR A.J. Jenkins spent six weeks with quarterback Colin Kaepernick and fellow wideout Ricardo Lockette in Atlanta where they concentrated on strength and speed training. It remains to be seen whether that work will translate to the field, but recent photos of Jenkins show a more bulked-up receiver, and the reports from Atlanta were positive as well.

Said Lockette: "I think A.J. will definitely surprise a lot of people this year. Last year, he took it as a building year. This year from what I've seen so far, it's night and day. I expect big things out of him. He expects big things out of himself, and Kap expects big things out of him. I think Niner nation and the Niner empire will be proud of what A.J. Jenkins brings to the field this year."

Said Aaron Roberts of CES Performance, which is where the group of 49ers trained: "From what we heard, (Jenkins) was not a real big weight room guy coming in, but he did a great job. He definitely showed progress."

The 49ers' starting receivers promise to be Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin. The third receiver spot, however, is wide open. Two of the veteran frontrunners, Kyle Williams and Mario Manningham, are coming off of ACL injuries, and neither is expected to be full participants in the OTA sessions that begin next week.

Manningham figures to be the favorite if his knee is ready. Jenkins will be in the mix as well.

Just as the news was getting better on Rob Gronkowsi's arm, there's word his back is once again acting up and could require surgery as well.

The New England Patriots tight end recently underwent an MRI on his back to check on a disk issue he had dating back to last season, a person informed of Gronkowski's medical status told USA TODAY Sports.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the Patriots' policy of not publicly detailing injuries, said the issue was with a different disk than the one that needed to be shaved down in surgery in 2009 and a final decision on whether surgery would be required had not been made. The person said Gronkowski would see spine specialist Robert Watkins in the near future, after next week's surgery to install a new plate into his forearm.

The person said the hope was, if surgery on his back was required, Gronkowski would be back within the same time frame as his recovery from the arm injury, which he initially suffered in November but has been prolonged because of an infection in the limb.

Gronkowski missed the entire 2009 season – his last year in college, at Arizona – with his first spinal issue. He was sidelined for the NFL scouting combine that February, which hurt his draft status and allowed the Patriots to select him in the second round.

Adam Schefter reported that the surgery would be minor. We still love Gronk's production, but the red flags are piling up. Stay tuned.

New York Jets running back Mike Goodson was taken into custody early this morning for drug possession and weapons charges, News 12 New Jersey confirmed Friday.

Sources say Goodson and a companion were found intoxicated in an SUV that was stopped along Route 80 in Denville.

Goodson was being taken to a hospital when authorities discovered marijuana in his possession. Officers searching the SUV also found a 45-caliber handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets.

We'll have to wait and see what kind of consequences Goodson faces. This certainly could be good for the other Jets RBs, including Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight.

Rob Gronkowski is heading back to the operating table.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday on "NFL Total Access" that the New England Patriots tight end's fourth arm surgery is imminent, according to two sources informed of Gronkowski's prognosis. Doctors will examine Gronkowski's forearm Monday to see if the infection in it has persisted.

Gronkowski had X-rays taken Wednesday as a precursor to surgery, and NFL.com's Albert Breer reported that Dr. Jesse Jupiter, one of America's top fracture surgeons, is set to perform the operation next week at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews was consulted in the case.

The Patriots expect Gronkowski to be ready for training camp, but they won't have a true idea on his timetable until the plate in his arm is replaced.

If the infection has cleared -- Gronkowski has been on antibiotics -- no more surgeries likely will be needed. If not, Rapoport reports there almost certainly will be a fifth surgery that would make it unlikely he'd be ready for training camp in July.

No worries yet; we're just awaiting word about whether the infection in the arm is gone. If it is, Gronk should be fine for Week 1. If it's not, his status for opening weekend will be in doubt.

Those who thought Joe Webb had no future as a quarterback should be happy, because the former Alabama-Birmingham standout has become a full-time wide receiver for the Vikings.

Coach Leslie Frazier said the decision to shift Webb to receiver was made after the draft, when the team selected receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round and also because the Vikings had signed free agent quarterback Matt Cassel.

“We had been talking about it for a while, and we made the decision that this was the way to go after we had our draft,” Frazier said.

Bills WR Steve Johnson is usually an upbeat, happy go lucky player on the practice field, but being sidelined with a strained back has changed that mood somewhat as he missed the first week of OTAs.

“I’m getting better,” said Johnson. ”It’s just frustrating seeing the guys running around, but it’s getting better.”

Johnson has no idea when he’ll be cleared.

“I don’t know it’s just a timing thing,” he said. ”I’m just doing everything that they’re telling me to. I’m doing the weight room stuff. Of course I’m inside the playbook and when they give me the green light I’ll be ready to go.”

Johnson is one of those players who seems to be constantly nicked up, yet he hasn't missed a game in the last three seasons. We're more worried about who will be throwing him the ball. Neither rookie E.J. Manuel nor Kevin Kolb look like great options for Johnson's fantasy value.

Josh Cribbs has signed with the Raiders, per source with knowledge of the situation.

QB David Garrard, 35, two weeks after proclaiming himself “definitely healthy,” realized that his balky left knee would not let him continue playing in the N.F.L.

