NFL.com provides highlights and buzz below from Thursday's training camps across the league.
Jets' WR2 gig 'up for grabs'
Garrett Wilson is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver in New York. Gang Green's No. 2 gig is up for grabs.
Reports out of Jets camp indicate that Josh Reynolds has an early grip on the job opposite Wilson. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, however, indicated that the club will give others a chance to push for more snaps.
"It's up for grabs. Everybody's trying to win the job," he said Thursday. "We're all trying to make the 53(-man roster), and then the 69. So we've got a long way to go in training camp, and a lot of guys are getting turns to go in there and play with that first group. They're all competing, and we're gonna let the chips fall where they may when it's all said and done. But we're happy with where that group is coming. They're making progress every day."
Reynolds' familiarity with the coaching staff from his time in Detroit gives the wideout an early leg-up. Free-agent acquisition Tyler Johnson, who came over from the Los Angeles Rams, has also made plays early in camp.
Veteran Allen Lazard, who took a hefty pay cut to remain in New York this offseason, has been seemingly invisible. It's early, but given that the veteran doesn't play special teams, he could be a cut candidate if he falls down the depth chart. Malachi Corley, a 2024 second-rounder from the previous regime, also could be squeezed out if he doesn't flash during preseason action.
-- Kevin Patra
Bears rookie WR flashes draft potential
It took some time, but Chicago Bears rookie receiver Luther Burden III flashed his potential in practice on Thursday.
The wideout missed offseason workouts due to a lingering soft-tissue injury. When he finally got involved earlier this week, there were some rough patches, and he was taken off the field on Tuesday after misaligning on one snap.
Despite those early hiccups, he put things together and flashed the speed that the Bears counted on when making him a second-round pick back in April. That progress was evident on Thursday, as reporters on scene noted Burden made several splash plays, including a deep shot from backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
After practice, Burden said he learned from head coach Ben Johnson's talk on Tuesday.
"I feel like I've got to know my stuff. [Johnson] holds everybody to a high standard here," Burden said, per ESPN.com. "It's great for us, great for the team, and that's the standard here."
Rome Odunze and DJ Moore hold down the top two wideout spots in Chicago, but Burden could carve out a significant role as a speed, field-stretching weapon in Johnson's offense.
"The play speed stood out to me [on Wednesday]," Johnson said before Thursday's practice. "I was really impressed with that. Still working on the alignment, the details, as you would expect for a young player, but the play speed jumped off the tape to us all yesterday."
-- Kevin Patra
Nabers back in action
Malik Nabers' shoulder injury from earlier in the week seems to be in the past based on this tough catch on a patented Russell Wilson moon ball.
-- Around The NFL staff
Can Pats rookie win starting guard gig?
The New England Patriots always planned to have one starting rookie offensive lineman, first-round pick Will Campbell. They could wind up with two first-year players starting in front of Drake Maye.
Third-round pick Jared Wilson is gaining buzz early in camp. The Georgia product has a chance to beat out third-year pro Cole Strange for the left guard spot.
"Jared's a great athlete, and he plays all three (positions) in the middle," second-year O-lineman Caedan Wallace said, via the Boston Herald. "He knows everything. … Jared's really, really (expletive) good, so I love asking him questions. He always has a different perspective from the vet guys in the room."
Wilson turned heads in one-on-one drills in camp, reportedly getting the best of both Christian Barmore and Milton Williams.
"He's going to be a solid player," Williams said of the young lineman. "He's good. He's got good balance for a young player like that. The future is bright for him."
Wilson has repped both left guard and center in his push for a starting spot, impressing teammates and the coaching staff with his versatility and smarts.
"I think that he's a quick learner," coach Mike Vrabel said last Friday. "He's been able to learn two positions inside, as far as center and guard. I would say he was one of those players that maybe wasn't out there as much on the field in the spring, but really was able to grasp it mentally and allow that to carry over when he had an opportunity to be on the field. So he was able to show, for a young player, some of those things to be ready when he got his opportunity to be on the field."
As the Patriots attempt to shore up an offensive line that was abysmal a year ago, keep track of Wilson's progress during the preseason. If he can earn a starting role, it would be a big boon for Maye and the Patriots' run game.
-- Kevin Patra
Darren Sproles 2.0 in Dallas?
A motivated Jaydon Blue continues to turn heads at Cowboys camp.
The rookie running back recently earned reps with the first-team offense, and his play sparked comparisons to Darren Sproles from head coach Brian Schottenheimer on Thursday.
"I don't use that lightly," Schottenheimer said. "Jaydon has some of those traits in terms of just he's electric when he gets the ball."
Sproles spent the first three years of his NFL career playing for Schottenheimer's father, Marty, when he was the San Diego Chargers head coach, so it's a comparison that carries weight.
"The quickness and ability to accelerate into the hole, I keep going back to that, it's just different," Schottenheimer said. "He's got incredible lateral agility and quickness. When he jump-cuts and moves laterally he's able to get to top speed in a hurry. He doesn't need a lot of space.
Something to keep in mind as fantasy season approaches, Schottenheimer stressed that he doesn't view Blue (listed at 5-foot-9, 198 pounds) as strictly a perimeter threat.
"He's a guy that can run in between the tackles in the A-gaps with gap schemes and still be extremely productive," Schottenheimer said.
Adjust your draft boards accordingly.
-- Around The NFL staff
