NFL Notes: Cardinals, Eagles, Jets & Patriots

Cardinals

Cardinals second-year S Tyrann Mathieu mentioned that he is currently running at “60, 70 percent,” via ArizonaCardinals.com.

Mathieu is reportedly back to his normal weight room routine and doing some cutting. He is hoping to be able to practice in pads at the start of training camp.

It seems very likely that he will be forced to miss a portion of the season given that he is still only 7 months into his recovery from a torn ACL. Arizona is likely to start the season with Rashad Johnson and first-round pick Deone Bucannon as their starting safeties.

Eagles

Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com offered his projection of how the Eagles’ defense will look at the start of the year.

• Vinny Curry has added some weight and could be looking at playing a situational pass-rusher role this season.
• Kapadia would put his money on seventh-round pick NT Beau Allen winning the backup nose tackle job.
• First-round pick OLB Marcus Smith worked with the third-team defense in OTAs, but could still carve out a spot in the rotation.
• Emmanuel Acho will likely have to prove himself to be an asset on special teams and beat out Jason Phillips to earn a roster spot, according to Kapadia.
• Casey Matthews could be on the outside looking in now that he has moved to outside linebacker.
• Free agent acquisition CB Nolan Carroll has an “excellent spring” and could push Bradley Fletcher for a starting job.

Jets

Jets RB Chris Johnson recently mentioned that he is “very close” to being 100 percent recovered from the meniscus tear he suffered last year.

“I wouldn’t label myself at 100 percent, but very close,” Johnson said, via NFL.com. “In the 90s.”

According to Johnson, Dr. James Andrews has “pretty much cleared” him during a recent visit, so there appears to be optimism that he will be close to full strength at the start of the regular season.

“Once the season starts and once we’re playing and I’m doing my thing, I’m pretty sure if I’m making plays they’re going to want to keep handing the ball off to me,” Johnson said. “If they want me to continue making plays, I’m pretty sure I can’t do that if I’m on the sideline.“

Patriots

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston, the Patriots could end up keeping six receivers this year including: Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce, Brandon LaFell and Kenbrell Thompkins.

New England is reportedly counting on “huge development” from Dobson, Boyce and Thompkins this year.

Reiss mentions that seventh-round pick Jeremy Gallon still has a chance to make the team during training camp, but it appears likely that he could spend his first year in the NFL on the practice squad.