The twist introduced the Jets’ new general manager, John Idzik, to the bizarre happenings that often befall the franchise. The impact of Garrard’s pending retirement will be felt throughout the organization, from Idzik’s office to the coaching staff to a quarterback room that now has only one member with significant N.F.L. experience: Sanchez. His prospects of remaining with the Jets next season now appear much greater.

As long as Garrard stayed healthy, the Jets thought they had, at worst, a credible backup and a mentor for Geno Smith, their strong-armed second-round pick. At best, Garrard could have begun the season as the starter, easing the way for Smith until he was deemed ready to direct an N.F.L. offense.

Garrard’s presence also afforded the Jets the ability to release or trade Sanchez before the season, if desired.

This would seem to indicate that Mark Sanchez has a better chance to make the roster, though the team could still cut ties and roll with the rookie.

RB Matt Forte says new HC Marc Trestman told him he’s watched a lot of film of Forte running a lot of different kinds of routes and that the Bears plan to incorporate a lot of them into their offense. That’s left Forte with “challenging” work to do to prepare himself for a return to a more versatile offensive role.

“It’s easy to learn what you do, but to actually have to learn the concepts of what the receivers are doing and why I have to run this route to get that guy open … it makes it more difficult, but also more intriguing as a player,” Forte said, via Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com. “I have to learn more than what the ‘H’ does. I’ve got to learn what the ‘F’ does, (and) where he lines up because I may have a situation where I line up as a receiver. I have to learn the receivers’ routes as well.”

An increased role for Forte as a receiver out of the backfield fits with what we’ve heard about shorter drops and quicker throws from the Bears offense this season. It also sounds better than what the team was trying in 2012, although the talk out of Bears camp this year sounded a lot better than the offense looked in 2011. The proof will come in a few months, likely with a healthy serving of Forte as receiver in the mix.

Through five seasons, Forte has averaged 3.56 receptions per game, which yields almost 57 catches when prorated over a full, 16-game season. We have him conservatively projected to catch 54 passes for 471 yards and 1.5 TD, and that makes him the #9 RB in PPR formats. There's some upside here if Forte sees a jump in his per game targets.

Second-round pick Giovani Bernard is one of those pieces who will play a key role in the offense as a rookie.

The former North Carolina running back told "NFL AM" on Wednesday morning that he's excited to share the backfield with veteran BenJarvus Green-Ellis. When pressed about his role, he said he is there to be a shifty complement to the incumbent.

"I think it's more so a complementary kind of thing," Bernard said. "I think we are both going to help each other out. I definitely had a chance to talk to him, and he's the leader of that pack, he's the leader of the guys. I'm going to be following his footsteps, so I'm going to do whatever I can to help him. He's going to help me."

Cardinals WR Michael Floyd looks impressive. He appears more confident and he ran with the first team more than Andre Roberts, who also has looked good.

Floyd averaged 54 yards in his last eight games, including an 8-166-1 performance in Week 17 against the 49ers. Assuming he sees starter's snaps, he'll be a sleeper with Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians in town.

Colts RB Vick Ballard finished his rookie season with 12 consecutive starts at running back, 211 carries, 814 yards and a highlight reel diving, corkscrew touchdown to win an overtime game in Tennessee.

In his second year, he’s in line to continue as the lead back for the Indianapolis Colts, who will also have Donald Brown, Delone Carter and seventh-round pick Kerwynn Williams in the backfield mix.

It remains to be seen just how much new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton will look to split up the workload for the team’s running backs.

“It’s always nice to have a couple guys, a change of pace guy,” coach Chuck Pagano said recently. “But certainly at the end of the year with Donnie hurt and the way Vick came on and the way he was running, he was getting the lion’s share of the snaps. At this point, yeah, he’s sitting there as the lead guy. But Donnie’s in great shape and healthy and looks fantastic to this point in the offseason program.

Vick figures to be a fringe fantasy RB2 as the Colts' top rusher.

Jaguars beat writer Mark Long: "Worst day of QB play I've witnessed at Jaguars practice in years -- and that's saying a lot. ... O-line not much better."

Blaine Gabbert doesn't appear to be getting off to a good start with the new regime in place.

Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has restructured his contract in a move that could keep the 2006 first-round pick out of Memphis with the team through the 2015 season, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

Given the team's depth at the position and Williams' salary, his future with the Panthers had been in doubt. The Panthers could have designated Williams a "post-June 1" release at any time this offseason and doing so would have saved $5 million in cash and cap space on June 2. Instead, the Panthers have guaranteed Williams $4 million and increased his potential "dead" money from $9.6 million to $14.6 million, all but assuring him a spot on their roster in 2013. The deal increases the chances that Williams will remain in the fold through the 2015 season as his base salaries become reasonable and commensurate with a reduced role in the Panthers' offense moving forward.

This restructured deal ensures that Williams will be around to stunt Jonathan Stewart's fantasy value in the short term.

The Patriots have added LeGarrette Blount and Leon Washington to their backfield mix this offseason, but replacing Danny Woodhead's role in the passing game and on third down appears to be Shane Vereen's job to lose.

Considering his late-season production and the fact that Danny Woodhead is out of the way, Vereen's prospects are looking good. He gained at least 38 total yards in six of his last nine games and scored three TDs in that span. We currently have him ranked as the #31 RB in standard formats and #24 in PPR. Woodhead quietly finished as fantasy football's #25 RB in 2012, so Vereen could post similar numbers if given the same workload.

