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The NFL offseason is nearly over. Teams are now getting ready for their second preseason game and things are starting to fall into place ahead of the new season. There is plenty of news to cover, as all 32 NFL teams currently have different issues.
On Wednesday, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock tested positive for COVID. He will miss the game on Thursday. It is not ideal for Lock, who is in a battle with Geno Smith for the starting job.
Zach Wilson had knee surgery and is recovering well. Reports state that the young quarterback is an outside shot to play Week 1 of the regular season. Wilson had bone bruising and a meniscus tear which required surgery.
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That brings us to today's news.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is on track to play Week 1 despite dealing with elbow problems. Staying in Los Angeles, Chargers safety Derwin James finally got paid, signing a monster new deal with the AFC franchise.
Let's take a closer look at the headlines around the NFL.
Matthew Stafford feels good and is ready for Week 1
There were fears initially that Matthew Stafford would miss time with his elbow injury, which he suffered just a few weeks ago. However, after some rest, the quarterback is up and running again. He said that he is on the right track and feels good.
Stafford said via nfl.com:
"I felt like I got a bunch of good work in. I feel good and right on track to be doing what I want to be doing."
It will certainly allay fears for Rams fans that their star will be just about ready to go for Week 1 as there was a real chance just weeks ago that he could have missed games.
Derwin James is highest-paid safety in NFL after signing new contract
Derwin James is a superstar, and now he is getting paid like one. After negotiations dragged on for what felt like forever, the 26-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year, $76.5 million contract. This makes him the highest-paid safety in the league.
James gets a whopping $42 million guaranteed in his new deal and no one can say that he doesn't deserve it.
With that deal now done, the Los Angeles Chargers can focus on the upcoming season. Their main task is topping the AFC West, the league's toughest division.
Packers receivers take Aaron Rodgers' advice on board
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers put his receiving core on blast this week, saying that players who drop the ball won't play. Without Davante Adams to throw to, Rodgers will be relying on younger receivers. There will be hiccups as they learn the system.
Many thought Rodgers' comments were a bit harsh, but for Samori Toure, it was exactly what he wanted to hear. Toure said via ESPN:
"It was just really giving us advice. Basically, letting us know that the Green Bay receiving corps has always been held to a super-high standard. All the legends who have been through here. It's just about us carrying on that standard and stepping up."
With the regular season still a few weeks away, the Packers receiving corps have time to get used to Rodgers' style of play. But one thing is for certain, if you don't uphold the standards set by previous receivers, you'll hear about it.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit ESPN, nfl.com and H/T Sportskeeda.
