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Chargers release five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner
Last March, the Los Angeles Chargers sent offensive tackle Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for five-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Trai Turner.
The Chargers apparently saw all they needed to see of the 27-year-old.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers released Turner after failing to find a buyer for his services via a trade. The club later confirmed the releases of both Turner and linebacker Malik Jefferson.
Turner made Pro Bowl squads every year from 2015 through 2019 with the Panthers but was limited to nine games last year because of a groin injury. Schefter added that the Chargers will save $11.5 million against the salary cap by parting ways with Turner. No guaranteed money was left on his contract.
The math explains why the Chargers were unable to trade Turner ahead of the new NFL year that opens on Wednesday. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that the salary-cap figure for 2021 was dropping by $15.7 million from last season because of financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal reported that league revenue fell from $16 billion in 2019 to $12 billion last year.
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One NFL training-camp surprise for every team
A full schedule of preseason games is on tap this week. Let the overreactions begin! While teams continue to shape rosters, Yardbarker NFL writers identify the major surprises — good or bad — for each team during training camp. NFC East DALLAS COWBOYS | Running back Jaydon Blue | The Cowboys will likely use multiple backs this season. Texas rookie Jaydon Blue is third on the opening depth chart, but his ability to run inside and out has raised his profile to "potential prime back." NEW YORK GIANTS | QB Jaxson Dart | Russell Wilson has secured No. 1, but first-rounder Jaxson Dart is barely third behind Jameis Winston and over Tommy DeVito. The Giants are hoping Dart is No. 2 so he can take over next season. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Edge-rusher Jalyx Hunt | The Eagles needed pass-rushing help, and second-year player Jalyx Hunt has stepped up. Left tackle Jordan Mailata said Hunt is "going to be a star," and edge-rusher Nolan Smith Jr. called him "the best thing since sliced bread." WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Running back Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt| He was supposed to be a special teamer. However, one electrifying cut on a physical play awakened the seventh-rounder’s chances of possibly starting soon. — Rick Snider NFC West ARIZONA CARDINALS | OL Isaiah Adams | Adams has a lot of pressure to perform entering his second season, but he came to camp prepared. Adams has earned praise from head coach Jonathan Gannon and won many feisty, one-on-one reps against an aggressive Cardinals defense. LOS ANGELES RAMS | QB Matthew Stafford | The Rams are all-in for 2025 as they attempt to maximize what’s left of Matthew Stafford’s career. However, the QB has already missed multiple practices because of an aggravated disc in his back and received an epidural to help with the issue, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Rams fans shouldn't panic yet, but this situation bears watching. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | CB Upton Stout | The third-round pick has outperformed the rest of the 49ers' 2025 draft class. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has not named him the starting nickelback, but the Western Kentucky product is impressing the coaching staff. Stout has also earned snaps with the first-team defense in less than two weeks of practice. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | WR Tory Horton | The fifth-round pick may be the biggest riser on the roster. Horton is already taking first-team reps and building chemistry with QB Sam Darnold. It’s unclear where Horton will slot on the depth chart, but he is pushing for a pivotal role. — Sterling Bennett NFC North CHICAGO BEARS | WR JP Richardson | Bears fans are understandably excited about second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III, but Richardson, an undrafted WR out of TCU and Oklahoma State, is turning heads. The undersized (5-foot-11, 192 pounds) rookie has a long way to go to make the roster, but he’s off to a hot start. DETROIT LIONS | Edge Aidan Hutchinson | Hutchinson missed most of last season after suffering a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6, but you wouldn’t know it by his performance in training camp. The star defensive end has been so dominant in practice that head coach Dan Campbell implemented a Hutch rule that allows the offense to finish its rep after Hutchinson beats the offensive line for a "sack." GREEN BAY PACKERS | WR Matthew Golden | The Packers drafted Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to inject speed at wide receiver, but they probably didn’t expect him to shine this brightly. According to QB Jordan Love (via ESPN's Kevin Clark), "He’s been playing lights out. He’s gonna be a stud." MINNESOTA VIKINGS | CB Jeff Okudah | Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, has underwhelmed in the NFL. That's why the Vikings signed him to a cheap, $2.35M deal this offseason. The once-promising talent is exceeding expectations at training camp — enough to challenge Isaiah Rodgers for a starting CB spot next to Byron Murphy Jr. — Jack Dougherty NFC South ATLANTA FALCONS | WR David Sills V | Sills last played a regular-season down in 2023 (when he was on the field for 16 snaps in three games) and has 13 career receptions in three seasons. Early in camp, he formed a quick connection with backup QB Kirk Cousins, with Falcons.com’s Terrin Waack highlighting his performance during the second day of camp and starting QB Michael Penix Jr. noting his production with Darnell Mooney (shoulder) absent. CAROLINA PANTHERS | Defense | Last season, the Panthers had the league’s worst defense, allowing 31.4 points and 404.5 yards per game. But second-year head coach Dave Canales recently praised the unit’s "dominant" practice, a promising development as it looks to pull its way out from rock bottom. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Secondary | The past 12 months haven’t been kind to the defensive backfield, with Marshon Lattimore being traded at last season’s trade deadline, Paulson Adebo leaving for the New York Giants in free agency and Tyrann Mathieu retiring at the start of camp. Those losses haven’t been felt this summer, with second-year pro Kool-Aid McKinstry, in particular, standing out as a potential lockdown corner with a string of excellent performances. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | RB Rachaad White | The Buccaneers found a jewel in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft when they landed running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for 1,122 yards last season, at No. 125 overall. His emergence has made White, a 2022 third-round pick entering the final year of his rookie contract, potentially expendable. But head coach Todd Bowles recently shut down that line of thinking, labeling White as the team's best blitz pickup back and increased quickness after slimming down during the offseason. — Eric Smithling AFC East BUFFALO BILLS | QB Mike White | The 30-year-old journeyman, signed by the Bills to their practice squad in 2024, went 3-of-11 for 28 yards in the team’s regular-season finale but has been splitting second-team reps with Mitchell Trubisky in early practices. He could be a more cost-effective option with a $1.1M cap hit for 2025. MIAMI DOLPHINS | LB Grayson Murphy | Murphy joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2024 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in Miami’s first preseason game. Once healthy, Murphy used a quick first step to shine in early OTA practices and could steal a roster spot from linebackers Cameron Goode or Channing Tindall, who combined for six tackles and no sacks last season. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | TreVeyon Henderson as a receiver | New England’s rookie running back has impressed as a receiver, with some using words like "special" and "difference-maker" to describe his pass-catching abilities. Henderson averaged a career-high 7.1 yards per carry for 1,016 yards and 10 rushing TDs in 2024 with Ohio State. But he also had 77 catches for 853 yards and six TDs in four years with the Buckeyes and could prove to be a reliable target for second-year QB Drake Maye. NEW YORK JETS | WR Arian Smith | Smith had 48 catches for 817 yards and four TDs for Georgia in 2024 and posted the fifth-fastest time (4.36) in the 40-yard dash of any receiver at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. A fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, Smith has earned praise from head coach Aaron Glenn for his explosive plays and ability to catch in traffic, and could make an impact paired with fellow receiver Garrett Wilson. — Bruce Ewing AFC West DENVER BRONCOS | WR Troy Franklin | Franklin, who had only two touchdown catches in 16 games during his rookie season in 2024, is making explosive plays in camp. Per DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens, he had multiple TD catches during Tuesday’s practice, including a 25-yarder from QB Bo Nix. Denver offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Tuesday the Oregon product has "stood out" throughout camp. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | WR Tyquan Thornton | Thornton had just two touchdown catches in his first three seasons with the Patriots, but he’s developing chemistry with QB Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has said that "there’s a lot of trust building" between the QB and WR. With WRs Marquise "Hollywood" Brown (ankle) and Rashee Rice (groin) battling injuries, expect Kansas City to keep giving the Baylor product more reps. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | QB Trey Lance | Chargers QB Justin Herbert is entrenched as the starter, but Lance has looked like a dependable backup. The former San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys bust completed 13-of-20 passes for 120 yards and two TDs during L.A.’s 34-7 win over the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh complimented the QB’s poise in a postgame news conference. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | TE Michael Mayer | After second-year TE Brock Bowers had the league’s third-most receptions (112 in 17 games) in 2024, Mayer seemed like a cut candidate. However, the 2023 second-round pick has been "among the offensive standouts" at camp (via ESPN’s Ryan McFadden). Perhaps new Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will be running plenty of 12 personnel (one running back, two TEs) this season. — Clark Dalton AFC North BALTIMORE RAVENS | WR Devontez Walker | Walker spent the 2024 season playing primarily as a special-teams contributor, catching just one pass all season. But he has developed an early chemistry with QB Lamar Jackson and beaten first-team Ravens defenders such as CB Jaire Alexander. CINCINNATI BENGALS | Rookie linebackers | The Bengals invested heavily in their defense in the draft, and rookie linebackers Demetrius Knight II (second round) and Barrett Carter (fourth round) have been early standouts. A lot of the defensive improvements will come from first-round DE Shemar Stewart, but if Knight and Barrett can help transform their linebacker group, it could be a big game-changer for a team that needs a defensive boost. CLEVELAND BROWNS | WR Gage Larvadain | The Browns do not have much proven wide receiver depth after Jerry Jeudy, but the undrafted Larvadain is making a strong case for a roster spot. He is one of the biggest surprises in the passing game and landed in a great spot (a team without a lot of proven wide receivers) to maybe make an immediate impact. PITTSBURGH STEELERS | TE Darnell Washington | Washington is a mountain of a man (listed at 6-foot-7, 264 pounds) who has primarily been used as a blocking tight end over the first two years of his NFL career. He is still mauling defenders in camp, but he has also been a dominant red-zone target in the passing game and showed breakaway speed that could give OC Arthur Smith a dream three-tight-end set with Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. — Adam Gretz AFC South HOUSTON TEXANS | RB Nick Chubb | Chubb rushed for only 332 yards in eight games with the Browns after returning from a knee injury in 2024, but he may not be out of gas. Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday he’s improved every day in camp. That bodes well for Houston, as starting RB Joe Mixon is expected to miss the preseason with a right foot injury. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | WR Adonai Mitchell | Mitchell had zero touchdown catches in 17 games during his rookie season but could be poised for a second-year breakout. Former Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Johnson praised the Texas/Georgia product after he dominated Wednesday’s joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts need Mitchell to become a dependable target for Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, who are competing for the starting QB job. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | CB/WR Travis Hunter | Letting Hunter play both ways was always going to be challenging for the Jaguars, but it seems their plans are working. New head coach Liam Coen has said the 2024 Heisman winner doesn’t seem overwhelmed by his workload. TENNESSEE TITANS | LB Cody Barton | Tennessee may have found a steal in Barton, whom it signed to a three-year, $21M deal in free agency. According to ESPN’s Turron Davenport, he led all Titans in interceptions (two) through the first eight practices. Fellow LB James Williams told Davenport, "He’s a defensive coach on the field." — Clark Dalton
Dream Dealt Unfortunate News on Brittney Griner on Thursday
Neck pain isn’t usually headline news, unless it belongs to Brittney Griner. Atlanta Dream fans hoping for another dominant night on Thursday just had their mood checked. Griner is officially out again, and suddenly that winning streak feels a little more fragile. The Dream hit the road to face the struggling Chicago Sky, a team sitting at 8-21 and already missing rookie standout Angel Reese. But while the Sky limp into Wintrust Arena, the Dream aren’t walking in at full strength either. On Wednesday, the team ruled out Griner for a third straight game due to her lingering neck injury. According to the WNBA’s official injury report, she’s still not ready for game action. Griner’s absence is a blow. The nine-time All-Star has been averaging 10.6 points and 5.6 boards while shooting over 51 percent from the field this season. She signed with Atlanta as a free agent this offseason, helping turn the Dream into a serious contender after last year’s playoff sneak-in. But with their star center on the bench again, the Dream will have to get creative, and gritty. Brionna Jones, Naz Hillmon Set to Step Up With Griner out, Atlanta is expected to lean on Brionna Jones and Naz Hillmon to carry the frontcourt load. Jones, another offseason addition, has already started taking on a bigger role. The team will need her presence inside to stretch the Sky’s defense and crash the boards. It’s not all gloom, though. Griner’s "doubtful" tag before last week’s Mercury game was the same story, and she’s reportedly getting closer to a return. But Atlanta’s not taking risks with their veteran star, and they shouldn't. Still, with Rhyne Howard also sidelined due to a knee issue, the Dream are down two primary weapons. That makes Thursday’s game less about comfort and more about character.
