Sunday Bengals News and Discussion (8/16)

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 04: B.J. Hill #92 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks across the field during an OTA offseason workout at the Kettering Health Bengals Practice Fields on June 04, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cincinnati is gearing up for their next preseason game against the Chicago Bears, which should showcase the most playing time from starters in the summer exhibition series. While the Bengals were victorious in their preseason opener, they have more work to do to be revved up for the regular season opener.

In the preseason opener, many backups made notable plays. In fact, rookies and new faces were among the majority of the guys showing up on the highlight reel.

Who stood out to you the most? Who are you wanting to make more plays in the next two games?

Bengals News

Five Observations from Day 11 of Bengals Training Camp

B.J. Hill practiced for the first time after rehabbing an ankle injury for several months.

Here’s why Myles Murphy left Bengals practice early on a cart

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy was carted off the field during practice on Aug. 15 to receive an IV for muscle cramps.

Zac Taylor Explains Why Bengals Rookie Ceyair Wright Left the Team

The Bengals suddenly lost cornerback Ceyair Wright after the young quarterback left the team.

Bengals Player Profile: Evan McPherson looks to build off his bounce back season

The Cincinnati Bengals managed nine wins during Evan McPherson’s worst year as a pro.

Bengals quarterback room shares a unique piece of NFL history

Joe Burrow is the headliner, but Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson make Cincinnati’s QB trio truly extraordinary.

1 unexpected Bengals rookie already flashing long-term starter upside

The Cincinnati Bengals have some really solid early contributions from the rookie class this year. 

NFL News

Rams rookie QB Ty Simpson shines with two touchdown passes in preseason debut vs. Chiefs

There were a whole bunch of raised eyebrows when the Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson in the first round in April.

2026 NFL preseason Week 1: Game takeaways, analysis

The first week of the 2026 NFL preseason kicked off Thursday, giving us our first look at rookies and players making debuts with new teams.

Giants’ Jaxson Dart irritated over latest trip to NFL’s blue medical tent

Dart visited the blue tent after taking a big hit during Saturday’s preseason game, but came back in to throw TD

Ja’Kobi Lane has TD catch on promising night for Ravens rookie receivers in 24-7 win over Eagles

Rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane keeps turning heads. On Saturday night, so did his recently drafted teammates.

Deshaun Watson: I don’t doubt myself in any way

Browns coach Todd Monken said it was “cool” and “awesome” to watch Deshaun Watson play on Saturday.

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What NFL games are on today? Preseason Week 1 TV channels, Saturday schedule

The 2026 NFL preseason has already provided plenty of excitement, and the Saturday, Aug. 15, action will add another layer of intrigue to the fold.

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A total of seven games are set to be played on Saturday. None will captivate NFL fans quite as much as the Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears matchup, during which viewers will get a first glimpse at the quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders in new coach Todd Monken's offense.

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Another quarterback battle will be on display simultaneously. While Kyler Murray has already been named the Minnesota Vikings' starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy will look to prove he deserves another chance and play well enough to put heat on the veteran in the early stages of the 2026 NFL season.

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Elsewhere, Ty Simpson is set to make his debut for the Los Angeles Rams. The 13th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft will play behind Stetson Bennett IV but will nonetheless get a chance to show what he can do and compare his first outing to his fellow first-round rookie quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.

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Here's what to know about the slate of games on Saturday as the first full week of NFL preseason action comes to a close.

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What NFL games are on today?

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A total of seven preseason games will be played throughout the day on Saturday. Here's the full slate:

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• Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
• Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
• New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
• Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4 p.m. ET
• New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4 p.m. ET
• Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7 p.m. ET
• Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8 p.m. ET

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Watch preseason NFL games with Fubo (free trial)

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NFL preseason Week 1: TV channels for Saturday games

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Three of Saturday's seven NFL games will air nationally on NFL Network, while three more will air on ESPN Unlimited. All seven contests will be available to watch on NFL+ and locally in each team's market.

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Below is a full look at the TV channels for each matchup:

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• Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns
  • Local: Fox32 Chicago (Chicago) | WEWS News 5 (Cleveland)
  • National: NFL Network
• Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers
  • Local: WIVB (Buffalo) | WSOC (Carolina)
• New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings
  • Local: KMSP (Minneapolis) | WNBC (New York)
  • National: ESPN Unlimited
• Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams
  • Local: CBS LA (Los Angeles) | KSHB 41 (Kansas City)
  • National: NFL Network
• New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Local: WVUE (New Orleans) | WFOX and WJAX (Jacksonville)
  • National: ESPN Unlimited
• Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles
  • Local: WBAL (Baltimore) | WCAU (Philadelphia)
  • National: ESPN Unlimited
• Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys
  • Local: King 5 (Seattle) | CBS Texas (Dallas)
  • National: NFL Network

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Odds for every NFL preseason game today

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Odds from BetMGM as of Friday.

