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SC on the Road: Tuesday camp preview for all 32 teams

NFL, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers

NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch for every team on Tuesday.

NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

On Monday, the Bills added Kroy Biermann to the mix at outside linebacker, and he's expected to be on the practice field Tuesday. Is he a lock to make the 53-man roster? Not quite. The Bills still expect Manny Lawson to be ready for Week 1, and with veteran Lorenzo Alexander a good bet to stick for his special-teams contributions, that could leave only one roster spot for Biermann or undrafted rookies Eric Striker and Bryson Albright. The Bills could opt to use Biermann as an insurance policy for the rest of the preseason and keep one of their younger players on the final roster. -- Mike Rodak

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are expected to debut their full defensive line in the second preseason game against the Cowboys. Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake and Mario Williams all sat out of last week's preseason opener against the Giants to avoid injuries, but the coaching staff believes it's time to up the intensity in practice and games with those veterans. -- James Walker

New England Patriots

The condition of tight end Rob Gronkowski, who took himself out of Monday's joint practice with the Bears after he pulled up along the sideline in 7-on-7 drills, is the top storyline for the team. There was no word on the severity of any injury at the end of practice. Gronkowski walked off the field under his own power, albeit slowly. -- Mike Reiss

New York Jets

After a day off, it'll be interesting to see if nose tackle Steve McLendon (toe) is back on the practice field. He has missed a few days, including last week's preseason opener. McLendon, a former Steeler, is the only experienced nose tackle on the roster. Leonard Williams has played the position well before, but it isn't ideal for him. -- Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

Cornerback Jimmy Smith had his best day of training camp, breaking up a couple long passes. He has had an uneven summer coming back from the foot procedure he had in the spring. The Ravens gave Smith a four-year, $41 extension before the start of last season, and they need him to step up and be a No. 1 cornerback. Smith might have to line up against the likes of Sammy Watkins, Amari Cooper, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Antonio Brown in the first eight games of the season. -- Jamison Hensley

Cincinnati Bengals

As the Bengals wind down their second-shortest turnaround of the preseason, they will hit the practice fields one last time Tuesday before embarking for Detroit before Thursday's preseason game. Tuesday's practice marks the official end of the team's training camp. Because of its proximity to the Week 2 game, the practice likely won't be overbearing on the tempo. The string of injuries that has raided the team, including rookie Andrew Billings' knee injury that required surgery Monday, probably will keep the Bengals at a fairly controlled practice pace. -- Coley Harvey

Cleveland Browns

Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman took part in the team's glorified walk-through practice, but the team's wide receiver spot has several injuries. Gordon is coming back from a quad injury and won't play Thursday. The status of Coleman (hamstring) is yet to be determined. Terrelle Pryor is playing with a sore left hand. Rookie Ricardo Louis and veteran Andrew Hawkins did not practice (hamstring). That's five of the team's top wideouts out or dealing with maladies. -- Pat McManamon

Pittsburgh Steelers

Defensive tackle Javon 'Gravedigger' Hargrave is making his move in his rookie season. The third-rounder has shown a quick first step and power off the ball. When asking around Steelers camp which young players performed well in the preseason opener against Detroit, I was told "79," a nod to Hargrave's jersey number, a few times. The Steelers are tinkering with several defensive line lineups in hopes of finding a deep rotation. In 2015, defensive end and team captain Cam Heyward played 1,116 snaps, the most among NFL defensive linemen. -- Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

After an off day Monday, expect an up-tempo practice for the Texans as they move indoors to escape the Houston heat. The offense had a slow start in Sunday's preseason opener against the 49ers, so expect coach Bill O'Brien to have quarterback Brock Osweiler and the rest of the offense taking a lot of reps before they open up joint practices against the Saints later this week. -- Sarah Barshop

Indianapolis Colts

Coach Chuck Pagano didn't sugarcoat things. He didn't make not having Frank Gore an excuse, either. Pagano flat-out said his team needs to improve the running game after rushing for only 30 yards on 23 carries in the preseason opener against Buffalo. "The run game, obviously, we are disappointed that we weren't able [to run]," Pagano said. "We knew it was going to be tough sledding against that defense." The Colts could have Gore for a limited basis against Baltimore on Saturday. The veteran said he hopes to get a couple carries so that he can get "hit." -- Mike Wells

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have had two days off in the past four days, so they're going to be in full pads Tuesday as they prepare for joint practices with Tampa Bay on Wednesday and Thursday. The rest should give several banged up players the chance to get back on the field, including center Brandon Linder, cornerback Aaron Colvin, safety James Sample, defensive tackle Sheldon Day and offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum. -- Mike DiRocco

Tennessee Titans

The Titans' practice on Monday was the last one open to fans. Now camp work can turn to the sort of detailed things the Titans wouldn't have wanted to share with an audience. That is likely to include at least some themes that are pertinent to the regular-season opener opponent, the Vikings. -- Paul Kuharsky

