As training camps across the NFL continue, XN Sports will report the top headlines of each day.
With the preseason in full swing, there is no shortage of intrigue and optimism, key injuries, and potential holdouts, as well as late offseason signings.
Here are the top five headlines for Tuesday:
Brees week-to-week?
The original diagnosis for Drew Brees was that he’s “day to day,” but the Saints quarterback continues to remain sidelined with a strained oblique and is unlikely to play in the team’s second preseason game against Tennessee on Friday, ESPN.com reported.
It sounds like Brees is more week to week than day to day. Though there’s no been indication the injury is more serious than the team is letting on, it does have an impact on his chemistry with the younger wide receivers.
Jones out for six weeks
The much-hyped Marvin Jones will be out about six weeks with a broken foot, the Bengals’ official team website reported. He is still eligible to be placed on the reserve/designated to return list.
Jones will need a screw inserted in his foot after suffering an injury in a practice this week. He was being touted as the No. 2 receiver opposite A.J. Green with an expanded role in Hue Jackson’s offense. This opens the door for Mohamed Sanu.
Johnny Football closing the gap
Despite Brian Hoyer being listed ahead of Johnny Manziel on the depth chart following the team’s preseason opener this weekend, Sports Illustrated reporter Manziel is “significantly” closing the gap in this quarterback battle.
Coach Mike Pettine has pegged his decision to come before the third preseason contest. ESPN.com reported Manziel was ahead of Hoyer following his preseason debut, in which he completed 7-of-11 passes for 63 yards. He’s expected to start the second preseason game.
Brown released
Free-agent running back signee Andre Brown has fallen from fifth on the Texans’ depth chart to off the team. Coach Bill O’Brien previously said Brown “is battling” but it’s becoming a “tough spot” for the team.
Jonathan Grimes has jumped into second on the Texans’ depth chart, ahead of rookie Alfred Blue and second-year player Dennis Johnson. The team worked out free agents Ronnie Brown, Brian Leonard and William Powell on Monday and signed both Brown and Powell Tuesday, while releasing the veteran free-agent Brown.
Cooper hurt … again
Former first-round pick Jonathan Cooper is listed as day-to-day with a toe injury, which may be an optimistic prognosis for the offensive guard after rocking a walking boot on his foot on Monday.
Jonathan Cooper (Toe) supporting a low cut boot on his right foot, will be out a few days. #CardsCamp
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) August 11, 2014
Cooper missed all of 2013 with a fractured left fibula, and earlier this month coach Bruce Arians said he was “disappointed” with the guard’s progress this summer. This is just another setback for the former No. 7 overall pick.
