Latest news with #OTA
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
5 takeaways from Packers OTAs: Updates on Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and more
Organized team activities have begun in Green Bay, with the first practice featuring both rookies and veterans taking place on Wednesday. Here are some takeaways from the first OTA practice open to the media: Two expected and two unexpected absentees Four Packers were not in attendance Wednesday: Jaire Alexander, Tyron Herring, Elgton Jenkins and John Williams. Advertisement The reasons for Herring and Williams' absences are unknown at this point, but Alexander and Jenkins not attending is unsurprising as they handle their respective contract issues. There were more indications this week that Alexander and the Packers could be close to reconciliation, as The Athletic's Matt Schneidman reported the team has offered the All-Pro corner a restructured deal, and that Alexander wants to return to Green Bay this year. Xavier McKinney, who has become a good friend of Alexander's, said 'we would all like him back' when speaking to the media Wednesday, Injury updates The list of those not practicing due to injury was: Warren Brinson, John FitzPatrick, Jadon Janke, MarShawn Lloyd, Jeremiah Martin, Collin Oliver, Nesta Jade Silvera, Quay Walker and Christian Watson. Savion Williams practiced in a red "non-contact" jersey. Advertisement Head coach Matt LaFleur issued a positive update on Watson, claiming the receiver is 'ahead of schedule' in his ACL tear recovery. He said of the other injured players: 'I don't anticipate anything too long term." Jayden Reed provided some background on the injury he suffered in the Wild Card loss to Philadelphia, and it sounds like the issue was quite serious. Reed told the media the shoulder injury was a dislocation and a partially torn labrum, and while he did not have surgery, based on the recovery timetable of four to five months he laid out, with the injury happening in January, it would seem he has only recently fully recovered. Search for 'best five' offensive linemen is underway As has become the standard in Green Bay, there was plenty of rotation along the offensive line on Wednesday, as young players in particular continue to cross-train at various positions. Advertisement With Elgton Jenkins not practicing, Sean Rhyan rotated at both his usual right guard spot and center, with Jacob Monk, the presumed backup center, doing the same. From what LaFleur said post-practice, it sounded like Rhyan filled in at center so the team could split the field in half and essentially run two practices at once. Given LaFleur brought this up unprompted, it would seem this was more a logistical situation than a case of Rhyan truly "competing" at center. Jordan Morgan practiced at left tackle with the second-team offense behind Rasheed Walker, as had been expected, with the team being fairly open about moving him out to his natural left tackle position. Advertisement But he also took some snaps at right guard with the ones, which was again likely due to Jenkins' absence on the interior. Meanwhile, rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton split time between left tackle with twos, and right tackle with the twos and threes. Defensive backfield rotations While it has been tempting to spend the offseason wondering how each player fits into a specific role in Green Bay's defensive backfield, the truth is that it will likely be a fluid situation with plenty of rotation week to week, or even drive to drive. The tone was set in that regard at the first OTA practice, with the Packers staying true to their word that new signing Nate Hobbs would line up both inside and outside. Evan Williams and Javon Bullard rotated with the ones at safety opposite McKinney. Advertisement In a surprising development, newly added Gregory Junior, a former sixth-round pick who has played just one snap of defense since week 14 of 2023, got some time with the first-team defense in the nickel. Matthew Golden makes an impression Rookie first-round pick Golden was smooth in running his routes Wednesday, and looked the part of a first-rounder. He took some snaps with the ones, which has become less unusual for rookies in Green Bay in recent years, but was nonetheless an encouraging sign for the Packers' premium draft investment. This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 takeaways from Packers OTAs: Updates on Watson, Golden and more
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions players coming off injury to watch in OTAs
Lions players coming off injury to watch in OTAs With the Lions first OTA (organized team activities) starting today, here are players to watch who are coming off injuries. Some of these players have yet to be seen this offseason, so their first appearance may be very informative. The dates of OTA are May 28-30 and June 3-5. After OTA's are over, I'll check back to recap what we learned about these players. Important to note that OTA's are voluntary so an absence doesn't necessarily indicate a health issue. The Lions cancelled their mandatory minicamp which was scheduled for June 10-12. Thus any players that skip OTA's may not be seen until training camp starts in late July. Aidan Hutchinson Left tibia/fibula fracture - October 13, 2024 His last rehab video showed that he still had some weakness in his left leg. What will his participation level be during OTA? Full participation would be fantastic of course, but I suspect he'll still be cautiously limited as he gradually ramps up towards training camp. Any limitation he has during OTA should not be cause for concern as all indications are he is on-track to be ready for the season opener at Lambeau. Alim McNeill Right ACL - December 15, 2024 It sounds like rehab is going smoothly so far, but I wouldn't expect any football activities during OTA as he's still letting that ACL heal and rehabbing his leg. Maybe we'll see him doing some individual work on the side. I expect a return around week 11 which is November 16 vs the Eagles. That 11-month timeline would still give him 8 regular season games plus playoffs. Malcolm Rodriguez Right ACL - November 28, 2024 Like McNeill, Rodriguez probably won't be doing any football activities yet. An 11-month recovery would have him return at the end of October. Marcus Davenport Left triceps rupture - September 22, 2024 I have yet to see any offseason updates on Davenport so this OTA could be the first glimpse of where he's at. There is a good chance that the triceps is ready to go, so hopefully he is a full participant. Derrick Barnes Right knee MCL/PCL - September 22, 2024 Barnes has shown up earlier at offseason workouts, albeit with significant right leg atrophy. He might not do everything at OTA but should be ready for the season. Mekhi Wingo Right knee meniscus - November 28, 2024 We have yet to see Wingo this offseason so OTA may tell us a lot. A suspected meniscus repair carries a multi-month recovery, but there is a good chance he is close to ready or even fully ready now. Tyleik Williams Hamstring strain - March 26, 2025 Williams appeared to strain his hamstring during his pro day and was limited during rookie minicamp. He may be ready to fully participate in OTA's. Khalil Dorsey Right tibia/fibula fracture - December 15, 2024 Dorsey has a similar injury to Hutchinson, but Dorsey's injury occurred two months later. He has a good chance to be ready for the start of the season but is unlikely to be doing anything too strenuous during these OTA's. Amik Robertson Left humerus fracture - January 18, 2025 The humerus is fully healed at this point and I'd expect full participation in OTA. There is no tackling in OTA so there shouldn't be any risk to his arm. Ahmed Hassanein Right ankle - December 31, 2024 The Lions 6th-rounder was playing through a suspected ankle sprain in his final college game. All indications are that he is fully recovered which means he should be a full participant in OTA. Pat O'Connor Calf - January 5, 2025 O'Connor participated in offseason workouts earlier so I expect him to be a full participant in OTA. Ennis Rakestraw Hamstring - November 23, 2024 The hamstring ended his season, but he was close to a return for the playoffs. He was at offseason workouts earlier so should be a full participant in OTA. David Montgomery Right MCL - December 15, 2024 In offseason workout pics, Montgomery looked strong and healthy. I'd expect him to be a full participant in OTA. Graham Glasgow Although Glasgow only missed one game last year with an unspecified knee issue, he was listed with a knee at least one other time during the year. Last year was a down year by his standards and a chronic or recurrent knee issue could have been a factor. It will be interesting to monitor how he is looking this offseason. Christian Mahogany While Mahogany looked very good in limited action last year, he was sporting a right knee brace all season. It's uncertain the reason for the brace but he does have a history of a right ACL tear in 2022. Will he still be wearing the brace in 2025? Brodric Martin Right knee hyperextension - August 24, 2024 The knee injury knocked him out of the first half of last season. He wasn't activated until mid-November and only played 25 defensive snaps all year. Could there have been lingering effects from the knee that sabotaged his season? Hopefully, his knee is fully healed and he looks good during OTA.
