NFL Notes: Training Camps, Cowboys, Lions

Training Camps

Some NFL teams will begin training camp activities as soon as tomorrow, according to Brian McCarthy.

• July 19: Ravens (Rookies), Bears (Rookies), Cowboys (Rookies), Jaguars (Rookies), Saints (Rookies)
• July 20: Dolphins (Rookies)
• July 21: Cardinals (Rookies, Injured, Veterans), Ravens (Injured), Cowboys (Injured), Jaguars (Injured)
• July 22: Cowboys (Veterans)
• July 23: Browns (Rookies, Injured), Broncos (Rookies, Injured), Vikings (Rookies, Injured), Eagles (Rookies, Injured), Saints (Injured)

Cowboys

Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith returning to practice is a “great feeling” and he’s finally “feeling like [himself]” again after suffering a devasting knee injury a few years ago.

“It’s a great feeling,” Smith said, via David Helman of the team website. “I’m out there, and I’m grinding, and I’m feeling like myself. That’s all that matters.”

Smith admitted that the questions about him returning to his previous form are understandable.

“It’s understandable,” Smith said of the questions. “[Everyone] wants to know. That’s the reality of it. You guys want to know. . . . I have no control over people not being able to see [him in practice].”

Smith added that he expects to compete at a high level moving forward.

“To be able to compete at a high level,” Smith said. “That’s something that I’m really looking forward to back in Oxnard, Calif., being able to be on the field again and running and competing with my guys is something that I’m looking forward to. I’m looking forward to being out there.”

Lions

• Michael Rothstein writes that Lions QB Matthew Stafford is “officially next” in line for a monster contract now that Kirk Cousins will play out the year under the franchise tag.
• According to Rothstein, Stafford’s next contract should make him the highest-paid player in the league, topping Derek Carr‘s record, five-year, $125 million contract that included $70.2 million guaranteed.
• Rothstein believes a deal should get done, as both sides have shown interest in making it happen.