Bengals News (7/14): Camp Surprises

Bengals running back Joe Mixon says he won't wear a mouth shield this season
Training camp is just a few weeks away, but there are still plenty of safety measures that the NFL and the Players Association have to figure out before practice begins. One topic that has been discussed is a potential face shield that players could wear on their helmets to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

6 Cincinnati Bengals rookies who could surprise at training camp
The Cincinnati Bengals hope a strong free-agent push and a good blend of rookie faces can push the team in the right direction around Joe Burrow.

Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon tweets about Oakley mouth shields
As the NFL prepares for the upcoming football season, the league plans to test using Oakley mouth shields embedded in helmets to protect players from the novel coronavirus.

Hakeem Adeniji looks like Bengals’ biggest sleeper heading into camp
If Adeniji really is in the mix at a tackle spot, there’s an outside chance he could push Bobby Hart. But the team has huge hopes for Fred Johnson, too, the waiver claim last year as a rookie who got in a few games and showed some promise.

Predicting one future first-time Pro Bowler for each AFC team
Joe Burrow, QB, first NFL season: Is it a stretch to list a rookie quarterback on the heels of the most bizarre offseason in gridiron lore? Not in a world where Pro Bowl bids remain highly narrative driven -- and not if Burrow lives up to the billing. Surrounded by a sturdy cast of weapons, Cincinnati's savior-in-waiting will be one of the AFC's top stories when he helps the long-lost Bengals trade in last year's 2-14 finish for meaningful games in December. It would help if last year's first-rounder, Jonah Williams, shines at left tackle for an offensive line that doubled as a roaming disaster in 2019.

Around the league

NFL expected to respond to NFLPA economic proposal in coming days
After news emerged last Tuesday that the NFL proposed holding 35% of player salaries in escrow, the NFLPA sent an economic counterproposal to the league on Sunday. Rapoport and Pelissero reported that the league is expected to respond to the counterproposal in the coming days.

Washington retiring nickname, logo; new nickname TBD
"Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review," the team said in a statement. "Dan Snyder and Coach (Ron) Rivera are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years."

Washington team name change ends longstanding embarrassment for NFL
For more than a month, and four years after Colin Kaepernick ignited a firestorm by kneeling to protest police brutality, the NFL has moved to position itself as a leader for societal change. It declared that Black Lives Matter. It pledged a quarter of a billion dollars to social justice initiatives. It admitted it should have listened sooner to its own players.

Panthers owner Tepper gifts over $567K in scholarships to University of South Carolina
The four-year scholarships are worth $10,000 per year and will provide access to additional enrichment opportunities to four incoming freshmen per year. "Tepper Scholars" will be chosen based on academic merit "with an emphasis on supporting student diversity and first-generation students," according to a release from the university.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys unlikely to reach long-term deal by deadline
The deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign a long-term contract sits directly ahead, on Wednesday, July 15. Given the uncertainties surrounding the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it doesn't sound like there will be much action in the way of extensions this season, including Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.