Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) is unable to reach a pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) defends in the second quarter during Super Bowl LVI, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.    Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Rams WR Van Jefferson (knee) to see specialist

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson will consult with a specialist about a knee injury that has sidelined him at the start of training camp, multiple outlets reported Sunday.

NFL Network said the appointment is scheduled for Monday.

Cooper Kupp is the No. 1 target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, but Jefferson, along with offseason acquisition Allen Robinson, was expected to play a big role in the offense this season. Robert Woods was traded to Tennessee and free-agent Odell Beckham Jr. remains unsigned.

Jefferson, 26, is entering his third season with the Rams, who selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

In 17 games last season (all starts), Jefferson caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns. In the playoffs, he caught nine passes for 102 yards in four games for the Super Bowl-winning Rams.

–Field Level Media

May 31, 2022; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers player  Romeo Doubs (87)  during organized team activities (OTA) Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Green Bay, Wis.  Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers loving underdog rookie WR

Aaron Rodgers’ penchant for donning his GM cap persists even after the Packers paid up to keep the Green Bay quarterback content.

Rodgers, working with a reshuffled stack of talent at wide receiver in the aftermath of No. 1 target Davante Adams moving on via trade to the Las Vegas Raiders, said he likes what he sees so far in training camp.

Rodgers said he envisions Allen Lazard replacing Adams as his top option, and they’ve connected early and often in training camp.

“Allen Lazard is going to step into the No. 1 role,” Rodgers said, “and I think it’s going to be a very seamless transition for him as a primary blocker and kind of a niche guy for us, to get an opportunity to get more throws, be No. 1 in the progression more often.”

But there could be big things in store for fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs, who is winning over Rodgers in training camp and making headlines with his big-play flair. Doubs has taken advantage of second-rounder Christian Watson spending the first week of camp on the physically unable to perform list, and Sammy Watkins being slowed out of the gate.

“Romeo Doubs has had a really nice start to the camp,” Rodgers said. “He’s been getting a lot of attention based on some of the plays that he’s made. I like the approach. Very understated kid, very humble kid from kind of inner city L.A., made his way to Nevada.”

Doubs, 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, was All-Mountain West at Nevada with 80 receptions and 11 touchdowns in 11 games in 2021. Before opening eyes at the Senior Bowl on the pre-draft circuit, Doubs caught national attention with a 19-catch, 203-yard showing at Fresno State last October.

“I was sitting with him at lunch the other day and really just marveling,” Rodgers said. “It’s surprising how many teams passed on him. Whatever reason it was, we all feel really good about Romeo and the start he’s gotten off to.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 6, 2022; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback K'Waun Williams (21) during OTA workouts at the UC Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos CB K’Waun Williams avoids serious knee injury

Denver Broncos cornerback K’Waun Williams injured his knee during practice on Saturday and is expected to miss at least a few days.

Williams underwent an MRI exam after practice, according to 9News, and no structural damage was detected.

Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed Williams’ injury when he met with reporters, prior to the MRI results becoming known. Williams was hurt while in coverage. He was examined by trainers and walked off the field under his own power.

Williams, who turned 31 on July 12, is expected to be Denver’s nickelback this season. He signed with the club as a free agent in March.

Williams has played in 91 games (46 starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2014-15) and San Francisco 49ers (2017-21). He has 301 tackles, 11 forced fumbles, seven sacks and four interceptions.

He started eight of 14 games for San Francisco in 2021. He had 52 tackles and one interception.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during organized team activities practice, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Bengals Football Practice June 14 0056

Bengals: No timetable for return of Joe Burrow (appendectomy)

There remains no timetable for the return of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as he continues to recover from an appendectomy earlier this week.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor didn’t seem overly concerned on Saturday about when Burrow would rejoin the team.

“I don’t have any timetable,” Taylor told reporters after practice. “We’re trying to give him some privacy and I’m sure he’ll be back in when he’s ready.”

Burrow, 25, reported to training camp on July 23 and took part in two days of on-field work. But he dealt with cramping during the workouts and on Tuesday, reports surfaced that the 25-year-old would undergo an appendectomy.

Cincinnati figures to proceed cautiously with Burrow once the third-year pro returns to camp. The preseason opener is Aug. 12 against the Arizona Cardinals but the real target is having Burrow completely healthy on Sept. 11 when the Bengals open the 2022 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Burrow had a huge season last year while leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl, in which they lost to the Los Angeles Rams. The NFL Comeback Player of the Year completed a league-high 70.4 percent of his passes while establishing franchise records of 4,611 passing yards and 34 touchdown passes. He was intercepted 14 times.

Burrow had his rookie season end after 10 games due to tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee.

Backup Brandon Allen is receiving most of the quarterback workload with Burrow sidelined.

–Field Level Media

Oct 16, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A detailed view of Texas A&M Aggies helmets during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

5-star LB Anthony Hill commits to Texas A&M

Five-star linebacker Anthony Hill said Saturday he’ll play his college football for Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M.

Hill is the No. 1 linebacker and the No. 15 overall player in the Class of 2023, as ranked by the 247Sports composite. He announced his commitment with a video posted to Twitter.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound prospect is from Denton, Texas. He chose the Aggies over finalist Texas, and he was pursued by major programs that included Oklahoma, Alabama, Miami and Southern California.

