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Kevin Smith listed as Lions starting tailback

Kevin Smith is listed as the starting running back on the Lions' first depth chart of training camp.

It's out of sight, out of mind for Jahvid Best (concussion). We suspect the veteran Smith would have gotten the nod over Mikel Leshoure, though, had the latter not missed the past nine days with a hamstring injury. While this news is less than surprising, it's still noteworthy for fantasy purposes. Smith continues to climb the cheat sheets.

Source: MLive.com

Tue, Aug 7, 2012 06:50:00 PM

Crabtree suffers torn Achilles' in 49ers OTAs

USA Today reports Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in Tuesday's OTAs session.

It's a crushing blow for the 49ers, though they're holding out hope Crabtree can return at some point in 2013. Terrell Suggs and Da'Quan Bowers were both able to get on the field last season after suffering torn Achilles' in the spring, but neither ever seemed to make it all the way back to 100 percent. It will be an even tougher challenge for Crabtree, as receivers must constantly stop/start and change directions. It elevates Anquan Boldin to No. 1 receiver status, and places increased pressure on 2012 first-rounder A.J. Jenkins coming off his lost rookie season. Fourth-round pick Quinton Patton will now be no worse than the Niners' No. 3 receiver until Mario Manningham returns from his torn ACL. Even if it becomes clear Crabtree will play at some point this season, he shouldn't be considered more than a late-round flier in fantasy leagues. The news tilts Frank Gore's arrow slightly up, and Colin Kaepernick's slightly down.

Source: USA Today

May 22 - 1:53 PM

Brian Urlacher announces his retirement

Free agent MLB Brian Urlacher has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons.

Urlacher, 35 in three days, spent his entire career with the Bears. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards," Urlacher wrote in a statement. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear." It's hard to see Urlacher forced out of the game like this, but no team was willing to sign him after his skills declined sharply last season. An injury to a middle linebacker around the league could give Urlacher an opportunity, and he could change his mind. But at this moment, he finishes his career with 1,229 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and eight Pro Bowl selections. He's a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

Source: Brian Urlacher on Twitter

May 22 - 11:08 AM

Raiders reunite with Woodson on one-year deal

Raiders agreed to terms with DB Charles Woodson on a one-year, $1.8 million contract.

The deal includes a $700,000 signing bonus, and is worth a "maximum" of $4.3 million, likely through hard-to-achieve incentives. Woodson is returning to the team that made him the No. 4 pick of the 1998 draft. Woodson spent the first eight years of his career in Oakland before defecting to Green Bay. He's chosen the Raiders over the Broncos despite the fact that Denver is on the cusp of the Super Bowl, and Oakland is one of the worst teams in the league. However Woodson spins it, money was almost certainly the determining factor. Going on 37, Woodson has lost multiple steps the past few seasons, but will still likely be a better option than Usama Young opposite Tyvon Branch at safety. It's possible he won't be a 1,000-snap player, instead playing somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-750.

Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter

May 21 - 9:50 PM

Darrelle Revis cleared to resume cutting

Darrelle Revis (torn ACL) has been cleared to resume cutting.

It's a big step. "I feel very confident," Revis said on NFL Network. "If (they tell me) to cut, I am cutting. I am not trying to think about (it)." Coach Greg Schiano said Monday that "everything is gearing towards" Revis being ready for Week 1.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com

May 21 - 9:19 PM

Chargers ink likely left tackle in Max Starks

Chargers agreed to terms with OT Max Starks, formerly of the Steelers, on a one-year contract.

The longtime Steeler vaults to the top of the Chargers' depth chart at left tackle. OT Kevin Haslam was waived in a corresponding move. Haslam was part of the Bolts' revolving door on the blindside last season as Jared Gaither "battled" back and groin injuries. Starks was not effective for the Steelers in 2012, allowing a troubling 40 hurries according to Pro Football Focus' stats, but still has more to offer than King Dunlap. Left tackle remains a trouble spot for San Diego, which is likely looking at a long season under rookie GM Tom Telesco.

Source: Josina Anderson on Twitter

May 21 - 5:20 PM

Dolphins rookie CB Taylor has hernia surgery

Dolphins second-round CB Jamar Taylor underwent sports-hernia surgery on Tuesday, but is expected to be ready for the beginning of training camp.

Sports-hernia operations typically only require 4-6 weeks of recovery, but it puts Taylor behind the eight ball as he transitions from the Mountain West to potential NFL starter. Taylor is competing with Richard Marshall to start opposite Brent Grimes, who is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn Achilles' tendon. The Dolphins have precious little depth after letting Sean Smith walk in free agency. They'll really be in trouble if Taylor suffers a setback and isn't ready for camp.

Source: Barry Jackson on Twitter

May 21 - 4:22 PM

San Fran, Houston awarded 2016-17 Super Bowls

The NFL has awarded Super Bowl L to San Francisco, and Super Bowl LI to Houston.

Super Bowl L — or 50, if you will — will be played in the 49ers' new stadium in February 2016. It will be the first Super Bowl played in the Bay Area since 1985. Super Bowl LI will be Houston's first Super Bowl since the Patriots defeated the Panthers in 2004. Shut out of the bidding was Miami, which failed to secure public funding for apparently necessary upgrades to Sun Life Stadium. Next year's Super Bowl will be played in New York/New Jersey's MetLife Stadium — outdoors.

May 21 - 2:58 PM

Pats owner: Gronk's surgery a total success

Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed Rob Gronkowski's fourth arm surgery went "as good as he could have hoped."

Per Kraft, Gronk will be back "as soon as possible." Right now, "as soon as possible" appears to be mid-August. That's because Gronk is tentatively slated for "minor" back surgery sometime in the next 3-4 weeks. Like Robert Griffin III, Gronk's Week 1 status will be hard to accurately gauge before training camp.

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

May 21 - 1:23 PM

Stevie Johnson (back) resumes practicing

Stevie Johnson (back) has been cleared to resume practicing, and participated in Tuesday's OTAs session.

Johnson said last week he had "no idea" when he'd be cleared to return, but it took less than seven days. "It was great to see him," OC Nathaniel Hackett said. "It was great to see him run some routes instead of being on the side. We've just got to work him back in." The Bills will take things slow with their No. 1 receiver before camp, but his back is not a long-term concern.

Source: Buffalo News

May 21 - 1:15 PM

Reshad Jones to report to Phins' OTAs Tuesday

Dolphins SS Reshad Jones will report to OTAs on Tuesday in exchange for contract extension talks "eventually."

Jones was a no-show at the facility on Monday, but OTAs don't start until Tuesday. He'll be in attendance after his agent and GM Jeff Ireland spoke "several times" late into Monday evening. Ireland reportedly promised "eventual" contract talks, but it's unclear what "eventual" means. If talks don't start prior to training camp, Jones loses any leverage he had. The 25-year-old has one year left on his rookie deal at $1.323 million.

Source: Miami Herald

May 21 - 8:22 AM

Tony Romo undergoes minor back surgery

Tony Romo will miss OTAs after undergoing surgery to have a cyst removed from his back last month.

Romo had the procedure done just before the draft and only needs a few more weeks to recover. The 33-year-old is optimistic that he'll be cleared in time for mandatory minicamp from June 12-14, but he'll certainly be all systems go for training camp. Romo says he could play if the season started today.

Source: Dallas Morning News

May 21 - 8:11 AM