2025 NFL Preseason Buzz: Chargers’ Slater, Texans’ Gardner-Johnson Injured

Signings, injuries, fans getting mad at owners — we’re only in training camp, and NFL news has already been nonstop.

You can follow along with all the latest and most notable free agent moves here. 

Here’s the latest on what’s happening around the league this offseason.

Thursday roundup: Gardner-Johnson, Slater suffer leg injuries

Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson appeared to suffer a significant right leg injury Thursday after tackling receiver John Metchie during practice. Gardner-Johnson fell to the ground and began writhing in pain. He was eventually helped by the medical staff to a cart while it appeared that he couldn’t put any pressure on his leg. 

Meanwhile, Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater was carted off the practice field Thursday after apparently injuring his left leg. Slater was hurt less than two weeks after signing a multi-year contract extension last month. Slater has been Justin Herbert’s main protector, allowing the quarterback to set several league-wide passing records.

Also, Rams lineman Jared Verse had to be helped off the field during practice after bumping knees with teammate Braden Fiske. Coach Sean McVay wasn’t immediately certain of the severity of the injury for Verse, the NFL defensive rookie of the year last season and one of the NFL’s top young pass rushers.
 

Arik Armstead on the shelf indefinitely

Arik Armstead hasn’t seen any action in Jaguars‘ training camp, and it’s unclear when he will. Jacksonville isn’t sure if the veteran defensive tackle, who is dealing with an undefined back injury, will be ready to go for the regular season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sep. 7.

“Ultimately, he’ll probably know how to get himself ready to go, I would hope,” Jaguars’ coach Liam Coen said Tuesday. “The key is just making sure that he’s healthy and ready to go for the first game. Ultimately, it’s a long season, as we know.

Armstead signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with Jacksonville in 2024 that included $28 million guaranteed. He played in all 17 games last season.

Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota out against Patriots on Friday

The Commanders won’t be using the top two quarterbacks on their depth chart in their preseason opener against the New England Patriots on Friday. Jayden Daniels will not play, per head coach Dan Quinn, as he’s expected to have a heavy workload during Wednesday’s practice – any players in that situation won’t be playing Friday.

As for Marcus Mariota, he didn’t travel for the game due to a lower leg strain, per Quinn. That leaves the Commanders with Josh Johnson and Sam Hartman to take snaps against the Patriots.

Murray hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2021 (the last season Arizona made the playoffs), but he will take snaps in the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday at 8 p.m. Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced all starters will play in the game, but hasn’t decided for how long. Murray will be playing in his seventh season and coming off a year when he played a full season. 

Giants list Jaxson Dart as QB3 on first unofficial depth chart

Dart was the Giants’ first-round pick in this year’s draft. While picked to be the future QB of the Giants, for now Dart will have to work up the depth chart. Veteran and former No. 1 pick, Jamies Winston, was listed as the backup to projected starter Russell Wilson. Winston and Dart have been alternating with the second and third team offensive groups in practice so far. 

Jets rookie Mason Taylor faces setback after impressive start to camp

Tight end Mason Taylor has been turning heads in his first training camp with the Jets, receiving praise from quarterback Justin Fields and coaches. Taylor’s impressive start to camp will be halted after suffering a high ankle sprain, sidelining him for at least a week. Taylor was the Jets second-round pick out of LSU and son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor.

Knee injury will end Packers‘ CB Nate Hobbs‘ training camp

Hobbs had surgery to repair a partial meniscus tear and will miss the rest of Green Bay’s training camp, according to ESPN. It’s possible that Hobbs could return for the start of the regular season, though. The Packers signed Hobbs, who spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Raiders, to a four-year, $48 million deal this offseason. Last season (2024), Hobbs totaled one interception, five passes defended and 49 combined tackles in 11 games.

Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter listed as starting WR, second-string CB

Hunter, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is currently listed as the starting wide receiver and the backup cornerback (behind Tyson Campbell and Jourdan Lewis) on the team’s latest depth chart. Hunter, who played over 80% of snaps on both offense and defense during his senior season at Colorado, is expected to be a significant contributor on both sides of the ball for Jacksonville. 

