Team news: Chicago Bears | Page 33

Assuming the Lions are bringing in Adrian Peterson with a plan on how to use him -- and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has experience with Peterson from their four years together in Minnesota at the start of his career -- this could mean fewer carries for Kerryon Johnson and a completely diminished role for Scarbrough or Ty Johnson.

Related players: D'Andre Swift

The story said the Lions want to use a committee approach, something HC Matt Patricia was used to seeing during his days in New England. The story added Swift is likely going to be the pass-catching back and AP likely "won't interfere with with Swift will do." It was also mentioned Peterson could help to keep Johnson healthy this season by cutting into his workload. Not the best news for fantasy owners. Swift is the back to own, with the hope he can also eventually cut into the early-down workload.

As I reported last month, the Chargers are preparing for the possibility to playing a majority of September without Mike Williams, despite the recent public optimism.

Related players: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton, Joe Reed, K.J. Hill, Jason Moore

The Chargers are keeping six WRs having to deal with the Williams injury, which seems to keep adding weeks on the end. Guyton, Reed and Hill will likely battle it out for the second and third WR roles. Hill was having a good camp and seems to be in line for one of the spots. The Chargers prefer to have speed, which gives Guyton and Reed an edge.

Adrian Peterson is signing with the Detroit Lions, the running back told NFL reporter Josina Anderson on Sunday.

Related players: Kerryon Johnson, D'Andre Swift

The move reunites Peterson with his former offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings, Darrell Bevell, and adds to an already crowded Lions backfield. The story pointed out that all the Lions RBs are 23 or younger, so AP will be a solid veteran in the locker room. It could be a bad sign for Swift, especially, as he's dealing with a leg injury and was already behind.

The Los Angeles Rams have received trades offers for TE Gerald Everett, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. "But the Rams met them with a resounding “no” - no current plans to trade the tight end who really showed his potential last year," wrote Rodrigue.

Everett was the Week 1 starter for the Rams in 2019, but Tyler Higbee broke out and took Everett's share of the passing offense. The former second round pick is an unrestricted free agent after this season, so he is playing for a new deal and an opportunity to be a consistent contributor on offense.

Chris Carson returned to the team late last week and took part in Sunday’s mock game. He got a heavy dose of work with Carlos Hyde and Travis Homer sitting out and head coach Pete Carroll raved about Carson after the scrimmage was done.

“Chris has got fresh legs . . . He looks great,” Carroll said, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “He hasn’t had a snap out here that he didn’t look good. So we don’t have any hesitation with Chris at all. He’s ready to go.”

Carson posted 1,230 yards on 278 carries last season and scored nine overall touchdowns before missing the season finale and both playoff games. Carson finished as last year’s No. 11 running back (half-PPR). His per game average was the 12th-highest at his position. He's ranked 16th on our RB list heading into drafts.

No Danny Amendola, Julian Okwara, Hunter Bryant or Darryl Roberts at Lions practice today.
D’Andre Swift, Bo Scarbrough, Danny Shelton and Mike Ford expected to be limited, per Patricia.

Related players: Kerryon Johnson

Swift has a three-down skillset and is the odds-on favorite to lead the Lions’ backfield in touches after Detroit used an early second-round pick to get him. Johnson averaged 3.6 YPC last year after averaging 5.4 YPC as a rookie, and his receptions dropped from 3.2 per game to 1.3 per game. This regime did draft Johnson, so they are unlikely to completely give up on him in 2020, so expect a committee with Swift as the lead back for now. The longer Swift is out, the better the chances Johnson has a bigger role, at least early in the season.

Dede Westbrook — It’s hard to penalize a guy for getting hurt, but considering the Jaguars used a second-round pick on receiver Laviska Shenault and a fifth-rounder on Collin Johnson — and both at times have looked impressive in camp — you worry a little for Westbrook.

Westbrook bruised his shoulder a week ago and was on the injury report with neck/shoulder injuries since mid-October of last year. Last season, he ranked second on the team behind Pro Bowl receiver D.J. Chark with 101 targets, and produced 66 catches for 660 yards and three scores. But his punt return average dipped from 14 yards a return to 5.7 a return.

Lions running back D'Andre Swift is sitting out Friday's practice, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Swift has been limited or has not practiced this week because of an apparent leg injury.

Swift had an injury history in college. Swift will be fighting for carries with incumbents Kerryon Johnson and Bo Scarbrough (also injured), so missed reps in practice matter for the rookie.

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams went for tests after coming down hard on his right shoulder during Sunday’s practice and he’s reportedly set to miss time as a result of the injury.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Williams is considered week-to-week after being evaluated by doctors and diagnosed as a sprain. It’s unclear at this point if he’ll be cleared in time to face the Bengals in Cincinnati in Week 1.

Related Players: Keenan Allen, Darius Jennings, Joe Reed, K.J. Hill

Williams posted career bests with 49 catches and 1,001 yards during the 2019 season. He's expected to start opposite Allen with the real battle for the team's WR3 role. Hill has the edge, according to reports from Sunday, but the team is looking for more speed at that position, which more favors Jennings and Reed.

Rookie wide receiver K.J. Hill had the best Week 1 of training camp among wide receivers not named Keenan Allen or Mike Williams. Hill was open often and rarely had an incomplete target.

Related players: Darius Jennings, Joe Reed

The Chargers are seeking speed at their WR3 spot, but Hill doesn't necessarily fit the bill. Jalen Guyton’s blazing speed gave him first crack for the No. 3 role. He received most of the first-team reps, but struggled to find chemistry with quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The results weren’t good when Taylor targeted him, the story said. The piece added with Hill stepping up, it may force the Chargers hand. Reed and Jennings are also candidates.