Houston’s Watt one happy camper
A year after missing all of the preseason on his way to an injury-shortened regular season, J.J. Watt made his return to training camp for the Houston Texans yesterday in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
Practice never felt so good for the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s just good to be back on the field, be back playing football, be back with my teammates,” Watt said. “It’s just — it feels good. It feels like where I belong.”
The defensive lineman played in only three games last season because of a pair of back surgeries. The first was to repair a herniated disk in July, causing him to miss all of training camp and Houston’s four preseason games.
“It’s great to have him back,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s a great player. . . . It means a lot to our football team.”
Jets sign Whitehead
The New York Jets claimed wide receiver and kick returner Lucky Whitehead two days after the Cowboys cut him following a shoplifting charge in what turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.
A man used Whitehead’s identity to steal $40 worth of food and drink from a Virginia convenience store in June. Dallas released him Monday after reports that Whitehead was arrested and subsequently cited for missing a court hearing.
The Jets claimed the threeyear veteran and waived receiver Devin Street. ...
The Los Angeles Chargers acquired quarterback Cardale Jones from the Buffalo Bills for an undisclosed conditional draft pick. . . .
The Baltimore Ravens signed running back Bobby Rainey to add depth in the wake of Kenneth Dixon’s season-ending knee injury.
Kessler No. 1 for now
Cody Kessler will enter Cleveland Browns training camp as the man to beat in the competition for the starting quarterback job, and No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett is “ready to go” despite the defensive end’s left lateral foot sprain last month, coach Hue Jackson said. . . .
Tight end Jordan Reed was a surprise inclusion on the Washington Redskins’ physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp because of a toe injury. Reed is dealing with significant toe soreness and is undergoing further evaluation before being cleared to play as the Redskins hope to avoid any long-term issues. . . .
The Tennessee Titans agreed to a multi-year contract extension with offensive tackle Dennis Kelly.
Vikes ink Griffen
Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen signed a four-year extension with the Minnesota Vikings, keeping him under contract through 2022. The deal is worth $58 million, including $34 million in guaranteed money. . . .
The Los Angeles Rams signed veteran quarterback Dan Orlovsky. ...
Julio Jones’ diamond earring valued at more than $100,000 is now presumed lost on the murky bottom of Lake Lanier in Georgia. The Atlanta Falcons star receiver lost it when he hit a boat wake while jet skiing. Scuba divers searched the lake bottom for two days.