NFL Notes: Trent Williams, Andrew Luck, Antonio Brown

Trent Williams

Redskins RB Adrian Peterson said he doubted OT Trent Williams would change his mind once he made it up one way or the other about his future with Washington. 

“He’s the best & most athletic LT in the game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes back, & I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t,” Peterson told ESPN’s Josina Anderson. 

Peterson added the team is noticeably feeling Williams’ absence, particularly as it relates to the performance of the offensive line. The veteran runner said it’s not making life any easier on first-round rookie QB Dwayne Haskins as he tries to transition to the NFL. 

“Since Day 1 of camp you notice his absence is impacting us tremendously. You go from not having to worry about the blind-side at all, to having to chip on that side, add a TE there which changes what you do,” Peterson said via Anderson on Twitter. “I think it it’s making Dwayne Haskins have to think more, not process things as calmly. Matter of fact, I think it’s impacting all of our QBs. Guys r coming off the edge in (practice) right there on the QB & the RB. It’s been a struggle.”

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Per JP Finlay) says a first and sixth-round pick should be enough to pry Williams away from the Redskins. 
• Schefter adds the Redskins won’t “ever” trade Williams for less than a first-round pick.
• Schefter says Washington doesn’t plan on trading Williams now, but things could change: “You know this group. They’re a pretty strong-minded, stubborn group.”
• ESPN’s John Keim believes if Williams is traded, it won’t be until late August if his holdout continues. Keim thinks the team could also wait until after Week 1 to test Williams’ resolve after he misses a game check. 

Andrew Luck

Colts GM Chris Ballard said QB Andrew Luck‘s calf injury is just a strain and not any indication of a more serious Achilles injury, calling parallels with Warriors forward Kevin Durant’s calf-turned-Achilles injury “overstated.”  Ballard said the injury “flared up again” and the team is working to “get it calmed down.” He added Luck finds the situation as maddening as anyone, but after his extended recovery from a shoulder injury in recent years, he’s learned he needs to be more careful with his body. 

“He’s frustrated — damn right he is,” Ballard said via Yahoo Sports’ Terez Paylor. “He’s also been through some things where he’s smart to [say] ‘I need to be able to perform at my best to be able to help the team.’”

• Based on Colts owner Jim Irsay‘s comments mentioning a bone issue with Luck, Dr. David Chao theorizes Luck might have a condition called Myositis Ossificans where an extra bone forms in the soft tissue. 
• Chao says he’s treated NFL quarterbacks with this issue and it develops over the course of months following direct trauma and bleeding. He adds it’s not cancerous or dangerous, but it does cause some of the symptoms Luck has been experiencing. 

Antonio Brown

Raiders WR Antonio Brown returned to the team on Tuesday after leaving for both treatment of his foot injury and to settle a grievance against the NFL concerning the use of his old helmet model. 

“We’re working the NFL in regard to finding a helmet. …,” Brown said via Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “We’re making sure we’re following the right procedures. … I’m feeling a lot better. It’s been a process. …I’m still here standing.”

• Despite reports Brown intended to retire if he couldn’t wear his old helmet, Raiders HC Jon Gruden said he wasn’t worried and Brown is on track to play Week 1: “We’ve had a pretty good understanding, despite what people think, of what was going to happen.” (Gehlken)
• Brown’s agent Drew Rosenhaus echoed Gruden’s sentiment: “I don’t think there was ever any legitimacy to the retirement talk.” (Myles Simmons)
• Brown declined to comment further on the source of his foot injury, which was reported as frostbite stemming from a cryotherapy accident: “I think you already know.” (James Palmer)
• Rosenhaus said there could be a legal process coming between Brown and the cryotherapy facility. (Gehlken)
• Regarding Brown’s helmet, Rosenhaus says they’ve located helmets that have been manufactured within the NFL’s ten-year deadline and are now working to get them certified and cleared to use: “Hopefully we’re going to get this behind us soon.” (Gehlken)