Skattebo didn’t participate in Monday’s practice due to a hamstring injury sustained on Friday. He was initially labeled day-to-day but now could miss the Giants‘ preseason opener on Aug. 9. Skattebo, a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, was expected to be part of the running back rotation for New York this season.

First-round pick Walker is back practicing in team drills after missing much of them in the first week of training camp. Walker is preparing to play in the Falcons‘ first preseason game this week. The former Georgia linebacker was nursing a minor hamstring injury that had him only participating in individual drills.

Bills RB James Cook sits for second practice in a row amid contract dispute

The Bills were without starting running back Cook for the second consecutive practice, and general manager Brandon Beane isn’t sure when he’ll resume them. Cook repeatedly used the word “business” when asked about his decision not to practice and has been vocal about his desire to be one of the highest-paid running backs in the league. Cook risks being fined by the team for declining to practice. He had previously participated in Buffalo’s first eight mandatory practices, but over the weekend changed his mind as his contract demands remained unfulfilled.

Titans HC Brian Callahan calls out his offense after sloppy practice

The Titans turned in a sluggish performance on August 3, earning a profanity-laced tirade from Callahan as the session concluded. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick this year, followed two solid practices with a rough showing in team drills, completing just 4 of 13 passes. The Titans also had penalties and a play that would have been a sack as the defense pressured the young quarterback. Ward’s final rep of the day was a pass that sailed far over the head of receiver Van Jefferson and out of bounds. That’s when Callahan unleashed on the offense.

The second-year Titans coach spoke before practice. After practice, Callahan stood near midfield talking with Ward, offensive coordinator Nick Holz and quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree for about 20 minutes. The Titans called Callahan’s outburst warranted, though, because of a lack of focus and intensity on offense.

Colts RB Salvon Ahmed carted off with severe leg injury

Ahmed was carted off the field near the end of practice on August 3 with a severe injury to his right leg after a tackle by Trey Washington in the end zone. Teammates took a knee and gathered around him as he was put on a stretcher.

Jets rookie TE Mason Taylor, son of Hall of Fame pass rusher, shining at camp

Taylor, son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor and nephew of Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas, has been one of the standout performers through the Jets‘ first nine camp practices. A second-round pick out of LSU, he’s making plays and impressing his coaches and teammates.

“Mason, he doesn’t talk a lot, he does work a lot, though,” quarterback Justin Fields said. “From the moment he got here, he [has] been working — his head down working. He doesn’t make actually any psychological errors, at the least from what I’ve seen. He’s a terrific route runner, he’s easy, has pure arms, so he’s been nice to this point.”

Bills‘ mounting checklist of accidents grows to fifteen gamers

Head coach Sean McDermott adopted the Payments’ day without work by opening his pre-practice information convention itemizing 15 members of Buffalo’s 91-player roster as both being restricted or not working towards. Beginning receiver Khalil Shakir was among the many newest additions and was listed week-to-week with a excessive ankle sprain after he was harm throughout the Payments’ annual Pink and Blue scrimmage at their dwelling stadium on August 1. Additionally injured Friday had been WR Josh Palmer (groin), one of many staff’s prized offseason free agent additions, and linebacker Shaq Thompson (groin).

Accidents have notably hit Buffalo’s receivers, with Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and backup Kaden Prather additionally sidelined. Keon Coleman is the one wholesome projected starter with Buffalo making ready to open the preseason.

Worthy exited concussion protocol not as a result of his concussion had cleared, however as a result of he by no means had one to start with, in keeping with Andy Reid, who stated fluid in Worthy’s ear was inflicting issues with equilibrium. Worthy is predicted to be integral to Kansas Metropolis’s offense this season. The second-year professional turned his dynamic, report 40-year-dash numbers within the mix right into a rookie season that produced 59 catches for 638 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Williams will probably be sidelined every week or two with a calf harm after getting harm in observe on July 31. Head coach Aaron Glenn stated sitting Williams was a “precautionary” transfer, and the harm is not anticipated to be a long-term subject. Williams, a three-time Professional Bowler, was taking part in particular person drills Thursday when he felt discomfort in his decrease leg. He walked into the power below his personal energy however sat out the remainder of the session. 

