GREEN BAY, Wis. — Martellus Bennett finished dressing at his locker and turned around to face the media, wearing a foam cheesehead atop his head.

Just one practice into his first training camp with the Green Bay Packers, and the pass-catching tight end is already turning into a dynamic personality in the locker room.

He’s an enticing target on the field for quarterback Aaron Rodgers with his athletic build and 6-foot-6 frame.

“I think, No. 1, we all like personality. This is a tough business. You spend a lot of time, so creativity and laughter are definitely good things to have in your culture,” Coach Mike McCarthy said before practice on Thursday. “He’s a big personality and I think he’s fitting in very well with our football team.”

Getting to Lambeau Field early to report looks good to coaches and teammates, too.

Bennett arrived at Lambeau early Wednesday morning, hours before players were supposed to report. Instead of checking into a hotel, he just slept at his locker.

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STEELERS: Running back Le’Veon Bell did not report to training camp, and there are no signals from his camp about when, or if, he will arrive.

Coach Mike Tomlin said there are consequences for not reporting on time, but the Steelers cannot punish him because he is not under contract.

Bell has yet to sign his one-year contract for $12.12 million, the tender for running backs who received the franchise tag. But until he signs the tender, he is under no obligation to report.

RAVENS: Just two days after a new study revealed increasing evidence connecting the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy to the highest levels of the game, 26-year-old offensive lineman John Urschel retired.

Urschel, who has not publicly commented on his decision, has a second career lined up. A doctoral candidate in mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Urschel already has nine published or accepted research papers to his name.

With Joe Flacco sidelined for at least a week with a disc issue in his back, Baltimore is exploring signing former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

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WASHINGTON: Coach Jay Gruden says he doesn’t believe Jordan Reed’s toe injury is serious and expects the tight end to be back on the field next week.

Washington placed Reed on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.

PANTHERS: Carolina has talked this offseason about limiting quarter Cam Newton’s carries in 2017 to prevent wear and tear on his 27-year-old body.

But the NFL’s most physically imposing quarterback doesn’t seem to be completely buying into that approach.

“That’s my edge,” Newton said. “Are you really going to expect a lion not to roar?”

BRONCOS: With Devontae Booker sidelined for about six weeks with a small fracture in his wrist, Denver signed running back Stevan Ridley, a seven-year veteran who was a featured back for the Patriots from 2011 until 2014, racking up 2,817 rushing yards over four seasons.

In his best season, he totaled 1,263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

VIKINGS: Teddy Bridgewater says he hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery from the massive injury to his left knee he suffered nearly a year ago in practice with Minnesota.

The fourth-year quarterback spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since he was hurt. He said there’s no doubt he’ll return to game action, though the timetable remains uncertain.


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