National Football League

Minicamp roundup: Rehabbing QBs get back to business

Published Jun. 9, 2015 3:41 p.m. ET

Ross Jones

The pace and intensity picked up around six NFL team facilities on Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos kicked off their three-day windows of work.

Minicamps prevent any contact work and players don't wear pads, as FOX Sports 1's NFL insider Alex Marvez detailed in his camp primer. While the football on the field is limited, evaluations can still be made. Off the field, much can be taken by a veteran possibly staging a holdout or a player rehabbing an injury. Below are a few notes from around the league regarding the minicamp mania:

Quarterbacks were the topic of conversation on Tuesday.

As minicamps allow players to go through drills and throw the ball around in helmets and shorts, it's also a time to get acclimated to the logistics of the game.

In Arizona, Carson Palmer was welcomed back to the field. The longtime signal-caller told ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss that he was cleared "weeks ago" and is "100 percent."

"I can do everything," Palmer said. "I've tested out. Gotten stronger every week, every month, just ready to get going."

Palmer's presence in the huddle was dramatically missed in the postseason last year, as the Cardinals fell to the Carolina Panthers in the wild-card round.

The Philadelphia Eagles, who were technically participating in their OTAs, have been pleased with Sam Bradford's rehab of a torn ACL. Head coach Chip Kelly said the veteran QB is "right on track" in return from the torn ACL he suffered last preseason, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McClane. Bradford took first-team snaps during the first and second set of 7-on-7 drills, reporters in attendance said. McClane noted that Bradford was "tentative with his steps, but sharp with his throws."

And in Oakland, second-year quarterback Derek Carr was cleared to participate in the team's mandatory minicamp. Certainly, enthusiasm from the Silver and Black followed:

Carr threw "with zip," according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Vic Tafur.

Training camps begin in nearly a month-and-a-half. The goal for all teams is to keep players healthy and have them hitting their stride in September.

Ailing Redskins continue to rehab: Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, rehabbing from a knee scope, was in attendance on Tuesday. Kerrigan was joined by offensive tackles Trent Williams and Morgan Moses and tight end Jordan Reed (knee), all of whom continue to rehab their respective injuries.

Holdouts in Denver: The Denver Broncos didn't have defensive lineman Antonio Smith or wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in attendance, but that didn't mean work wasn't getting done. Thomas, who had the franchise tag placed on him this offseason, hasn't been at Dove Valley while his agent Todd France and the Broncos' brass aim to hammer out a long-term agreement. In fact, one of the first songs to play during the stretching period was Ray Charles' famed hit "Georgia on My Mind," according to the Denver Post's Troy Renck. The song was likely a subtle reference to Thomas, who trains in Atlanta and played his college ball at Georgia Tech. When asked after practice who was spinning the classics, Kubiak quipped, "It wasn't me... I'm not in charge of that." The Broncos head coach did note, however, that he has been in touch with both Smith and Thomas frequently this offseason, according to reporters on hand.

Weapons galore in Indy: Rookie Phillip Dorsett joins a wide receiving corps that's as deep as any in the league. Veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson glowed when asked about playing for his new team. Can't say I've been fortunate enough to play w a great quarterback in my 12 years in the league," Johnson said, via the Indy Star's Stephen Holder. "I'm able to play with one now." As for the running back situation, veteran Frank Gore likes what he sees. "With these weapons and Luck, I think it should be a light box," Gore told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington on Tuesday. "I've never seen a six-man front. Hopefully, this year it happens. And hopefully, I can take advantage of it."

Eagles' new safety blanket: The buzz for Walter Thurmond has steadily continued to build at Eagles' camp. Thurmond, who played for Kelly at Oregon, was signed this offseason as a free agent and has made the transition from nickel cornerback to safety. Kelly poured praise on the veteran, saying he has done a nice job making the switch and "has been the most productive guy in the secondary in terms of pass breakups," according to NJ.com's Eliot Shorr-Parks.