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• Bears (+155) vs. Browns (-190)
  • CLE (-3); O/U 40.5
• Bills (-160) vs. Panthers (+135)
  • BUF (-3); O/U 38.5
• Giants (+115) vs. Vikings (-135)
  • MIN (-2.5); O/U 42.5
• Chiefs (-135) vs. Rams (+110)
  • KC (-1.5); O/U 35.5
• Saints (-145) vs. Jaguars (+120)
  • NO (-2.5); O/U 36
• Ravens (+165) vs. Eagles (-200)
  • PHI (-3.5); O/U 36.5
• Seahawks (-160) vs. Cowboys (+130)
  • SEA (-3); O/U 38

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NFL preseason Week 1 schedule

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Thursday, Aug. 13

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• Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions, 7 p.m. ET
• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers, 7 p.m. ET
• New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m. ET
• Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8 p.m. ET
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans, 9 p.m. ET

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Friday, Aug. 14

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• Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos, 7 p.m. ET
• New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7 p.m. ET
• Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET

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Saturday, Aug. 15

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• Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
• Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
• New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
• Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4 p.m. ET
• New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4 p.m. ET
• Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7 p.m. ET
• Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8 p.m. ET

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Watch NFL preseason action with Fubo (free trial)

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How to watch NFL preseason games

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• TV channel (national): NFL Network
• TV channel (local): By market
• Live stream: NFL+ (for all games) | ESPN Unlimited | Fubo (for national games)

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The NFL Network will broadcast a number of nationally televised games throughout the preseason. Most games will air in local markets on CBS, NBC, and others.

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For cord-cutters looking to broadcast the game, NFL+ Premium will broadcast every preseason game. Fubo – which carries NFL Network, as well as CBS, NBC, Fox and the ESPN family of networks – will also have select games available.

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ESPN Unlimited will also carry several games.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What NFL games are on today? Preseason Week 1 TV channels, Saturday schedule

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Colts coach gets knocked down by own player in painful sideline moment

A Colts coach gets knocked down by his own player in a painful sideline moment.

There’s always a risk of injury during the preseason, but usually that is for the players and not the coaches. 

Nevertheless, that wasn’t the case on Thursday night during the Colts’ tie against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. 

Indianapolis special teams coordinator Brian Mason appeared to get hurt on the final play of the 13-13 tie when Colts quarterback Riley Leonard attempted a Hail Mary pass and the Indy assistant coach got taken out along the sideline. 

Not good: #Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason got taken out on the very final play of tonight’s preseason game and was in significant pain.

(@BCampbell__87) pic.twitter.com/t87ZXVZWp3

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 14, 2026

Brian Mason went down in pain on the sideline during the Colts’ Aug. 13, 2026. NFL

The broadcast captured the moment a pair of players — one being a Colts player and the other being a member of the Patriots — made contact with Mason and sent him to the ground. 

Mason could be seen in immediate pain when the broadcast showed a replay of the play. 

The special teams coordinator appeared to be yelling in pain and rolled on the ground. 

It wasn’t immediately clear what the Colts coach had hurt. 

Indianapolis special team coordinator Brian Mason of the Indianapolis Colts looks on prior to the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Mason is going into his fourth season as the Colts’ special teams coordinator and has coached across various levels of football during his career. 

Among his other stops were Ohio State, where he was a graduate assistant for two years, Cincinnati, where he was first named director of recruiting and then eventually promoted to special teams coordinator, and Notre Dame.

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The Denver Broncos recently worked out safety Tyler Rapp

TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Taylor Rapp #9 of the Buffalo Bills runs onto the field prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, Broncos Country.

The Denver Broncos tout one of the best secondaries in the league. The star power and depth at cornerback is evident, and the team has an underrated starting duo at safety with Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga. However, the Broncos might be interested in adding some experienced depth at safety.

According to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post, the Broncos recently worked out veteran safety Tyler Rapp. A second-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in the 2019 NFL Draft, Rapp has played in 93 games with 72 starts. Over seven seasons, he has notched 488 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 31 passes defended. He has been a productive player, though several hip and knee injuries have impacted his availability throughout his career.

After Jones and Hufanga, five players are battling it out in training camp for depth spots on the backend of their secondary. Those players are JL Skinner, Devon Key, Tycen Anderson, Miles Scott, and Parker Robertson. Skinner, Key, and Anderson have all been top-notch special teams’ players during their time in the NFL. Scott and Robertson are both rookies this season.

With P.J. Locke’s departure to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, Denver may be looking for a more experienced player to assume his role with the team. None of the five players vying for a backup role have any significant in-game snaps. For perspective, Locke had over 1,800 defensive snaps during his time with the Broncos as a reserve and pinch-starter. Rapp has over 4,800 defensive snaps in his career.

