5 Biggest NFL Training Camp Headlines: Tony Romo, Brandin Cooks, Hakeem Nicks

Tony Romo
Tony Romo
Derick E Hingle USA TODAY Sports

As training camps across the NFL get underway, XN Sports will report the top headlines of each day.

With the preseason nearing, there is no shortage of intrigue and optimism, key injuries, and potential holdouts, as well as late offseason signings.

Here are the top five headlines for Sunday:

Dorsey done

49ers defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey will miss the entire 2014 season with a torn bicep, another huge blow for the defense.

NaVorro Bowman is already out until about midseason, while it’s unknown if Aldon Smith will miss time due to a suspension. That’s three key cogs sidelined for the Niners when Week 1 rolls along.

Romo won’t play

Tony Romo will not play in the Cowboys’ preseason opener against the Chargers on Thursday. This isn’t breaking news, but it does give reason to believe the quarterback is still dealing with his back injury.

Free-agent signee Brandon Weeden will draw the start in place of Romo. If and how much time Romo plays in the preseason is something to keep an eye on, though.

Cooking up the hype

First-round pick Brandin Cooks continues to get most of the praise out of Saints camp this summer. Cooks was unable to attend most of the team’s OTAs and minicamp because he was wrapping up his courses at Oregon State, but he has been the talk of the town so far.

Cooks caught six passes during the Black and Gold scrimmage on Saturday, including one in which he burned cornerback Rod Sweeting for a 25-yard touchdown. The rookie’s speed and quickness, in addition to his ball-catching skills, leads us to believe he’ll have a major role in his first NFL season.

Carlson No. 1

John Carlson has been taking the majority of the first-team reps at tight end during Cardinals camp. Who the team’s No. 1 tight end has been a question mark ever since second-round pick Troy Niklas was ruled out of the season.

Carlson impressed during OTAs, too. He’s competing with Jake Ballard and Rob Housler for the starting job.

Nicks still not up to par

Hakeem Nicks has suffered back-to-back down years with the Giants, but has a chance to revitalize his career with Andrew Luck and the Colts. If he can bounce back this season is one of the major question marks we included in the AFC South training camp primer. However, Indianapolis offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has not been impressed with the wide receiver so far.

Hamilton said Nicks is likely not in “game shape” just yet, a not-so-positive endorsement for someone in need of a strong 2014 campaign.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.