Bills second-year receiver T.J. Graham has been taking advantage of the extra reps he’s received in the practice setting in both the voluntary veteran minicamp last month and the current OTA sessions. With Steve Johnson still sidelined by a strained back and rookies Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin not able to participate until their college graduation dates (league rule), Graham has been a frequent target of Bills quarterbacks.

“I did a lot of preparation in the offseason so I’ve got to pick up where I left off,” Graham told Buffalobills.com.

The interesting thing to note here is that Johnson is dealing with a back issue. He is often nicked up, but always seems to play through the pain. Graham has a chance for a breakout season, but will have to fend off Woods and Goodwin (and Da'Rick Rodgers) for snaps.

OC Jay Gruden certainly didn’t ease his picks into the flow of things. Starting with the first practice, he lined up tight end Tyler Eifert all over the field and also had a steady amount of screen passes for running back Giovani Bernard.

Bernard gives the Bengals a back that they haven’t had in Marvin Lewis’ 11 seasons here – one with speed who can also be dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield. There were a couple of times over the weekend where Bernard caught a screen pass and was gone up the sideline.

Bernard figures to put a dent in BenJarvus Green-Elllis' touches.

For Redskins RB Alfred Morris, the challenge is to improve on a rookie season nobody saw coming. And the process of "becoming a better me," as he put it, starts with the little things.

"I'm going to run hard and give you 100 percent on every play because every play could be my last, but I left a lot of yards on the field last year. Looking back on film, a lot of it was my aiming points in certain runs, or I was too tight and I couldn't get outside. Being more patient with my cutbacks -- I tended to cut back too soon."

When the Rams traded up to take West Virginia’s Tavon Austin with the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft, the only question was what his primary role would be in St. Louis: Will he be their No. 1 receiver? Take handoffs out of the backfield? Handle punt and kickoff returns?

Rams coach Jeff Fisher would love the answer to be all of the above.

“We’re going to try to get the ball to him as often as we can, however we do that,” Fisher said.

The Rams see Austin as a uniquely talented player, a player who has such versatility that he could be the Rams’ leading receiver in one game, their leading rusher in another game, and score a touchdown on special teams in another game.

“He’s very talented. We drafted him because he’s got receiver skills, run skills, return skills. We think we can use him in all those areas,” Fisher said.

We currently have Austin projected for 77-953-4.6 receiving and 19-102 in the running game. Keep in mind that only six receivers have caught more than 70 passes in their rookie season.

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) was among nine players who either didn’t practice or weren’t present because of academic commitments.

Jones-Drew said he ran 30 yards at three-quarters speed during the workout.

“That was exciting,” he said. “Lately, it’s been one day on, a day off, two days on, a day off — it’s part of the process.
I’m closer than I think. I just want to take my time and make sure we do it the right way.”

Jones-Drew’s goal is to resume full-scale training for the month leading into the start of training camp the last week of July.

MJD is one of the league's most productive running backs when healthy. Not only is the foot a concern, but the Jaguars are switching to a zone blocking scheme which isn't always a step forward (i.e. Darren McFadden in 2012).

Eagles QB Michael Vick opened with the first-team offense, but Nick Foles also took a significant number of snaps at the NovaCare Complex. Kelly believed it was near a 50-50 distribution. Neither Matt Barkley nor Dennis Dixon took first-team snaps on Monday, but both received steady work during Kelly's fast-paced practice.

"We're just trying to get reps off and trying to get film and look at it," Kelly said. "It's May 13 and we've got a long ways to go before we ever set a depth chart or do anything like that."

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20130514_Eagles_quarterback_c...

We believe Vick will win the job, but anything can (and may) happen.

Titans QB Jake Locker said his left shoulder “feels like its back to normal” and he will “definitely” be cleared for contact at training camp in late July.

Recently, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke explained that the 49ers' future at running back, ideally, does not include one player, such as Frank Gore, on the field for nearly every snap.

"I'm a big believer -- we are big believers -- in a three-headed approach," Baalke said. "In other words, having a group of backs that bring to the table something a little bit different than the other one so you can do a lot of different things. But also having those backs be able to do enough things the same so you don't become so predictable on game day."

In other words, Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James will be involved in 2013. Don't expect a huge workload for Gore, though he's still the clear RB1 in San Francisco.

Former Cowboys running back Felix Jones reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jones will have the opportunity to backup LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown.

Last year, there really weren’t any Texans WRs that stood out from the bunch, or distinguished themselves in camp as better than the incumbent Kevin Walter, who knew the playbook.

But just in rookie minicamp, DeAndre Hopkins CLEARLY stood out as someone who looks like he can play grown man football.

Setting the stage: First session of rookie minicamp. In the practice bubble due to bad weather. Poorly thrown ball goes Hopkins way and he snatches it in stride with one hand and heads up field. Huge assembled media almost in unison says, “Whoa, did you see that?”

And then keeps doing it. Highpointing balls that defenders have better position on and snatching out of air. Finding an obvious second gear in going after an overthrown ball. Catching tough balls in traffic. Diving for low thrown balls and getting them. Very natural catching the ball.

So, yes, the rest of the wide receivers at camp looked competent in what they were doing. But so many of the whoa catches came from Hopkins.

In her piece, Texans beat writer Stephanie Stradley says that she is usually pessimistic about rookie receivers, so her praise for Hopkins' early play is meaningful. It certainly feels like Hopkins is going to start opposite Andre Johnson in Week 1.

