J.D. Walton missed 12 games last season with a fractured ankle. An additional surgery for the Denver Broncos center reportedly might jeopardize his 2013 season.
J.D. Walton reportedly might miss Broncos’ season
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will start the preseason on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to a person informed of the decision. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport has the latest.
New England Patriots will add Rob Gronkowski to PUP list
The Carolina Panthers did not run many zone-read OTAs. The option package will be de-emphasized under new offensive coordinator Mike Shula.
Panthers | Moving away from zone-read option
Minnesota Vikings QB Christian Ponder might be challenged by Matt Cassel for the starting job during the 2013 season.
Vikings | Matt Cassel may push Christian Ponder
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm, back) will begin the preseason on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Patriots | Rob Gronkowski to open camp on PUP
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said on NFL AM that ‘there’s no doubt’ RB Rashard Mendenhall would be the featured back if the season started Wednesday, June 19. Arians is shying away from the notion that this is a time share. Mendenhall is also ready to go after fighting Achilles’ tendonitis last year following early-2012 knee surgery.
Cardinals | Bruce Arians backs Rashard Mendenhall
The San Francisco 49ers signed DE Justin Smith to a two-year extension through 2015.
49ers | Two-year extension for Justin Smith
The family of Odin Lloyd, the man found dead near the home of New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez, said Lloyd dated the sister of Hernandez’s girlfriend.
Patriots | Deceased man’s connection to Aaron Hernandez
Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker hasn’t missed a practice so far during his ahead-of-schedule recovery from January surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. He’s keeping up with the new playbook from offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and has cut down on his mistakes in drills.
Our View: Great news for the Titans here. It’s a make or break season for Locker. He needs to stay healthy and play up to the level the team expects in 2013. Locker was drafted to be a franchise QB and may be running out of time to prove himself as such.
Titans | Jake Locker progressing
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones has cut beef and pork out of his diet over the past year and feels ‘much better. Especially playing football, I feel that stuff sits on you.’ He also now prefers organic over regular food while also taking advice from the team nutritionist.
Falcons | Julio Jones cuts out beef, pork