Titans Sign Rookie QB Cole McDonald
The Titans have inked seventh-round quarterback Cole McDonald, according to Jim Wyatt of the team website (Twitter link). Per the terms of his slot, the University of Hawaii product will receive a four-year, $3.4MM deal with a ~$101K signing bonus. 
Last year, McDonald finished third in the nation in passing yards. Hawaii’s aggressive offensive scheme had a lot to do with that, but the Titans also saw some pro potential in the youngster. Now, he’ll try to make the cut behind Ryan Tannehill and try to push Logan Woodside for the QB2 role.
With McDonald in the fold, it’s three down and three to go for the Titans. Here’s the full rundown of their draft class, via PFR’s 2020 NFL Draft Tracker:
Tennessee Titans
1-29: Isaiah Wilson, T (Georgia)
2-61: Kristian Fulton, CB (LSU)
3-93: Darrynton Evans, RB (Appalachian State)
5-174: Larrell Murchison, DT (N.C. State): Signed
7-224: Cole McDonald, QB (Hawaii): Signed
7-243: Chris Jackson, S (Marshall): Signed
Ravens’ Matt Skura Ahead Of Schedule In Recovery
Center Matt Skura has made a “remarkable” recovery from his knee injury, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). With rave reviews for his conditioning test and other exams, Skura seems on course for the 2020 season. 
[RELATED: Ravens On Jamal Adams’ Trade List]
The Ravens haven’t put a timetable on Skura’s full recovery, but the hope is that he’ll be ready to go by the start of training camp. There, he’ll compete with last year’s fill-in Patrick Mekari and possibly Bradley Bozeman, if they try the guard out at center.
Skura suffered a devastating knee injury towards the end of season, rupturing his ACL, PCL, and MCL. Before that, the 27-year-old was extremely durable. In 2018, he never missed a game or even a single snap.
After Ryan Jensen‘s departure, Skura graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 ranked center in the league. Up until the injury, he was likely on course for a deal that would make him one of the league’s higher-paid centers. Now, he’ll have to duke it out for his first-string gig. The Ravens, meanwhile, will likely stand pat at the position now that Skura is back.
Browns’ Kareem Hunt Hoping For Extension
Browns running back Kareem Hunt feels “lucky” and “blessed” to have the chance to play for the Browns, despite his off-the-field history. At the same time, he’d like to receive an extension from the team (via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer). 
[RELATED; Browns Exec Says COVID-19 May Impact Spending]
“No question,‘’ Hunt said. “I’d definitely like to be a part of something like this. Everybody is here that I care about. I know everybody in the whole town. I would not mind playing for the Browns for a long time.”
The Browns gave Hunt a second NFL chance in 2018, despite disturbing video of him striking a woman at a Cleveland hotel. In that same year, he also got into a physical altercation with a man in Ohio. On the field, he delivered a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. Off the field, this past January, he was cited for marijuana possession.
The new regime in Cleveland opted to stick with him, though they let him know that he has to do better.
“Just pretty much [they’ve said] ‘I can’t have that. It’s not acceptable,‘’’ Hunt said. “I’ve got to be smarter and cannot be doing stuff like that. We had a good talk. They see me on the field as a guy who is going to make some plays this year and help the team win. That’s what I have been looking forward to. We have been talking. I keep in touch with coach all the time about what he wants to see and stuff like that.”
Hunt is slated to be a free agent after earning $3.26MM in base pay this year. The Browns probably aren’t in a rush to commit additional dollars and years to him.
Raiders, Cowboys Interested In Japanese Kicker Toshiki Sato
Japanese kicker Toshiki Sato says he’s garnered some interest from the Cowboys and Raiders (via Kyodo News). Their level of interest is not clear and Sato recognizes that the Cowboys aren’t exactly in need of his services.
“The Cowboys and Raiders are interested. I’m waiting for an offer,” Sato said. “The Cowboys might be difficult since they have three kickers and one has a big contract, but the Raiders only have two. I think there’s a chance I could get an invite if those two don’t do well at the upcoming camp.”
