COWBOYS
Rebuilding defense
OXNARD, Calif. -- Rookie pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence's broken foot didn't send the Dallas Cowboys scrambling because they are already in a rebuilding mode with their defensive line.
They just know the "new" DeMarcus won't be part of the plan for roughly the first half of the season.
Lawrence was drafted early in the second round after the Cowboys triggered a revamping of their defensive front by releasing franchise sacks leader DeMarcus Ware in March.
The former Boise State player is far from the only newcomer in the group. His absence could mean more shuffling for the other 15 defensive linemen on the camp roster, with the possibility that a new name could be added along the way.
Carr to return soon
Cornerback Brandon Carr is expected to report to training camp soon after being with his mother in the final days of her battle with breast cancer.
Coach Jason Garrett said Carr's mother, Kathy Carr, died Wednesday. Carr was with her in his hometown of Flint, Michigan.
Carr, 28, missed the first nine days of camp, and Garrett said he could report over the weekend. The team is off Friday before returning to practice Saturday.
Carr is going into his third season with the Cowboys after signing as a free agent. He spent his first four years with Kansas City.
BROWNS
Manziel vs. playbook
BEREA, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel said he's competing with more than Brian Hoyer in the competition to be Cleveland's starting quarterback.
Manziel said "it's really me versus the playbook right now." Following Thursday's practice, the rookie acknowledged he's had some ups and downs in his first week in training camp as he learns Cleveland's offense. Manziel, though, believes he's making some progress.
Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said there is no clear leader between Hoyer and Manziel. Shanahan is hoping one of the quarterbacks takes off and makes the decision easier for Cleveland's coaching staff.
Hoyer said he's not worrying about his battle with Manziel as much as trying to make the Browns better.
Manziel has yet to work with Cleveland's first-string offense, but Coach Mike Pettine said that will change soon.
CHIEFS
Berry injures ankle
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Eric Berry left practice Thursday after hurting his right ankle, the second injury that the Pro Bowl safety has sustained so far in training camp.
Berry dislocated his finger in an earlier practice.
It was unclear what happened to Berry during one of the early sessions of the day's workout at Missouri Western. He walked gingerly to the tent next to the field and was checked on by trainers, and then talked with other team officials on the sideline before leaving on a cart.
Berry was able to put weight on the leg but was noticeably limping, and Coach Andy Reid said he was still awaiting word on the severity of the injury.
"It's no Achilles, it's no ligament tear," Reid said. "We'll have to see."
Starting cornerback Marcus Cooper also left practice Thursday with a slight hamstring injury, compounding problems for a Chiefs secondary that was already thin coming into camp.
SEAHAWKS
Lynch joins camp
RENTON, Wash. -- Marshawn Lynch has joined training camp after missing the first week.
Lynch arrived Thursday afternoon following the team's morning practice. The team confirmed Lynch has reported for camp, ending a holdout that spanned a week.
Lynch has missed the first week of training camp unhappy with his contract status. Lynch is scheduled to make $5 million in base salary for 2014 with additional roster bonuses available. It's the third year of a four-year deal Lynch signed before the 2012 season.
JETS
Pryor recovering
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor, the team's first-round draft pick, has returned to practice on a limited basis as he recovers from a concussion.
Pryor wore a red, no-contact jersey Thursday during positional drills after being cleared for physical activity by team doctors. He still has yet to be cleared for physical contact as he goes through the NFL's protocol for head injuries.
Once Pryor is cleared for contact, he will be able to take part in team drills.
The No. 18 overall pick out of Louisville was injured Saturday during a kickoff and sat out the past three practices.
Cornerback Dexter McDougle, a third-round pick, left practice early with a strained groin.
JAGUARS
Fewer receivers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Already without suspended receivers Justin Blackmon and Ace Sanders as well as injured starter Cecil Shorts III (hamstring), the Jacksonville Jaguars just got even thinner at the position.
Receiver Tandon Doss, expected to be the team's punt returner, badly injured his right ankle on the final play of practice Thursday. Doss screamed in pain as trainers rushed to place his leg in an air cast before carting him inside the facility for X-rays.
Making matters worse, rookie Allen Robinson felt tightness in his right hamstring -- the same injury that kept him out during organized team activities -- and sat out most of practice.
Rookie guard Brandon Linder, a third-round pick from Miami, sprained his right foot. And linebacker John Lotulelei sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
COLTS
Thomas out for season
ANDERSON, Ind. -- Left guard Donald Thomas will require season-ending surgery to repair his injured right quad.
Coach Chuck Pagano said Thursday an MRI confirmed the diagnosis.
Thomas missed most of last season with a torn right quad in Week 2. The Colts also said he had offseason surgery to repair a torn biceps.
Indianapolis thought Thomas' return would solidify an offensive line that couldn't stay healthy in 2013, struggled to open running lanes and allowed franchise quarterback Andrew Luck to be hit far too many times. Rookie Jack Mewhort, Indy's second-round pick, and NFL veteran Lance Louis will now compete for the open job.
Thomas, running back Vick Ballard and defensive lineman Fili Moala are all out for the season.
Sports on 08/01/2014