Texans DeAndre Hopkins looked every bit like a first-round draft pick in the team's recent rookie minicamp. The Clemson wide receiver caught seemingly everything thrown his way, with at least one highlight-reel one-handed grab on all three days of practice. That included Sunday, when he caught a lofted deep ball from Case Keenum down the left sideline with his left hand while his right arm was being held by a defensive back who was on his back as Hopkins made the catch falling to the ground.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak had consistently high praise for Hopkins, the No. 27 overall pick in the 2013 draft. “He’s special,” Kubiak said Sunday. “Ball skills are extremely special. Very long; long arms. Big hands; you saw the catch he made out here today. He’s going to help us early, and we know that, and that’s why we brought him here.”

It certainly sounds like the Texans are planning to start Hopkins from the get-go. We currently have him ranked as the #56 WR, but he will move up if he had a good summer. Consider him a fantasy WR5 for now.

You can tell from talking to people around the Jets during this weekend’s rookie mini-camp that many in the organization are smitten with new quarterback Geno Smith. It’s beginning to look more and more like the starting job is his to lose.

Smith was impressive during the two days of the mini-camp open to the media. His passes had great zip on them and he looked more decisive as the practices went on as he got more comfortable in the offense. The 22-year-old was even more impressive off the field. He held players’ only meetings at the team hotel to learn the plays and handled the media like a longtime pro.

It's going to take more than a rookie minicamp for Smith to win the job, but the organization is certainly rooting for a reason to move on from Mark Sanchez. Fantasy-wise, Smith won't have much value given the current state of the Jets' receiving corps.

As far as rookies go, quarterback Tyler Wilson looked nothing of the sort Saturday as he displayed the poise and skills of a seasoned veteran in only his second practice as a member of the Raiders.

Wilson showed off a strong arm, placing balls right on target time and again, be it swing passes, throws over the middle or well downfield.

“Obviously, picking up a new system, there’s a little bit of rust there,” Raiders coach Dennis Allen said of Wilson. “But throwing the ball, he’s done a nice job. I don’t have any question about his arm strength and his accuracy.”

It's certainly possible that Wilson could win the job this summer. After the success of Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, teams may be more willing to go with the rookie when given the choice. Matt Flynn stands in Wilson's way.

The Titans have tried to sell RB Chris Johnson on the fact that giving Shonn Greene some of his carries will make Johnson more effective because he will be fresher, and it will extend his career. They are planning on using Johnson and Greene they way they used Johnson and LenDale White together early in Johnson’s career.

It was a 56/44 split between Johnson and White back in 2008, when Johnson carried the ball 251 times for 1,228 yards and nine TDs and White toted it 200 times for 773 yards and 15 TDs. The Titans' rush TDs have fallen off considerably since then, so it sounds as if Greene could take a bite out of Johnson's fantasy value because CJ1K probably won't find the endzone nine times in 2013. He has only scored 10 rushing TDs in the last two seasons, so it's not like Johnson is TD-dependent. The Titans could offset this by using him more as a pass-catcher. He caught a career low 36 passes in 2012 after averaging 48.5 catches in his first four seasons. The Tennessee running game simply isn't as potent as it was in the days of Johnson/White -- the team has averaged 377 carries in the last two seasons after averaging 503.5 carries from 2008 to 2009.

Last season, the Bengals’ most effective personnel package might have been one tight end, three wide receivers and one back with Mohamed Sanu and Andrew Hawkins complementing A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham. OC Jay Gruden said the plan is still to feature that package quite a bit, probably in nickel.

“It’s just that our base package will probably feature more two tight ends (including rookie Tyler Eifert), two receivers rather than one tight end two backs,” he said. “We can get everything in our running game in that personnel group. It’s taking out a fullback and putting in a heck of a pass catcher and hopefully a good blocker. We like to mix up our personnel groupings and keep defenses off balance hopefully and be diverse in what we do. Our goal is to get our best players on the field.”

If the Bengals can force defenses to go nickel on first and second down with two tight ends on the field as the Patriots do, running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard are going to see a lot of daylight. The key is Eifert being multi-dimensional—not just a pass catcher.

“If Tyler is a good blocker, that puts us in a good advantage in the run game,” Gruden said. “That’s what New England does so well. They get teams to match up nickel with them and they can run the ball effectively out of that two tight end set. They have an extra big body blocking. Tyler has a long way to go to prove he’s a good blocker. Training camp will help him. Coach [Jonathan] Hayes has been around tight ends for a long time and is a great tutor for him.”

Eifert is going to have a tough time getting enough snaps to be fantasy relevant as a TE2.

There are rather lofty expectations for Bills WR Robert Woods, who at one time in the pre-draft process was thought to be a first-round pick. The Bills have said publicly how NFL ready Woods is, which leads some to believe he factors firmly in to the conversation to be the starter opposite Stevie Johnson.

Woods stood out in his first day of work with his overall polish and route-running.

Tyler Eifert lined up here, there and just about everywhere during his first practice with the Cincinnati Bengals. Felt like old times.

The Bengals got started on their new tight end-heavy passing game yesterday at the start of a weekend rookie minicamp. A lot of the focus was on Eifert, chosen in the first round to give quarterback Andy Dalton another target.

Eifert lined up in a lot of different spots at Notre Dame. Judging by the first day of practice in Cincinnati, he’s going to be doing the same thing in the NFL.

