Beckham closer to return
Odell Beckham Jr.’s comeback is down to days, but the Browns star wide receiver didn’t commit to playing Sunday against the Bears.
“We’ll see,” Beckham said, shrugging his shoulders when pressed about his status for Week 3.
Beckham hasn’t played since suffering a season-ending knee injury last October in Cincinnati, prematurely ending his third season with the Browns.
“Everything is going smooth, just been part of the progression the entire time, just working my way back into it,” said Beckham, who was a “full” participant in practice Thursday, according to the team’s injury report. He said Wednesday’s workout, which was held indoors because of rain, went well. “Everything feels good, so just taking it day by day.”
Beckham was close to playing in the season opener and he was “itching” to face the Chiefs before he was a late scratch after warming up.
Rodgers rumors caused tension
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he has ‘no ill will’ toward 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan after San Francisco’s interest in Aaron Rodgers this offseason. The 49ers’ pursuit of Rodgers reportedly caused tension between LaFleur and Kyle Shanahan.
When reports surfaced before the draft that Rodgers might be traded, Shanahan didn’t really believe it, but still called Packers coach LaFleur just to check. He quickly got the answer he expected and the Niners went on to take Trey Lance with the third pick in the draft.
Brady’s trainer blames Belichick
On Thursday, personal trainer Alex Guerrero, one of Tom Brady’s closest friends and confidants, said that Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn’t evolve in how he treated Brady before the quarterback’s exit after 20 seasons in Foxborough.
“It was like Bill never really . . . I think his emotions or feelings never evolved with age,” Guerrero said in an interview with the Boston Herald. “I think in time, with Tom, as Tom got into his late 30s or early 40s, I think Bill was still trying to treat him like that 20-year-old kid that he drafted. And all the players, I think, realized Tom was different.”
Injury news
Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates remains in a hospital and has more procedures coming after fracturing his leg Thursday night against Washington.
Coach Joe Judge wouldn’t completely rule out it being a careerending injury, but seemed hopeful it won’t be the case.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice with an illness, but a source says he’s OK for Sunday’s game at the Lions.
Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (ankles) missed practice for the second consecutive day.