Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said he is feeling good after overcoming an illness that caused him to miss four of the team's first five practice sessions. Jackson now has gone through two consecutive practice sessions without a problem. "I feel wonderful," Jackson said. "Good to be back. Back out with my guys, back with the coaching staff." Jackson said he was quickly able to get into form. "Just because I was down -- I was still locked in," Jackson said. "I know what time it is right now, it's camp time. So, with me going down for a couple of days, my mind was still in it like I got to hurry up and get better so I can be out there with my guys." The 27-year-old Jackson won his second NFL MVP award last season when he passed for a career-high 3,678 yards to go with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 821 yards and five scores. --Field Level Media

Unhappy with his current contract situation, New England Patriots outside linebacker Matthew Judon had an animated conversation with head coach Jerod Mayo and Patriots' front-office members while not participating in practice on Monday. Judon had been a full participant in four previous practices before sitting out the team's first full-pads practice at training camp. He told reporters at camp on July 24 that he wanted to upgrade his contract, which will pay him a base salary of $6.5 million in the final year of a four-year, $56 million deal. "Honestly, it's tough going into the last year of the deal. You kind of look at everybody around the league and in the building, and you see them getting deals done and worked out, and it's tough to not be envious or jealous and stuff like that," Judon said that day. "But I have to focus on myself. I'm happy for those guys. As much as everybody wants to see me stay around here for a long time, it's really not up to me. You have to ask those guys who are making those decisions." On Monday, Mayo approached Judon, who was watching practice from the sidelines, and spoke briefly before the linebacker replied and left the field. Judon also engaged in talks with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh. Judon, who turns 32 on Aug. 15, said on a recent podcast that he hasn't heard back from the Patriots after sending them his own contract proposal. The nine-year veteran missed 13 games last season after suffering a torn biceps against the Dallas Cowboys in a Week 4 loss. In eight seasons, Judon has 369 tackles, 66 1/2 sacks, 165 quarterback hits, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 114 games (82 starts) with the Baltimore Ravens (2016-20) and Patriots (2021-2024). --Field Level Media

No. 1 pick Caleb Williams wants to be on the field when the Chicago Bears kick off the preseason Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, as part of the Hall of Fame weekend festivities. Before Chicago's legendary return specialist Devin Hester is enshrined along with the 2024 Hall of Fame class on Saturday, the Bears and Houston Texans tee it up for the first game of the NFL's exhibition schedule. "I would love to get out there and play," he said. "It's pretty awesome to get out there at Canton." Head coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears would share more details about playing time and preseason plans in general on Tuesday before traveling to Ohio. Before camp began, Eberflus said the Bears reviewed the playing time protocol for the 2023 rookie quarterback class -- including Texans No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud, the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year last season -- and determined the ideal range of total snaps for Williams would be 45-65 plays. The Bears named Williams their starter before minicamp and naturally would have concern over exposing Williams to injury. On the flipside, the rookie wants the repetitions. "I always think there's more pros than cons, if anything, especially for a young guy like myself," Williams said. "Reps are always paramount for a young guy like myself." Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that "anytime we line up, it's real," before adding he wasn't sure if Stroud would be on the field at all Thursday night. "We'll see," Ryans said. Ryans spent extra time discussing the significance of the weekend for the Texans' franchise. Wide receiver Andre Johnson, like Hester a University of Miami product, will be the first Hall of Famer in team history. "Andre Johnson going into the Hall of Fame -- it means everything to our organization," said Ryans. "Every person that's worked in this organization, every player who's strapped it up and put on that Texans jersey: Andre is representing everyone. And there's no better guy than Andre to be the first Houston Texan going in as a Hall of Famer. Definitely deserving of it. He's always been the best player in any field that he's stepped on and he has been a great man in the community, great leader as well. So, Andre is -- we're happy to be there to support Andre and wouldn't want to do it for any other guy." --Field Level Media