Here is some of the latest National Football League news:
Wentz Not Cleared For Contact
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has still not been cleared for contact by the Eagles medical staff. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson got short with the media when asked about the availability of Wentz on Sunday. The Eagles are set to open up the regular season in just 11 days, and he is still on the physically unable to perform list. Last season, Wentz appeared headed for the NFL Most Valuable Player Award before suffering an ACL injury that caused him to miss the remainder of the season. The Eagles went on to win the 2018 Super Bowl with backup quarterback Nick Foles leading the way. Foles has dealt with his own injury issues during the preseason portion of the schedule. The Eagles will continue to evaluate Wentz each day in hopes that he is able to return for Week 1.
Adam Jones to Sign With Broncos
Veteran free agent cornerback Adam Jones is expected to sign with the Denver Broncos this week. The Broncos brought Jones in for a workout on Sunday morning and the team is expected to sign him to a one year deal. Jones played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2010-17. Broncos head coach Vance Joseph was the defensive backs coach for the Bengals in 2014-15. The Browns did not pick up the option in Jones’ contract making him an unrestricted free agent for the 2018 season. Jones, 35, played in just nine games for the Bengals last season due to injuries and a one-game suspension. Jones has dealt with a variety of off the field issues in his NFL career but is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the game.
Steelers Lose Third Tight End
The Pittsburgh Steelers saw their third tight end go down with an injury in their third preseason game. Veteran Jesse James landed hard on his back after making a 12-yard reception before suffering a big hit. The Steelers announced that James was out with a back contusion, but head coach Mike Tomlin did not know the severity of the injury. Starter Vance McDonald and backup Xavier Grimble are the two other tight ends who are out for the Steelers. Both McDonald and Grimble could return for week 1 at the earliest. Up next on the depth chart at tight end is Bucky Hodges who has never had a reception in an NFL game. The Steelers will open up the 2018 season by taking on the Browns in Cleveland.
Packers Acquire Morrison From Colts
The Green Bay Packers have acquired inside linebacker Antonio Morrison from the Indianapolis Colts. The Packers sent cornerback Lenzy Pipkins to the Cots in exchange for Morrison. The Packers were in desperate need of a linebacker after Oren Burks suffered a shoulder injury during pregame warmups before their week 3 game. Burks was expected to take over the role of starter, before suffering the injury. The Packers lost Jake Ryan in the first week of training camp when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Blake Martinez, who led the NFL in tackles last season, was the only linebacker with NFL experience on the Packers roster before the trade for Morrison. Pipkins was a member of the Packers 53 man roster last season but played mostly in a special teams role.
Vikings Elflein Out For Remainder of Preseason
Second-year center Pat Elflein will miss the remainder of the preseason, the Minnesota Vikings announced on Sunday. Elflein was placed on the preseason physically unable to perform list on July 25, and has not left the list since. The center had multiple surgeries in the offseason to try and repair injuries that he suffered during the season. Elflein suffered a shoulder injury during a game in December last season and fractured his left ankle in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings anticipated that Elflein would return to the team in August, but now the hope is that he is ready to go week 1. Minnesota completed a trade with the New York Giants on Sunday in an effort to add depth at the center position. The Vikings sent a 2019 draft pick to the Giants in exchange for center Brett Jones.
