Crucial game ahead for Dolphins’ Fales
Former San Jose State quarterback David Fales has been on the bubble for his entire fiveyear NFL career, so he sounds almost convincing when he says Thursday’s exhibition finale with Miami at Atlanta is just another game.
Waived four times and released from a practice squad twice, Fales probably will be awarded the No. 2 job for the first time if he plays well against the Falcons.
If he plays poorly, he might be cut.
In his latest struggle to stay in the league, Fales is competing with Brock Osweiler for a backup job.
“You can’t put too much weight on one game,” Fales said. “I’m going to approach it the same way I have every preseason game and every game. You can’t put too much pressure on yourself. Otherwise, you’re going to be forcing stuff and trying to do crazy stuff, and it’s not going to help you.”
Osweiler and Fales haven’t looked like keepers much since training camp began, but head coach Adam Gase said he’s comfortable with his options at backup quarterback — an important role, given doubts regarding the durability of starter Ryan Tannehill, who’s coming off knee surgery and missed the 2017 season.
Gase said he’s certain his No. 2 QB will be either Fales or Osweiler. Staying put: The Bengals signed defensive tackle Geno Atkins to a four-year extension and gave defensive end Carlos Dunlap a three-year deal. The pacts are worth $65.3 million and $45 million, respectively, ESPN reported.
Atkins, 30, had nine sacks last season, giving him 61 for his eight-year career in Cincinnati. Dunlap, 29, had 7.5 sacks last season and has 64.5 in eight years with the team. Injury report: Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin, sidelined for almost a month because of a balky left knee, returned to practice. The Stanford alum won’t play in his team’s preseason finale against the Raiders on Thursday, but expects to be ready for Seattle’s season opener Sept. 9. “I’m probably about 80-85 percent right now and the truth of the matter is it won’t be 100 percent,” Baldwin said. “It’s something I’ve got to deal with for the rest of the season.” ... Philadelphia receiver Alshon Jeffrey, recovering from shoulder surgery, will miss at least the first two games of the regular season, ESPN reported. Briefly: The Titans acquired linebacker Kamalei Correa from the Ravens for an undisclosed draft pick. Correa, the 42nd pick overall in 2016 out of Boise State, started four games with Baltimore . ... Former Tampa Bay defensive end Robert Ayers, signed by the Lions on Monday, was released by the team. Ayers made 10 starts in each of the previous two seasons with the Buccaneers . ... The Browns signed offensive lineman Earl Watford, 28, who started 22 games over the previous four seasons with the Cardinals . . ... The Bills released former 49ers linebacker L.J. McCray.