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AROUND THE NFL — Training camps are up and running for most NFL teams.
But for a few former local standouts, their 2017 debut will have to wait.
Here are a few key updates on Locals in the NFL.
Ziggy Ansah placed on PUP list
The former BYU star pass rusher who rose to football power just a few years after being unable to put on his pads was deactivated from the Lions’ active roster Saturday.
Detroit placed Ansah on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list one day before opening training camp Sunday, though the move is believed to be precautionary, according to the Detroit Free-Press.
Ansah missed three games with a high ankle sprain in 2016, when he had just two sacks. He also missed time during spring practices for the Lions, who have just five healthy defensive ends on the roster.
Booker to sit out in Denver with wrist injury
Former Utah star Devontae Booker is expected to miss six weeks at the start of his second season with the Broncos, Denver coach Vance Joseph said on the Broncos’ first day of training camp.
The news was first reported by NBC's Pro Football Talk.
The Broncos are keeping Booker out of training camp with a wrist injury, but anticipate close to the start of the season Sept. 11 against San Diego.
“We won’t lose him for the season, but training camp’s out,” Joseph told the Broncos’ radio network. “And that’s a shame for him because he had a strong spring. He’s coming on strong.”
Booker led the Broncos with 612 rushing yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2016, and added 265 yards and another score. He was expected to split first-team reps with C.J. Anderson, who missed the final seven games of 2016 with a knee injury, in 2017.
Simonich signs with Tennessee
Former Utah State offensive lineman Jake Simonich was signed by the Tennessee Titans on Friday, joining his second team of his rookie season.
The former Aggie was signed by Houston after going undrafted in the NFL draft, but was waived by the Texans on June 9.
The Titans opened training camp Saturday, when Simonich will join former Utah cornerback Brice McCain and former Southern Utah star defensive back LeShaun Sims on the roster.
SUU’s Wroblewski cut, Utah’s Hatfield inactive
Former Southern Utah receiver Steven Wroblewski was waived by the Arizona Cardinals late Thursday, being replaced by tight end Gerald Christian.
Also Thursday, the Los Angeles Rams placed Utah alum Dominique Hatfield on the active/non-football injury list. The former Ute cornerback signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent following a mini-camp tryout in the offseason.
On the first day of NFL training camp for most teams, the number of players from local colleges and high schools stands at 94.
