Cowboys Justin Durant sidelined 3-4 weeks with groin injury

The Dallas Cowboys are facing life without weakside linebacker Justin Durant for the next three to four weeks due to a groin injury, a source said Wednesday.

Durant was injured in the second half of the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys to the San Francisco 49ers. After the game, Durant said that would be fine. Dallas coaches credited with 12 tackles, and the statistics of the NFL gave him eight.

Without Durant, middle linebacker responsibility Rolando McClain should increase. In passing situations against the 49ers, Durant moved to middle linebacker, and McClain was off the court. After Durant's injury, McClain remained in the field.

McClain led the Cowboys with 12 tackles (although statistics NFL gave eight) and also had a quarterback pressure.

In addition, Bruce Carter Cowboys can move the position of weakside linebacker Kyle Wilber and use on the strong side.

Durant was the quarterback of defense against San Francisco, but that job could fall to McClain, who joined the Cowboys in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens in July.

Evan Mathis put IR-retirement

The team announced that Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis was placed on injured reserve-designated to return list with a sprained MCL. Philadelphia also tweeted right tackle Allen Barbre has been lost for the year with an ankle injury. Barbre was replacing the suspended Johnson Lane.

Losing Mathis is especially overwhelming. A starter of 16 games last season, the 32-year-old veteran is a centerpiece of Philly sports line and a staple in up-tempo attack of Chip Kelly.

Paper thin up front, the Eagles on Tuesday signed former Pro Bowl guard Wade Smith. At 33, Smith has moved into the center, but was fixed at left guard in the past four seasons in Houston following stops with the Chiefs, Jets and Dolphins.

After seeing his choppy game last season, is not a good sign that Smith was sent packing by both Texans and Seahawks in the last six months. The Eagles, however, are in no position to get picky.

Arizona Corridor Andre Ellington probable Against Chargers

That was the story of the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals a year ago, and both teams began this season believing it will be even better.

Only one of them will start the season with success, as found in the second half of Monday night's NFL doubleheader.

"We can win everything," said safety Eric Weddle Chargers. "We've added some pieces that needed both offensively and defensively, we got our guys back on special teams. We're another year in the system. Nothing is impossible if everyone is doing the right thing and preparing the right way, playing together and play fast. "

The Cardinals feel they are much better after a year under the system of coach Bruce Arians'.

Comparing this year's offense for which began last season, Arians said, "would be like taking an eighth grader and put it in first grade. '"

That's particularly true quarterback Carson Palmer, in his 12th season in the NFL, second with Arizona.

"This is the greatest comfort I have had in a long time into a season," he said, "and I think that's one of the things I'm so excited to be comfortable and not have a lot of unknowns., I think this whole locker room feels that way. "

There was a big difference in the seasons of teams last year: The Chargers went 9-7 and made ​​the playoffs, the Cardinals were 10-6 and did not. Arizona was the victim of playing in the NFC West.

"We know we have the toughest division in football, and we love that," the Pro Bowl eight times receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. "We love competition and we like our chances against guys in our division."

Here are some things to know about Monday night mourning:

INJURIES: Arizona Andre Ellington is likely out of the game as reports say Friday the cay Fantasy sleeper could miss an extended period of time with a injry foot. He will undergo an MRI to see how much time, if any, will be lost. Chargers definitely not adjust and move the box as much.

Chargers receiver Keenan Allen number one is expected to play, but has been ill ribs. Allen goes against Patrick Peterson all game.

ON THE RUN: Both teams want to get their running game going to facilitate skills big plays, action game.

"We took our shots," Palmer said. "Many of them come from our play-action game. Those are not there if you are not running the football."

The Chargers have three strong runners in Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and newcomer Donald Brown.

With Ellington out, that would leave Jonathan Dwyer, Stepfan Taylor and Robert Hughes to carry the load.

DIFFERENT DEFENSE: The Cardinals have a handful of new starters on a defense that ranks first against the run and sixth overall last season. The big question is in the middle. Inside linebackers Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington are gone - Dansby in free agency, Washington to suspension. Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett fell on the camp with a knee injury this season.