NBC Sports
11 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Mike Vrabel on Stefon Diggs: We want to make great decisions on and off the field
Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs's appearance in a viral video over the weekend led to questions for the team's head coach at a Wednesday press conference. The first question to Mike Vrabel had to do with a video showing Diggs on a boat with several women. Diggs produces a bag filled with what appeared to be a pink powder at one point in the video and Vrabel was asked about the team's response to it. 'It's something that we're aware of,' Vrabel said. 'Obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field. . . . Any conversations that I've had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.' Vrabel went on to say that Diggs was not present for Wednesday's voluntary OTA session. He said any player that isn't with the team has been in communication with the club, but did not give any idea about when Diggs, who has been at other work, might be back with the team.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. explains what he learned from Matt Ryan
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. explains what he learned from Matt Ryan Michael Penix Jr. 'learning how to be a pro' from Matt Ryan The Atlanta Falcons believe they have their quarterback of the future in Michael Penix Jr. The former No. 8 overall pick showed enough during his rookie season to earn the keys to the offense going into Year 2. Despite having veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Falcons had Penix link up with former league MVP Matt Ryan over the offseason. Ryan, who spent 14 years as Atlanta's starting quarterback, knows what it takes to succeed in this league and how to be a leader. The Falcons are hoping some of those characteristics rub off on Penix, and it sounds like the second-year QB enjoyed his time speaking with Ryan. Following Day 1 of organized team activities, Penix was asked what he learned in his conversations with Ryan. "Just learning how to be a pro, each and every day, and how his process went and how he went about his business each and every day," Penix explained. "I feel like he definitely gave me a lot of good [advice]." Over 15 NFL seasons (14 in Atlanta), Ryan passed for 62,792 yards, 381 touchdowns and 183 interceptions for a passer rating of 93.6. The former third overall pick's best season came in 2016 when he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance and took home the league MVP trophy. Penix was forced to sit behind Cousins for much of his rookie season before taking over the starting job in Week 16. The former Washington Huskies QB passed for 778 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. While Penix needs to improve his completion percentage, his ability to push the ball downfield seemed to open up the offense over the final few weeks. The Falcons quarterback is taking his leadership role seriously. Penix explained that in order to be a good leader, he must build relationships with his teammates. "I feel like you can't lead nobody whenever you don't know them," Penix said after Friday's OTA practice. "I feel like you got to build relationships. And for me, I want to get to know those guys so I can know who can take certain leadership styles." Around Falcons Wire
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
OTA asks for public input on new alignment of South Extension
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — There was a tense back and forth exchange in Norman on Tuesday evening with hundreds of people who live in the path of the proposed Turnpike letting the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) know how they feel. Most of those in the crowd didn't care one bit about what the OTA had to say, but they definitely let them know not to put a Turnpike in their backyard. 'The big reason for why we are here is that the alignment has to move west,' said David Strep, President and CEO of POE and Associates. The meeting over a proposed extension through Cleveland County quickly turned tense. 'We want to be able to help you to make this a good Turnpike,' Strep said. OTA changing route of south extension, asking for public input Though after every few sentences, most in attendance were letting him know they don't want a Turnpike at all. 'We will repeat again to them tonight, which is no Turnpikes,' said Dave Moore, who is against the Turnpike. 'The town hall meetings that they had back in, I believe, the spring of 2022, were nothing more than the same kind of meeting we're having tonight,' said Randy Carter, who is also against the Turnpike. 'They just were showing people where the turnpike was proposed to go, and they didn't ask us if we wanted it.' The OTA says Tuesday evening's meeting was to gather input on where the south extension could go. 'How can you help us? We would love to hear your input to make this alignment as could as it can be,' Strep said. All of this comes after the OTA was told they could not build as close to Lake Thunderbird as they initially planned. 'The Turnpike Authority is going to do everything possible to even improve the water quality coming into the lake,' Strep said. However, some found that hard to believe. There are also concerns about what the new alignment will possibly mean for hundreds of homes. 'Obviously there is no way we can build these Turnpikes without impacting homes,' Strep said. Continuous outbursts led to one woman being escorted out of the meeting. A short time later, a man stood up to the rowdy crowd. 'Will you all please be quiet! I came here for some public information. I'm a member of this community, and I'm tired of hearing all the hysteria about this. Hush, let them talk.' After the presentation, tables were set up to receive public input. Those opposed say they will not provide input on the new alignment, but will continue to do more to prevent it from happening at all. 'We, as Oklahoma citizens, are appealing directly to Executive Director Kelly, to Secretary of Transportation Yates, and to Governor Stitt do what Secretary of Transportation McCaleb did in 1999, tell the Turnpike Authority to stop and let our people go,' Moore said. The OTA says you have until June 30 to weigh in on the new alignment for the South Extension. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