Seahawks might be with out beginning OL to begin season

Seattle’s left sort out, Charles Cross, will probably be sidelined after surgical procedure on his proper ring finger, which he dislocated throughout coaching camp. Nonetheless, head coach Mike Macdonald expects Cross to be prepared for Week 1. 

Falcons first-round decide Jalon Walker restricted in observe

Rookie cross rusher Walker is coping with a minor hamstring harm that has him restricted to particular person drills. Head coach Raheem Morris has him sitting out throughout 11-on-11 drills for now till he is again to full energy. 

Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer curses out staff

Contract drama is the one rigidity that is been obvious within the first weeks of Cowboys camp. There has additionally been loads of combating on the observe area. Three fights broke out throughout observe on July 30, main head coach Brian Schottenheimer to hit pause and punish his staff.

“You wish to battle? Let’s f—— battle. Get your ass on the sideline,” Schottenheimer informed his staff, by way of The Athletic.

Wednesday wasn’t the primary observe the place fights broke out at Cowboys camp. There was a giant battle throughout the Cowboys’ second coaching camp observe, however Schottenheimer was a fan of that.

“Here is the deal: I like the depth,” Schotteneheimer stated of that battle. “I like [it] and these guys are working their asses off. I like that. However, once more, there is a tempo that we talk about day-after-day and we have talked about it a number of instances.”

Kohou injured his knee throughout observe, and whereas the precise harm stays undisclosed, Miami has positioned him on the injured reserve checklist, ending his season, Dolphins‘ coach Mike McDaniel introduced. Kohou, who went undrafted earlier than signing with the Dolphins for the 2022 season, began 9 video games in 2024 however was set to be a beginning nook this season. Kohou has 180 mixed and 148 solo tackles in his three seasons with Miami.

Emerson injured his leg at observe on July 29, and an MRI confirmed that he tore his Achilles. He’ll miss the whole thing of the upcoming season recovering. Emerson was slated to be the No. 2 cornerback for Cleveland, however that position will almost certainly go to Greg Newsome with Emerson out for the 12 months.

The Payments’ first-round decide had his proper knee tended to by coaching employees throughout observe on July 29. He was capable of stroll off the sector below his personal energy, however didn’t return to observe following the harm. Whereas he is present process exams to find out the kind of harm and the severity of it, as of now, it is also unclear precisely how Hairston injured himself.

On the Patriots‘ first day in full pads, All-Professional Gonzalez needed to depart coaching camp early after struggling an obvious leg harm. He limped off the sector below his personal energy after a play guarding receiver Stefon Diggs in 11-on-11 drills.

Jets QB Justin Fields returns to staff drills at coaching camp post-toe harm

Fields returned to staff drills on July 28, 4 days after dislocating a toe on his proper foot. He participated in 7-on-7 drills at camp over the weekend because the staff eased him again into observe. Head coach Aaron Glenn stated Fields had “a methods to go” earlier than absolutely returning, however after a day without work Sunday, Fields ran the offense throughout 11-on-11 drills. 

“He was restricted, however he was restricted the best way that we wish him to be restricted,” Glenn stated after observe. “He made some good throws on the market. And once more, when Justin will get on the sector — I imply, we’re going to let him be who he’s.”

The Cowboys will probably be with out Jones for 2 to a few months after the veteran guard suffered a damaged bone in his neck throughout Sunday’s observe, per ESPN. Jones won’t require surgical procedure, although. He suffered the harm throughout a observe wherein he was spending time with the starters, which had not been the norm up to now, as first-round decide Tyler Booker (No. 12 general) had been in that position throughout coaching camp. Jones joined Dallas this season as a free agent.

Browns QB Kenny Pickett will probably be sidelined on account of hamstring harm

Pickett’s harm is believed to have occurred throughout a pink zone 11-on-11 drill late in Saturday’s observe, per ESPN. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is predicted to deal with Pickett’s standing earlier than Monday’s observe. Pickett will probably be evaluated later within the week. The Browns have their first padded observe on July 28. Pickett is vying with veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders for the beginning spot.

Cowboys followers shout ‘Pay Micah!’ at Jerry Jones amid ongoing stalemate

Cowboys followers are rising more and more impatient about the truth that the staff has but to achieve a contract extension with All-Professional edge rusher Parsons, who’s coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal. They let Jerry Jones know precisely how they really feel about it too, shouting “Pay Micah!” as Dallas’ longtime proprietor addressed the gang throughout the opening day of Cowboys coaching camp on Saturday in Oxnard, California, per CBS Sports.