Maybe it means nothing, but maybe it means something. In the event either Jones or Hufanga missed time, it could be wise to have a veteran player who has a lot of starting experience as one of their depth players. What do you think, Broncos Country? Would you be interested in the Broncos signing Rapp? Let me know in the comments section.

As always, thank you for reading. Here is today’s slate of articles for Horse Tracks.

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Myles Murphy says Boye Mafe’s impact on Bengals goes well beyond the pass rush

When the Cincinnati Bengals added Boye Mafe this offseason, the obvious expectation was that he would help the pass rush. According to Myles Murphy, Mafe is bringing considerably more than that.

The knowledge Mafe has brought to Cincinnati’s defensive front is one of the biggest things that has impressed Murphy so far through camp.

“That’s one of the big reasons why we got him here,” Murphy said recently. “Of course he can rush; he’s a big, twitchy player, but his IQ is very high as well.”

“His football IQ is second to none. He knows ball.” Myles Murphy on Boye Mafe and the impact he’s had on him and Bengals D. pic.twitter.com/EcvvEeuSNo

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 9, 2026

Mafe arrived in Cincinnati after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and helping them to a Super Bowl championship last year. The former second-round pick has 20 career sacks and gives the Bengals an experienced edge presence as they reshape their defensive front.

Murphy is entering a pivotal season of his own. The Bengals’ 2023 first-round pick has shown flashes during his first three years in Cincinnati, with last year being his best to date with 52 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and three passes defensed.

The addition of an experienced player such as Mafe gives Murphy someone alongside him who can help with the finer points of playing the position.

That veteran influence has become a theme throughout Cincinnati’s defense. Mafe is among a group of experienced newcomers who have taken on vocal roles, and Murphy has specifically talked about learning from the veterans Cincinnati brought into the building.

The results are beginning to show on the practice field as well. Mafe and Murphy were among the standouts during Cincinnati’s first padded practice, repeatedly creating pressure and disrupting the offense in the backfield.

Murphy also offered some insight into what defensive coordinator Al Golden is trying to accomplish schematically.

“He never wants to give the quarterback a concrete look,” Murphy said. “It’s the NFL, and we’re going against the best quarterback in the league every single day, so the last thing we want to do is to sit still and give him a concrete read.”

For Murphy, though, perhaps the biggest change entering this season isn’t another player or even Golden’s scheme. It’s confidence.

“More so just knowing who I am and seeing who I can be,” Murphy said. “Having that confidence and sureness in the defense and knowing that we’re going to get on the ball and balling out.”

That’s an encouraging statement from a player the Bengals have been waiting to see take the next step. Murphy has recorded just 8.5 sacks through his first three seasons in the league. But at 24 years old, there is still plenty of reason to believe his best football could be ahead of him.

And perhaps Mafe can help bring some of that out.

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NBA Reveals Full Knicks’ 2026 NBA Cup Schedule

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: A generic photo of the jumbotron before the Emirates NBA Cup Final game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Knicks entered last season’s NBA Cup as a team with good-not-great odds of conquering it. They left it with the trophy and outright refused to raise a banner, but will ultimately find themselves hanging up two, not one, by the end of October. Ah, life.

Now, the defending NBA Cup champions know exactly what stands between them and another deep tournament run, ideally back-to-back tourney chips, after the NBA unveiled the full group-play schedule for the 2026 NBA Cup on Wednesday.

The NBA already suspiciously placed New York in East Group B back on July 1, alongside the Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, with group play running from Oct. 30 through Nov. 27. The group winner, along with one Eastern Conference wild card, will advance to the knockout stage.

The Knicks will open group play on Oct. 30 in Philadelphia against a royally revamped 76ers team featuring LeBron James and C’s odd-man-out Jaylen Brown. They then travel to Indiana on Nov. 13 to face a Pacers squad expected to welcome back — but not much more — Tyrese Haliburton after he missed last season recovering from an Achilles injury.

New York’s final two games come at Madison Square Garden, beginning with a Nov. 25 rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals against Donovan Mitchell and the Wannabe Contenders Cavaliers before closing group play on Nov. 27 against a Miami team that added Giannis Antetokounmpo and depleted its four-to-12 depth in the process.

Knicks’ NBA Cup Group Breakdown

• Philadelphia 76ers (Oct. 30, Away): The Sixers added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown and look like the strongest opponent out there. Not only that, but they also boast franchise player Tyrese Maxey and an extraordinary young man in VJ Edgecombe.
• Indiana Pacers (Nov. 13, Away): Yes, they will have Tyrese Haliburton back, but this Pacers team is lottery bound for me until they prove they were not a one-year fluke. And you bet I’m betting on my belief.
• Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 25, Home): Eastern Conference Finals rematch after New York swept Cleveland. It will be good to extend the streak, won’t it?
• Miami Heat (Nov. 27, Home): Now led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo following a blockbuster offseason trade, it’s unknown whether the Heat will be able to field any playable dude besides Giannis, Adebayo, and Wiggins — depending on how you see the latter.