Gap between star WR Terry McLaurin, Commanders revealed
As of Thursday morning, the Washington Commanders and Terry McLaurin remained in a contract stalemate after the 29-year-old wide receiver in the final year of his current deal requested a trade. During Thursday's edition of the ESPN "Get Up" program, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler noted that the Commanders and McLaurin are locked in "a classic standoff" as McLaurin allegedly looks to secure "parts" of the five-year, $150M deal that the Pittsburgh Steelers gave DK Metcalf this past March. "They have been far apart," Fowler said about the negotiations between the Commanders and McLaurin, as shared by Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report. "...[McLaurin] has wanted metrics of the DK Metcalf contract, which is $32M. I'm told the Washington Commanders have only been slightly above where he was before, which is $23M. So take that gap, that's $7M to 8M that they have to bridge." Fowler added that Washington "has got some calls about McLaurin" this summer because "there's some interest league-wide" in learning whether or not the wideout could become available. For what it's worth, numerous reporters have said since McLaurin went public with his trade request that he likely won't go anywhere before Washington opens the season with a home game against the New York Giants on Sept. 7. ESPN's John Keim mentioned that Washington's joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday showed that the Commanders "need McLaurin back on the field" as soon as possible. That's understandable, as McLaurin recorded team highs of 117 targets, 82 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards to help quarterback Jayden Daniels become the Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2024 season. Additionally, McLaurin finished the 2024 campaign ranked second in the entire NFL with 13 touchdown catches. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook continued to list a Washington team coming off a trip to this year's NFC Championship Game sixth among the betting favorites at +1800 odds to win Super Bowl LX. Perhaps Wednesday's joint practice will spark more positive conversations between McLaurin's camp and the Commanders that will result in the playmaker rejoining summer practices as soon as early next week.
Veteran reliever gets designated for assignment for third time this season
Pirates reliever Genesis Cabrera was outrighted to Triple-A, according to the MLB.com transaction log. Pittsburgh designated the southpaw for assignment on Monday when they welcomed Johan Oviedo back from the injured list. Cabrera has the right to refuse the assignment in favor of free agency. The Pirates were Cabrera’s third team of the season. He had brief stints with the Mets and Cubs earlier in the year. He pitched nine times for the Bucs after signing a major league contract at the end of June. He gave up six runs in 11 innings, striking out seven while issuing one walk. Cabrera is now up to 28 frames with a 5.79 earned run average. He has recorded a below-average 18.8% strikeout rate. Cabrera throws hard, averaging nearly 96 mph from the left side. Teams continue to give him opportunities in the middle innings as a result. The 28-year-old hasn’t translated that into enough strikeouts over the past two seasons. He has also been increasingly prone to the home run ball, leading to an ERA above 4.00 in three of the past four years.
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