This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.
Thursday didn't bring any new reports of player opt-outs, but there were a handful of notable roster transactions, both in terms of signings and reserve lists.
SIGNINGS
LeSean McCoy, RB, TB
This one could be a headache for those who roster Ronald Jones or Ke'Shawn Vaughn, as coach Bruce Arians is known for showing an undue fondness for veteran running backs, and despite falling off in recent years McCoy's memorable peak could linger in Arians' mind. With that said, it's only a one-year, $1 million deal, which has to be around the veteran minimum. Now 32 years old, McCoy might not amount to more than emergency depth in an unprecedented era of volatility due to the COVID threat. If Jones or Vaughn look sloppy in practice, though, the presence of a veteran like McCoy might make Arians that much quicker to give them the hook. It should be noted that Vaughn is currently on the team's COVID list. Considering McCoy doesn't really do the same things as Dare Ogunbowale or rookie seventh-round pick Raymond Calais, his signing shouldn't affect much for those two, who may well be competing against each other for the last roster spot at running back.
Nigel Bradham, LB, NO
Once a standout athlete as a prospect out of Florida State, Bradham should still offer the Saints some range at linebacker if they end up having a use for him. DeMario Davis is the alpha at linebacker, but aside from him the trio of Kiko Alonso (durability), Alex Anzalone (durability), and Zack Baun (rookie/position change) has varying sources of potential concern. There is an outside chance Bradham emerges as New Orleans' LB2 alongside Davis.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, ATL
Dennard is unlikely to emerge as an IDP option, but he could prove a meaningful upgrade for a dubious Atlanta corner rotation. Dennard secured solid results as a slot corner for the Bengals last year, and with the Falcons he could project for the same role.
LIST TRANSACTIONS
Jace Sternberger, TE, GB (COVID)
Sternberger landed on Green Bay's COVID reserve list along with kicker Mason Crosby. Crosby's role is assured if his health cooperates, but Sternberger will hopefully make a quick recovery to compete for snaps against the likes of Robert Tonyan, Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, and James Looney.
Jeff Wilson, RB, SF (COVID)
Wilson is competing with Jerick McKinon, JaMycal Hasty, and Salvon Ahmed for the RB3 role in San Francisco. He knows the Kyle Shanahan routine well, so Wilson can probably afford to miss time more than the rookie duo of Hasty and Ahmed. McKinnon still has questions to answer regarding the state of his troublesome knee, meanwhile.
Ryan Griffin, TE, NYJ (PUP)
Griffin's surgically-repaired ankle apparently needs more time, but that should be a non-issue soon enough. Expect Griffin to serve as the main blocking tight end with the Jets and the top backup otherwise to standout pass catcher Chris Herndon.
Joe Flacco, QB, NYJ (PUP)
Competing for the QB2 role with the Jets, Flacco (neck) isn't supposed to be healthy anytime soon. He might open the regular season on the PUP list as well, in which case the Jets might turn to fourth-round rookie pick James Morgan to serve as backup to Sam Darnold.
