Training Camp Notes: Aug. 9

This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.

Teams around the league released depth charts ahead of the first full week of preseason games. That dominated the news Monday, along with several injury updates.

• Saquon Barkley was activated from the PUP list and participated in individual drills. In a surprising twist, coach Joe Judge didn't rule out the possibility of his participation in preseason games. His ADP has dropped in recent weeks, though it's likely to bounce back  with this news.
• Deshaun Watson's situation remains perplexing, as he returned to practice for the first time in a week. He threw several passes, but his situation is still very difficult to navigate due to both involvement in the legal system and a trade demand.
• Justin Jefferson is nearing a return to practice after his exit from practice with a shoulder injury. Reports that his AC joint sprain were not serious appear to be accurate, and a potential major injury bullet has been dodged.
• DeVante Parker has gotten more involved in the offense after being sidelined by a soft tissue injury to start camp. He was noted as making several plays in recent practices. That's even more meaningful in the absence of Will Fuller and Preston Williams. If he can remain on the field, Parker could off to a hot start to the season, even if target competition ramps up as the season goes along.
• The Buccaneers' tight end room got healthier Monday. O.J. Howard is reportedly practicing with little to no limitation. Meanwhile, Cameron Brate was activated from the PUP list. While a positive for the team, it's difficult to envision either of these players commanding a significant number of targets without an injury ahead of them or at the wideout position in Tampa Bay.
• The Ravens have gotten a lot of good injury news in the last few days. Lamar Jackson is working his way back to a full workload in practice, and Ronnie Stanley was activated off the PUP list and should be set to return to his return as the team's starting left tackle. Although expected, this is good news for Jackson and the rest of the Ravens' offense.
• The Washington Football Team could be a team tending the opposite way. Curtis Samuel was activated off the COVID list, only to land on the PUP list. He now has a lingering groin injury and doesn't have a timetable to return. That leaves the Team without a proven second wide receiver, a similar position to last season. In addition to the obvious concern for Samuel himself, Dyami Brown could be in the position to earn a significant role in the offense as a rookie.
• Julio Jones was seen on a stationary bike at practice Monday. He's been sidelined for several days, though it's quite possible that this is simply a maneuver to limit his workload prior to the regular season. It does raise yet another red flag when considering whether Jones can shoulder a full workload in 2021, however.
• Stefon Diggs was sidelined by a knee injury Monday. This is likely nothing to fret over, though he does have a laundry list of past injuries including a knee strain in 2016 that cost him two games.
• Aaron Jones wasn't spotted at practice Monday and is dealing with a hamstring injury. Very similar to Diggs, this is likely nothing. However, due to his draft status its at least worth keeping an eye on.
• Darrel Williams was absent from Chiefs' practice Monday with a knee injury. His absence could help propel Jerick McKinnon into the second spot of the team's depth chart. That's significant due to McKinnon's proven ability as a pass-catcher and because of the praise he received early in camp.
• Hunter Henry is dealing with a shoulder injury and is reportedly in quite a bit of pain. It's not expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period, but any absence could give Jonnu Smith some runway to build rapport with both Cam Newton and Mac Jones.
• D'Onta Foreman signed with the Falcons.  This likely isn't the move that will jeopardize Mike Davis' job as the top back, but the team quietly has several viable players at the position now in Qadree Ollison, Cordarrelle Patterson, Javian Hawkins and Caleb Huntley as well.

Now, shifting to some job battles/depth chart notes:

• The Jets depth chart at running back could be a major area of value in drafts if one back emerges to lead the pack. Tevin Coleman and Michael Carter appear to have the most potential to do so. Coleman was the top running back on the Jet's projected depth chart and could see the majority of work early on. Carter has also worked with the first team throughout training camp. He should have a role early on as well, with the potential to surpass Coleman as the season progresses.
• Quez Watkins and Zach Ertz have both gotten strong reviews early in camp. Watkins has reportedly outplayed John Hightower. In the absence of Devonta Smith and the inconsistency of Jalen Reagor, Watkins could emerge out of the mass of peripheral options to play a fairly significant role in the Eagles' passing game this season. Meanwhile, Ertz not only remains with the team but also has reportedly outplayed expected starter Dallas Goedert. The team has an obvious interest in leaking this information as they continue to trade Ertz, but it does make the tight end pool even shallower in terms of reliable options.
• Switching positions but remaining in Philadelphia, Kerryon Johnson is currently projected to remain on the roster. He isn't likely to serve a major role with Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell presumably ahead of him on the depth chart.
• Jermar Jefferson could go from seventh-round pick to earning a roster spot. He's gotten more reps of late with D'Andre Swift battling a groin injury and impressed the coaching staff with the expanded opportunity. Jefferson is still a long shot to see meaningful work to begin the regular season, as he'll sit behind both Swift and Jamaal Williams. However, should either go down, Jefferson is a name worth monitoring.
• In Carolina, Terrace Marshall leads the competition for the No. 3 receiver role over David Moore. Notably, coach Matt Rhule stated the team is trying to force feed Marshall the ball to get him acclimated with the offense. That won't be enough for him to immediately make an impact ahead of DJ Moore and Robby Anderson, though again this could be a depth chart that gets some realignment as the season goes on.
• Collin Johnson received some attention for several plays he made in connection with Trevor Lawrence in a weekend scrimmage. Johnson is entering his second season as a pro and is a big-bodied target. However, he also possess enough athleticism that he could produce if he can break out of the gridlock that is the Jaguars' wide receiver depth chart.