One of those three Cowboys kickers is Greg Zuerlein, who inked a three-year, $7.5MM deal with Dallas in March. Greg The Leg is also a longtime pupil of Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel, so it’s unlikely that Sato would have much of a chance there. The Raiders might be more realistic – Daniel Carlson struggled a bit last year and he’s set for a kicking battle with UDFA Dominik Eberle.
Sato spent last year with Japanese X-League team IBM Big Blue. In November, he nailed a 58-yard field goal, the longest in that league’s history.
NFL Teams In “Heated Discussions” Over COVID-19 Protocols
The league has tasked every team in the league to develop an Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) plan for containing the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted in “heated discussions” within each organization as they figure out which employees can go where as a part of a “tier” system. 
[RELATED: ~10 NFL Teams Have At Least One Player With COVID-19]
Tier 1 includes players, plus “coaches, trainers, physicians and necessary personnel” who require direct access to players. Tier 2 includes GMs, football operations staff, assistant coaches, and other essential workers. Tier 3 includes certain operational personnel, in-house media members, and others who do not need to be in close contact with Tier 1 folks.
Per a memo from the NFL and the NFLPA, teams will have to create a separate entrance for Tier 1 and 2, or at least designate times for each Tier to pass through. The “heated discussions” likely stem from the overlap in roles for any given club as well as the logistics of keeping each Tier separate during mandated times. However, it seems to be a necessary measure given the recent spike in cases among players. Roughly ten teams have had at least one player test positive for COVID-19 and many of those players were found to have the coronavirus after conducting players-only workouts without any formal protocols in place.
Dak Prescott Still Wants Four-Year Deal; Cowboys Want Five-Year Deal
Dak Prescott agreed to sign his franchise tender on Sunday, but there’s still a lot of work to be done between now and the July 15 deadline. The length of the contract still needs to be ironed out, and there’s still a slight disparity in what each side wants. The Cowboys want to sign Prescott to a five-year add-on, but the quarterback continues to push for a four-year deal, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. 
[RELATED: Prescott To Sign $31.4MM Franchise Tender]
Prescott’s camp is concerned that a five-year deal could turn into something longer via the franchise tag. Ideally, Prescott wants the flexibility to test the open market while he’s still in his prime years, giving him an opportunity to cash in as the salary cap increases. Prescott is pretty set on the four-year mark, so the Cowboys may ultimately have to bend in order to get a deal done before the upcoming deadline. If they can’t hash out an extension in the next few weeks, they’ll have to wait until after the 2020 season to revisit talks.
Meanwhile, Florio hears that the Cowboys have been surprised by Prescott’s resolve. The former fourth-round quarterback has spent his whole career playing on his rookie deal – other players in his position would have jumped at earlier offers. Instead, Prescott has been unwilling to settle. He understands his value as a young, quality quarterback in today’s NFL and the leverage he has. Ultimately, if the Cowboys opt to tag him again in 2021, he can make nearly $70MM over the next two years.
Former Chargers OL Max Tuerk Dead At 26
Former NFL offensive lineman Max Tuerk died on Sunday at the age of 26, per an announcement from USC’s athletics department. Tuerk, a third-round draft pick of the Chargers in 2016, was 26 years old. The cause of death was not disclosed. 
Tuerk made his name at USC, where he lined up at guard, tackle, and center and totaled 38 starts. Heading into his senior year, Tuerk looked the part of an early draft pick, but a knee injury capped his senior season at just five games. In the draft, the Chargers saw Tuerk as a potential steal, a versatile blocker who could bolster every part of the front five.
Unfortunately, suspensions and injuries plagued Tuerk’s pro career. The Chargers stashed him on the taxi squad in 2017, until he was plucked by Arizona. He played in just one game for the Cardinals before he was released outright in the offseason.
We here at PFR would like to express our condolences to Tuerk’s family and friends.