Veteran Larry Foote and sophomore linebacker Kevin Minter are the replacement. Frostee Rucker, who saw plenty of playing time last season, moves up to begin to address.

NEW CAR, SAME SYSTEM: As last year's offensive coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt has a lot of credit for a quarterback Philip Rivers revival. Whisenhunt is now the head coach at Tennessee, and Frank Reich moves up from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator.

Seahawks pick up where they left off with a 36-16 win over the Packers

Seven months after winning his first Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks picked up where they left off with a 36-16 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Kickoff Opener at CenturyLink Field.

2015 NFL Draft Week One Report

LG AJ Cann, rSR, South Carolina (6-3 | 318 | 5.18): The head of the SEC season opening Thursday was Kenny Hill and Manziel-less, yet explosive offense of Texas A & M. But Cann was one of footnotes, and one of the few positive aspects of South Carolina. He showed why he could be the best interior lineman in college football. With several highly recruited defensive linemen, the Aggies struggled against left guard Gamecocks "as he displayed a lethal mix of athleticism and power.

Cann has a flexible lower body, generating power through his hips, abdomen and hands grip garment and excellent technique. He springs from his position and quickly gets into position, showing the instinctive eye to know what is going on around them while stretching his power to keep the space between him and his goal. Cann is a people mover and strong finisher, but can better improve your momentum moving to successfully win and break angles moving. The offensive line South Carolina has been hyped as one of the "best in the country", according to some, but Cann deserves the positive attention they receive from now until next spring.

RB Paul James, RJR, Rutgers (6-0 | 210 | 4.62): Reminds me of a version of Ryan Mathews Chargers back not-so-court, and James gave his team he needed to escape with a victory over Pullman Washington state. He finished with 173 yards on 29 carries with three touchdowns and averaged 6.0 yards per carry, showing why he has a future at the next level.

James did an outstanding job of squaring his descent and cushions, running with purpose and finish of each race. He remained balanced through contact and, although not too suspicious or explosive, Ryan showed rapid start / stop cut through view to find secondary roads. He clearly loves from north to south, tilt forward and keeps his legs churning through contact, making it a task to tackle. James led Rutgers with 881 yards a year ago and is well on its way to break the barrier of 1000-more this season. And NFL scouts have taken notice.

WR Kevin White, SR, West Virginia (6-3 | 209 | 4.49): White was not the highest-rated wide receiver in West Virginia-Alabama game on Saturday - it was Tide Amari Cooper. But White made a strong case as the No. 2 receiver-sized contest, finishing with a game best 143 receiving yards in nine games and scoring reception in the solitaire game.

White looked the part with a tall and muscular build enough speed to obtain the release of scrimmage clean routes and create separation. He did an excellent job bringing to start with the attitude and power, showing natural body control and physical behavior to come down with the reception. White usually attacks with his hands and while he will have a few drops of focus, which is usually sure-handed out of your body. He is more than a possession order with quick feet to do something after the catch. With a consistent quarterback Clint Trickett in 2014, White, along with Baylor Antwan Goodley, will be among the top of the main recipient of Big 12 season.

RB Todd Gurley, Jr., Georgia (6-1 | 232 | 4.54): There has been a running back taken in the first round of the NFL draft in the last two years, the first time. But if Gurley remains healthy throughout the 2014 season, will not extend that streak to a third consecutive year. The Georgia rider put on a show in Athens on Saturday, rushing for a career-high 198 yards on just 15 carries (13.2 YPC) and three touchdowns. If that was not enough, Gurley added a kickoff return 100 yards for a touchdown and put his name on top of each watch list Heisman Trophy.