“A lot of the things I’m learning are a lot of the same plays we had in with two tight ends — move me around in different positions,” Eifert said. “Today I was out in the slot quite a bit. I think I’m picking it up pretty fast.”

Rookie running back Joseph Randle will be limited in workouts until training camp as he continues to rehab from thumb surgery. Randle, the rookie fifth-round pick who is supposed to come and share the load with starter DeMarco Murray, will be in a cast for six to eight weeks.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team knew Randle’s situation when they drafted him. However, he said Randle won’t be completely idle. Randle will do some individual drills and get plenty of mental reps in minicamp and on field team activities leading up to training camp.

“It’s certainly a restriction on his thumb, but I think candidly there are a lot of things we can do out here in OTAs and get that thumb clubbed up and he’ll get a lot of work in, a lot of valuable repetition,” Jones said. And we made that decision when we drafted him. Was he going to be able to be ready and that is mentally as well, prepared, to get out here to camp and not have to make up all the lost time in OTAs? I think he will be.”

NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell believes second-round pick Montee Ball is an "ideal fit" for the Denver Broncos' offense, citing his burst, fluidity and ability to get skinny at point of attack. Although Cosell's one question was if Ball could be a true foundation running back at the NFL level, the former Wisconsin star has landed in the perfect offense. There's no feature back "in a strict sense" in Peyton Manning's offense. Cosell believes Ball already is the best runner on the Broncos' roster.

The main thing standing in the way of Ball and 250+ touches in 2013 is HC John Fox and his propensity to play veterans over rookies when given the option. Ball also needs to prove that he can pass protect, which is crucial when playing next to QB Peyton Manning. He'll be drafted as a fantasy RB2, but could be part of an ugly RBBC if he doesn't break away from the pack early on in training camp.

Two weeks ago, Packers RB Eddie Lacy tripped all the way to the 61st overall pick. One reason was leaked afterward. Before his final year at Alabama, Lacy underwent surgery on the big toe of his right foot. For a bigger, mashing running back whose job is to inflict and absorb punishment, this was a red flag.

Only longevity - or a lack thereof - will ultimately prove who was right on draft day. But this week, both Lacy and his team doctor at Alabama insisted that the toe is not a problem. True, a small piece of bone in Lacy's big toe on his right foot was "fused." He did undergo turf toe surgery before his final season at Alabama. But it wasn't "toe fusion surgery" in the classic sense, his doctor said.

Lacy had surgery on his toe to prevent potential problems. Alabama's team doctor, E. Lyle Cain Jr., believes the window of legitimate concern - immediately after the surgery - has passed. One of Cain's partners teamed with a doctor from the Steadman Hawkins Research Clinic in Vail, Colo., to perform the bone fusion. Unlike the typical toe fusion surgery - which hardens the toe completely, limiting mobility - only the bone on the tip of Lacy's big toe was fused.

"The joint underneath the toenail was fused to allow the ligament to work better basically," Cain said. "It's something you do to give you a better push-off. His big toe moves just like a normal big toe in terms of motion. . . . If you fused it completely, it'd give you a stiff big toe and you can't push off and that's a big problem. In Eddie's case, he does not have that. His fusion does not affect his big-toe motion.

"The bottom line is, the fusion he had does not affect his big-toe motion."

We're not experts in toe fusion, but Lacy played the entire 2012 season after this surgery and looked no worse for wear. Based on what his team doctor said about the nature of his surgery, he should have a long and productive career.

It's still very early in the 2013 offseason. But so far, all signs are pointing toward a big year for New Orleans Saints tailback Mark Ingram.

Not a "breakout" year, per se, since Ingram will still have to share the workload with standout tailbacks Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas. But Ingram certainly should have his most productive year to date in his third NFL season.

For one thing, the Saints traded Chris Ivory, turning a four-way tailback logjam into a three-man rotation. For another thing, Saints Coach Sean Payton has made it clear that he intends to make an improved run game one of his top priorities this season.

And perhaps most noteworthy, Ingram is fully healthy this offseason for the first time since he left Alabama for the NFL in 2011.

"I've just been working hard this offseason, trying to get in the best shape of my life," said the 5-foot-9, 215-pounder, who spent last summer recovering from toe surgery and a minor knee surgery.

Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin says QB Michael Vick is running with first team, with Nick Foles sprinkled in here and there.

Vick is an interesting player this season because as a fantasy QB2, he doesn't carry the risk he has in years past. We believe he'll be the starter in 2013, but expect him to miss a few games due to injury.

WR Lavelle Hawkins has agreed to a two-year deal with the Patriots. Was just released by Titans last week.

John Glennon of the Tennessean reports that the Titans have signed Jalen Parmelee and released Jamie Harper.

It’s highly unlikely that barring injury the Broncos will keep both Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno on their 2013 season-opening roster.

The Broncos just drafted workhorse running back Montee Ball in the second round one year after they selected speed back Ronnie Hillman in the third round.

Ideally, the Broncos would like Ball and Hillman to become their one-two running punch in 2013. As for the No. 3 back who can fill in as starter, Moreno is younger (26 in July) and less expensive ($1.7 million) than McGahee (32 in October, $2.5 million) and is a betteer third-down option because he’s a better receiver.

Then again, the 210-pound Moreno is similar in size to the 214-pound Ball. It’s the 235-pound McGahee who, size-wise, would be a complement to Ball and Hillman.

