Training Camp Notes: July 28

This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.

With all teams in training camp, there's a ton of news to get to. We've got early injury scares, depth chart shakeups and more. Let's jump right in.

Injury News

A number of fantasy-relevant players landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. While there's still plenty of time for these players to return, their status should be monitored.

• The biggest name of all is Lamar Jackson, who is confirmed to have tested positive for the virus. He also tested positive in Week 12 last season but managed to return after only a one-game absence. The situation also highlights the lack of depth the team has behind Jackson at the position with Trace McSorley currently the second option.
• Jalen Richard was also placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list along with Theo Riddick. As will be discussed later, Kenyan Drake is also sidelined. The Raiders' RB depth chart is extremely thin to start camp, with only Josh Jacobs, Garrett Groshek and Trey Ragas practicing.

There was also plenty of non-COVID injury news Wednesday.

• Dak Prescott exited practice early with arm soreness. He was later diagnosed with a right shoulder strain. Concern is minimal, as a team spokesman called the move purely precautionary. Given that Prescott is also returning from a severe ankle injury, the team is likely to play it very safe with its franchise quarterback.
• Michael Gallup also was held out of Cowboys practice with an ankle injury. He apparently suffered the injury during Tuesday's practice. Coach Mike McCarthy didn't seem overly concerned, implying that the injury was only a short-term issue. Once healthy, Gallup figures to serve as the third priority among the team's receiver corps, behind Amari Cooper, who is dealing with an ankle injury, and CeeDee Lamb.
• Miami's DeVante Parker was unexpectedly placed on the PUP list to begin training camp. No specific injury was disclosed. While the same caveat that this is early in camp applies to Parker, it's worth noting the array of injuries that Parker has dealt with throughout his career including hamstring, shoulder, quadriceps and ankle woes. As a first-round pick, Jaylen Waddle should step into a significant role regardless of the health of Parker. However, should Parker miss regular-season action, Waddle and Will Fuller would both be in line for larger than projected roles.
• Zack Moss is not a full go to start Bills camp after undergoing ankle surgery in January and missing all offseason practices. Although he's still worked in a limited capacity, he is in a battle with Devin Singletary for the top running back role in Buffalo. Any missed time could cause him to slip in the competition.
• In Denver, there was positive and negative news. Courtland Sutton progressed from participating in only individual drills this offseason to 7-on-7 team work Wednesday. It was also revealed that he is expected to play in one preseason game, and that he will wear a brace on his knee. While Sutton will play a key role in the offense, it remains to be seen whether he or Jerry Jeudy will serve as the team's true No. 1 receiver.  Meanwhile, KJ Hamler exited practice early with an apparent injury. As has been the theme, the severity of the issue is reported to be minor.
• Kenyan Drake was placed on the non-football injury list for the Raiders. He was seen at practice working to the side with trainers, though the issue is unclear. There's a possibility he returns to practice Friday. Word on Drake's projected usage will be worth monitoring throughout training camp, as he is set to split the backfield with Josh Jacobs.
• Curtis Samuel was held out of Washington's practice with a groin injury. He suffered the injury eight weeks ago and has not hit the practice field since. The team remains unconcerned, however, and Samuel should be locked into a significant role serving as a complementary receiver to Terry McLaurin.
• Steelers TE Eric Ebron began as a full participant in practice Wednesday, but exited with elbow discomfort. He shouldn't be in any danger of missing games, but his absence will allow second-round pick Pat Freiermuth to handle more reps. Although Ebron should enter the season as the primary tight end, Freiermuth could progressively find the field more as the season wears on.
• Seattle had a trio of injury announcements. Perhaps most impactful is that D'Wayne Eskridge was placed on the PUP list with a toe injury. It's notable that he was also dealing with the issue during minicamp and it has not progressed to the point where he can return to the field. He should be in line for the WR3 role in Seattle, but that could be jeopardized if he remains sidelined for an extended period. Rashaad Penny has trended the opposite way, as he was held out of minicamp while rehabbing a torn ACL but avoided the PUP list to begin training camp. While he has yet to practice fully, this is still a good sign for his chance to emerge as the team's second running back. Speaking of depth at the position, Travis Homer was placed on the PUP list due to a calf injury that also plagued him in minicamp. Likely headed for the third position on the depth chart at best, Homer could slide further behind the likes of DeeJay Dallas and Alex Collins.
• Both Brandon Aiyuk and Jalen Hurd were full participants in Wednesday's practice for the 49ers. Aiyuk had been dealing with a minor groin injury but was seen making several catches. Assuming his health continues to trend in a positive direction, Aiyuk could be in for a strong second season after posting 60 receptions for 748 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. Hurd is coming off of a more significant injury, as he tore his ACL almost exactly one year ago. He offers an interesting skillset as both a ball-carrier and receiver. He should compete for the No. 3 receiver role in San Francisco, but even if he loses out, he could serve as a gadget player in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
• As promised, Odell Beckham was on the field for Wednesday's practice. He said he felt great afterward and continues to trend toward playing Week 1 against Kansas City. He hasn't been as explosive in recent seasons, but could be in for a bounce-back year if he does in fact return to full strength.

News on Players' Roles

There was also plenty of news Wednesday regarding potential roles.

• The Jets' backfield is one of the more ambiguous situations around the league, with Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson and La'Mical Perine legitimate contenders for the primary role. Carter lined up with the first-team offense Wednesday. Also on the field at the time were quarterback Mike White — Zach Wilson remains unsigned — as well as Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole and Tyler Kroft.
• Also in New York, TE Chris Herndon ran with the second team. Amid concerns regarding both his health and ability to pick up the playbook, Herndon might not be in for a significant role to begin the season.
• In Eagles camp, both Travis Fulgham and DeVonta Smith lined up with the first-team offense. While that is expected — but nevertheless big news — for Smith, it is worth noting that Jalen Reagor was limited in practice due to tightness in his lower body. Presumably, Reagor and Smith will serve as the team's top two wideouts, with Fulgham and Greg Ward battling for duties as the No. 3.
• Demetric Felton is an intriguing rookie for the Browns, as he can work as both a wide receiver and running back. He lined up out of the backfield Wednesday, though that could change based on how the Browns roster shakes out from an injury perspective. Although he's buried on the depth chart at both positions for now, he's worth keeping an eye on as his versatility could get him on the field quicker than expected.