NFL Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Lions, & Seahawks

Bills

Bills HC Rex Ryan said second-year RB Karlos Williams is overweight and “not anywhere close” to being in shape.

“He’s not anywhere close to where he needs to be to play at a high level so we got to get some weight off him and he certainly understands that,” Ryan said, via Joe Buscaglia.

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Adam Gase elected to hold WR DeVante Parker out of Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp, despite gaining medical clearance from an undisclosed injury to resume practice.

“The last thing I want to do is put him in a position where he has one little setback and now he’s in the training room for two to three weeks,” Gase said, via Omar Kelly.  “I guess I’m being overly cautious about this and I need to let him roll.”

Gase went on to say that Parker’s injury is not related to his surgically repaired left foot, while Parker was seen running at full speed on Tuesday.

• Kelly mentions that SS Reshad Jones did not attend Tuesday’s minicamp and will be subject to $76,000 in fines if he skips all three mandatory practices.

Lions

Tim Twentyman notes that the Lions are still determining their fifth wide receiver, while veteran receivers Andre Roberts and Andre Caldwell could be competing for a final roster spot with eight other players.

Roberts believes he could join the Lions’ special teams unit and contribute in more than just a fourth- or fifth-receiver role.

“I want to step in and contribute more than a fourth or fifth guy,” Roberts said Tuesday. “They may have a need at the return position. We do have some skill players there, but you never know.”

Additionally, Caldwell said that he is comfortable playing as a return specialist.

“Special teams always plays a key factor,” said Caldwell. “I’ve been doing it for a long time. That’s part of the deciding factor. How good do you play on special teams? You have to take that just as serious as you take offense.”

Seahawks

• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said the strongside linebacker position is “wide open” and that a starting player will not be determined until after their pre-season games are played. (Bob Condotta)
• According to Condotta, Mike Morgan, Cassius Marsh, Eric Pinks and Kevin Pierre-Louis are all getting reps at strongside linebacker.
• Seahawks DE Michael Bennett (ankle) did not participate during the first day of Seattle’s minicamp, but claimed he is best shape of his career. (Curtis Crabtree)