The NFL’s mandatory minicamps for 2024 have begun in full swing. KeynoteUSA’s NFL reporters for all 10 teams starting this week are on the field to provide insight into position battles, notable appearances from new faces, compelling quotes from coaches and players, and provide updates on injuries and holding situations.
We’ll have updates every day of camp to keep you informed of the latest news, including Tuesday’s action. Here’s what you need to know about Wednesday camps across the league:
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Top NFL news of the day
Browns Chubb not targeting return dates
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb said he does not have a target date for returning from the serious knee injury that ended his 2023 season and required a pair of surgeries.
“I’m not looking too far ahead,” Chubb said Wednesday in his first comments since the Week 2 injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I’m just taking it day by day.”
Source: OT Tristan Wirfs to attend minicamp after OTA absence
All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has been absent from OTAs during contract negotiations, will attend mandatory minicamp next week, a source told KeynoteUSA on Wednesday.
If Wirfs and his agent cannot come to a new contract with the Bucs, he will play under the fifth-year option this season and earn $18.244 million. Because he is under contract at this time, if Wirfs decides to change course and not participate in minicamp, the three-time Pro Bowler would be subject to a $101,716 fine for missing all three days.
G Zack Martin wonders if 2024 could be the last season
As Zack Martin enters his 11th season with the Dallas Cowboys, the nine-time Pro Bowler and seven-time first-team All-Pro wonders if this could be his last season.
“I guess I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind, right?” Martin said. “I think that’s been a big thing for me this year, just trying to tell myself, ‘Hey, go out there, do your thing and let everything else take care of itself after the season.’ I don’t know when I’ll be done, but “It’s definitely coming to an end. I think it’s a good reminder to stay in the present and take advantage of this year.”
Martín will turn 34 years old in November.
CB Cameron Sutton plans to reunite with Steelers
Cornerback Cameron Sutton plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, agent David Canter told KeynoteUSA on Wednesday. Sutton is expected to sign a one-year contract, league sources told KeynoteUSA. Sutton, who spent the first six years of his career in Pittsburgh, was released by the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason following the issuance of an arrest warrant for domestic battery.
Ex-Chargers/Packers C Linsley retires after 14 seasons
The Chargers have released center Corey Linsley, the team announced Wednesday. Linsley, who missed the final 14 games of last season with a non-emergent heart issue, is retiring from the NFL.
“While he has made his final play in the NFL, Corey’s story is far from written,” team president John Spanos said in a statement. “We can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for the Linsleys and we wish Corey, Anna, Seamus, Killian, Quinn and Ruth all the best as they move forward.”
What our NFL Nation reporters saw today
The Dolphins signed veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, but he has yet to take the field as they wrap up mandatory minicamp. Coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged the excitement and anticipation surrounding Beckham’s arrival, but insisted that the team takes each player’s individual schedule into account when deciding their spring workload.
The Dolphins determined that it was best for Beckham’s health to not participate in these practices. Receiver Tyreek Hill also did not participate in team drills at any of Miami’s minicamp practices.
McDaniel said Hill has a tendency to go “full speed” in practice, and the Dolphins wanted to make sure he doesn’t overdo it at this point in the year. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Everyone wants to know how Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy is doing this spring, and especially during mandatory minicamp. The answer is especially difficult to give (at least responsibly), given the parameters of this team’s offseason practices. Coach Kevin O’Connell emphasizes mental progress over physical stamina, with the goal of players heading into their summer break feeling fresh rather than needing to recover.
That being said, here’s what we can say about McCarthy so far. After two days of minicamp, and with one final week of OTAs remaining, he is right behind veteran Sam Darnold on the depth chart. During practices open to reporters, Darnold has taken nearly all of the first-team reps and, in most cases, veteran Nick Mullens has been the next quarterback to step in, followed by McCarthy and then Jaren Hall.
There is no indication that the Vikings were looking to test McCarthy in a “1-on-1” situation this spring. McCarthy’s pitches have plenty of juice but haven’t always been accurate. During a red zone drill on Wednesday, three consecutive passes fell to the ground. That’s nothing to worry about, especially since other passes were right. But after years of watching Kirk Cousins’ precision throws, the lack of consistency has been notable. Overall, though, the best way to describe McCarthy this spring is with one word: rookie. –Kevin Seifert
CB Khalil Dorsey suffered a leg injury and was evaluated after practice. Dorsey was productive during Wednesday’s session, with a pick-six play against backup QB Hendon Hooker before going down with the injury. Coach Dan Campbell says he wants to identify who will be reliable in the secondary.
“The talent level, the competitiveness, the versatility,” Campbell said. “Honestly, we have no idea who our starting lineup is going to be right now, and it’s exciting. It’s so good. You don’t know who the outside corners are going to be, who our nickel will be, who our safeties are going to be. This thing is very open.” across the board.” –Eric Woodyard
The new starting rules will require additional strategies for special teams coordinators this season. Titans coach Brian Callahan said there will be “chaos” during the preseason as teams experiment with new schemes.
The Titans dedicated a large portion of one of their eight practice periods to their kickoff and kickoff return units. Tennessee had a rotation of eight different players who took turns fielding kicks. They’re still feeling things out, and without pads, so it will take more time to determine which players will be best suited to take advantage of the new rules.
“There will be more returns,” special teams coach Colt Anderson said. “The game is going to look a lot different than last year. We’re trying to figure that out right now: the timing, the skills, who’s going to be out there.” — Davenport Nougat
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