NFL training camp roundup: Highlights and storylines from Aug. 15

2RH6JJ0 Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) warms up before an NFL pre-season football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

RB Breece Hall returns to practice

New York Jets running back Breece Hall returned to practice Tuesday. Hall was placed on the physically unable to perform list on July 19.

Hall’s impressive rookie season came to an end in Week 7 at Denver when he suffered a torn ACL. In that game, hel was well on his way to his second straight 100-plus-yard game on the ground (he had 72 in the second quarter). Hall had also recorded 100 receiving yards earlier in the season, in Week 5 against Miami.

At the time of the injury, Hall was averaging 4.13 yards after contact per attempt. For reference, Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert led the league with 3.8 yards after contact per attempt for the season (minimum of 100 attempts).

Hall’s return to practice comes less than 24 hours after the team announced its signing of free agent Dalvin Cook. Cook himself is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and is not yet ready to practice with the team. When healthy, the Jets' running back duo will be one of the most explosive pairings in the NFL in 2023.


Anthony Richardson named Week 1 starter

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen named rookie Anthony Richardson the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback.

Richardson had an up-and-down NFL debut against the Buffalo Bills last week, finishing the game with one big-time throw, one turnover-worthy and a 70.2 overall grade.

Richardson’s physical tools are among the best for any quarterback in recent memory. He broke 39 tackles on 97 carries last season (713 yards) and has arguably the strongest arm of any quarterback in the 2023 class. However, his 28.2% uncatchable pass rate over the past two seasons in college was the seventh highest in the nation.

Considering his freakish athletic ability but poor throwing accuracy, no player better personifies the “boom or bust” moniker than Richardson. The Colts will host the defending AFC South division champion Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 with Richardson at the helm.


WR Justyn Ross carted off at practice Tuesday

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross was carted off the practice field Tuesday with an apparent leg injury, although it does not appear to be a serious concern at the moment.

Ross missed the entire 2022 season with a foot injury after joining the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He’s been a standout player at training camp as he battles for a starting wideout role in Kansas City’s offense.

Ross led the nation in yards per route run (4.98) as a true freshman at Clemson in 2018. His extensive injury history since then sidetracked a once-promising career, but there’s no better place for him to make an impact in the NFL than with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid in Kansas City.


LB Jordyn Brooks coming off PUP list

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks passed his physical Tuesday morning, clearing the way for him to be activated from the physically unable to perform list.

Brooks tore his ACL in Seattle’s Week 17 victory over the New York Jets last January. It is a remarkably quick turnaround to have already passed his physical in mid-August, a credit to Brooks and the Seattle training staff.

Brooks’ 61 defensive stops tied for the sixth most among linebackers in 2022, despite his missing the last game and a half of the season. He will be reunited with future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner, who was PFF's top-ranked linebacker in the NFL last season.

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