[MORE: With Micah Parsons, Jerry Jones Is Playing Another Contract Game He Can’t Win]

The Cowboys are coming off a disappointing 7–10 marketing campaign. They exercised Parsons’ fifth-year possibility, protecting him below contract by means of 2025 for $24 million — effectively under market worth for simply one of many 5 greatest defensive gamers within the NFL. Nonetheless, Parsons reported to necessary minicamp in June. Jones made headlines final week when he seemingly took a dig at Parsons’ sturdiness, mentioning he had handled an harm for the primary time in his profession, lacking a handful of video games due to a excessive ankle sprain. 

The 26-year-old Parsons, who earned Professional Bowl honors in every of his first three seasons within the league, stays the one participant in NFL historical past to report at the least 12.0 sacks in every of his first three years. 

Shavers was carted off the sector at coaching camp after hurting his proper ankle on what proved to be the ultimate play of observe Sunday. He made a catch ultimately zone and fell awkwardly whereas making an attempt to guard the ball from rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston. Shavers was on the bottom for a number of minutes whereas being tended to by the coaching employees, main to move coach Sean McDermott ending observe a couple of minutes sooner than scheduled.

The 25-year-old signed with Buffalo as an undrafted rookie free agent two years in the past and appeared in three video games with the Payments final season. Additionally, beginning linebacker Terrel Bernard and beginning receiver Curtis Samuel didn’t observe Sunday, as each are coping with hamstring accidents. The staff had no replace on the severity of the accidents.

The 49ers activated second-year receiver Pearsall from the PUP checklist, and he practiced for the primary time this summer season. Purdy was additionally again at observe Sunday after lacking a session on Friday for private causes.

Pearsall had been out since injuring his hamstring throughout the offseason program. The Niners are relying on a giant season from the 2024 first-round decide after buying and selling away Deebo Samuel and with Brandon Aiyuk anticipated to overlook the beginning of the season recovering from knee surgical procedure. Pearsall completed the 2025 season with 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 video games, together with 14 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns in his ultimate two video games.

McLaurin reported to coaching camp following a four-day holdout, however the 2024 second-team All-Professional and the staff weren’t capable of agree on new contract phrases, ultimately resulting in the star wide receiver requesting a trade.

The seven-year veteran has one 12 months remaining on a three-year, $68.2 million extension signed in 2022. Washington’s main receiver set a career-high with 13 landing receptions and had 1,096 yards final season on 82 receptions. McLaurin participated in early parts of Washington’s offseason program however skipped the on-field parts of OTAs and necessary minicamp.

[MORE: 6 Potential Landing Spots For Commanders WR Terry McLaurin]

Stafford will miss the second week of coaching camp to relaxation his sore again, in keeping with a number of reviews. The 37-year-old hasn’t practiced with the Rams for the reason that begin of camp. Head coach Sean McVay initially stated Stafford would solely miss the Rams’ first 4 practices whereas recovering from again soreness that had “crept up” in latest weeks.

“I in all probability spoke a bit of bit too quickly, however the final purpose is (being prepared for Week 1 of the common season) and being aware of that, so we’ll take it every week at a time with him,” McVay stated after the Rams’ fourth observe of camp.

McVay was already planning to restrict the coaching camp practices of Stafford, who’s heading into his seventeenth NFL season and his fifth with the Rams, and several other veterans. He would not historically use any key gamers in preseason video games. 

Concern rising for Texans RB Joe Mixon‘s ankle harm

Mixon opened coaching camp on the non-football harm checklist after lacking OTAs and minicamp with an ankle harm. He is anticipated to overlook nearly all of the preseason and will probably be reevaluated nearer to the beginning of the common season, per ESPN. The 29-year-old Mixon, who injured his ankle throughout the offseason, rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024, incomes him Professional Bowl honors in his first season for the Texans and spending the primary six years of his NFL profession with the Bengals. The Texans have their first preseason recreation on Aug. 9, a street tilt towards the Vikings.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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