NFL training camp tracker: Bills rookie Ed Oliver using Kyle Williams as his 'cheat code'
Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver didn’t lack confidence in preparing for his rookie season, even with big shoes to fill in newly retired Kyle Williams.
So, when Williams took the No. 9 overall pick under his wing, showing him the ins and outs of the NFL as only a 13-year veteran could do, Oliver absorbed everything Williams had to offer, calling him a “cheat code.”
The Bills are confident that the tutelage will translate into a successful transition at the DT spot.
“A guy who played 13 years, the knowledge fresh on his mind? He was able to help me out a lot,” Oliver said. “I gained that much more in a couple of days than I had in probably months sometimes in college.”
Oliver was a three-time All-American at Houston and won the 2017 Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman.
After Williams visited camp, Oliver was already progressing toward making the leap to the pro level. He didn’t make a huge individual impact in his preseason debut against the Colts, but had a big play last week against the Panthers when he knocked down a third-down pass on Carolina’s first drive.
His coaches and teammates have noticed the impact that Williams has had, but Oliver’s confidence is still the same.
“I’m supposed to be here,” he said.
Chargers’ Derwin James on IR after surgery
Chargers safety Derwin James will miss at least the first eight weeks of the season after being placed on injured reserve after foot surgery, the team announced on Thursday.
#Chargers S Derwin James underwent successful surgery today to repair a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Specialist Dr. Robert Anderson performed the surgery in Green Bay and James will be placed on Injured Reserve beginning Week 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2019
James suffered a stress fracture in his foot during the Chargers’ preseason opener against the Cardinals on Aug. 8. He is expected to miss three months.
The Chargers are also dealing with Melvin Gordon’s holdout, Keenan Allen’s ankle injury and Russell Okung’s pulmonary embolism.
James was selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors with a stellar rookie season. He recorded 105 tackles, 13 pass deflections, three interceptions and 3.5 sacks.
Defensive back Adrian Phillips could be an option for the Chargers as a fill-in for James.
Eagles QB Carson Wentz not likely to play Thursday
If the Eagles are worried about their quarterback situation, they’re not letting on in the lead-up to Thursday’s preseason game against the Ravens.
Carson Wentz was not on the field warming up with the other quarterbacks and is unlikely to play. He has not seen action yet in the preseason. His 2018 season ended early with a stress fracture in his back.
Wentz insists that he is ready for the regular season.
The #Eagles other three QBs have been warming up. No sign of No. 11. pic.twitter.com/vjdafzMskN
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) August 22, 2019
The Eagles’ quarterback situation has been fraught this preseason after Nate Sudfeld broke his wrist in the preseason opener, and Cody Kessler went down with a concussion against the Jaguars.
The backup spot behind Carson Wentz is so perilous that the team lured Josh McCown out of retirement.
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