Training camp is officially here, which means football season is just around the corner. Unfortunately, it also means that injuries and roster cuts are coming as well, and are already here in some cases. According to the latest NFL rumors, Dak Prescott injured his shoulder but remains optimistic about his long-term health. In other news, Sean Payton doesn’t seem thrilled about the latest Michael Thomas injury, while Kelvin Benjamin is upset with his short-lived tenure in New York.
NFL Rumors: Dak Prescott, Michael Thomas, Kelvin Benjamin
Dak Prescott Issues Update on Shoulder
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott left practice early after feeling some tightness in his shoulder. Fortunately, he should be fine, as the quarterback said it was “just a little shoulder pain”. An MRI confirmed this assessment, meaning that Prescott is playing it safe in his return to the field. According to the team, Prescott is day-to-day with a latissimus strain in his throwing shoulder.
The Cowboys are going to need Prescott to stay healthy if they want any chance of competing in 2021. The quarterback set the world on fire during the first five weeks of 2020 before an ankle injury prematurely ended his season. With Prescott gone, the trio of Andy Dalton, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben DiNucci struggled to a 6-10 record despite improved defensive play down the stretch.
With Dalton now a member of the Chicago Bears, Garrett Gilbert stands to be the top quarterback on the depth chart until Prescott returns to form. The former AAF superstar played adequately during his lone start last year, completing 21 of 38 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a 64.1 QBR. While he obviously is not a franchise quarterback, he should be able to keep the offense moving during training camp while Prescott waits for his shoulder to return to normal.
Dak is back slinging darts 👀🎯 @dak @dallascowboys
(via @1053SS) https://t.co/jZHAl4bvi1
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) July 22, 2021
Sean Payton Not Happy About Michael Thomas Injury Setback
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 of the 2020 season and never truly regained his form. However, with a full offseason, most expected the gifted wideout to be back to his old form for the start of 2021. That will not happen, as Thomas suffered a setback and will have to undergo surgery.
Seeing as the team knew about Thomas’ injury for the entire offseason, it’s safe to say there is some frustration among the organization. Head coach Sean Payton said that the surgery “should have happened sooner”, and General Manager Mickey Loomis echoed that statement. Reports currently suggest that Thomas could miss half the season, which is obviously not ideal.
It’s never good to lose a player as good as Thomas, but it’s especially damaging this offseason. Drew Brees is gone, meaning that either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill will be under center to start the season. With an otherwise-untested group of receivers, look for this offense to run through the legs of Alvin Kamara.
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Kelvin Benjamin Not Happy About Being Cut
Kelvin Benjamin’s run as a tight end did not last long. The New York Giants cut the former wide receiver after Benjamin got in an argument with head coach Joe Judge. Benjamin spoke to the media following his release, and he clearly blames the coaching staff for his short stint in the Big Apple.
Saying that Judge “never liked [him]”, Benjamin claims that the second-year head coach sabotaged his chances of making the team. Judge has yet to respond to these comments, as his media availability came before Benjamin was released.
Rather than sabotage, the real reason for Benjamin’s departure likely comes down to his weight. According to the tight end himself, Benjamin weighed 265 pounds at the end of minicamp, and the coaching staff asked him to get down to 251 by the start of training camp. Instead, Benjamin added three pounds, although he notes that he could still pass all the conditioning tests while weighing in at 268.
Benjamin has always had an issue with cultivating mass. Back in 2018, EPSN announcer Booger McFarland famously said that Benjamin was “a Popeyes biscuit away from being a tight end”. Benjamin apparently had more than just one biscuit, as he weighed too much to even play tight end. Chances are, this will be the last time we ever see Benjamin on an NFL field.
The Kelvin Benjamin experiment at tight end was fun while it lasted. At least we will always have this gem from @ESPNBooger.pic.twitter.com/wL9EWCElo2
— Prophet Exchange (@ProphetExchange) July 28, 2021
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