Peter King visits Pittsford, NY to check out the Bills training camp and comes away with five thoughts about Buffalo.
As training camps across the NFL get underway, XN Sports will report the top headlines of each day.
Wednesday already featured no shortage of intrigue and optimism, between injuries and holdouts, as well as late offseason signings.
Here are the top five headlines for Friday:
Beast Mode: out
As expected, Marshawn Lynch will not report to Seahawks training camp until he’s given a new contract. Last month Lynch skipped the team’s mandatory minicamps in hopes of getting a new deal.
Lynch is under contract through 2015, and is due to make $5 million in 2014 and $5.5 million in base salary plus $2 million in per-game roster bonuses the next. But Jamaal Charles just received a raise after a “holdout,” so maybe Lynch has similar hopes.
Andre Johnson reports
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Johnson opted not to hold out of Texans training camp and reported on Friday. This spring, the veteran wide receiver has expressed frustration with the organization as it rebuilds yet again.
Johnson’s contract makes him very difficult to trade, and he’s the face of the franchise so management doesn’t want him anywhere but Houston. He’s a pro, and that’s why he showed up.
D.J. Hayden lands on PUP
The Raiders’ first-round pick in 2013 has suffered yet another injury setback. Hayden, recovering from foot surgery, will start training camp on the active/PUP list.
Reports indicate there’s no timetable for his return. He had a walking boot in June after an injury riddled rookie campaign. Hayden is already earning the injury prone label in Year 2.
Sam Bradford “full-go”
The Rams’ starting quarterback is a “full-go” for training camp, coach Jeff Fisher said Friday.
Bradford suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 7 of last year. He did participate in the Rams’ minicamps this spring, but it’s a positive sign going forward that he’s at full health entering camp and the preseason. It’s a make-or-break year for Bradford.
Contract talks for two wide receivers
Both Dez Bryant and Jordy Nelson are entering contract seasons, and both wide receivers want to get paid.
Bryant and the Cowboys have discussed a new deal, but are nowhere close to a long-term agreement, ESPN Dallas reported. He’s making $1.78 million in the final year of his rookie contract, and should be in line to make top-tier receiver dollars.
Nelson is seeking at least $10 million per year, ESPN reported. Nelson will earn $2.55 million in 2014 and has long been underpaid considering his production.
