The Minnesota Vikings wanted Brett Favre to be their quarterback, but the future Hall of Famer decided to stay retired. Now, Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels will compete for the starting job. Coach Brad Childress is focused on moving on from the Favre talk and said the team is “more than content” with Jackson and Rosenfels competing for the right to lead the offense.

The Patriots open training camp Thursday, and that means one thing: Tom Brady is officially back. Nearly one year after he had surgery to repair his damaged left knee, the quarterback will receive a dose of full-speed practices as he and the Patriots prepare for their Sept. 14 season opener against the Bills.

Defensive end Derrick Burgess and rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey were absent as the Raiders opened training camp in Napa, Calif. Wednesday. Burgess, a two-time Pro Bowler, has not taken part in any offseason activities and he reportedly continues to lobby for a trade. Heyward-Bey, the seventh-overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, has yet to sign a contract, though, head coach Tom Cable expressed optimism that a deal would be reached soon.

Rookie WR Michael Crabtree (pictured above) did not report to 49ers training camp along with the rest of the team’s rookies Tuesday. Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, and the 49ers are said to be far from a deal. Despite the fact that Crabtree slid to the 10th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, Parker reportedly is seeking a contract that would pay the receiver more than the usual salary for that slot.

The Browns have placed WR Braylon Edwards on the non-football injury list. Edwards missed most of the team’s three-day minicamp in June — spending most of his time on a stationary bike — with an undisclosed injury that coach Eric Mangini described as non-serious.

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall missed Tuesday’s morning practice with “soreness,” which was a precautionary measure, according to coach Josh McDaniels. Marshall missed the club’s organized team activities following hip surgery, though it wasn’t confirmed if it was his hip that was giving him problems this week. Marshall is still upset about his contract situation in Denver, but he made good on his promise to report to the team’s training camp in time.

The Eagles will have a lot of new faces surrounding QB Donovan McNabb this season. With RB Brian Westbrook on the mend following ankle surgery, RB LeSean McCoy will receive a bulk of the carries. The team also drafted WR Jeremy Maclin, but he has yet to sign a contract. McNabb is excited about the new talent, but he realizes that the young guns have a lot to prove.

The Ravens started training camp Monday without their star wide receiver and their first-round draft pick. Two-time Pro Bowl WR Derrick Mason is still contemplating whether to follow through on his plans to retire, and rookie OT Michael Oher has yet to agree to terms on his first NFL contract. WR Drew Bennett also abruptly retired Sunday because of recurring knee trouble. (MORE)

Chargers LB Shawne Merriman reported to training camp Monday, along with quarterbacks, rookies and other players coming off injuries. The Chargers officially open camp Thursday, with a full-team workout Friday. The team’s medical staff kept Merriman out of team drills. Merriman sat out nearly the entire 2008 season, except for the opener against the Oakland Raiders, after injuring his left knee. Chargers QB Philip Rivers and coach Norv Turner had glowing reports about Merriman’s return. (MORE)