NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• Per NFL Media’s James Palmer, Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians said TE Rob Gronkowski is moving around like he was five or six years ago and doesn’t look stiff. 
• Gronkowski confirmed he’s feeling great and that played a role in why he decided to come out of retirement after a year off: “Why would I come back if I was moving like poop?” (Palmer)
• Buccaneers DT Vita Vea is expected to shed the club on his hand by Week 1, though Arians said it hasn’t really held him back so far during camp. (Palmer)
• The Buccaneers appear to be happy with 2019 fourth-round OLB Anthony Nelson as the primary backup edge rusher, though they could still add a veteran after cuts. (Greg Auman)

Falcons

• Per Tori McElhaney of the Athletic, Falcons HC Dan Quinn says S Keanu Neal looks like he’s moving around well after suffering season-ending injuries the past two seasons. 
• Neal said he’s down to around 212 pounds after weighing north of 220 the past few seasons. (Vaughn McClure)
• Falcons third-round C Matt Hennessy took most of the first-team reps at left guard Thursday, though he gave way to James Carpenter during the two-minute drill. Falcons OL Matt Gono worked at second-string left tackle. (Jason Butt)
• The Falcons tried out OT Ka’John Armstrong and G Willie Beavers on Thursday. (Albert Breer)

Panthers

• Per the Athletic’s Joe Person, Panthers HC Matt Rhule says LB Shaq Thompson is day-to-day with some tightness in his groin. 
• Rhule told reporters the team is happy with UDFA P Joe Charlton right now but “always will look to see if there’s someone better.” Charlton has a big leg but has shanked a few punts in practice recently. (Person)
• Carolina claimed K/P Kaare Vedvik off waivers from the Bills on Thursday. (NFLTR)
• Rhule said the opportunity to claim DE Jalen Jelks off waivers and getting TE Temarrick Hemingway out of the concussion protocol factored into their decision to release TE Andrew Vollert: “He’s a great young man. No issues with him at all. Just had a chance to get a pass-rusher in Jelks.” (Person)
• Rhule noted Panthers UDFA DB Myles Hartsfield can also play running back and will play both ways after scoring a touchdown in practice this week. (Person) 
• Rhule coached Panthers QB P.J. Walker at Temple but pushed back on the idea that gives Walker any kind of edge in the competition for backup quarterback: “A player’s previous relationship has no impact on the future. I love P.J. Walker to death, but everything he gets here he earns.” (David Newton)

Saints

• Per the New Orleans Advocate’s Luke Johnson, Saints RB coach Joel Thomas says RB Alvin Kamara is healthy: “Clearly he’s back to 100 percent.”
• Saints OL coach Dan Roushar says first-round OL Cesar Ruiz has gotten some work at center in team periods not open to the media and is still being considered for that position. (Nick Underhill)