It is built for the NFL with a muscular physique frame and although it is higher than ideal, Gurley naturally decreases their shoulder pads and squares to attack the line of scrimmage and bounced off defenders. Run with the natural balance, energy and momentum that makes it hard to slow down, rarely granted with the first tackler. Against Clemson, Gurley read the first line of attack very well and detects daylight to hit the hole with authority and speed to stick-and-go, which speeds well in their courts. He demonstrated that he knows how to change their weight extremely well for a 232-pound chains and devastating moves with jump cuts and long strides eating up yards. Gurley hit last season and has to prove he can consistently get beat each week before the explorers are given a first-round grade. But if he proves durability, no doubt about Gurley landing in the top 20 selections.

DE Mario Edwards, Jr., Florida State (6-3 | 294 | 4.88): Even though he was the only defender of the State of Florida, who recorded a sack Saturday night, Edwards was disappointing against Oklahoma State. He appeared full of limited scope and did not show much explosiveness as was usually the last lineman pressure.

Edwards, lined mostly in a position of two points on the edges, showed only a hurry last movement - the superior power of the body. No dispaly any creativity with the use of the hand and fought to sequence effective sudden movements together. Edwards added weight this offseason was probably by design, but his competitive drive is something he can control hunger better and not show consisting of a base snap-by-snap in the opener. A former high-profile recruits from high school, the light bulb seemed to come to him at the end of last season, but no more harm than good for Edwards to start this campaign.

QB Chuckie Keeton, SR, Utah State (6-1 | 200 | 4.74): I was going to be tough for Utah to go win at Tennessee, but many expected the Aggies to be more competitive than indicated by a 38-7 loss in Knoxville. Part of the optimism was the return of Keeton, who the second half of last season was lost due to an ACL tear, but his return did not go as planned, the use of a brace on the left knee and rust in right arm.

Keeton completed 18 of 35 (51.4 percent) for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, adding just 12 yards rushing on eight carries (1.5 average). His arm was animated with a press and add enough zip to deliver the ball at all levels of the field, but his ball placement was erratic and the speed of the defense of Tennessee seemed too sometimes. Keeton is almost certain to improve the stretch with more representatives in his return to form in the field, but there is no doubt that he missed an opportunity to impress scouts against a SEC defense in a hostile environment.

Wes Welker Broncos suspended four games

Receiver Wes Welker has been suspended four games for a violation of the policy of performance-enhancing drugs in the NFL after testing positive for a banned amphetamine, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA Today Sports.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL has not announced the suspension. The Broncos were not informed of the suspension on Tuesday afternoon, while coaches were deep in planning mode for the game opener Sunday against Indianapolis.

Derek Carr Matt Schaub start for Raiders

Oakland Raiders Coach Dennis Allen insisted that it last week on concern Tennis Elbow pain on it Matt Schaub veteran prevent it starts in the first week.

Concediendo it obvious, Allen will elegido rookie Derek Carr as su quarterback holder of it to him Sunday against them New York Jets, al hacer el advertisement in one press conference Monday it.

Raiders coaches took Carr side this morning and read dijeron should be ready to start, of acuerdo with the media NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. More ADELANTE it day in, informed them that Jugadores Carr fue el starter. Then it was beginner manejando el primer reps with the team in practice it Monday.

This are a Motion to them that hacer tuvieron Raiders. If the film 2013 juego del sugiere them that day Schaub as quarterback holder cash were behind him, the tape preseason hit that idea home with authority.

Allen vio obliged to recognizing it outright deny that hare less than 10 days: Fuerza del arm Schaub in NFL caliber are just in these moments.

Mientra that Schaub can sign the release of Manera more convincing beyond 10 yards, 11 Carr complete 18 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason Arrojo more than 10 meters, per Pro Football Focus.

Aunque are somewhat surprising that Carr has beaten Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater to headline the lineup, from the media NFL Albert Breer reports in early June that coaches them to Raiders expect them su selection of second round for Schaub empujar .

Ya sospechábamos it from beginning to Carr podria llegar to be a plug-and-play draft him.

Even against a Jets secondary decimated, Carr still faces a hard one primer prueba against Rex Ryan, one of them main defensive strategists of the NFL.

If Carr luchar them to adapt to defenses of the NFL early in the season, look for them Raiders its turn to Matt McGloin su instead of squandering $ 8,000,000.