Bucs Davin Joseph carted off with knee injury

Posted by Evan Silva on August 24, 2012, 9:16 PM EDT

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Bucs right guard Davin Joseph was carted off the field in the second quarter of Friday night’s preseason game against the Patriots.

Although we didn’t catch the injury on our NFL.com Preseason Live Console, Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times suggested Joseph may be seriously hurt. Ted Larsen replaced Joseph with the first-team offense.

Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy hopped off the field earlier with an apparent lower-leg injury, as well, although it’s believed McCoy is fine.

Joseph might not be so lucky. A key cog in Tampa’s power-running offense, Joseph signed a $52.5 million contract two offseasons ago.

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Prince Amukamara's injury not as bad as feared

Posted by Evan Silva on August 24, 2012, 9:05 PM EDT

AP

Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara gave his team a scare during Friday night’s preseason game against the Bears, gettingcarted off in the first quarter with a right ankle injury.

CBS reported that X-rays came back negative on Amukamara’s ankle, however, and the Giants listed him as “questionable” to rejoin the action.

Amukamara doesn’t figure to return to a preseason game at less than 100 percent, but it appears the G-Men can breathe a sigh of relief. He may only have a day-to-day tweak of the ankle.

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Pats Vereen leaves game with foot injury

Posted by Evan Silva on August 24, 2012, 8:27 PM EDT

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Patriots second-year tailback Shane Vereen opened Friday night’s third preseason game as New England’s kickoff returner along with cornerback Kyle Arrington.

Stevan Ridley handled the bulk of the early rushing load. When Vereen finally got some first-team running back action on the Patriots’ third drive, he didn’t last long. Vereen hobbled off with a left foot injury and was later spotted being attended to by trainers on the sideline.

Vereen was injured for most of his rookie year, managing just 15 carries all season.

Ridley appears to be locked in as the Pats’ primary back, with pass-protection extraordinaire Danny Woodhead behind him.

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Irsay on trade talks: "the sh*t is HOT"

Posted by Mike Florio on August 24, 2012, 8:17 PM EDT

AP

Maybe Colts owner Jim Irsay simply wants to upstage the preseason games.

Roughly 24 hours after Irsay drew plenty of attention by tweeting repeatedly about a mystery trade during Thursday night’s exhibition games, Irsay is at it again during Friday night’s phony contests.

Here’s the latest:  “I can bring u NFL Manos to the edge of the water,but I can’t throw you n,that’s called tampering..but FOE REEL…the sh*t is HOT,STAY TUNED!”

It’s accurate that Irsay can’t disclose the target of his team’s affections without running afoul of the league’s tampering rules, a rare exercise of discretion in a somewhat indiscreet Twitter account.

Irsay said Thursday that the Colts would be giving up a high draft pick for a “serious vet/starter” and that the owner had his check book ready, which implies that the vet/starter wants a new contract.

If we had to guess, we’d say that the Colts are talking to the Steelers about a trade for receiver Mike Wallace.

We otherwise will continue to stay tuned, especially since Irsay’s latest contest is based on whether or not a trade is finalized by Monday.  Abby’s dart board!

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As expected, Martin surpasses Blount on depth chart

Posted by Evan Silva on August 24, 2012, 8:05 PM EDT

AP

The Buccaneers opened the preseason rotating running backs LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin with the first-team offense. In Thursday night’s regular-season tuneup against New England, however, Martin started the game for the first time.

The rookie was in the game for Tampa Bay’s entire first possession, operating as an every-down back, and punched it in from a yard out to give the Bucs an early 7-0 lead.

Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times confirms Martin was promoted ahead of Blount based on performance, not due to injury.

Martin played tailback for the Bucs’ entire second possession, as well. Blount was on the sideline.

Barring something unforeseen, Martin will be the Buccaneers’ starting running back on opening day.

And Blount will be a backup.

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Eric Berry avoids injury on low block

Posted by Mike Florio on August 24, 2012, 9:06 PM EDT

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Last year, a low block on Chiefs safety Eric Berryby Bills receiver Stevie Johnson resulted in a torn ACL for Berry.

On Friday night, Berry escaped injury on another low block.

This time, Berry was chasing Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson when running back Leon Washington went low, toward Berry’s knees.  Berry hurdled and flipped and eventually got up.

Wilson has 58 yards rushing on two carries, and he has completed six of nine passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.  The Seahawks lead, 16-0.

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Braylon Edwards continues to impress in Seattle

Posted by Mike Florio on August 24, 2012, 8:45 PM EDT

AP

Braylon Edwards could be nailing down that Water Pik tonight in Kansas City.