5 Key NFL Stories: 6/15/20 – 6/21/20
Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:
Jets’ Jamal Adams Demands Trade: Jamal Adams wants out. After dropping some pretty big hints on social media, the Pro Bowl safety told the Jets to trade him. He also listed out the teams that he’d be willing to play for, a list that includes the Chiefs, 49ers, Cowboys, Ravens, Eagles, Texans, Seahawks, and Buccaneers. For now, the Jets say that they have no intention of trading him, but Adams could force their hand. Adams’ camp reportedly wants the Jets to give him a deal worth $20MM per year to make him the league’s highest-paid defender. But, depending on the team he’s with, he’s willing to put extension talks on hold. 
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott To Sign His One-Year Tender: Dak Prescott is set to sign his one-year tender, which will pay him upwards of $31MM for the coming year. Now, the two sides will work to hash out a long-term arrangement. They’ve got until July 15 to ink a deal, one that would likely make him the richest player in the NFL.
Zeke Elliott Among NFL Players To Test Positive For COVID-19: Players on the Texans and Cowboys – including Ezekiel Elliott – tested positive for COVID-19. The Rams, Broncos, 49ers, and Buccaneers have also players diagnosed with the coronavirus and it’s believed that roughly a third of the league’s teams had at least one player test positive. The NFL still intends to go forward with the season, though they’re less optimistic about having fans in the stands.
Josh Gordon Applies For Reinstatement: Josh Gordon formally requested reinstatement from the league office. The 29-year-old has been working out in Seattle with his fingers crossed and it’s safe to say that teams will reach out to him if he’s cleared to play. Of course, it’s not a given that he’ll be allowed to retake the field, given his track record with Roger Goodell.
49ers Sign Kyle Shanahan To Extension: The Niners’ head coach inked yet another six-year deal. With the new arrangement, Kyle Shanahan is now tied to SF through the 2025 season.
Eagles’ Dallas Goedert Doing “Fine” After Sucker Punch
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is “fine” and resting at home following a strange incident on Friday night, a source tells ESPN.com’s Tim McManus. As first reported by Mike Kaye of NJ.com, Goedert was sucker punched at a South Dakota restaurant. 
[RELATED: Jets’ Jamal Adams Puts Eagles On His Trade List]
A video posted on Sunday seems to corroborate that version of events (Twitter link). In the security footage, Goedert appears to be asking one patron to move away from him. Then, a second man walks into the frame and punches Goedert in the face. The suspected sucker puncher was arrested over the weekend.
Goedert was knocked out cold, but, thankfully, escaped any life-threatening injury. And, if the video pretty much tells the whole story, the tight end will not be in danger of league discipline.
Goedert, 25, broke out with 58 catches, 607 yards, and five touchdowns. The Eagles are counting on him to keep up the good work and give defenses fits in 2020 as he supports star Zach Ertz. And, if Goedert delivers, he’ll have an opportunity to secure a major payday – he’ll be extension-eligible after the season.
Around 10 NFL Teams Have COVID-19 Cases
Roughly ten NFL teams have had at least one player test positive for COVID-19, a source tells ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. So far, we know that the Cowboys, Texans, Rams, Broncos, 49ers, and Buccaneers have had players diagnosed with the coronavirus. There are more clubs with positive cases on the roster and fear is mounting for all 32 teams.
[RELATED: NFL Remains Optimistic About 2020 Season]
In recent days, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Broncos safety Kareem Jackson have tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier this year, Broncos defender Von Miller and Saints head coach Sean Payton also contracted it. Those are just the big names – a number of players and coaches have come down with COVID-19, and many of them tested positive during this second wave.
The NFL still expects to go forward with the 2020 season, though they are far less optimistic about having fans at games than they were just a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, the league is reexamining its COVID-19 procedures and safeguards. For example, the league may move practice squads from 12 to 16 players to keep rosters afloat. However, the league office is opposed to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s suggested “bubble” strategy, which would call for maximum isolation and all games hosted at a single site.