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NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch for every team on Friday.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysTony Romos preseason likely came to an end on Thursday, after just three snaps, because of a back injury that he suffered against the Seahawks. Romo was injured when he was hit by Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril while scrambling up the middle and had his back jammed into the turf. He attempted to return to the game after three snaps, but the coaches kept him on the sideline and decided to hold him for the rest of the night. The Cowboys regulars have not played in a preseason finale in years. Romos 13 snaps against Miami and three against Seattle would be the fewest snaps he has played in a preseason in his career. His absence allowed the Cowboys to get rookie Dak Prescott more work with the starters, and Prescott threw a first-quarter touchdown pass to Jason Witten. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsWide receiver?Victor Cruz says hes ready. The Giants and coach Ben McAdoo are very optimistic that hell play in a game for the first time in 22 months. Cruz is set to appear in a game for the first time since Oct. 12, 2014, when the Giants play the Jets on Saturday in preseason action. All Cruz has to do is make it through Friday, when the Giants have a launch day in which?they run through a short practice at 80 percent. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesNew Eagles receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has been getting some looks with the first team and should see a little more action Saturday against the Colts than he did last week in Pittsburgh, when?he played just a handful of snaps days after being traded from Tennessee. Hes looking good. Again, the terminology is a little bit different. Were not moving him around, so hes lining up in one spot, one position, which is good for him right now, coach Doug Pederson said. But hes playing fast, and thats what we ask him to do, and hes being decisive with his routes. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsThe Redskins starters will play at least a half on Friday against Buffalo, but with the first round of cuts looming next week, its a good chance for some backups to perhaps clinch jobs or make themselves harder to cut. Some unknowns to watch include defensive end Anthony Lanier, an undrafted rookie who has impressed the coaches. Among the veterans who still have something to prove: linebacker Perry Riley Jr. Its possible hell need to be a starter if he wants to remain on the roster, considering hell count $5 million against the cap this year, a hefty sum if hes a backup. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsBears tailback Jeremy Langford expects to play Saturday against the Chiefs, despite his missing time recently because of a foot injury. The Bears might be cautious, but Langford had full participation in practice Thursday, which means the medical staff cleared him for contact. Tight end Zach Miller and receiver Eddie Royal, however,?still wore red no contact jerseys on the practice field, as both remain in the NFLs concussion protocol. Their status for the Kansas City game is unknown. The Bears will hold a closed walkthrough Friday and then determine who exactly will be active for the all-important third exhibition game of the summer. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsAs the Lions get ready to travel to Baltimore for preseason game No. 3, special teams is going to be a huge focus. Why? Lions coach Jim Caldwell called special teams prowess huge when determining the final spots on the teams 53-man roster. With potential logjams at receiver, at defensive tackle and in the defensive backfield, players can make a real impact by making plays on kick or punt teams. A player to watch here is rookie running back Dwayne Washington, who has received a long look on multiple special teams over the past two weeks. Hes putting himself in position for a roster spot, and a good showing Saturday could clinch one. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersPackers general manager?Ted Thompson, who has a long history of keeping undrafted free agents, appears to have assembled another quality class. Just dont ask him about them. Thompson refused to discuss the group during his weekly news conference: Theyre undrafted free agents. Weve got more important things to talk about. Hes likely trying to find a way to protect some players whom the team will cut and try to bring back to the practice squad. Since Thompson wont talk about them, here are several to keep an eye on in Fridays preseason game at San Francisco: cornerbacks Makinton Dorleant and Josh Hawkins, safeties Kentrell Brice and Marwin Evans, defensive tackles Tyler Kuder and Brian Price,?and punter Peter Mortell. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsThe Vikings will get their first work at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday, when they shift practice to the stadium before Sundays preseason game against the Chargers. In addition to the teams normal practice schedule, coach Mike Zimmer listed some simple, practical benefits to the session in downtown Minneapolis. What I wanted to do was take them down, show them where they park, how they get to the locker room, how they come out of the tunnel, Zimmer said. The Vikings will also open the stadiums retractable doors to see if they have any effect on how the stadium plays when outside air comes in from the west side of the stadium. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsInjuries mounted up for the Falcons on Thursday night, with Julio Jones (ankle), Keanu Neal (knee), Adrian Clayborn (shoulder), Justin Hardy (ankle), and Brandon Wilds (knee) all being knocked out of the game against the Dolphins. Falcons coach Dan Quinn sounded optimistic about Jones and Neal, the most important players who were injured. The good thing is the Falcons can rest the regulars in next weeks final preseason game in preparation for the regular season. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersThe starters will play into the third quarter of Fridays?preseason game against New England, but coach Ron Rivera agrees with Patriots coach Bill Belichick that this isnt really a dress rehearsal for the regular-season opener. Rivera said the preparation for this game and the Sept. 8 opener at Denver are a world apart. The Panthers put in only a partial game plan for the Patriots. They will begin work on their game plan for Denver on Sunday, even though they have a preseason game left against Pittsburgh. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsWhen asked what he wants to see Friday in his teams third preseason game against the Steelers, coach Sean Paytons first response was, I want to see our first offense be better. The offense obviously isnt the Saints No. 1 concern heading into the season, as it should still be dynamic once Drew Brees, receivers Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead, and left tackle Terron Armstead, among others,?are all on the field together. But the Saints are disappointed with how sluggish the offense has been so far in this preseason -- especially in the run game. The offensive line needs to be better, everyone needs to cut down on turnovers, and the team would like a nice, clean dress rehearsal with some rhythm before the starters shut it down until Week 1. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Bucs will take on the Browns on Friday, with starters expected to play three quarters. Rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III could be seeing his first action with the starters on the outside after two interceptions last week. Meanwhile, quarterback Jameis Winston is hoping to get off to a much faster start and not commit costly mistakes. In our first two games, I had a turnover, Winston said. You cant have turnovers ... thats on me ... so I have to own that and bounce back and start fast. Winston?added: Im supposed to be the leader of this team, so Ive got to start fast. It starts with me. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsDespite Cardinals coach Bruce Arians saying wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald wouldnt practice Thursday to help make sure his sprained MCL calms down totally, the nine-time Pro Bowler strapped on his pads and went through individual drills but sat out 11-on-11 drills. Fitzgeralds status for Sundays preseason game against Houston is still uncertain. When asked if Fitzgerald will miss the game, Arians said, Well see. Fitzgeralds fellow receiver, John Brown, left practice alongside a trainer. Brown, who suffered a concussion during one of Arizonas first practices in late July, missed Wednesdays practice because of a headache. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsStar defensive end Robert Quinn is getting set to play in his first preseason game, and the Rams are excited. Quinn was limited to only eight games in 2015 and ultimately underwent back surgery. When right, he is one of the games best at getting to the quarterback, a guy who can take a lot of the pressure off defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who faced a lot more double teams when Quinn was out. Now the Rams believe Quinn?is right. Said defensive coordinator Gregg Williams: He does things that you cant coach. He has some of the fastest-twitch pass-rushing Ive ever seen. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersCoach Chip Kelly is offering no estimates on how much the starters will play Friday against the Packers. Instead of time, Kelly prefers to go based on snaps. Its safe to assume quarterback?Colin Kaepernick will get his share, as he looks set to make his preseason debut. Kaepernick is excited for the chance and believes he can still beat?Blaine Gabbert for the starting job. Most definitely, Kaepernick said. Im going to go out and show everything I can these next two games and make sure I put my best foot forward to show this organization, this team, this coaching staff, what Im capable of. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksTight end Jimmy Graham (ruptured patellar tendon) has shown some encouraging signs this week. Before Thursday nights preseason game against the Cowboys, he suited up in full uniform and pads and went through warm-ups with his teammates. Graham started to participate in team drills this week, according to coach Pete Carroll. He will be picking up steam here in the next couple weeks, Carroll said. The Seahawks have maintained all along that they are going to be careful with how they handle Graham, and Carroll has allowed for the possibility that he will miss regular-season games. But the tight end continues to push forward without a setback. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsThe Bills will play their third and most important preseason game Friday night in Washington. With cuts to 75 (Tuesday) and 53 (next Saturday) looming, which?positions remain up for grabs on the Bills roster? The final two (or possibly three) wide receiver jobs seem to be at stake, with Greg Salas, Greg Little, Walter Powell and Dezmin Lewis among the candidates. There are also battles to be decided at the bottom of the depth charts at cornerback (between Corey White, Sterling Moore and Mario Butler) and potentially safety (between Robert Blanton, Jonathan Meeks and Colt Anderson). -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsIn a race to become a starter, running back Arian Foster created some separation with Jay Ajayi on Thursday against the Falcons. Foster looked solid, with 30 total yards (10 rushing, 20 receiving) in limited playing snaps. That included a fourth-down catch to keep a drive alive and a 2-yard touchdown run to cap a scoring drive. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsAfter acquiring defensive end/outside linebacker?Barkevious Mingo from the Browns for a 2017 fifth-round pick, the Patriots can now begin the process of working with him in their scheme, which former linebacker Jerod Mayo recently described as a 5-2 because there are two big-bodied defensive tackles surrounded by five defensive end/outside linebacker types. Mingo falls into the latter category as a hybrid player. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsCoach Todd Bowles confirmed that the Jets are considering right tackle options outside the organization, as we reported two weeks ago. With incumbent Breno Giacomini (back) sidelined indefinitely, the Jets are alternating Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale. They will be tested Saturday against the Giants, who have formidable edge rushers. Their performance could dictate how the Jets proceed with their contingency plan. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensQuarterback?Joe Flacco expects to play about one half in his preseason debut Saturday against the Lions. This marks his first game since he tore two knee ligaments 279 days ago. Does Flacco want to take a shot in his preseason debut Saturday? I dont need to get hit, no, Flacco said. But if I do, its not a bad thing, either. Flacco likely wont play in the preseason finale, so this represents his only game action before the Sept. 11 opener against the Bills. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsDont worry about wideout A.J. Green missing practice. He was temporarily out to attend a prenatal checkup with his wife, who is expecting their first child in late September. The Bengals practice again on Friday, then head to Jacksonville on Saturday for a game in which the starters should see significant playing time. Look for wide receiver Brandon LaFell to make his preseason debut this weekend. -- Coley HarveyCleveland BrownsThe third preseason game could be an important one for the future of cornerback?Justin Gilbert, who was a top-10 pick in 2014. The Browns have given him every chance to prove he is deserving of a job, but his play and practice have been average at best. Gilbert needs some good things to happen to prove that he should stick in 2016. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersCornerback Artie Burns might finally make his preseason debut Friday in New Orleans. The Steelers want to get a closer look at the cornerback in game action -- particularly how he handles press man coverage against speedy receivers -- but he has been limited for much of training camp because of a left quad injury and is considered questionable. Burns, who slowly made his way back into practice work this week, admits that it has been difficult to stay patient. Perhaps that patience will pay off in the Superdome. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansThe Texans suffered a big blow to their offensive line when center Nick Martin had ankle surgery this week. Martin will miss at least four months, sources told ESPN, and though he is just a rookie, he was drafted to replace last years starter,?Ben Jones, who signed with the Titans in the offseason. Former undrafted free agent Greg Mancz will likely start at center in the Texans opener against the Bears, so expect him to continue to get the majority of the reps at center for the rest of training camp. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsThe Colts could be without as many 15 players, including five starters, because of injuries when they play the Eagles on Saturday. Five cornerbacks are among the players hurting for whats supposed to be the final dress rehearsal for key players before the start of the regular season. It makes it tough, but weve got to go, coach Chuck Pagano said. Thats why we challenge every one of these guys that comes through here to prepare like starters because its next-man-up. Somebodys going to have to play, and well put somebody out there thatll be ready. Weve got enough. We dont make excuses. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsCoach Gus Bradley said this is the best he has seen wide receiver?Marqise Lee practice and play in his three seasons with the Jaguars. The thing that sticks out, besides the fact that Lee?missed only a short time with a hamstring strain earlier in camp, is the former second-round picks?maturity. Lee is?handling the ups and downs of camp better and has been more consistent on the practice field and in the meeting room. That could lead to a bigger role in the Jaguars offense. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansTwo key Titans wont travel to the third preseason game in Oakland. Coach?Mike Mularkey, however, is hopeful that both receiver Kendall Wright (hamstring) and cornerback Perrish Cox (ankle) will be ready to practice Monday and can play in the preseason finale in Miami on Sept. 1. The Titans have missed both, but while Harry Douglas has filled in as a capable slot receiver, the teams corner depth is suspect. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosCoach Gary Kubiak on Thursday showed just how serious he is about the possibility that?Trevor Siemian could be the teams starting quarterback and that rookie Paxton Lynch is in the conversation to be the teams No. 2 quarterback.?The two players have zero combined NFL starts, and Siemian has just one regular-season snap -- a kneel-down. Kubiak was asked Thursday what impact experience would have in the teams roster decisions at quarterback, and he said zero. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsRepairing a leaky run defense is a priority in Saturdays game against the Bears. The starting defense has allowed nine of 24 rushing attempts in the first two games to go for 8 yards or more. A couple of runs they shouldve run for 2 or 3 [yards], and they go for 5 and 6 at a time, linebacker Derrick Johnson said. Its not a panicky thing. Its just disappointing to have a couple plays scoot through. The Chiefs have played the first two preseason games without five defensive starters, and at the most, only one of them will return to play in Chicago. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersVeteran free safety Reggie Nelson, who missed the Raiders offseason training program while recuperating from what was reported to be a knee issue, has not practiced this week, and coach Jack Del Rio said there is a chance the Raiders will sit him for Saturdays exhibition against the Titans. If so, expect Nate Allen to pick up the reps next to first-round pick?Karl Joseph. Nelson started and played in both of Oaklands exhibitions, at Arizona and against Green Bay. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersWith Joey Bosa still unsigned, the Chargers will rely on role players such as second-year pro Darius Philon and Utah product Tenny Palepoi to fill the void. Both players will get a good, long look against the Vikings in the third preseason game. It doesnt change what were doing, McCoy said of?Bosas continued absence. We have a system in place. And our job as coaches is to put players in position to be successful. -- Eric D. Williams Replica Soccer Jerseys 2020 . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. 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PHOENIX -- Sonja Petrovic had a career-high 22 points, Brittney Griner scored 19, and the Phoenix Mercury won their third straight, 86-75 over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night.Griner added eight rebounds and five blocks, DeWanna Bonner had 18 points and Diana Taurasi scored 11 for the Mercury (7-9).Phoenix, seventh in the AP WNBA power poll, opened the second half with a 15-2 run to take a 56-39 lead. The 11th-ranked Sun (3-13) got no closer than 72-64 on Jonquel Jones 33-pointer with 5:50 left.ddddddddddddJones had a career-high 16 points and nine rebounds. Alex Bentley led the Sun with 20 points, Alyssa Thomas scored 18 and Shekinna Stricklen 11.The Mercury opened the game with a 13-2 run and led the entire way. Connecticut trimmed the deficit to four at halftime after trailing by 15 early in the second quarter. ' ' '