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have lauded both their depth in the defensive line and Vance Walker's play in that group thus far in the preseason. That depth will get a bit of a test, given that Walker was carted off the practice field Monday after tearing his right ACL. Walker's injury will increase the Broncos' workload on Jared Crick and rookie Adam Gotsis. -- Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs

The injury to Tyler Bray, which the Chiefs referred to as a small chip fracture in his cervical spine, could alleviate the team's logjam at quarterback. The Chiefs have five quarterbacks and will likely have to trim two from their roster before the start of the regular season. Bray could be a candidate to go on the injured reserve list, though the Chiefs said the injury wasn't as serious as it sounds and Bray could return when the stiffness in his neck subsides. Bray was slammed to the turf headfirst in Saturday's preseason game against the Seahawks. -- Adam Teicher

Oakland Raiders

Coach Jack Del Rio confirmed an ESPN.com report on two Raiders injured in Friday night's preseason-opening win in Arizona. Del Rio said defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.'s hip injury would keep him out a few weeks but would not require surgery, and tight end Gabe Holmes suffered a high-ankle sprain that included a broken bone that might necessitate a trip to injured reserve. -- Paul Gutierrez

San Diego Chargers

After a short walkthrough practice Monday, quarterback Philip Rivers said he is looking forward to facing the Cardinals in controlled scrimmages Tuesday and Wednesday. Rivers said he'll probably get more reps in two days of scrimmage with the Cardinals then he will in four exhibition games this year. "This is a team that was right there to being in the Super Bowl," Rivers said. "They weren't far off, and they won a lot of games last year. This defense has been good for years now. They're just aggressive, in your face, big and fast. It will be a good test for us." -- Eric D. Williams

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

The hope is that rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott will be able to practice Tuesday for the first time since Aug. 2. Elliott has missed eight padded practices and the preseason opener against the Rams because of a sore hamstring. The Cowboys have been cautious with Elliott because of the nature of soft-tissue injuries. Coach Jason Garrett said they will be deliberate with Elliott and all players with those types of injuries, but the fact that the team has been this cautious speaks to the impact Elliott will have on offense this season. Executive vice president Stephen Jones went so far in discussing the sore hamstring as to say that Elliott wasn't injured. The Cowboys will have one more full workout Wednesday before heading home after a walkthrough Thursday. They play the Miami Dolphins on Friday at AT&T Stadium. -- Todd Archer

New York Giants

The Giants ran a long, tough final practice of training camp on Monday. It had a lot of familiar sights, including Odell Beckham Jr. making plays (he has done that all summer) and Victor Cruz stuck on the sideline. Cruz is struggling with a groin injury after missing almost two full seasons. He had just three catches and no big plays during the Giants' 14 training camp practices, and he sat out Monday's practice. The Giants are off Tuesday, but coach Ben McAdoo is holding out hope that Cruz returns to practice Wednesday. -- Jordan Raanan

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles will prepare for this week's preseason game in Pittsburgh without rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, who cracked ribs in Thursday's game against Tampa Bay. But that shouldn't change coach Doug Pederson's plan much. Pederson wanted Wentz to play more in the first and fourth preseason games, when rookies and other young players get opportunities. The second and third games are for preparing the players who will be in uniform when the season opens Sept. 11. It will be business as usual for this week. -- Phil Sheridan

Washington Redskins

Left tackle Trent Williams has not participated in any full-team work in more than a week because of a knee issue. He isn't far from returning, and he has been able to participate in individual work. Williams plays hurt quite a bit during the season, but the Redskins want to make sure he starts while healthy. Williams, though, is antsy to return. "I need the work," he said. -- John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

Tight end Martellus Bennett is not the only former teammate the Bears might see in New England. Chicago's offense could get a look at ex-Bears linebacker/pass-rusher Shea McClellin, who did not participate Monday, when joint practices between the two teams resume Tuesday. McClellin, a former first-round pick, struggled to find a permanent role in Chicago's evolving defense. But in New England, McClellin has found a new lease on life. "Shea has done a good job," Patriots coach Bill Belichick told reporters Monday. "Shea has worked hard, he's a smart kid, he runs well, he's athletic, he has a good set of skills, so he has been productive for us in camp and in the one game we've had." -- Jeff Dickerson

Detroit Lions

The Lions could be getting thin at linebacker and offensive tackle. Josh Bynes, who has been the starter at weakside linebacker with DeAndre Levy and Jon Bostic out due to injuries, sat out Monday's practice. That left the Lions with Kyle Van Noy as their second linebacker in nickel. Rookie Antwione Williams got some first-team reps in the base defense. At offensive tackle, both starters are healthy, but likely third tackle Michael Ola limped off the field and into the locker room during practice with what looked to be a leg or ankle injury. If it turns out to be a serious injury, that leaves the Lions with Cornelius Lucas, Corey Robinson and Luke Marquardt behind starters Riley Reiff and Taylor Decker. Another offensive lineman who can play tackle, Geoff Schwartz, also sat out Monday's practice. -- Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers

Where is the Packers' offense at this point in training camp? "We're three-and-a-half weeks into camp. We're still working through some things," Packers receiver Randall Cobb said. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers feels the same way, saying "We're still working through some things." Apparently they won't be working through those things in Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders. All signs suggest that Rodgers won't play until next week's game at San Francisco. When can we expect things to change? Perhaps not until Jordy Nelson gets back on the field, and he remains on the physically unable to perform list. -- Rob Demovsky

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' receiver group appears to be on the mend, with Cordarrelle Patterson slated to play Thursday in Seattle and Jarius Wright getting closer to a return, according to coach Mike Zimmer. If Wright can get back on the practice field Tuesday, he might be able to get some work Thursday night. In any case, Patterson's return from a shoulder injury creates an opportunity for the fourth-year receiver to show whether he has improved. "I wish he would have been healthy last week [against Cincinnati], and we would have played him a little bit," Zimmer said. "I think he'll have a chance to play this week." -- Ben Goessling

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones didn't participate in 11-on-11 drills during Monday's practice, which made one wonder if he got banged up again, as he did earlier in camp. That wasn't the case. Coach Dan Quinn simply elected to rest both Jones and running back Tevin Coleman, who was pulled from the end of Sunday's practice as a heat precaution related to his having the sickle cell trait. Both Jones and Coleman are expected to play Thursday in Cleveland, Quinn said. -- Vaughn McClure

Carolina Panthers

Tight end Greg Olsen missed Monday's practice, the last in pads in the Spartanburg, South Carolina, portion of training camp, because of back spasms. It is muscle-related and believed to be related to the extreme heat, but it's something to monitor as Carolina practices today for the final time at Wofford College. Olsen has led the team in receptions the past three years and is an integral part of the offense. -- David Newton

New Orleans Saints

With first-round draft choice Sheldon Rankins expected to miss six-to-eight weeks because of a fractured fibula, the Saints will be counting even more heavily on one of their other biggest acquisitions of this offseason: veteran defensive tackle Nick Fairley. Fairley, 28, has been off to an impressive start in Saints camp while rotating with Rankins in the starting lineup. Listed at 6-foot-4, 308 pounds (but estimating himself to be more like 290-295), Fairley is an athletic big man with the ability to disrupt both the run game and pass game. After a disappointing start to his career with the Lions, Fairley has quietly rehabbed his reputation in recent years and played well as a backup with the Rams last season. -- Mike Triplett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Several Bucs players who sat out Saturday's practice returned to action Monday, including rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, running back Charles Sims (ankle) and linebacker Cassanova McKinzy (hamstring). Defensive end William Gholston was also back after dealing with a family illness. Left tackle Donovan Smith (flu) and guard J.R. Sweezy were watching from the sidelines. Coach Dirk Koetter expects Smith back tomorrow. Tight end Brandon Myers is still dealing with a knee injury and might not travel to Jacksonville for the team's joint practices Wednesday and Thursday. -- Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals spent Monday practicing early because of a Guns N' Roses concert at University of Phoenix Stadium. Then they flew to San Diego, where they'll spend the week practicing against and playing the Chargers. One player poised to benefit greatly from facing different competition is rookie cornerback Brandon Williams. He'll need the snaps against a different set of receivers to get a better gauge of how much work he needs to be a productive starting cornerback in the NFL. He got a taste of different competition in Friday night's preseason opener against Oakland, but facing the Chargers' receivers -- who are directed by offensive coordinator and former Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt -- will give Williams more chances to adapt to new receivers, like he'll have to do on a weekly basis during the regular season. This will be his third set of receivers in five days -- enough diversity to help the young corner. -- Josh Weinfuss

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams will prioritize their run defense this week after they watched the Cowboys amass 105 yards on only 21 carries in Saturday's preseason opener. "We're not ready to play run defense yet," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. "We've got some work to do there, and that's a work in progress." Part of the issue could stem from Alec Ogletree taking on added responsibility as the middle linebacker, but Fisher wouldn't necessarily pin it on that. -- Alden Gonzalez

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers reviewed film and made corrections from their preseason opener Monday and will now turn their attention to the Broncos. The Niners will have a short practice Tuesday before flying to Denver to practice with the Broncos on Wednesday and Thursday. Those practices will be integral to the competition between Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick for the starting quarterback job. San Francisco hopes Kaepernick will have a healthy enough right shoulder to get back in the mix. -- Nick Wagoner

Seattle Seahawks

One player to keep an eye on in the weeks ahead is running back C.J. Prosise. The Seahawks drafted Prosise in the third round, with the specific plan of having him replace Fred Jackson as the third-down back. Prosise is an accomplished receiver and someone the Seahawks believe can create mismatches in the passing game. He injured his hamstring on the first day of training camp and practiced Monday for the first time. Prosise's grasp of the offense in the preseason will determine whether he can have an immediate role as a rookie or if the injury set him back. -- Sheil Kapadia

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