Detroit Lions CB Darius Slay agreed to a four-year, $50.2 million extension Friday, July 29, with $23 fully guaranteed, according to a source.

Footballguys View: Slay elevated his game to near “shutdown” level last year. The Lions were smart to lock him at a reasonable price this year and avoid the 2017 free agent market setting his value, which would have surely been higher. Teams are usually more accurate evaluating their own talent and get the best deals when they extend their own before their contracts are up.

Dallas Cowboys TE Gavin Escobar (Achilles’) was not placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list Friday, July 29.

Footballguys View: This is a good sign for Escobar’s ability to get back to his pre-injury form, although that form was far from justifying the second-round pick the Cowboys spent on him in 2013. James Hanna is still the favorite to be the #2 tight end to open the season.

Baltimore Ravens TE Crockett Gillmore (hamstring) left practice Friday, July 29, with a hamstring injury that will require an MRI.

Footballguys View: Gillmore is a quality player, but he just can’t stay healthy. If this is a serious injury, Dennis Pitta’s chances of making the team go up. Ben Watson is looking entrenched as the starter right now.

New England Patriots WR Nate Washington (undisclosed) is out of practice Friday, July 29.

Footballguys View: Washington has an uphill battle to make the team over Keshawn Martin, who can play inside and outside. If he misses training camp time while trying to get up to speed in the Patriots somewhat dense passing game, it will make it almost impossible for him to make the team.

New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman (foot) an WR Danny Amendola (ankle, knee) ran hills Friday, July 29, and appear close to returning to practice.

Footballguys View: Edelman was a PPR WR1 last year before going down, but he is falling to WR2 range in the late third in early drafts this year. If he can get back on the field early in camp, it will be a good sign. The Patriots trading for Martellus Bennett could make this primarily a two tight end attack, so Edelman might not be as central to the red zone pass offense as he was last year.

New England Patriots LB Jamie Collins returned to practice Friday, July 29, after his excused absence.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) is expected to begin practicing next week, according to head coach Doug Pederson.

Cincinnati Bengals LB Rey Maualuga (calf) passed his physical Friday, July 29, and has been cleared to practice. He was activated from the non-football injury list.

Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (undisclosed) is sitting out of team drills Friday, July 29.

New York Giants WR Victor Cruz (knee, calf) is practicing Friday, July 29.

Footballguys View: This is the best news we could have hoped for, as Cruz attempts to comeback from a 2014 patellar tendon tear. Even if he makes the team, Cruz will be the #3 wide receiver at best. We hope that he can recover to the level of having fantasy value again, but it would be a major surprise. Second-round pick Sterling Shepard is the complement to Odell Beckham to target in drafts this year.