Michael Floyd is listed as a starter ahead of Andre Roberts on the Cardinals' initial depth chart.
As expected. Floyd ran ahead of Roberts throughout the offseason and has carried that momentum into training camp. At 6'3/220 with better long speed, Floyd is an ideal fit for the No. 2 spot in Bruce Arians' vertical passing offense. Roberts will slide in as the No. 3 man, spending most of his time in the slot. Floyd remains one of our favorite breakout candidates in all of football. Source: Arizona Republic
SI's Peter King says he has "not seen a better offensive weapon" this summer than Jared Cook.
Per King, the Rams "don’t know quite why" Cook caught only 44 passes with the Titans last season. The implication being, fantasy owners weren't the only ones miffed at Tennessee's usage of its talented tight end. Although Cook's camp reports have been nothing but glowing — and suggest he could be a high-end TE1 — he has generated hype before only to fall flat on his face. The difference this time around, however, is that his coaching staff is intent on making him a focal point of the offense. Source: Sports Illustrated
Coach Bruce Arians said Michael Floyd "has improved dramatically from the first minicamp to now."
Floyd has just two catches for 20 yards through 36 preseason snaps, but he's been raising eyebrows in practice as the unquestioned No. 2 wideout. "Route running, his understanding of concepts, hot (reads), the whole package," Arians said. "He's bought in. He's playing two to three different positions. I'm really pleased with where he's at right now." A physically imposing wideout in Arians' passing-friendly scheme, Floyd remains on track for a breakout season. Source: arizonasports.com
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports Rashard Mendenhall's right knee injury is a "minor sprain," and he is expected back for Week 1.
It's good news, but the fact Mendenhall admitted to feeling "looseness" in the joint following Saturday night's injury is a reminder that his knee may lack long-term stability. The Cardinals' placement of Ryan Williams on the trade block does indicate they have faith in Mendenhall's health. In a pass-first offense behind one of the league's poorest lines -- and one that just lost LG Jonathan Cooper likely for the season -- we couldn't recommend against drafting Mendenhall more strongly. He's not going to help your fantasy team. Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Cardinals have placed Ryan Williams on the trade block.
It's an indication Williams is not in the Cards' 2013 plans, and will be waived at final cuts if no taker is found. Williams is likely available for a seventh-round pick. Still only 23 years old, Williams has been beset by various injuries going back to his redshirt freshman year at Virginia Tech. He was a big-time talent before the array of ailments, and was drafted 38th overall in 2011. Williams made his 2013 preseason debut on Saturday night, rushing twice for ten yards. We wouldn't be surprised if someone bites. Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Cardinals rookie LG Jonathan Cooper suffered a fractured left fibula in Saturday night's preseason game.
Cooper is very likely looking at a season-ending injury, but hasn't been ruled out as a candidate for injured reserve/designated for return. Regardless, it's a massive downgrade to an already weak offensive line, and means the Cardinals will be forced to start Chilo Rachal or move one of Levi Brown or Bobby Massie to left guard. Cooper was the seventh overall pick in April's draft. Source: Darren Urban on Twitter
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll expects Sidney Rice (knee) to be ready for Week 1.
Rice sat out the entire preseason, but it was mostly precautionary. Injury prone with limited upside in the Seahawks' run-heavy offense, Rice is a WR4. Source: Bob Condotta on Twitter
Beat writer Danny O'Neil says there will be a "pretty fierce competition" to see who gets more carries between Robert Turbin and Christine Michael this season.
Turbin looked "a little less explosive" in the third preseason game and blew a blitz pickup. Meanwhile, Michael's preseason line is an eye-opening 27/186/1. Although Turbin has reasonable talent in his own right, Michael has top-10 NFL running back ability. We'd be very surprised if the rookie wasn't the direct backup to Marshawn Lynch on early downs. Source: ESPN 710 Seattle
Known as a player's coach, Jeff Fisher uncharacteristically condemned Dunbar after he was slapped with a four-game ban for violating the league's PED policy, but it's still surprising the Rams would cut a player who was expected to start upon his return. Dunbar started all 16 games last season, racking up 115 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions. Fading veteran Will Witherspoon is taking Dunbar's spot in the starting lineup opposite James Laurinaitis. Source: Howard Balzer on Twitter
Percy Harvin (hip) tweeted Wednesday that he's "making serious progress."
"I'm starving so bad to get on this field," Harvin continued. "Keep an eye on Week 7." Harvin was placed on the reserve/PUP list last Tuesday. The earliest he can return to game action is Week 7. The initial diagnosis for Harvin's recovery from hip surgery was 3-4 months, so a Week 7 return would be slightly ahead of schedule. Coach Pete Carrol has been quiet on Harvin's status recently. Because Harvin has difference-making fantasy scoring ability, we wouldn't discourage forward-thinking owners from picking him up to stash. Source: Percy Harvin on Twitter
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports Percy Harvin (hip surgery) is ahead of schedule and has "wowed his surgeon" with his recovery.
Harvin tweeted earlier in the week that he was "making serious progress" in his road back and told fans to "keep an eye on Week 7" for his return. The Seahawks were reportedly "privately" hoping for a return some time in December. However, it appears he could be back even sooner. A return around Thanksgiving in Week 10 or 11 would be our best guess. He's shaping up as a nice stash. Source: CBS Sports
Sam Bradford completed 27-of-38 passes for 299 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the Rams' 27-24 Week 1 win over the Cardinals.
Bradford missed a few touch throws, and his interception was a disastrous decision on a botched screen that resulted in a pick six. All in all, however, he looked like the improved player he was down the stretch last season, and not the shell-shocked walking sack he was in 2011. The Rams offense was still frustratingly conservative at times, but did appear more wide open. Bradford struck up an immediate connection with Jared Cook, whom he found for a 7/141/2 line on a team-high 10 targets. Bradford still isn't a finished product, but is shaping up as a higher-end QB2.
Seahawks signed TE Kellen Davis, formerly of the Browns.
Davis worked out for the Seahawks on Tuesday, along with fellow free agent Daniel Fells. Davis was cut by the Browns two Sundays ago. He'll be the No. 3 tight end behind Zach Miller and rookie Luke Willson in Seattle. Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports