Denver Broncos TE Jake Butt (knee) likely will be able to participated in some team drills at the start of training camp.
Footballguys View: Butt has been limited this offseason. He’s coming back from the third knee injury of his football career. Butt has looked good in limited action this offseason but clearly is an injury risk. If healthy, he should be in the mix behind Jeff Heuerman and rookie Noah Fant.
Undrafted free-agent WR Marcus Simms (West Virginia) signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, July 11. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Footballguys View: We’ll watch Simms in deep dynasty formats. Scouts loved his natural talent, but there were some character concerns according to reports that kept him from getting selected in the Supplemental Draft on Wednesday. He’s a good vertical threat who can work as a return man as well. Simms had 46 catches for 699 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Mountaineers.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Dredrick Snelson (undisclosed) was waived Thursday, July 11, with an injury designation.
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle reminds QB Jimmy Garoppolo a lot of Rob Gronkowski – both on and off the field – according to Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News.’There are a lot of similarities – on the field and a little bit off the field, too. George is tremendous. The energy he brings every day, how he goes about his business – he’s always having fun while he’s doing it. Very similar to Gronk, they both enjoy what they do. It makes everything more enjoyable. It’s fun to be around, and it’s contagious. To have a guy like that makes our team so much closer as well as much better,’ Garoppolo said.
Free-agent PK Phil Dawson (Cardinals) is uncertain if he wants to continue playing but admits he has yet to make a decision despite receiving some offers from interested teams this offseason.
Los Angeles Chargers RB Melvin Gordon will not report to training camp without a new contract. Gordon is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which would pay him $5.6 million in 2019.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ryan Smith was already battling for the fifth cornerback job, according to The Athletic’s Greg Auman, and his salary of $2 million makes him an expensive option for special teams. Auman believes the team will carry Smith on the roster for his four-game suspension, and then decide whether to activate or release him.
Arizona Cardinals WR Hakeem Butler was listed as the ‘potential breakout performer’ among the team’s receivers and tight ends by The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman, who writes that Butler’s size, speed and intangibles could make him the surprise player ‘of the entire bunch.’ McManaman also lists Butler’s offseason work with retired WR Calvin Johnson as a reason he could make an impact in 2019.
Arizona Cardinals WR Chad Williams is unlikely to make the 53-man roster, according to The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman, who writes that even if the team carries seven receivers it’s ‘doubtful’ that Williams would be on the list.
Philadelphia Eagles RB Corey Clement is the frontrunner to replace free-agent RB Darren Sproles (Eagles) on passing downs, according to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com.