Photo courtesy Los Angeles Chargers
R.J. Mickens with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Week 2 of the NFL preseason brought a little bit of everything for the former Carroll Dragons currently fighting for — or settling into — spots on NFL rosters. Some made their mark in the box score, others made their case simply by where they were taking snaps, and one was forced to watch from the sideline because of injury.
For Evan Brown, first-team reps in Houston provided an encouraging sign. Lil’Jordan Humphrey followed up a quiet preseason opener with a more productive night in Denver. R.J. Mickens continues to look more like a player competing for playing time than a roster spot in Los Angeles, while Brady Boyd enters the final preseason game needing a strong showing in Jacksonville. Meanwhile, Quinn Ewers remains sidelined as he works his way back from a groin injury.
With the regular season rapidly approaching and final roster decisions looming, Week 2 offered another glimpse at where five former Dragons stand as they chase their NFL dreams.
See last week's report here.
Evan Brown
Brown’s Week 2 wasn’t about a flashy stat line; it was about where Houston played him. Houston gave Brown first-team offensive-line snaps, while some of the more expensive/newer additions were shuffled around.
Brown is a veteran center/guard who has already accumulated significant NFL starting experience, and Houston’s current roster still has competition along the interior of the offensive line. Take everything that happens in the preseason with a grain of salt, but after playing with the second-team last week, Brown's run with the starters last weekend is encouraging for the Dragon alum.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Humphrey made the stat sheet in Week 2, connecting with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham for an 18-yard gain and finishing the night with two catches for 32 yards. While the Broncos fell 33-13 to Green Bay, Humphrey’s production was a notable step forward after he caught just one pass for three yards in the preseason opener.
With Denver’s receiving room still sorting itself out behind established veterans, Humphrey’s size, experience, and familiarity with the Broncos’ offense could work in his favor as he continues competing for a roster spot.
R.J. Mickens
Mickens didn’t fill up the stat sheet in the Los Angeles Chargers’ second preseason game, but for the former Carroll and Clemson standout, there’s more to the story than the box score.
Mickens recorded one tackle in Thursday’s 41-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but he remains firmly in the mix in one of the Chargers’ deepest position groups. Los Angeles entered training camp with Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden and veteran Tony Jefferson ahead of a group that includes Mickens and fourth-round rookie Genesis Smith. The Chargers identified Mickens as one of the young players who had already made an impact early in his career.
Unless something drastic happens, Mickens will be on the Chargers' opening day roster. He's currently competing for more playing time.
Brady Boyd
Boyd had the quietest Week 2 of the active former Dragons, finishing without a reception in the Jaguars preseason contest.
That’s obviously not what you want to see from an undrafted/young receiver competing for a roster spot. But there’s an important counterpoint: Boyd had a very productive college season, finishing with 46 catches for 734 yards and 8 TDs, and Jacksonville has been giving him a legitimate look in the receiver competition.
The Jaguars are now heading toward the final roster decisions, so Week 3 becomes extremely important for him.
Quinn Ewers
Ewers did not play in Miami's Week 2 game against the Giants because of the groin injury he suffered in Week 1.
The injury occurred in Miami’s Week 1 game against Washington, and contemporary reports list Ewers as week-to-week.