“Just being able to play SEC football in Texas and of course that D-line and defense,” Hill told 247Sports about why he chose the Aggies. “I always liked A&M. They were one of the first schools to offer me and looking at them it got better throughout time.”

In his junior season in 2021, Hill had 131 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two touchdowns scored on turnovers, per 247Sports.

Texas A&M finished the 2022 recruiting cycle with the No. 1 class in the nation in the 247Sports rankings. The class includes eight five-star prospects.

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (96) gestures during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

49ers DT Maurice Hurst (biceps) likely out for season

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Maurice Hurst is likely out for the season after tearing his biceps in practice.

The injury occurred while he was attempting to make a tackle Friday at training camp in Santa Clara, Calif.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Saturday that Hurst, 27, will need surgery to repair the damage.

Hurst was limited to 41 snaps in two games during his first season with the 49ers in 2021 because of ankle and calf injuries.

A fifth-round pick by the Raiders in 2018, he has eight sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 78 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 42 games (17 starts) with Oakland/Las Vegas (2018-20) and San Francisco.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Rashod Hill (69) before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders sign ex-Vikings OT Rashod Hill

The Washington Commanders signed veteran offensive tackle Rashod Hill, agent Brett Tessler tweeted Saturday.

No terms were disclosed.

Hill, 30, played in 74 games with 22 starts at both tackle spots over six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Jacksonville Jaguars originally signed Hill as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss in May 2016.

–Field Level Media

Aug 22, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws the ball under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyler Fackrell (52) in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders place LB Kyler Fackrell on IR, sign RB Austin Walter

The Las Vegas Raiders placed veteran linebacker Kyler Fackrell on injured reserve on Friday.

The Raiders didn’t reveal what type of injury Fackrell suffered. Regardless, he won’t be eligible to play for the Raiders this season because he was placed on injured reserve prior to the first round of preseason cuts.

Las Vegas signed Fackrell as a free agent in March. He played 13 games (one start) for the Los Angeles Chargers last season and had 17 tackles and three sacks.

Fackrell, 30, has 162 tackles, 23.5 sacks and one interception in 86 career games (19 starts) with the Green Bay Packers (2016-19), New York Giants (2020) and Chargers. He recorded a career-best 10.5 sacks in 2017.

Las Vegas used the roster opening to sign running back Austin Walter.

Walter, 25, played in four games for the New York Jets last season and rushed for 101 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries. He also caught two passes for nine yards.

In nine NFL games with the New York Giants (2019), San Francisco 49ers (2020) and Jets, Austin has 104 yards and one score on 27 carries and three receptions for 36 yards. He played college football at Rice.

–Field Level Media

Jul 19, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama head coach Nick Saban talks to the media during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Five-star RB Richard Young commits to Alabama

Running back Richard Young became the latest five-star recruit in the Class of 2023 to commit to play at Alabama on Friday night.

Young, listed at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, is the No. 2 running back and No. 24 overall recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings. Georgia and Oregon were Young’s other finalists.

“For the next 3 to 4 years I will be taking my talents and academics to the University of Alabama,” Young wrote in a social media post. “Roll Tide!!!”

Young is the fourth five-star to commit to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide this cycle, following cornerback Jahlil Hurley and safeties Caleb Downs and Tony Mitchell. Alabama’s class rose to No. 4 in the country per 247Sports’ rankings.

–Field Level Media

Jun 7, 2022; Renton, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams (33) talks about past finger injuries during a press conference following a minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Seahawks S Jamal Adams has broken left middle finger

Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams was diagnosed with a broken left middle finger, according to multiple reports on Friday.

Adams complained of soreness in multiple fingers on his left hand after Wednesday’s first training camp practice. Adams apparently got the middle finger twisted in a teammate’s facemask during the no-contact practice.

He was away from the team Thursday and reportedly got the hand examined in Dallas by the surgeon who performed surgery on his middle and ring fingers this offseason.

According to the Seattle Times, Adams is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season and might wear a hand cast during games to protect the injury. He may require surgery after the season.

During minicamp in June, Adams stated that he has dislocated both fingers at least 10 times.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection said that during the offseason, his fingers were fused at an angle in which he can no longer bend the hand into a fist.

“It’s for the love of the game,” Adams said during a press conference last month. “Been going through that for two years now. My first year when I got here, I dislocated my ring finger probably about 10 times, and the other one probably about … 12.”

Adams, 26, is entering his third season with the Seahawks. He missed nine games due to injuries in his first two campaigns.

Last season, he missed the final five games with a left shoulder injury and underwent a procedure on his the shoulder for the second straight offseason.

The LSU product spent his first three NFL seasons with the New York Jets before being traded to Seattle prior to the 2020 season.

Adams, known as a strong blitzer, has 21.5 career sacks but didn’t record a single one last season in 12 appearances. He has recorded seven forced fumbles, four interceptions and 443 tackles in 70 NFL games.

Adams is entering the first season of a four-year, $70.6 million deal.

–Field Level Media