Dolphins
The Dolphins felt comfortable enough with QB Tua Tagovailoa‘s hip injury to spend the No. 5 overall pick on the former Alabama star. Miami got a look at Tagovailoa at the NFL Combine, again in March and have had him in the building to oversee his rehab since signing him to his rookie deal. However, Dolphins HC Brian Flores says they don’t really know how ready he will be to play until they get him into a full practice.
“Yes, he was examined, but again, ‘examined’ and then doing a two-hour practice and playing in a game — there’s a process to all those things,” Flores said via Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post. “So, as far as whether or not he can or can’t do something, it would be hard to say.”
Most believe Tagovailoa will sit to start the season but the hope for Miami is he’s ready to take over sooner rather than later and propel the Dolphins to the same heights he did Alabama. Until then, though, Flores is staying measured.
“My hopes don’t get high or low until I see a guy in a huddle,” Flores said. “Until I see a guy make it through practice — multiple practices — it’s hard to say we’re going to do this, that or the other thing at game speed. That’s for anyone.”
Jets
Jets’ second-year CB Blessuan Austin called his rookie season a “learning process” and said he didn’t live up to his own standards.
“Definitely a learning process,” Austin said, via Olivia Landis of the team’s official site. “Cause honestly I feel like I definitely didn’t play up to my capabilities. A lot of plays, I left out there. Getting in the classroom, working out and getting together with my coaches and teammates, it’ll only get better from there, no doubt.”
- NFL Media’s Marc Sessler picks Jets QB Sam Darnold as his breakout candidate to make their first Pro Bowl in 2020.
- The Athletic’s Connor Hughes says the worst case for the Jets in 2020 is the circumstances around Darnold on offense, from the offensive line to receiving corps to HC Adam Gase, are so bad again that his development stalls and the team doesn’t know if he’s the answer at quarterback.
- ESPN’s Rich Cimini lists Jets LB Avery Williamson and G Brian Winters as veteran players in danger of being cut this preseason.
Patriots
- NFL Media’s Marc Sessler picks Patriots G Joe Thuney as his breakout candidate to make their first Pro Bowl in 2020.
- Patriots RB Rex Burkhead restructured contract increases his dead money figure to $550,000 while lowering his cap savings. (PatsCap)
- PatsCap notes that Burkhead’s pay cut makes it easier for New England to keep him on their active roster.
- ESPN’s Mike Reiss lists Patriots QB Brian Hoyer as a veteran player in danger of being cut this preseason.
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