Another injury to Cam Newton and Antonio Brown's helmet saga are dominating headlines in the NFL.

NFL news and notes: Newton injured again, Brown's second helmet grievance concludes


With the NFL regular season quickly approaching, there are more and more injuries to keep track of and developments in contracts.

From another significant quarterback injury to the latest on Antonio Brown's helmet saga, we take a look at all the news happening around the league.

Three things that matter

Panthers QB Cam Newton is injured ... again

Cam Newton's health is once again in question after he went down with a foot injury during the Carolina Panthers' 10-3 preseason loss to the New England Patriots on Thursday. He was seen after the game in a walking boot and underwent further evaluation on Friday. General manager Marty Hurney said that the team are "cautiously optimistic" Newton will be ready to start the regular season opener despite the setback.

"Cam Newton has a mid-foot sprain in his left foot, and we are cautiously optimistic he will be ready for week one," Hurney said (via The Athletic).

Newton was hampered last season with shoulder pain, which resulted in surgery during the offseason and more speculation during training camp as to whether the franchise quarterback will fully be healthy to start the season. Now there are even more questions.

Packers, Raiders played preseason game on shortened field

Mark this one as unusual news: the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders were forced to play Thursday's preseason game in Winnipeg on an 80-yard field due to safety concerns of where the Canadian Football League goal posts are usually planted. Each 10-yard line served as the goal line. Field workers were trying to cover the holes with a square of artificial turf in each end zone, however, it would not stay down and there were concerns over player safety.

After the game, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he had no problem with his players playing in that condition and claims it was ultimately the Packers' decision to shorten the field.

"The field, I don't know [what] that was all about," Gruden said (via NBC Sports Bay Area). "We thought the field was perfectly fine ... I'm not going to make a big deal about the field. We like the field. We thought the field was perfectly ready to roll. You'd have to ask Green Bay about that."

It should be noted the Raiders walked away with a 22-21 win.

Preseason injuries continue

Preseason injuries are unavoidable, but more and more are happening as the regular season approaches. In addition to Newton's foot issue, Denver rookie quarterback Drew Lock could start the season on injured reserve after he sprained his thumb in the Broncos' preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week. Denver coach Vic Fangio told reporters Lock will not play or practice for at least the rest of the preseason.

Among the other injuries worth monitoring: Packers first-round pick Rashan Gary left during Thursday's game with a neck injury, but he assured fans there was no reason for concern. He wrote on social media: "I'm well, thank you for your prayers and concern!"

Additionally, Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed is in concussion protocol for at least the fourth time in his career after taking a hit from Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal during Thursday's preseason game. 

Two things that don't matter

Giants QB Daniel Jones shines again, but Eli Manning is still starting

Daniel Jones is certainly making a name for himself as he continues to shine during the preseason, but coach Pat Shurmur put to rest the speculation as to who the starting quarterback will be when the season opens. It is a familiar name, and one that is consistently repeated: Eli Manning. 

Even though Jones is 25 for 30 for 369 yards and two touchdowns for a whopping 140.1 rating, fourth in the NFL through three preseason games, Shurmur reiterated: "Eli's our starter, and we're getting Daniel ready to play."

Shurmur, however, did not completely shut down the idea of Jones earning the starting job in New York.

"I've said it all along: Daniel, when it's his time to play, he's gonna be ready," Shurmur said (per New York Daily News). "And we're gonna continue to get him ready, and we've got a couple weeks left before we play Dallas."

The Giants open the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 8.

Antonio Brown's latest helmet grievance hearing is over

The helmet saga in Oakland could be coming to an end soon. Antonio Brown's second grievance concluded on Friday and a ruling is expected next week, according to NFL Network.

Brown's first grievance was denied by an arbitrator earlier this month. He missed the start of Raiders training camp as a result of an ongoing dispute with the NFL over his helmet. Brown wanted to wear his old helmet, which is no longer on the NFL's approved list, and reportedly threatened to quit if he could not. But he has since participated in practice wearing a certified helmet. 

Raiders coach Jon Gruden said earlier this week that Brown is "all in and ready to go".

One video you have to see

Remember that 55-yard field goal Carli Lloyd made at Philadelphia Eagles practice earlier this week?

After the video went viral, the United States star said: "I've definitely got some people talking. Anything is possible but right now, I'm strictly a soccer player and we'll see what the future holds."

Friday's tweet of the day

Former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas sent out a series of tweets weighing in on Ezekiel Elliott's contract negotiations with the Cowboys and what he thinks Elliott should earn. The interesting part, though, is the fact that Elliott retweeted it, which may be an indication of what he is looking for in a deal.