Some good news, some bad news. That's the cycle that we are finding ourselves in as it relates to information that's coming out around the National Football League during training camps.
Percy Harvin's Hip Will Require Surgery
The new Seattle Seahawks receiver tweeted out the following after learning that his dislocated hip will require surgery:
"When everything is goin good sometimes life throw u a curve ball... Sorry to half to report that my injury will require surgery. Nobody was more anxious and excited about season then....but I will be back strong as ever. I appreciate all the love and prayers 12th man."
While it isn't known if Harvin will miss the entire regular season, three-to-four months seems to be the timetable for recovery here. That will likely put Harvin out until late-November or early-December. Seattle now has a decision to make. Does it place him on the injured reserve, designated for return list or sit him out for the entire season. If Pete Carroll and Co. go with the first option, it means that they won't be able to do that with another player all season long. As it is, this is a huge loss for a Seahawks' offense that was looking to expand its play-making ability.
Ed Reed not Committing to Play Week 1
When a soon-to-be 35-year-old defensive back is recovering from a hip injury, it's not a good sign. When he is a future Hall of Fame performer looking to help out a brand new team, it's definitely not a good sign. When that team's only other option is a rookie safety in the form of D.J. Swearinger, it's pretty darn bad.
This is the situation that Houston and its new Pro Bowl safety finds themselves in right now.
Reed told reporters that he couldn't play today if the season started, but added that if it was the Super Bowl; he'd be able to go. We can't be too sure if this is a veteran trick to miss out on the earliest stages of training camp, but we do know that Reed is a gamer.
Kevin Kolb Struggling in Camp
For the first time since selecting quarterback EJ Manuel in the first round of April's draft, it appears that there might be a bit if separation in the competition. According to reports out of Upstate New York, veteran free-agent signing Kevin Kolb is struggling big time in camp. In fact, Manuel continues to get first-team reps over Kolb. If this separation continues into the preseason, we might not be looking at too much of a competition in Buffalo.
Read Option Possible for the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals
In an attempt to turn the tide, both Chicago and Arizona have started to flirt with the read option. This is an attempt to counter the more mobile quarterbacks that we have seen enter the NFL over the past three years or so. If Jay Cutler and Carson Palmer can have success running the read option in camp, it could indicate a change of the tide and a more widespread use of the new style. That being said, no one in their right mind believes that Palmer and Cutler will be as successful running the read option as the Colin Kaepernicks and Robert Griffin IIIs of the world. This might be nothing more than your typical summer flirtation that most of us became accustomed to in high school.
Denard Robinson to Run the Wildcat?
In an interesting piece of news from Jaguars' camp, it appears that they are prepared to use rookie Denard Robinson in a variety of roles, including wildcat quarterback. This specific philosophy hasn't been utilized in the NFL since Miami attempted to go with it a few years back with Pat White. Jacksonville will not utilize in the same manner widespread manner as we see the read option used.
Quick Hits
Though not as serious as Harvin's injury, Seahawks' wide receiver Sidney Rice is in Switzerland undergoing some sort of treatment for his knee. Head coach Pete Carroll indicated on Tuesday that this won't impact Rice's ability to play in the regular season, let alone preseason games.
Linebacker Nick Barnett, formerly of the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, visited with the Washington Redskins in Tuesday. Washington could be looking for depth behind Perry Riley and London Fletcher at inside linebacker.
With starting center Dan Koppen lost for the season, the Denver Broncos have reached out to former NFL guard/center Ryan Lilja about a possible return to the league. Lilja started 104 games for Kansas City and Indianapolis between 2004-2012, but called it quits after last season.
The Miami Dolphins have brought in Laurent Robinson and Austin Collie for workouts. This is likely in response to the news that Armon Binns out for the season with a torn ACL.