Training camp notebook: Early developments across the NFL

Training camp is in full swing, and we're giving you the lowdown on what's making headlines around the NFL.

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QB battles | Camp studs | Camp duds | Key injuries | Hold-ins | Bucs mess | Other notes

QB battles

Vikings

The prevailing sentiment coming out of the Vikings' camp is that Kyler Murray is taking more downfield shots, while J.J. McCarthy is settling for shorter completions. Murray's aggressive style has led to some misfires, but Vikings reporters have indicated that he's been the better quarterback. Murray has also received more of the first-team reps - and notably, in both of the first two padded sessions - though McCarthy is still getting enough looks with the starters to make an impression. Ultimately, it seems these two videos sum up the difference in their processing time and vision down the field.

Browns

Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are engaged in the tightest quarterback battle of the summer, with Dillon Gabriel serving as a distant third option. Watson took the first-team reps on Days 1, 3, and 5, while Sanders worked with the starters on Days 2 and 4. First-year coach Todd Monken hasn't tipped his hand as to who's leading the race, but the numbers are telling. Here are the aggregate practice stats for the three passers, courtesy of daily reports from ESPN Cleveland:

Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. has been limited to individual drills and seven-on-sevens, and his revelation that it could take until late August to be fully cleared from his ACL recovery puts the spotlight on Tua Tagovailoa. However, back tightness is also severely hampering the former Dolphins starter. The Falcons have other arms in camp, but this battle is all about Penix and Tagovailoa. It's hard to gauge where they stand as the preseason inches closer.

Raiders

To no surprise, first-year coach Klint Kubiak anointed veteran Kirk Cousins the starter over No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Reporters were lauding Mendoza with glowing reviews until a Day 4 setback that included pre-snap issues and his first interception in a seven-on-seven rep, as chronicled by ESPN's Ryan McFadden. In any event, Mendoza has been working with the second-stringers after being with the third unit in OTAs, so it seems he's already surpassed Aidan O'Connell on the depth chart.

Camp studs

Chiefs WR Cyrus Allen: A fifth-round rookie with athletic upside, Allen slid in the draft because of modest college production. But the Cincinnati product opened camp taking first-team reps, and he appears to have a connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

"I think Pat's got some trust there," coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. He then gave the youngster another glowing endorsement Friday: "He's done a nice job. The quarterback trusts him in there."

Lions WR Jameson Williams: Known as the Lions' big-play guy, Williams is looking to round off his game with sharper route running, and the early signs are promising. Just about every publication in Detroit had an article on the speedster shining in the first week of workouts, and coach Dan Campbell sang his praises, too.

"He's doing all the little things right," Campbell told reporters Friday before practice. "That's where he's made the most growth. Watch his route definition. Watch the details to it. Him dropping his weight. Him pulling out, playing strong, catching the ball, reaching out, plucking. And, so with his ability, the sky's the limit."

Chargers OL Trey Pipkins: A veteran backup who's played mostly at tackle, Pipkins suddenly looks like the favorite to win a starting job at left guard. Pipkins has struggled in the past, but coach Jim Harbaugh believes he's well-suited for Mike McDaniel's offense and is a fan of what he's seen at camp.

"Is he one of our five best linemen? Yeah, he probably is," Harbaugh said Saturday.

Cowboys LB Jaishawn Barham: The third-round rookie has generated buzz with splash plays on pass-rush reps and when dropping into coverage. Barham has experience doing both in college, as he switched from an off-ball role to an edge-defending role at Michigan.

Before camp, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Barham would begin working as an inside linebacker. It's no secret that linebacker was the weak link of Dallas' defense in 2025, so he's got a chance to ascend the ladder quickly.

Camp duds

Browns QB Deshaun Watson: Back-to-back interceptions with the starters on Day 1 seemingly set the tone for Watson's tough camp. His game has completely fallen off a cliff since he left the Texans, and there's no sign of him being close to getting it back. He's up to six interceptions in 11-on-11 drills.

Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: The former No. 4 overall pick continues to struggle ahead of his third season, committing several brutal drops in early workouts and looking like a clear second option behind Michael Wilson.

Broncos CB Jahdae Barron: Barron profiled as a slot corner coming into the league and played the bulk of his snaps there as a rookie, but the Broncos are experimenting with him on the boundary and at safety. That would suggest they can't envision the highly touted prospect overtaking Ja'Quan McMillian for nickel duties or Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss for perimeter work.

Patriots WR Kyle Williams: The former second-round pick is in tough, with A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte entrenched as the top four wideouts. Williams opened camp as WR7, per the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan, suggesting he may already be on the roster bubble in his second pro season.

Key injuries

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: As expected, Mahomes has been a full go in camp just seven months and change after tearing his ACL and LCL. He's been practicing with a knee brace, and all signs point toward him being available for Week 1.