This RB situation is a little more cloudy than people think, given HC John Fox's tendency to pick veterans over rookies throughout his career. We're tentatively expecting Ball to win the job by midseason, but wouldn't be shocked if he is deemed "not quite ready" by Fox and Co.

According to a source familiar with the case, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is going to need a fourth operation to change the plate that’s securing the broken bone in the forearm.

While there has been some suggestion recently that this step might be avoided, the source indicated the fourth operation still has to happen. The plate has to be switched, no matter what, and the surrounding tissue tested. The real question is if Gronkowski, who has been taking part in the team’s offseason program, will need a fifth operation.

If tests show the infection has been completely flushed out, the plate will be replaced, and the recovery process begins. If there are still signs of infection, that won’t happen.

That’s a scenario no one wants to contemplate. Ultimately, Gronkowski would need more surgery and his participation for the start of the season and perhaps beyond would be in jeopardy.

So we are in wait and see mode. Hopefully Gronkowski's arm will be infection-free and he'll be ready for Week 1.

WR Julian Edelman is in a walking boot after re-injuring right foot (the same foot that put him on IR). He could be ready for minicamp June 11-13.

Edelman is expected to back up Danny Amendola as the Patriots' slot receiver, a key position in the New England offense.

Both coach John Fox and executive vice president John Elway described Montee Ball as an every-down back who, as a second-round pick, is expected to compete for a starting job.

"We expect all these guys to contribute," Elway said. "The earlier you go, the more we hope they contribute."

He's expected to compete for the starting job, but Fox has a reputation for favoring veterans, and Ball's pass-blocking needs work if he's going to see big snaps protecting QB Peyton Manning. Stay tuned.

There are the things Jets WR Stephen Hill must do himself; obstacles he must overcome without the help of a coach or calendar. Last year, he encountered the typical potholes — nagging injuries, an overload of information in a maddening environment — and the not-so-typical. At one point last season a fan once obtained his personal cell phone number and harassed him, via text message, about his uneven play. Hill slogged through games injured, desperate to keep pace and shoulder more responsibility in a woeful offense. He disliked having to explain himself to reporters.

It amounted to a rookie season with flashes of both brilliance and frustration. Hill can smile now when he admits how he felt, like he was simply lost and running in space.

"It’s not hard, it’s just annoying," Hill told The Star-Ledger on a quiet afternoon last week in Florham Park. "We’re always on ESPN for something, and it was just a lot. It put pressure on learning, and then having to explain if I messed up, so that’s where most of the pressure was.

"It probably did throw me off during games, you’re just out there running. That’s what it felt like. I was out there running but I didn’t understand the whole football concept."

With Santonio Holmes aging and coming off an injury, the Jets are desperate for a playmaker at WR, and they drafted Hill to fill that role. His value will be largely dependent on the team's QB play, which doesn't project to be very good.

It appears that the Lions' WR2 job is Nate Burleson’s to lose. He’s returned to the field earlier than expected after suffering a broken leg midseason last year. He’s already running routes and catching passes in the offseason training program.

The Lions know what they have in Burleson, which is a reliable playmaker.

Browns HC Rob Chudzinski, a former college tight end and Browns tight ends coach, and OC Norv Turner, intend to develop Jordan Cameron into the next tight end to make plays, not just catches.

Chudzinski’s tight end prodigies in nine NFL seasons as a position coach and coordinator include Kellen Winslow Jr. (Cleveland), Antonio Gates (San Diego) and Greg Olsen (Carolina).

Turner’s in 28 NFL years include Jay Novacek (Dallas), Vernon Davis in his rookie year (San Francisco) and Gates (San Diego).

“This is an offense that has featured tight ends and tight ends have always been a big part of it,” Chudzinski said of Cameron. “He has the skill set that fits.”

It's only May, and the Jordan Cameron hype train ia already barreling down the tracks. Cameron is definitely a breakout candidate in Turner's offense and would be a fine TE2 (with upside) on draft day.

The Patriots have not had a receiver with Aaron Dobson's sort of size and speed combination during either of the past two seasons.

What makes Dobson intriguing is the ability to be a factor on the perimeter and after the catch. The Patriots relied on Brandon Lloyd as a perimeter target in 2012, but Lloyd's limited run-after-catch ability limited the offensive explosiveness. While Dobson is just a sufficient make-you-miss runner, he has the acceleration, straight-line speed and contact strength to explode up the field vertically.

On paper, it would appear that Dobson has landed in a role conducive to early playing time and production.

Dobson is entering a great situation opportunity-wise, but don't forget that the New England tight ends are going to eat up a ton of targets, as will Danny Amendola, whom the Patriots signed to fill Wes Welker's considerable shoes. Even if he starts, he's likely to be the fourth option in the passing game.

49era Marcus Lattimore is expected to be placed on "non-football injury" to open training camp.

Lattimore suffered a nasty knee injury late last season, so it may take a while before he'll return to full speed.

John Kasay will officially retire today. The longtime kicker, an original Panther, expected to sign a one-day contract and retire as a Panther.

Coach Bill Belichick sounds as if he is counting on WR Aaron Dobson, who will wear No. 17, to provide the help he is seeking.

“He’s big, he’s fast, he’s got good hands, he’s a strong player, smart, very smart,” Belichick responded when asked to describe Dobson. “He has some position flexibility and versatility. (He) catches the ball very well. We’ll see how it goes.”

