Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill suffers apparent leg injury during fall

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The Hall of Fame Game is a chore for veterans. A nuisance. Just get through a series or two without busting up a knee or ankle, then head back to camp. That's the drill. But for the rookies and bubble guys on the roster, this extra preseason game creates an ideal stage to showcase something, anything, in the eyes of coaches and management. After playing in the Hall of Fame Game twice -- at different stages of my career -- I know firsthand that there are positives in Thursday night's matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. Think about reps and opportunity for the guys trying to earn a job -- any job -- in the league. Hey, go make a play when the film is rolling. Here are a few reasons why the game is vital for young players. Live reps are important The established players for the Cowboys might get a handful of plays Thursday night. Maybe fewer. And Bruce Arians doesn't plan to play his starters at all. Hey, it's not worth the risk with four more preseason games to go. They will get get enough work in August. But once the vets shut it down for the night, it's time for the backups and roster hopefuls to get on the field. And these game reps are going to carry much more weight in the evaluation process. Undrafted quarterback Trevor Knight could see a lot of time in Thursday night's Hall of Fame game, but veteran Larry Fitzgerald might not see the field. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin Yes, guys can impress the coaching staff when they show up during one-on-one drills or team periods in training-camp practice. Given the shortened offseason schedule, the elimination of two-a-days and the reduction in padded practices, however, there are only so many opportunities to move up the depth chart in camp. Plus, when the uniform goes on in the preseason, the speed of the game increases dramatically and so does the competition. And every play is graded. Think about it. These cats are fighting for a job -- and money. They are going to get hit. Sure, that applies to every preseason game, but the amount of reps in Canton is the key for the rookies and bubble guys. They are going to play almost the entire game. That's a ton of film. And a ton of opportunity to audition for more reps in practice and more playing time in the next game. Remember, this is a process, and some seventh-round pick isn't going to make the team based on his film from Canton. But it allows those guys to start building a résumé throughout the preseason. And game reps count. That's critical when it comes time to trim the roster. Playmakers are noticed Yeah, every coach wants to see the roster hopefuls play within the scheme. I get that. That means alignment and assignment and using the coached techniques on the field. Wide receivers running their routes at the proper depth. Footwork along the offensive line. Safeties reading their keys in Cover 2. But, really, that's just the cover charge to get in the door on an NFL team. And it's expected from pro ballplayers. You want to stand out? Make a big play. Do something that excites the room when the film is turned on. Maybe that's a pick on defense, a physical run by a back in a short-yardage situation, a quarterback being aggressive and taking a shot, or an offensive lineman blasting a linebacker on a power play. Pancake that dude. And walk right over him.

More QB injury concerns: 

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With training camp underway and the preseason a week away from beginning on a broad scale, let’s take an early look at the other quarterbacks whose health might cause questions for fans and/or fantasy players:

Andrew Luck: The Colts quarterback has reportedly yet to resume throwing following January surgery to suture his labrum. With a repair, it is normal to allow up to 6 months of healing. Should he begin throwing soon – as in the coming week – Luck could be ready to start the season opener. However, the Colts are clearly being careful with their franchise QB. Luck will need some luck to be 100 percent by week 1 as the long recovery leaves little margin for error.

Cam Newton: The Panthers QB shouldn’t have any problem in his return from throwing shoulder surgery in March. Newton’s surgery was a debridement and thus has a quicker timetable than Luck. It was an encouraging sign that he was not placed on the PUP list, meaning the Panthers had no doubt he would not have any setbacks and be ready to go at the start of the season. Newton being held out of practice Tuesday and Wednesday of this week due to soreness is not alarming, as muscle soreness was to be expected following a resumption of a throwing regimen and does not necessarily indicate a setback.

Joe Flacco: This will remain an unknown until Flacco practices without setback. It is likely the Ravens QB, who has not practiced in camp, has a disc herniation. Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday he expects Flacco to return “long before the end of the preseason” but acknowledged “backs are unpredictable.” It seems the original one-week estimate is already being extended. If reports of an epidural steroid injection emerge, that would indicate the disc is pressing on a nerve and could be worrisome for Ravens fans who have already had more than their share of injuries.

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Teddy Bridgewater: Bridgewater is on PUP and will likely begin the season on PUP, which means he will miss at least six weeks. It is possible but unlikely the Vikings could play Bridgewater in the preseason to see what he can do, though there is no rush since they have Sam Bradford. Bridgewater underwent major surgery last August to repair his ACL and other ligaments for a knee dislocation. With the severity of the injury, Bridgewater is on track with the initial estimated 12-18 month recovery timeline. Bridgewater does not need to rush and him taking 18 or 24 months would not be a bad thing.

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Derek Carr: Although a horrific looking injury with his toes pointing a different direction than his kneecap, surgery and recovery is fairly reliable. The Raiders’ young star should have no issues other than soreness in his return from a broken fibula and ankle ligament injury, which required surgery last December.

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Marcus Mariota: This is basically the same outlook at Carr, as they had essentially the same injury. Reports out of Titans’ camp is Mariota is moving around without issue. The Titans reports have always been more cautious than the Raiders projections, but they are very similar and both should be good to go.