Tag: Practice

Boston Celtics await news from State on reopening practice facilities

The Boston Celtics await word from the state of Massachusetts on reopening their practice facilities.

The Boston Celtics await word from the State of Massachusetts regarding reopening their practice facilities, reports the Boston Herald’s Mark Murphy.

Shuttered not long after the NBA ceased all league activities following Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive diagnosis for the coronavirus responsible for the pandemic, the Celtics have not had use of their own training center since mid-March.

Boston has since been waiting until their facilities are deemed safe by local authorities in accordance with league guidelines on reopening team facilities.

“We will open our facility for one player, one basket, one coach at a time when we’re improved,” related lead team Governor Wyc Grousbeck (via Murphy).

“We have all of our applications and discussions underway. We don’t think it will be very long — I will say that,” offered Grousbeck. “We’re going to make sure it’s the safest thing anybody does all day long. If we’re open as a state, this might be the safest spot you can possibly be.”

Echoing the highest regard for caution shared by state Governor Charlie Barker, Grousbeck and the Celtics are eschewing any rush back to normalcy in favor of a measured approach that puts social well-being at the fore.

Even when the facilities do reopen, it will be for one player at a time, with the absolute minimal number of support staff present to work with each player.

Around the rest of the NBA in municipalities where stay-at-home orders have been lifted, players have been largely jubilant about returning to workout facilities despite the risk-

The move was made by the NBA to allow such reopening in order to minimize players seeking access to less safe public alternatives, but has put some teams at a relative competitive disadvantage — not that Grousbeck and Co. seem to mind, given the stakes.

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Broncos want to host Bears for joint practices in August

The Broncos hope to host the Bears for a preseason game and joint training camp practices in August.

The Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears would like to hold joint practices together this summer, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. The two teams have made their request known to the league and details will wait to be sorted out until after the preseason schedule is confirmed.

As long as the NFL signs off (and there’s little reason to believe it wouldn’t), Denver will host Chicago for a preseason game in August and the two teams will hold joint practices together leading up to that game.

The Broncos also hosted the Bears for joint practices in 2018. Last summer, Denver hosted the San Francisco 49ers. The Broncos hosted San Francisco in four of the last five summers.

In addition to Chicago and the 49ers, Denver has also held joint practices with the Houston Texans (2003, 2005, 2014), Dallas Cowboys (2007, 2008) and Carolina Panthers (1996). The Broncos will likely announce their training camp schedule in mid-to-late June.

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6 things that need to be addressed before a 17 game schedule becomes a reality

(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio) The 17-game regular season has come up in football circles again since the collective bargaining agreement is in its last year. The players have constantly stated they are against making the regular season any longer. The …

 (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

The 17-game regular season has come up in football circles again since the collective bargaining agreement is in its last year. The players have constantly stated they are against making the regular season any longer. The owners want 17 games to get more money from its television partners and because the preseason simply isn’t sustainable for anyone — fans, owners, players, coaches — as currently constituted. The 17-game schedule is one of the biggest things that will be talked about during the CBA negotiation. It’s really the biggest piece of leverage the players have over the owners in this round of talks. There are some things that need to change, and the players would be smart to focus on the following talking points any time 17 games is brought up.

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2020 Pro Bowl: Saints struggle to fit everyone in a photo before practice

The New Orleans Saints sent 10 players to the 2020 Pro Bowl, and struggled to fit all of them together for a photo before NFC team practice.

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The New Orleans Saints sent a huge delegation to the 2020 Pro Bowl, even with star cornerback Marshon Lattimore declining an invitation due to injury. They’re represented with ten players from all three units: offense, defense, and special teams. It’s given the NFC team practices the look of a Saints group workout, due as much to the number of players from New Orleans as this year’s white-and-gold uniforms. Here’s the full list of participants:

  • #13 WR Michael Thomas (starter)
  • #94 DE Cameron Jordan (starter)
  • #11 KR Deonte Harris (starter)
  • #3 K Wil Lutz (starter)
  • #9 QB Drew Brees (backup)
  • #72 LT Terron Armstead (backup)
  • #87 TE Jared Cook (alternate)
  • #75 LG Andrus Peat (alternate)
  • #67 RG Larry Warford (alternate)
  • #41 RB Alvin Kamara (alternate)

Unfortunately, the downside to having that much star talent in one place is that it can be difficult to get a photo of everyone gathered together. But the Saints made their best effort, putting undrafted rookie phenom Deonte Harris front-and-center with taller teammates Armstead, Cook, and Peat in the background. They’ll get an “A” for effort:

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A look at Seahawks’ injuries ahead of divisional round in Green Bay

The Seattle Seahawks hope to see the return of a few injured players in time for the divisional round matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

The Seattle Seahawks were able to get by the Philadelphia Eagles and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs despite a number of players battling injuries.

“All in all, we came out pretty clean of the game – pretty healthy,” Coach Pete Carroll told reporters Monday. “Still don’t know about a couple guys. Don’t know about Ziggy [Ansah] right now at this point. Don’t know about the guys that missed the game going forward to this week. I can’t tell you much about those guys until we get into this week, but I’m sure you’ll ask. Going to Green Bay. Here we go.”

Besides Ansah (stinger), Carroll did provide a number of other updates on players who will be monitored this week.

Guard Mike Iupati (neck): “He had a few episodes the week before,” Carroll explained. “Just didn’t quiet down in time. It has quieted down when he’s had the episodes in the past. He’s still symptomatic today. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen this week.”

Tackle Duane Brown (knee/biceps): “I can’t tell you until we get him back out here,” Carroll said. “He’s doing some stuff with the guys right now. I don’t have any updated information for you. We’re trying to see if he can get back.”

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (core): “So far, he’s okay,” Carroll confirmed. “It sounds like, the report I just got is that he’s playing this week. He’ll be alright to make it. We’ll have to manage him throughout the week.”

The Seahawks have an off day Tuesday but return Wednesday to prepare to face the Packers.

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Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney got reps in Friday’s practice

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (core injury) sat out practice to start the week but got reps in Friday’s walkthrough.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will be a game-day decision Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles when the two teams square off in the wild-card round.

Clowney has been battling a core injury over the last month of the season and did not practice to start the workweek. He was a limited participant in Friday’s walkthrough.

“We’re just getting him to game time is all we can get done right now,” coach Pete Carroll said after practice. “He worked today. He got his reps in today and was able to demonstrate the game plan and that he knew what was going on. If this is what we got, this is what we got. We got to work with it.”

Clowney was not listed on the injury report as even questionable to play this weekend and Seattle is hoping he is able to go.

Here’s a look at the current injury statuses as the Seahawks head off to Philadelphia. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 1:40 p.m. PT.

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WATCH: Zion Williamson gives own injury update following first full practice

Zion Williamson is getting closer to taking the court in an NBA game for the first time.

Zion Williamson is getting closer to taking the court in an NBA game for the first time.

According to Will Guillory of The Athletic (and other local New Orleans reporters), the 2019 first overall draft pick went through a full practice Thursday for the first time since undergoing surgery in October.

Williamson suffered a torn right lateral meniscus, then was ruled out for 6 to 8 weeks after having the injury repaired on Oct. 21.

The Pelicans (11-23) admitted to being particularly cautious with their top selection’s health, but Zion began working his way into practices a few weeks ago and traveled with the team. On Dec. 28th, the Pelicans showed off Williamson’s progress by tweeting out a video of the rookie dunking pregame.

Head coach Alvin Gentry still would not set a firm date for the rookie’s NBA debut when the coach talked with reporters Thursday.

When asked about how he will know he’s ready to play again, Williamson himself said, “It’ll probably be one of those moments, like when it came to my college decision, I’ll (wake) up and I’ll know,” according to Guillory.

Seahawks DE Ziggy Ansah limited to start week with shoulder stinger

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ziggy Ansah began the work week limited in practice after suffering a shoulder stinger against the Vikings.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ziggy Ansah suffered a minor setback Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. He was limited to start the practice week on Wednesday.

“He had a stinger in the game,” coach Pete Carroll told reporters. “Just got to make sure he’s okay.”

While the stinger impacts the same shoulder Ansah had operated on over the offseason, Carroll can’t be certain if there’s a correlation with the new injury.

Coming off a Monday night game, the Seahawks had a light practice on Wednesday consisting of only a walkthrough. While the participation report was estimated as though a full practice had taken place, it was at least encouraging Ansah was able to take the field.

“He looks like he’s doing okay so far,” Carroll said. “We won’t know for a couple days if he’s clear and all that.”

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was also listed as limited on Wednesday but is expected to play Week 14.

Ansah, Clowney and the rest of the Seahawks have a few more days to recover before heading down to Los Angeles to face the Rams Sunday night.

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