Dobson had 57 receptions for Marshall last season. He did not have a single drop. Belichick spoke Friday about how he has seen that receivers who played a lot of basketball growing up tend to have good hands.

“I would say that, just based on my experience as a coach through the years, that basketball players, most have good hands. They have to handle the ball a lot,” he said. “The ball is on them quick, tight passes and handling the ball in traffic and that kind of thing. Usually, when you get a good basketball player, those guys usually have pretty good ball skills in terms of handling the ball: strong hands in being able to keep it and quick hands, being able to snatch it and handle it cleanly and, hopefully, without losing it.”

Of all the rookie WRs, Dobson may be landing in the best situation opportunity- and offense-wise. The Patriots desperately need a playmaker on the outside and Tom Brady is one of the best there is. Keep an eye on his offseason progress -- if he's starting Week 1, he's going to be fantasy relevant.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is still a couple of weeks away from having a definitive answer as to whether he will need a fourth surgery on his left forearm, according to sources. The last month has been more of a “wait-and-see” period, with Gronkowski essentially buying more time for doctors to determine if the infection has cleared. Gronkowski has been working in the Patriots’ offseason program, and for what it’s worth, one opinion from someone who has seen him is that he “looks great.” A month ago, surgery was seen as “very likely” but there has always remained a chance that it could be avoided. At this point, there have been no unexpected setbacks; however, as Gronkowski has already learned, things can always change quickly.

It would obviously be a boon to Gronkowski's fantasy stock if he can avoid surgery and can basically guarantee his availability for Week 1. If so, he's going to hold 1st/2nd round value due to his relative value to other tight ends.

“I’ve been pleased with his progress,” Browns HC Rob Chudzinski said of QB Brandon Weeden in an interview with Bull & Fox on 92.3 The Fan Thursday afternoon. “His approach has been outstanding. We’ve been working primarily on the mental standpoint, his knowledge, his understanding of the offense and of the game. As a young player, there’s a lot of things he still has to learn as a player in this league. We’ve been working on his mechanics and speeding up his delivery and then just getting to know him and getting to know the type of person and competitor he is and how he responds.

“Ultimately it comes down to production and that’s what we will be looking for improvement in.”

Even though he likes what he’s seen from Weeden, who continues to take the first team reps this offseason, he’s not ready to commit to him this fall.

“I feel good about where we’re at right now,” Chudzinski said. “He’s been working with the first group and we’ll just see as we go forward. We’re [working] on air right now so it’s very early but I do like what I’ve see so far and we’ll see how it goes."

Weeden will very likely start in 2013. Chudzinski is likely just dangling the carrot to keep Weeden motivated and focused.

Steelers OC Todd Haley called WR Markus Wheaton “a versatile, good, polished” player. And while Mike Wallace had game-changing speed, the word “polished” wasn't used to describe him coming out of Mississippi, also as a third-round pick.

“A little different skill set than Mike other than the speed,” Haley said. “I saw Mike as more of an outside receiver outside the numbers. This guy has played the slot a bunch when he wasn't outside. He is a little wider base, a little more running back.”

His ability to line up as the ‘X' receiver, which Wallace played almost exclusively, but also as the “Z” receiver and in the slot is certain to be utilized by new receivers coach Richard Mann, who is strong on fundamentals and technique.

“He was in the slot. He was in the backfield,” Haley said. “That tells us he's a smart guy. Any time a coach feels comfortable moving a guy around a bunch like that, that's good.”

Wheaton could see considerable snaps in 2013, especially if TE Heath Miller (ACL) is not ready to play early on.

How exactly will the Vikings integrate Cordarrelle Patterson, a rare physical talent, who may be further behind mentally than any other receiver after just one year of Division I football?

"It's going to take time. It's going to take a patient coach. There's going to be a lot of teaching," said an AFC personnel executive who studied Patterson closely before the draft.

"There's going to be a lot of walkthroughs. He's going to need to see it and then physically do it. It's going to take repetition and reinforcement in the classroom. He's going to need what we would call 'the full process.'"

Stevan Ridley looked like a house today. He's added a noticeable amount of muscle. Might be even more difficult to tackle in 2013.

Ridley doesn't catch many passes, which limits his upside in PPR formats, but he still looks like a solid value as the 17th RB coming off the board in PPR drafts. He finished as the #10 standard RB and the #15 PPR RB in 2012.

The selection of No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel mined both old-school and new-school research. GM David Caldwell cited the former Texas A&M standout's makeup, his background, his competitiveness, and the fact that he routinely faced top pass rushers -- not only in both Big 12 and SEC play, but also in practice against Von Miller and Damontre Moore at A&M. The owner's son, Tony Khan, had data revealing that QB Blaine Gabbert was actually in the top third of NFL quarterbacks when given at least 2.6 seconds to throw.

Gabbert's numbers when he has time to throw are certainly interesting, and if the Jaguars are able to do a much better job in pass protection, he may have a chance to salvage his career.

OC Jay Gruden loves the pick of North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard in the second round. He's a three-down back, Gruden says, who upgrades the Cincinnati passing game with an exciting sizzle.

"We had a need and we filled it with two guys. Bernard and [Rex Burkhead] are both good in that role," Gruden says. "They'll be competing for the third-down spot."

