NFL Notes: Bills, Browns, Cardinals, Cowboys

Bills

Bills HC Sean McDermott mentioned that WR Sammy Watkins should be close to 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp on Thursday.

“Credit to Sammy, credit to our training staff and the way he’s attacked the rehab with them,” McDermott said then, via Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. “That has to continue, though. This is one step in that process of getting Sammy back to where he needs to be and where we need him to be.”

As for the team’s decision to not pick up Watkins’ fifth-year option earlier this offseason, McDermott says he’s spoken to Watkins about it and they’re looking forward to a productive 2017 season.

“Sammy and I have had good conversations about this decision,” McDermott said. “There is no question that Sammy is a very good football player and has worked very hard during his rehab this offseason. We look forward to seeing a healthy Sammy Watkins on the field in 2017.”

Browns

• Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes that the Browns have had Cody Kessler and second-round pick DeShone Kizer splitting carries with the first-team offense up to this point.
• While the Browns would ideally prefer to not pay Brock Osweiler $16 million to serve as their backup, Cabot mentions that he could be in the mix to open the season as their starting quarterback, depending on where Kizer is coming out of the preseason.
• Cabot adds that it’s also possible the Browns could trade Osweiler if Kizer picks things up quickly. Although, it will be difficult to convince teams to take on a large portion of his salary and part with draft compensation.

Cardinals

• Cardinals HC Bruce Arians said CBs Elie Bouka (ankle) and Jumal Rolle (hamstring) are undergoing MRIs following the team’s first practice. (Darren Urban)
• In regards to the team’s No. 2 cornerback job, Arians said it’s “wide open” and Justin Bethel is “doing a really good job” right now. The team is not expected to announce a starter until closer to the regular season. (Darren Urban)

Cowboys

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he’s seen absolutely nothing that points to domestic violence involving RB Ezekiel Elliott.

“I found nothing since we were standing here at this time last year,” Jones said, via the Star-Telegram. “I knew everything in that report. I knew that this time last year.”

• Jones mentioned that they view LB Jaylon Smith as a first-round pick coming into this training camp this year. (Drew Davison)
• Jones added that Smith is “looking really good” and all tests have looked as good as I could have hoped regarding his knee and the regenerating nerve. (Jon Machota)