Trevor Lawrence struggles, Bucs watch Olympics, fans watch practices and more

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4:48 p.m. ET

  • ESPN Staff

On the first Monday of 2021 NFL training camps, the Indianapolis Colts received bad news about a foot injury from quarterback Carson Wentz, who will miss a month to three months after the operation.

Meanwhile, another quarterback, the No. 1 pick in the draft, received a big dose of NFL reality as the defense had more freedom.

The news was less gloomy in the rest of the league, as many teams held practices open to fans, including in Green Bay, Houston, New York and Pittsburgh.

But it would be tough to beat the guard in Tampa, as Bucs players all gathered to watch Anna, sister of cornerback Ross Cockrell, advance to the Olympic 400-meter hurdles final.

News is expected to be lively on Tuesday with several teams scheduled for their first padded training sessions.

Here’s what you need to know about league camps:

Jump to the best of the day:
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What our NFL Nation reporters saw today

Tough start for rookie Trevor Lawrence on the first day the Jaguars defense was allowed to play media coverage and continue throwing. Lawrence went 1 for 6 with two interceptions and made a pass to the line of scrimmage in the first session at 11v 11. On one of the interceptions there appeared to be a communication problem as Lawrence threw deep. and there was no receiver near the ball. He bounced back in 7 on 7 and another 11 on 11 session and completed 12 on 14. “As a football player you are not always going to have your best day.” said running back Travis Etienne Jr., Lawrence’s teammate at Clemson. “That’s why we come here and work every day. It’s better to have these days now than to have them later in the season.” –Michael DiRocco

Rookie cornerback Jaycee Horn continued to show why he was the eighth pick overall. He’s had two interceptions, giving him three in the last two practices. Horn is also, as coach Matt Rhule noted, “catching and holding way too much.” missed homework. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold had two choices. Top receiver DJ Moore made a fumble. A handful of linemen had to perform laps after false starts, including two on back-to-back games. –David Newton

First-round pick Caleb Farley made his practice debut. He looked quick and out of his backpedal. Farley spent a lot of time with veteran CB Jackrabbit Jenkins during the special teams portion of practice. They worked on point-of-capture defense, disrupting WR exits and more. He was assigned alongside DB coach Anthony Midget during team times. Mike Vrabel joked that Farley wrote two rap songs that he and the players loved. Vrabel says his progress is going well. – Turron Davenport

Patriots rookie skits took place and Mac Jones’ impersonation of Cam Newton had a few veterans in stitches. Jones used a suitcase as an accessory and arrived dressed as Cam. “This is my fifth year in the league; it’s probably the best rookie impersonation I’ve ever seen,” said LB Raekwon McMillan. –Mike Reiss

Coordinator Eric Bieniemy was not happy with the offensive execution of Monday’s practice, the first after a day off at training camp. Patrick Mahomes, who threw just one interception in the first four days of camp, threw three on Monday, all by linebackers. “Sometimes you have good days, sometimes the guys on the other side have good days,” Bieniemy said. “We haven’t had a very good day.… We’re going to tape it up and clean it up.” –Adam Teicher

With DeVonta Smith out for several weeks with a sprained knee, receivers lower on the depth chart have the opportunity to make their mark. Second-year spreader Quez Watkins took advantage Monday by recovering a long touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts, showing that 40-yard running speed of 4.35 seconds. He added another TD later in the session. Watkins, a Southern Miss sixth round pick, has a chance not only to make the squad, but also to work his way into the rotation if he continues. – Tim McManus

Defensive end Carl Lawson continued his scorching training camp, generating considerable pressure from the rim. The entire defensive line won the day, with John Franklin-Myers and Ronnie Blair sacking rookie QB Zach Wilson. The Jets believe their defensive line could be a force once Quinnen Williams returns in a few weeks after his broken foot. “I expect it to be pretty darn good,” said defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, a former Saints first-round pick. – Rich Cimini

It is far too early to overstate Jameis Winston’s performance at camp. But he had his most impressive workout yet on Monday, a day when there was a much higher volume of passing play in full-team drills than the three previous workouts. The highlight was a deep completion from WR Marquez Callaway, who did a great extension to catch the ball with his fingertips. But Winston has also been good on a variety of throws, including two strikes against RB Alvin Kamara in team drills and 7v7 work. –Mike Triplet

Top NFL News Today

Wentz des Colts will have surgery, in 5 to 12 weeks
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will undergo surgery on his injured foot on Monday and will be out for about 5 to 12 weeks, coach Frank Reich said. Reich said it was an old injury, possibly from high school, and a fractured bone broke off from Wentz’s foot. Wentz felt a “pinch in his foot” as he rolled and planted to pitch late in practice last Thursday, offensive coordinator Marcus Brady said on Friday. Reich said Jacob Eason will continue to receive first row reps in training with Wentz sidelined.

Sources: Eagles WR Smith expected to miss 2-3 weeks
Eagles rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith is set to miss two to three weeks with an MCL sprain, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday. Smith underwent an MRI on Sunday which revealed the knee injury. The Eagles aren’t expressing much concern about Smith, who is listed week-to-week on the team’s injury report, describing his absence from practice as a precaution.

Bucs CB Takes Sister’s Games On A 3-INT Day
Just before practice Monday morning, the Buccaneers gathered in a large auditorium under a giant screen to watch the third semi-final of the 400-meter hurdles. In soggy heat, Anna Cockrell emerged to overtake Viktorija Tkachuk and finish in second place with a time of 54.17 seconds, securing a berth in the final at her first Olympics. “She emptied him at the end,” said Bucs cornerback Ross Cockrell, brother of Anna. “My heart was pounding in my chest.” It was the same magic she had at the Olympic Trials, where she went from fifth to third on the final corner for a personal best 53.70. Not to be outdone, Ross Cockrell, who rebounded between the cornerback and safety due to Buccaneers safety injuries, followed up with a solid practice in which he recorded three interceptions.

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Bears quarterback Nick Foles praises Colts coach Frank Reich but points out that he has yet to be approached about a trade.

Best NFL Pictures

NFL Quotes of the Day

“The job is Jacob’s right now. He has to prove it, he knows it. Jacob is in the driver’s seat.”

Colts coach Frank Reich on Jacob Eason

“You all made me cry in the village dining room!” ”

Olympic hurdler Anna Cockrell after watching Bucs watch her semi-final

“I just feel like the guys are going to miss games. There are so many cases going on right now. We’re going to be missing some guys games and we have to prepare for it.”

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on COVID



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