Gruden covets Bernard's versatility, and his size, 5-9, 205 pounds, he says, is no different than three-down backs coming into the league. Like Tampa Bay's 5-9, 220-pound Doug Martin in the last draft: "(Bernard) ran the ball in and outside zones and caught it as well. A lot of guys his size are doing it."

He also calls Bernard a three-down back which shouldn't make BenJarvus Green-Ellis sleep any better at night. We expect BJGE to get most of the early down work, with Bernard being used as the change-of-pace and third-down back. In other words, this looks like it's turning into a RBBC.

Packers RT Bryan Bulaga is moving to the left side to be quarterback Aaron Rodgers' blind-side protector, replacing last year's starter Marshall Newhouse.

In addition, the coaches have flipped guards T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton, moving Lang from left to right and Sitton from right to left. Newhouse, 2012 undrafted free agent Don Barclay and 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod will all have a shot to start at right tackle.

Initially, multiple sources detailed the move, and later after an interview request, coach Mike McCarthy confirmed it and agreed to discuss it.

"I sat down with Bryan and Josh on Monday and I told them I wanted to make the move to where they're on the left side," McCarthy said. "Those two are our most accomplished and experienced players. I told them about the responsibilities and my expectations about playing the left side.

"Some of the things we'll want to get into schematically as we move forward. They were excited about it."

LT was a problem last season, and while Bulaga was a top 10 tackle in 2011 (at RT), he struggled at that position in 2012. Still, he should be an upgrade on Newhouse, so this is good news for Rodgers and his backside.

What kept RBs Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer on the team -- those $1.3 million contract tenders -- might also drive one of them off it. Paying one backup that much is a lot for the Steelers, two is likely too much. The NFL Network reported that after the Steelers drafted LeVeon Bell, they offered Dwyer to other teams as trade bait.
Redman would seem to have the edge on Dwyer as a complementary back to Bell, if it comes to that.

David Climer of The Tennessean writes: "Some see the drafting of [Justin Hunter] as a wakeup call for [Kenny Britt]. I don’t. For one thing, Britt sleeps through wakeup calls. For another, he’s entering the final year of his original contract, and the Titans don’t seem inclined to sign him to a new deal. With so much invested in Hunter, the Titans appear to be preparing for life after Britt."

RB Eddie Lacy slid to the Packers due health concerns.

"He was always healthy enough to practice," said Alabama's tight end Michael Williams, drafted by the Detroit Lions. "He practiced every day; he never missed a day of practice. He had the foot injury, or whatever it was, and played through that. You couldn't tell he was hurt.

And as of now, he's 100%.

"From Day 1," Lacy said. "I'm going to be ready to go."

There have been some questions on the blog about Marshawn Lynch’s pending DUI case in Alameda County, in the Bay Area.

Specifically, there’s been some hand-wringing among the Seahawks’ faithful, with Seattle drafting Texas A&M running back Christine Michael in the second round that Lynch could possibly face a suspension in the upcoming season, depending on his outcome in court.

So drafting Michael could be a sign that the Seahawks wanted to protect themselves.

According to Teresa Drenick, assistant district attorney for the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, Lynch has a May 22 court date for a motion to suppress evidence and a motion to dismiss the case.

Another date to keep in mind is June 21, when the case is set to go to a jury trial.

The case will weigh down Lynch's fantasy stock this summer as it's entirely possible that he faces a league suspension if convicted.

In the Texans’ 11-year history, all but two of their first-round draft picks have started on opening day as rookies.

It sounds like wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the 27th overall pick out of Clemson, has a good chance to continue that trend.

“I’m expecting it right off the get-go,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Monday after being asked how quickly Hopkins might be ready for a big role. “He’s going in there, he’s gonna get the reps. It’s gonna be a very competitive situation, but we took him there because we expect him to play very, very early and touch (the ball).”

“This guy’s on his way to being a pro already, and we’ve got to help him get there real fast.”

“We love this guy,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said. “He is a guy who we thought could best come into this situation and help us the quickest, and not only quickly but this guy can evolve and develop into quite a player.”

It sounds as if Hopkins will have a good chance to start from the get-go. As a real-world WR2, he's likely to go in the later rounds (10th-12th) of fantasy drafts, depending on how the hype machine gets going.

The Titans have informed receiver Lavelle Hawkins he's being released.

The Steelers OC Todd Haley called LeVeon Bell a "three-down back, which is a big thing for us."

Haley said running backs coach Kirby Wilson looked at tape of some of Michigan State's roughest games -- "The games where the back isn't necessarily getting those big holes, so you can see what he's really capable of doing on his own.

"Because, as we know, in the NFL the holes are a lot smaller," Haley explained. "This is a big guy that can play like a big back, and yet also can get outside some and catch the ball."

The Steelers signed LaRod Stephens-Howling, who will be in the mix on third downs as well. At this point, Bell looks to have the best opportunity for touches of all the rookie RBs.

Jets HC Rex Ryan said there’s no guarantee Mark Sanchez or rookie Geno Smith will be the team’s starting quarterback next season, but did say the public would see the best Sanchez they’ve ever seen.

"There is no guarantee that Mark will be our starter, there’s no question," Ryan said on ESPN Radio. "That job’s going to have to be earned."

The writing is on the wall for Sanchez in New York, though it appears that the Jets will give him one more shot to start before cutting him loose.