August 6 Training Camp Notes: Buccaneers QB Tom Brady and Bears OT Teven Jenkins return to practice, why Geno Smith is ahead of Drew Lock on Seahawks' depth chart and more

Brady hadn’t practiced since news broke Tuesday just before noon ET that the Miami Dolphins would be punished for tampering with the legendary quarterback over the course of three seasons.
Brady was excused from practice Friday to tend to a personal matter. The Buccaneers didn’t practice on Thursday. Brady had a veteran day off on Wednesday. The Bucs practiced before news broke of the discipline on Tuesday.
Brady has yet to address reporters since the Dolphins were docked a 2023 first-round pick, 2024 third-round pick and a combined $2 million in fines split between owner Stephen Ross and executive Bruce Beal for impermissible contact with Brady – while a member of the Buccaneers and New England Patriots – and then-New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Ross is also suspended through Oct. 17.
Players are not disciplined for being tampered with, so don’t expect a suspension or fine for Brady in the matter.

Evans left practice early Friday with a minor hamstring injury. Head coach Todd Bowles said Saturday that Evans is “day to day” with the ailment.
Fellow Bucs WR Chris Godwin, who tore his ACL in Week 15 last season, practiced for the first time this summer Friday. He was back on the field for Saturday’s session.
The Bucs also have Julio Jones, Russell Gage, Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller, among others, on their wide receiver depth chart, so they’re well stocked at the position while Evans is out and Godwin continues his rehab.

Smith continues to take the bulk of first-team reps in Seahawks training camp because, “He's just doing things right.” Lock did take some top reps in Friday’s practice, per reporters on the scene.
The Seahawks will hold a mock game Saturday at Lumen Field in what “will be a really big day” in the QB positional battle, according to Carroll.
The Seahawks traded away Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos this offseason for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant. Seattle didn’t make any other moves at QB this offseason to replace Wilson.
Smith, 31, earned a 73.9 PFF grade in 112 dropbacks last season while backing up Wilson. Lock, 25, posted a 60.0 PFF grade in 127 dropbacks last season while backing up Teddy Bridgewater.

Jenkins, the Bears’ 39th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, hadn’t practiced since Day 1 of training camp due to an undisclosed injury.
It was reported Monday by NFL Media that the Bears “have received calls and have held trade talks centered around” Jenkins. A source close to Jenkins told PFF shortly after that report that they didn’t expect an imminent trade. Five days have now passed since that initial report.
Jenkins is also expected to speak to the media on Saturday. His return to practice was in full pads.
Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said Friday that he doesn’t believe the team is close to finding their starting offensive line.

Bell was activated off of the physically unable to perform list after dealing with a foot injury.
PFF reported this week that Bell was dealing with a minor injury and that he was expected to be activated off of the PUP list prior to Week 1.
Bell, the 99th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was a standout this spring for the Browns. He could take on a big role this season as he competes with Anthony Schwartz and Jakeem Grant for snaps next to Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Bell earned an 87.5 PFF grade last season, ranking 13th among 361 qualified wide receivers in the FBS.

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