Anyway, for what matters here, the NBA Cup knockout stage will begin with the quarterfinals on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, followed by the semifinals on Dec. 8 and/or Dec. 9. This year’s championship game — mark it on your calendars if you’re a Knicks fan — is scheduled for Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis after the event moved from Las Vegas.

Full 2026 NBA Cup Schedule

• Oct. 30: Knicks at 76ers
• Nov. 13: Knicks at Pacers
• Nov. 25: Cavaliers at Knicks
• Nov. 27: Heat at Knicks
  
• Dec. 4-5: Quarterfinals
• Dec. 8/9: Semifinals
• Dec. 11: NBA Cup Final

New York will enter the tournament with a chance to become the first franchise to successfully defend the NBA Cup title after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in last year’s championship game, and will have a shot at putting together three consecutive championship victories (a mini three-peat? three-peat lite?) for the first time since the 2000-2002 LA Lakers.

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49ers News: Sounds like the joint practice was LIT

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 04: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers juggles softballs while working out during training camp at SAP Performance Facility on August 04, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Fred Warner de-escalates fiery, fight-filled 49ers-Titans joint practice
“The 49ers had two notable plays on back-to-back snaps highlighted by plays from defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and safety Ji’Ayir Brown.

Odighizuwa supplied pressure up the middle and grabbed a handful of Titans quarterback Cam Ward’s jersey as he ran past.

The Titans did not take kindly to Odighizuwa touching their quarterback during the joint practice.

On the next play, Brown sniffed out a Ward throw over the deep middle for an interception.

The Titans were unable to connect down the field against the 49ers’ defensive backfield.”

Fred Warner drops eye-popping praise about ‘sticky’ 49ers defensive backs
“The way they’re playing, sticky in coverage, playing the ball in the air, being able to play the run game or the ball thrown the flat, the ability to tackle, I think it’s one of the best I’ve seen thus far,” Warner said. “I’m really excited about what I’m seeing. We just got to continue to jell and mesh that thing together so it’s the best version for when that time comes.”

Fred Warner, 49ers’ pass defense stand out in heated session with Titans’ Cam Ward (paywall)
“But the bulk of Ward’s completions came on screens and short throws, and his best opportunities deep down the field couldn’t be hauled in by his receivers. He was twice flushed from the pocket by third-round rookie Romello Height. On another play, Ward forced a throw to Wan’Dale Robinson in tight coverage, allowing safety Ji’Ayir Brown to step forward and pick off the pass.

That play also ended in a brief dustup involving cornerbacks Green and Upton Stout. During the ensuing delay, Warner walked from the sideline to the east end zone, raising both arms to pump up the crowd.

After all, it’s been a while since he’s been able to do that.

“That’s why I love joint practices,” he said afterward. “You really have an opportunity to work on your craft and really see where your team is….I don’t know if I’ve felt that confident in that part of the game as I feel right now,” he said. “That’s not a knock on any team that I’ve played with before. But I think this group is kind of meshing together, playing together, sticky in coverage, playing the ball in the air. … I think it’s one of the best I’ve seen thus far. I’m really excited.”

2026 San Francisco 49ers training camp: Latest intel, updates
“I had Purdy at 21-of-27 on the day, including multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions.

His best throws came in a move the ball sequence in which he dropped a perfect ball between three defenders to rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling that would have gone for a long touchdown. And then, he had another layered throw over linebacker Cody Barton for a big gain to TE Jake Tonges.”

49ers’ Nick Bosa has knee tendinitis after ACL recovery, per Kyle Shanahan
“Just soreness, tendinitis,” Shanahan said. “It’s a pretty normal thing with ACLs. Talking with our guys (medical staff), it happens with about 90 percent of the guys we’ve had.”

How the 49ers’ defense looks different under Raheem Morris
“The goal, not unlike coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, is to utilize personnel groupings that make everything look the same before quickly transforming into something else. 

Through the first two weeks of camp, three young 49ers — second-year linebacker Nick Martin and rookies Jaden Dugger and Romello Height — have emerged as the top candidates for the job. Each has done one of those jobs well over their career, but they’re trying to add other tools to their belt throughout camp.

It’s why Dugger spent some time at a recent practice with the defensive line, working to hone his pass-rush moves. And it’s why observers have seen Height take reps dropping into coverage. Martin has also occasionally lined up as the fifth defender on the line of scrimmage during team periods in this camp.

Linebacker coach K.J. Wright said the winner of that competition, which he says is still wide open, won’t claim the job just based on physical attributes. They’ll have to prove they can handle the workload that accompanies so many responsibilities. Hence the position’s name.”

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