preseason without a setback after missing large chunks of training camp during his rooki

CHICAGO - While the Chicago Cubs hope injured outfielder Dexter Fowler can play in his first All-Star Game next week, their bigger concern is getting him healthy for the second half of the season.Fowler has been out of the lineup since injuring his right hamstring on June 18.He wants to play in the All-Star Game, manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday morning. Dont anyone fault him for that. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And Im all for it. Lets see how this plays the rest of the weekend, but the overriding concern is that he plays for us the rest of the year.Fowler was eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday but wasnt deemed ready. On Tuesday he was elected to start his first All-Star Game, July 12.The plan, according to Maddon, is for Fowler to play a couple days in the minors later this week then play in the All-Star Game and be activated after the break. If he cant go on a rehab assignment by the weekend, then he would probably miss the All-Star Game.We have a potential plan in regards to when hell be available, Maddon said. We have to know something by Thursday or Friday. The next two days will tell if he can participate or not.Its just how the leg reacts. When he comes back, whether its this week, All-Star Game or after the break, hell still have to be guarded when he runs.Maddon didnt rule anything out, including Fowler playing this weekend for the Cubs in Pittsburgh, though thats doubtful.The Cubs are 6-11 since Fowler was injured. Mattias Ekholm Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Miikka Salomaki Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. http://www.nhlpredatorshockeyshop.com/ryan-ellis-jersey/ .ca! 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The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. NAPA, Calif. -- Raiders tight end Clive Walford had the type of offseason that makes coaches cringe and smile.Walford suffered a knee injury while riding an ATV, and while the accident wasnt serious, it was enough to keep the 2015 third-round draft pick out of all of Oaklands OTAs and minicamps.On the other hand, Walford healed up enough to spend time with quarterback Derek Carr for private workouts, making up for the lost time and giving Walford a head start going into training camp.Walford showed how critical that was to his development when he made a one-handed catch on a deep throw from Carr during individual drills Wednesday.Youll see him every day we come out to warm up, as soon as he comes out he comes straight to me and wants to catch from me, Carr said. Thats the kind of things that we need and thats how he is.Walford is trying to make it through the preseason without a setback after missing large chunks of training camp during his rookie season because of hamstring and knee injuries.The injuries prevented Walford from practicing and were a major factor in his slow start. A holder of numerous tight end records at the University of Miami, Walford caught only three passes in the Raiders first five games a year ago and finished with 28 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns.Part of that was due to Oaklands revolving door at tight end in 2015. Mychal Rivera caught 32 passes as the primary receiving tight end while Lee Smith was used primarily as an extra blocker.Although its possible the Raiders might still keep three tight ends for the upcoming season, its equally likely theyll go with two.Walford figures to be atop the depth chart no matter how many tight ends Oakland keeps. He is a better blocker than Rivera, a better receiver than Smith and has the size ((6-foot-4, 250 pounds) to be a match-up problem against opposing linebackers and safeties.ddddddddddddI just continue to do what Ive been doing, working hard ever since I was at Miami, Walford said. If you work hard itll start to show. I guess thats what its doing.The Raiders werent happy when news broke of Walfords injury while riding the ATV. Walford said he hit an unexpected bump on the trail and tumbled off.Believe it or not, when the accident first happened I didnt realize how serious it was until I got to the hospital, Walford said. I thought maybe I just needed some stitches. They told me I was going to be out for a while, so I had to inform the team.Although he was unable to take part in on-field workouts while recovering, Walford stayed busy in the meeting rooms and weight room. Catching passes from Carr away from practices also helped make up for the lost time.The chemistry is still there, Walford said. I just have to get back into football shape.Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said Walfords desire to work out with Carr on the side was encouraging.When you take the time to get on the same page with your quarterback, if youre somebody thats going to catch the ball and be involved in the offense, thats a positive thing, Del Rio said. Thats a great sign for our football team. We see him as a real key player in our offense. Glad to have him back doing his thing.Game notes Undrafted defensive lineman Greg Townsend Jr. returned to practice. ... 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