Edwards, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, made an impressive, jumping, lunging catch for a 32-yard gain on what turned out to be Seattle’s second field-goal drive.

It’s Braylon’s only catch, but it will be very difficult for T.O. to top him.

Some believe that, between Edwards and Owens, only one will make the 53-man roster.  It’s also believed that Edwards is ahead of T.O.

Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has completed five of eight passes so far, one each to five different receivers.

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Titans expect Kenny Britt to be ready for week 1

Paul Jackiewicz - Pro Football Zone

According to Rotoworld.com, during an interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, Titans head coach Mike Munchak indicated that wide receiver Kenny Britt will be ready for week one.

“Coach Mike Munchak told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols Thursday night that Kenny Britt’s surgically repaired knees are expected to be ready for a scaled-back role by Week 1.

“Munchak suggested the Titans would write in 10-15 plays for Britt in the opener if he’s not under suspension. Munchak isn’t holding out much hope, however, that Britt will escape the long arm of commissioner Roger Goodell. On the bright side, Britt’s knees should be primed for a heavier play-load once he returns from suspension, perhaps in Week 3,” wrote Rotoworld.com.

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Jim Irsay says trade talks stalled

Posted by Mike Florio on August 24, 2012, 7:10 AM EDT

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As reporters and fans scramble to guess at the player to whom Colts owner Jim Irsay was referring when he said (via Twitter, obviously):  (1) trade winds are blowing; (2) the team would be giving up a high draft pick for a “serious” veteran starter; and (3) the owner would be getting out the check book if/when the trade happens, Irsay has added an update (via Twitter, obviously) several hours after he went back behind the curtain.

Said Irsay:  “It’s standing still…at 1am…shut it down…as Paul Simon says.. ‘There’s only so much you can do..go on and get some rest…’”

Friday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on August 24, 2012, 8:28 AM EDT

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The Bills are looking for more from their offensive line in the third preseason game.

There are plenty of players on the roster bubble for the Dolphins.

Patriots RB Stevan Ridley vows that injurywon’t keep him down.

QB Mark Sanchez was happy to have some receivers back at Jets practice.

Justin Tucker did all the kicking for the Ravens on Thursday while Billy Cundiff watched from the sideline.

Bengals WR A.J. Green caught just one of the six balls thrown in his direction.

CB Joe Haden is a player to watch for the Browns on Friday night.

Steelers cornerbacks are using their size to their advantage in coverage.

C Chris Myers thinks rotating right tackles can work for the Texans.

Colts WR Reggie Wayne isn’t interested in attempts to hype up the preseason game against the Redskins.

DT Tyson Alualu has made his way back to the Jaguars starting lineup.

The Titans used Cardinals mistakes to good advantage on Thursday.

QB Peyton Manning’s preference to remain in the pocket could help the Broncos offensive line.

Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star thinks coach Romeo Crennel’s style could work well for QB Matt Cassel.

Raiders CB DeMarcus Van Dyke hasn’t shown much consistency this summer.

How worried should people be about the Chargers?

Cowboys LB Sean Lee enjoyed visiting with Navy SEALS before the team returned to Texas.

The Giants are missing LB Michael Boley’s leadership while he’s out with an injury.

Friday night looks like a big one for Eagles CB Curtis Marsh.

Redskins LB Lorenzo Alexander is pleased with the way he’s played this summer.

With Kahlil Bell gone, the Bears are looking forward to seeing more from RBArmando Allen.

Said Lions LB Justin Durant of the newly signed Kassim Osgood, “Just a beast, man. Especially on special teams, he’s one of the best I’ve seen do it. Tough, big, physical, fast — everything you want. The man plays hard.”

Packers coach Mike McCarthy thinks QB Graham Harrell showed improvement on Thursday night.

T Matt Kalil is pleased with the progress he’s made in Vikings camp.

The Falcons won’t have DB Shann Schillinger in the lineup against the Dolphins.

T Byron Bell and G Amini Silatolu need to pick things up quickly for the Panthers.

The Saints avoided further injury in Thursday’s practice.

Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano isn’t big on halftime adjustments.

Said Cardinals RB Beanie Wells of his first preseason action, “I have more rust than I thought, but it felt good to be out there. I’ve got to pick my legs up a little more, get more comfortable with being out there. I always need the preseason because of how rusty you get, and I hadn’t played football since Dec. 24. It’s progress, definitely progress.”

Rams DT Darell Scott had arthroscopic knee surgery and is out for at least the rest of the preseason.

The IndyCar team partly owned by 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was at the team’s facility on Thursday.

Whoever starts at quarterback for the Seahawks should have a strong run game to lean on.

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