Giants WR Malik Nabers: Nabers has been limited to individual drills while working his way back from a torn ACL and meniscus. Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been mum on whether Nabers will be ready for the start of the regular season.

49ers WR Ricky Pearsall: A PCL injury requiring surgery will cost the third-year wideout his entire season. Meanwhile, Mike Evans (quad), Christian Kirk (calf), and De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) are also ailing, but San Francisco is hoping those receivers are back soon.

Bears S Coby Bryant: The free-agent signee will miss 8-10 weeks with a hyperextended knee, bone bruise, and small fracture he sustained Monday in practice, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The setback is a major blow to the Bears, who pried Bryant away from the Seahawks with a three-year, $40-million deal.

Saints DT Bryan Bresee: The former first-round pick tore his ACL in the first practice of camp, rendering him unavailable for all of 2026. Bresee could've positioned himself for a big-money extension with a productive year.

Bengals EDGE Shemar Stewart: Stewart was carted off the field on Day 1, but tests showed no major damage, and he was diagnosed with a hyperextended knee. Still, he's expected to miss weeks. Stewart is looking to bounce back from a disappointing rookie year.

Eagles EDGE Jonathan Greenard: The Eagles newcomer strained his pectoral muscle while lifting weights before camp and is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Greenard is eligible to come off at any time, and Philly is banking on the $98-million man to revitalize its pass rush.

Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey: Pittsburgh expects Ramsey to be ready for Week 1 but is taking no chances with the knee injury he picked up in minicamp. He's also on the PUP list.

The hold-ins

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Chargers pass-rusher Tuli Tuipulotu are the two remaining hold-ins, sitting out practices while negotiating new contracts.

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Saints wide receiver Chris Olave were with them before agreeing to big-money deals. Robinson agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million, while Olave signed a four-year extension worth up to $132 million.

Elsewhere, Rams superstar Puka Nacua hasn't skipped a practice despite entering the final year of his rookie deal. Nacua is one of the game's best receivers, though a controversy-plagued offseason might've complicated negotiations.

Bucs at odds with top stars

A frustrated Baker Mayfield cut off extension talks at the beginning of camp, putting him on track to hit free agency in 2027. The 31-year-old quarterback will play on an expiring contract for the second time in four years with the Buccaneers.

"Unfortunately, it feels like I'm having to prove my worth yet again, when the disappointing part is I feel like I've earned that contract," Mayfield said Thursday to CBS Sports' Pete Prisco.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Vita Vea requested a trade after failing to secure an extension of his own. Vea reportedly has the Rams, Chargers, Raiders, and 49ers at the top of his wish list. He tweaked his back in a conditioning test and has been sitting out practice lately. Gotta think a nice bag of cash would help that back heal up.

Toss in Mike Evans' departure in March, and the vibes around the Bucs seem pretty rough from afar.

Other notes

Donald still on comeback watch

Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters Friday that Aaron Donald is still undecided on a comeback, but it sounds like the three-time Defensive Player of the Year favors a return.

"If there's an arrow, it's trending upward," McVay said.

Donald retired in 2024, but the decorated defensive tackle has kept in shape and is tempted to rejoin a Rams squad that reloaded over the offseason. Between Donald and newcomer Myles Garrett, five of the last nine Defensive Player of the Year trophies would be in L.A.

Deebo heads home, Aiyuk still missing

Deebo Samuel signed a one-year deal to return to the 49ers a year after they traded the pass-catcher to the Commanders in a salary dump. His presence should help San Francisco mitigate the loss of Pearsall, especially with Brandon Aiyuk still away from the team and unlikely to suit up for the Niners ever again.

Hunter practicing more on defense

The Jaguars had Travis Hunter working mostly on defense to open camp, but they've increased his offensive usage in recent days, according to daily updates from ESPN's Michael DiRocco.

The former Heisman Trophy winner played twice as many snaps on offense as he did on defense last year. A knee injury ended his season seven games in, but he never really got going before that. Hunter put on 10 pounds of muscle over the offseason.

Williams looking lean

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams told reporters he dropped 10-15 pounds by improving his diet and sleep habits, aiming to boost his mobility. He was listed at 226 pounds last season, considered normal for an NFL quarterback. Williams and Chicago are looking to take another major step after winning the NFC North in 2025.

Jeanty improves diet

After a relatively flat rookie year, Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty revealed he dropped sugar from his diet and built up his cardio over the offseason.

"I didn't feel like I was in good enough shape last year," he told CBS Sports' Bryant McFadden.

Not that his offensive line gave him much help, but Jeanty averaged 3.7 yards per rush last season after averaging 6.4 over his career at Boise State.