No longer will Josh Allen's blindside blocker be absent from training camp.
Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Thursday.
Dawkins was placed on the reserve/COVID list on July 28, leaving the 27-year-old out of practice for a large majority of training camp so far. A critical piece of the Bills offensive line, Dawkins has been there for every one of Allen's starts the past three years and has held the LT job since his rookie season in 2017.
It's highly unlikely the Bills will have Dawkins play in Friday's preseason tilt versus the Detroit Lions, but his return to the practice field is a welcomed sight to see as he will be heavily relied upon to protect the Bills' $258 million-dollar man.
Trades
- The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to trade veteran linebacker Joe Schobert to the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. The former Pro Bowler recorded 141 tackles and three interceptions for Jacksonville last year after signing a five-year, $53.8 million deal in April of 2020.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner was one of four Cards players placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list because of high-risk close contact, Pelissero reported Thursday afternoon. Tight end Darrell Daniels, defensive tackle Leki Fotu and defensive back Charles Washington were the other three players placed on the COVID list, Pelissero added.
- Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman will undergo groin surgery this week and is expected to return sometime in September, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters. Bateman was selected No. 27 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
- Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Christian Darrisaw underwent a minor core-muscle procedure on Thursday morning with specialist Dr. Williams Meyers in Philadelphia, Pelissero reports, per a source. Pelissero adds that the visit was good news overall and the hope is Darrisaw -- the Vikings' projected starting left tackle -- will be ready for Week 1.
- New York Jets rookie wide receiver Elijah Moore is being evaluated for a quad injury he sustained in Thursday's practice and is expected to have an MRI, coach Robert Saleh told reporters. Saleh added that offensive lineman Chuma Edoga had a knee scope and is expected to return by the end of camp; defensive lineman Quinnen Williams will be a full participant in joint practices with the Packers; and receiver Braxton Berrios is dealing with a groin issue.
- Washington defensive lineman Montez Sweat will not play Thursday night against the Patriots. Sweat is dealing with an illness and did not make the trip to Foxborough, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.
- Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Frank Clark is dealing with a hamstring injury that forced him out of Thursday's practice, according to coach Andy Reid. Cornerback Bopete Keyes (dislocated finger) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (hip flexor) are other injury updates given by Reid Thursday.
- The San Francisco 49ers placed safety Tony Jefferson on injured reserve. The veteran is dealing with groin and hamstring injuries.
- Indianapolis Colts rookie pass rusher Kwity Paye was seen walking around practice with a boot on his sprained right ankle, but there's still no word on the severity of the injury he sustained on Wednesday.
- Carolina Panthers tackle Cameron Erving (shoulder) participated in practice after missing the last two days.
- Denver Broncos running back Mike Boone pulled his quadriceps, head coach Vic Fangio told reporters Thursday. Fangio also said starting left guard Dalton Risner tweaked his knee.
- The Lions placed running back Michael Warren on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- The Saints placed wide receiver Jalen McCleskey on injured reserve.
- The Jets placed offensive tackle Alex Lewis on injured reserve.
- Green Bay Packers defensive back Kevin King, defensive end Kingsley Keke and linebacker Isaiah McDuffie passed their physicals.
Roster signings
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed defensive lineman Earl Watford. The 31-year-old guard spent 2019 and 2020 with the Bucs, alternating between the active roster and practice squad.
- The 49ers signed safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes to one-year deals.
- The Tennessee Titans signed safeties Tedric Thompson and Reggie Floyd.
- The Seattle Seahawks are re-signing receiver Darece Roberson Jr two days after waiving him, Pelissero reported. The team has since announced Roberson's re-signing and rookie cornerback Bryan Mills was waived in order to make room on the 90-man roster.
- The New York Giants signed defensive tackle Willie Henry.
- The Saints were awarded defensive end R.J. McIntosh off waivers from the Giants.
- The Packers signed defensive back Dominique Martin.
Roster cuts
- The Detroit Lions released veteran cornerback Quinton Dunbar and running back Craig Reynolds. Dunbar signed with the Lions in April and started six games last season with the Seahawks while dealing with a knee injury that sidelined him throughout the year.
- Tennessee waived offensive lineman Adam Coon with an injury designation and also waived Kalija Lipscomb.
- The 49ers waived defensive lineman Davin Bellamy and defensive back Tim Harris.
- The Packers waived linebacker Randy Ramsey.
- The Colts waived wide receiver Gary Jennings.
- The Giants waived linebacker Cale Garrett and wide receiver Derrick Dillon.
- The Jets waived defensive back Brendon White.
- The Seahawks waived defensive back Bryan Mills.
- The Buccaneers waived defensive tackle Sam Renner.
- The Cardinals waived tight end Cary Angeline and linebacker Donald Rutledge.
- The Houston Texans waived wide receiver Damon Hazelton.
- The Raiders waived defensive back Shaun Crawford.
Preseason news
- Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday night that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play in next week's preseason game against the Detroit Lions. Roethlisberger has not played in either of Pittsburgh's first two preseason games.
- Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Thursday that quarterback Justin Herbert, safety Derwin James, wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler will not play this preseason.
League news
- The NFL informed teams that they will be permitted to sign or elevate players from the International Player Development Program to the active roster, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Players can be added to the active roster if a team has removed their international exemption and the player in question has been on the practice squad for three consecutive games (a bye week will constitute a game). There are currently 14 international players on 11 teams.
