violence, after his father was shot and killed two years ago. He had

NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch Wednesday for every team.AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsThe Bills were without tight end Charles Clay at Tuesday nights practice after he was seen having his back/hip area stretched out frequently by trainers during practices Sunday and Monday.?Whether Clay is on the field for Thursdays practice will be a story; he missed the end of last season with a back injury. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsAn interesting note as the Dolphins head into a rest day after five consecutive days of practices: Miami quarterbacks?have thrown just?one interception through five training-camp practices. Whether thats great news for the offense or bad news for the defense is debatable. But Miami quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore and rookie Brandon Doughty are doing a solid job of taking care of the football. Injured players will get some time to heal Thursday, particularly at running back, where Jay Ajayi, Isaiah Pead and Damien Williams all had injuries during the first week of camp. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsCan any Patriots defender stop tight end?Rob Gronkowski? He has been dominating at times in practice, and his celebration in which he tosses the football in the air has caught the attention of the defense. The best way to stop the celebrations is to stop Gronkowski, which, of course, is easier said than done. Its back to the grind for the Patriots at practice after a day off Tuesday. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsComing off a ragged practice, the offense hopes to respond with a crisp performance Wednesday. Dont be alarmed -- the starting unit is without running back?Matt Forte, left guard?James Carpenter and right tackle?Breno Giacomini. Also remember that quarterback?Ryan Fitzpatrick missed the entire offseason because of a contract dispute. This will be an ongoing process. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensThe Ravens return to practice Wednesday after their first day off in camp, and it will be interesting to see if quarterback?Joe Flacco continues to build chemistry with tight end Benjamin Watson. It was noticeable how Watson caught more and more passes after tight end Dennis Pitta left Mondays practice with a sprained finger. With Pitta sidelined for a few days, Watson will get more chances to gain a rapport with Flacco. This will also allow Maxx Williams, a second-round pick from a year ago, to get more reps with the first-team offense. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsJust in the nick of time, the Bengals are getting a day off Wednesday. The rest comes on the heels of two physical, fully-padded camp sessions. On Monday, the Bengals lost cornerback William Jackson III to a torn pectoral muscle for an undetermined length of time. The team hopes to re-evaluate the injury in the coming days to see just how long the rookie first-round picks rehab will be. Late Tuesday, second-year tight end Tyler Kroft caused a scare when he went down clutching his left knee at the end of a goal-line drill. Kroft was already relieving Tyler Eifert, who could miss a game or two at the start of the season because of an injury suffered in the?Pro Bowl. Cincinnati could learn more Wednesday about the extent of Krofts injury. -- Coley HarveyCleveland BrownsRobert Griffin III continues to stay above any potential fray when it comes to the Browns starting quarterback job. Either Hue Jackson has made it clear he wants no talk that would generate even an inkling of a quarterback controversy, or Griffin is simply not willing to create a situation like the one he lived through in Washington with the Redskins. Or both. Griffin said he merely goes out every day concentrating on doing what he can on the field. You cant control when Coach makes a decision, how he makes a decision, Griffin said. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers have cornerback problems. Again. The news of a foot injury that could sideline second-year corner Senquez Golson for much of 2016 is another hit to the teams rebuilding job in the secondary. Golson, a former second-round pick, missed all of last season with a torn labrum. A spotlight will be on this years second-round pick, Sean Davis, a 6-foot-1 safety who can play some slot corner in Golsons absence. He got work in both spots before Golsons injury. The Steelers like Davis versatility and are open to trying him out in the slot while veteran Robert Golden gets an extended role, going from subpackage safety to potential full-time starter. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansBack in full pads for the first time since last season, the Texans got to work on their post-Arian Foster running game for the first time. Free-agent signing Lamar Miller is expected to take over Fosters heavy workload. Coach Bill OBrien said theyre behind in the run game on both sides of the ball, but will spend training camp catching up. -- Tania GanguliIndianapolis ColtsThe Colts have Wednesday off after holding their annual night practice Tuesday. The day off will allow for injured players such as center Ryan Kelly to get extra treatment. Kelly, the Colts first-round pick, has missed the past two days of practice with a strained right shoulder. The Colts are calling their starting center day-to-day. Its uncertain if hell play in Sundays preseason opener against Green Bay. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsTight end Julius Thomas was unable to finish Tuesdays practice because of a left ankle sprain. It appears to be just a minor injury, but it wouldnt be a surprise if the Jaguars kept him off the field for a couple of days as a precaution. Remember, Thomas suffered a fractured bone in his right hand in the first preseason game last season and missed the first four games. The offense missed his presence, especially in the red zone. The Jaguars are more talented in 2016, but they still have little margin for error at certain positions, and tight end is definitely one of them. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansThe Titans have a day off Wednesday, and they hope it is a big one for receiver Kendall Wright (hamstring), cornerback Brice McCain (ankle) and interior offensive lineman Andy Gallik (knee). Rookie outside linebacker Kevin Dodd remains day-to-day on PUP, and they will be excited to add him when hes ready, but there is no clear timetable for his return. If Wright remains limited with the injury he suffered Wednesday, veteran Harry Douglas will get chances as the third receiver. Coach Mike Mularkey said there was no drop-off from Wright after he left practice Tuesday. Sustaining that would enhance Douglas chances of sticking on the roster. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosThe injury situation at guard will bear watching as the Broncos return to practice Wednesday. Ty Sambrailo (hyper-extended elbow) and Sam Brenner (concussion) are each expected to miss some time. Coach Gary Kubiak said Sambrailo, who has moved over from left tackle to left guard, could miss a few days, and Brenner is under the guidelines of the leagues concussion protocol. It means rookie guard Connor McGovern is getting the kind of look he might not have expected when camp opened. If Sambrailo has not returned to the field by early next week, McGovern might well start the preseason opener?on Aug. 11. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs are encouraged by the play of rookie defensive lineman Chris Jones early in training camp. Jones, a second-round draft pick and the Chiefs top choice, has been particularly impressive as a pass-rusher. He swatted down a pass in practice on Tuesday. Hes got great wingspan, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. When his hand goes up, you dont have a lot of daylight in there to see. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersThe Raiders, who took Tuesday off after four days of practice that included the last two in pads, made official what had been expected when they formally released running back Roy Helu Jr., off injured reserve, where he was placed on Friday. We hoped to get a little more last year out of him, coach Jack Del Rio said Friday of Helu, who rushed for 39 yards on 17 carries and had nine catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in nine games. Helu had elective surgery on both hips this offseason. Now fifth-round draft pick DeAndre Washington is getting second-team reps behind Latavius Murray, and?undrafted free agent Jalen Richard is also opening eyes in camp, which resumes today. ?-- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersFans will get their first opportunity Wednesday to see wide receiver James Jones, whom the team signed to fill the void left by Stevie Johnsons injury. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Jones provides experience, versatility and playmaking ability, adding a veteran presence to a young group of San Diego receivers. -- Eric D. WilliamsNFC EASTDallas CowboysIt is hard to get a rhythm for the beginning of a training camp. After opening the first two days without any offense vs. defense work, the Cowboys put the pads on Monday and Tuesday and now have a day off. The schedule allowed Tony Romo to get two full days of work in pads. When the Cowboys return to work Thursday, they will have a stretch of four days of practice, culminating in the Blue/White scrimmage on Sunday. Jason Garrett said he thinks the routine will work well as the players get their football legs underneath them early in the summer. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsThe tight-end competition is heating up in East Rutherford, and it appears to be a three-man race with Larry Donnell and Matt LaCosse both off to a strong start. They join Will Tye, who started the final seven games of last season and has shown flashes of being a playmaker. Dont sleep on LaCosse. He had another strong practice Tuesday to build off a strong spring and continues to be in the first-team rotation. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesTheres a chance guard Brandon Brooks (hamstring) will take the field Wednesday for his first training-camp practice. Stefen Wisniewski, playing in Brooks place, has looked great, according to offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Hes met or exceeded expectations. With Brooks signed for five years and $40 million, though, Wisniewski would have to displace Allen Barbre at left guard. -- Phil SheridanWashington RedskinsThe Redskins wont have a full practice Wednesday but will have a walkthrough and a special teams session. Itll be interesting to see how their special teams shake out, especially at kick returner. They have a number of options, including?Rashad Ross, Chris Thompson, Keith Marshall and Dashaun Phillips. Even Bashaud Breeland has caught kickoffs during practice. Ross was the primary returner last season, but Washington needs another option in case hes not active in games. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsWednesday is shaping up to be a busy day at Bears camp. Quarterback Jay Cutler is scheduled to speak after practice, followed by offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, whom John Fox promoted from quarterbacks coach in January. Because the Bears limited offseason access to Loggains, who answered questions one time, not much is known about his philosophies. Loggains, who is Cutlers sixth coordinator since 2009, is expected to keep the same offense Adam Gase used in 2015, but unlike last year, Chicago is without former Pro Bowlers Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett. Loggains previously called plays in Tennessee, but improving Chicagos offensive production will be his most difficult coaching task to date. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsOne of the biggest storylines so far in camp has been Matthew Staffords efficiency and comfort level in the offense. His early rapport with Golden Tate,?as well as newcomers Anquan Boldin and Marvin Jones,?has been on point, and he seems to be in command of the offense that coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is constructing. The offensive line has not been good so far, and Staffords?protection is going to be an issue, but he appears to be heading toward continuing his consistent play from the end of last season.?The Lions return to practice Wednesday night after taking Tuesday off.?-- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersFormer first-round pick Datone Jones transition from defensive end to outside linebacker is worth watching. Linebackers coach Winston Moss said Jones was a little awkward in the OTAs, but Ive been impressed with him in training camp. After a day off on Tuesday, the Packers are likely to put Jones and the rest of the pass-rushers through one-on-one drills again. Jones record in the drill so far is just 2-4, but according to Moss, Hes really starting to feel comfortable, really starting to play with some more instincts. I like what hes doing. Were asking a lot of him right now. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsAs the Vikings return from a day off, coach Mike Zimmer said hed like to start formulating a depth chart. It will be particularly interesting to see what that means for the offensive line, where the Vikings have been alternating first-team snaps between John Sullivan and Joe Berger at center. Theyve also been giving time to both Andre Smith and T.J. Clemmings at right tackle; Smith figures to have the edge there, but it could be easier to tell where things stand starting Wednesday. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsWhen the Falcons get back to work Wednesday, there will be some buzz about the arrival of veteran pass-rusher Dwight Freeney, who joins the team Thursday. Before that happens, the Falcons need to iron out the kinks on offense. Quarterback?Matt Ryan has had a handful of interceptions, including a pair of them Tuesday. Coach Dan Quinn said hes not overly concerned about Ryans mistakes with much experimentation ongoing. But Ryans play is always worth monitoring regardless. Year 2 in Kyle Shanahans system should be better for him. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersDefensive end Kony Ealy was scheduled to meet with an independent doctor to see where he stood in the concussion protocol, so stay tuned on his return. Cornerback Bene Benwikere will remain on PUP, but it appears he is getting close to returning. The Panthers are back on the field at 9:25 a.m. after their first day off following five straight practices. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsThe Saints get back to work Wednesday after their first day off, and well see if second-year pros Andrus Peat and Garrett Grayson can keep up their momentum. Peat, New Orleans top draft pick in 2015, has looked very good all camp while playing left tackle and right guard. A 6-foot-7, 316-pounder, he has been in noticeably better shape all summer and seems to have better confidence and technique, especially in 1-on-1 pass-rush drills. Grayson, a quarterback?who essentially redshirted last year, has been more hit or miss. But he continues to develop and had his best practice session to date Monday after having a pretty good one Sunday. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersStarting Wednesday, first-round draft pick Vernon Hargreaves III will begin rotating in with the first-team defense. He hasnt been practicing with the 1s because he has been learning the nickelback position after having played outside his whole career in college. Weve been focusing on getting him as much work as we can inside right now, defensive coordinator Mike Smith said. Then well get him an opportunity, once we feel he has a comfort level inside, well move him and give him some snaps outside. Hargreaves will rotate some days outside and some days inside until the Bucs determine where he fits best. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsThe Cardinals headed into a day off on a high note after safety Tyrann Mathieu signed a five-year extension worth $62.5 million. The day was slightly marred, however, by nose tackle Corey Peters limping off the field during practice. He returned this year from an Achilles injury suffered last training camp. Arizona will return to camp Thursday, when coach Bruce Arians will address the injury situation. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsThe Rams practiced in pads for the first time Tuesday, and Case Keenum, as expected, got the reps with the first-team offense, and?Jared Goff worked with the 2s. Goff, the No. 1 overall draft pick, looked fearless, which is probably a good thing in the long run, even if it means some of his throws will be off-target in the meantime. Goff gets constant instruction. After every play, one of the coaches is in his ear making a point and teaching. It seems clear from watching and from talking to people here that the Rams will work as quickly as possible to get him ready to play, whether thats Week 1 or soon thereafter. -- Dan GrazianoSan Francisco 49ersThe Niners put the pads on for the first time Tuesday and will now get the day off Wednesday to recover. That recovery time is something coach Chip Kelly is emphasizing, and it will be necessary, according to safety Eric Reid. Reid was quick to point out Tuesday how practicing with pads on in Kellys uptempo practices is much different than without them. Tempo is one thing, tempo with pads is a completely different thing, Reid said. You notice it much earlier, like individual drills. You are doing all your drills, you have the extra weight, you feel it earlier. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksIts still unclear when the team will get back running back Thomas Rawls and tight end Jimmy Graham. Both players started camp on the PUP list, but coach Pete Carroll said their situations would be re-evaluated during the first break, which is Wednesday. In Rawls absence, Christine Michael, Alex Collins and Zac Brooks have rotated with the first team. Luke Willson has replaced Graham at tight end, and Nick Vannett has received additional reps. Rawls and Graham are expected to be ready for Week 1, but how theyll look when they return remains a question. -- Sheil Kapadia Best Price Vans Shoes Uk . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Vans Outlet Uk Online . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. http://www.discountvansuk.com/ .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Cheap Vans Shoes Wholesale . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Vans Shoes Clearance Sale Uk . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. MIAMI -- A woman performing the national anthem before an NBA preseason game between the 76ers and Heat on Friday night did so while kneeling at midcourt, and she opened her jacket to show a shirt bearing the phrase Black Lives Matter.The singer was identified by the Miami Heat as Denasia Lawrence, who called the Black Lives Matter movement a rallying cry while explaining her decision to kneel in a Facebook post early Saturday.Were being unjustly killed and overly criminalized, Lawrence wrote. I took the opportunity to sing and kneel to show that we belong in this country and that we have the right to respectfully protest injustices against us.Heat players and coaches stood side by side for the anthem, with their arms linked, as has been their custom during the preseason. Many had their heads down as Lawrence sang, and the team released a statement saying it had no advance knowledge that she planned to kneel.We felt as a basketball team that we would do something united, so that was our focus, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Throughout all of this, I think the most important thing that has come out is the very poignant, thoughtful dialogue. Weve had great dialogue within our walls here, and hopefully this will lead to action.The anthem issue has been a major topic in the sports world in recent months, starting with the decision by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to not stand for its playing. Kaepernick cited racial injustice and police brutality among the reasons for his protest, and athletes from many sports -- and many levels, from youth all the way to professional -- have followed his lead in various ways.All I can say is what weve seen iin multiple preseason games so far is our players standing for the national anthem, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in New York earlier Friday, at a news conference after the leagues board of governors meetings.dddddddddddd It would be my hope that they would continue to stand for the national anthem. I think that is the appropriate thing to do.The NBA has a rule calling for players and coaches to stand during the anthem.Heat guard Wayne Ellington often speaks about the need to curb gun violence, after his father was shot and killed two years ago. He had his eyes closed for most of the anthem Friday, as per his own custom, though he was aware of Lawrences actions.At the end of the day, to each his own, Ellington said. If she feels like thats the way she wants to stand for it, then more power to her.Making a statement in the manner that Lawrence did Friday is rare, but not unheard of in recent weeks.When the Sacramento Kings played their first home preseason game earlier this month, anthem singer Leah Tysse dropped to one knee as she finished singing the song.Tysse is white. Lawrence is black.I love and honor my country as deeply as anyone yet it is my responsibility as an American to speak up against injustice as it affects my fellow Americans, Tysse wrote on Facebook. I have sung the anthem before but this time taking a knee felt like the most patriotic thing I could do. I cannot idly stand by as black people are unlawfully profiled, harassed and killed by our law enforcement over and over and without a drop of accountability. ' ' '