Aaron Rodgers talks pay cut, Michael Thomas 'closer' to 100 percent

Pads were popping in the NFL on Tuesday, as teams really get into the heart of training camp. That wasn't the only popping off Tuesday, as New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett responded to Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton's pointed criticism, quarterback Aaron Rodgers discussed taking a pay cut and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan stopped by.

In non-Jets news, New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas says he's further along in his quest to capture his All-Pro form from 2019, while there were several show-stopping catches (highlights are below). Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin also intercepted a pass as he continues his return after suffering cardiac arrest and collapsing during a game in January..

Here's what you need to know from camps across the league:

Top NFL news of the day

Saints WR Thomas closing in on full strength

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas isn't ready to say he's back at 100% after missing a significant portion of the last three seasons due to ankle and toe injuries. But Thomas, who said he's "addicted to perfection," won't settle for anything less.

Hackett: Payton broke code with comments

Without mentioning Sean Payton by name, New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett responded Tuesday to Payton's scathing criticism, saying the comments about his coaching performance last season violated an unwritten "code." Hackett said he wasn't surprised by Payton's remarks, claiming his Denver Broncos successor has been blasting him publicly for a year.

More:

• NFL expands penalties for sexual assault offenses

• Peyton Manning huddles with Jordan Love at Packers' camp

What our NFL Nation reporters saw today

New England Patriots: Attention fantasy football managers: TE Hunter Henry might be a worthy later-round investment based on the Patriots' first six training camp practices. On Tuesday, Henry caught another red-zone TD pass from QB Mac Jones, which continues a theme that he has been a go-to guy for Jones in money situations. Henry was also one of the Patriots' offseason award winners. -- Mike Reiss

Washington Commanders: Receiver Jahan Dotson, who caught 35 passes last season with seven touchdowns, had another strong day in training camp. Quarterback Sam Howell connected with Dotson on a handful of throws, in both 7-on-7 work and full-team sessions. On one third-and-2, Dotson aligned in the slot and sold the corner on a deep seam route before cutting outside -- leaving the corner's feet tangled and creating an easy throw for Howell. It would not be surprising at all to see Dotson have a big season. Even in games last season when he didn't have many catches, he could be seen creating separation with his route-running. -- John Keim

Jacksonville Jaguars: Tuesday was one of the hottest days of training camp (heat index of 100, per weather.com) and it impacted WR Calvin Ridley and DT Roy Robertson-Harris. Ridley left the practice field roughly midway through practice and spent time in the cool-down tent before going inside to the locker room. He eventually returned in full pads at the end of practice. Robertson-Harris participated in the entire practice and the autograph session with fans, but trainers were pouring ice water into his lap at the table following the session. Right tackle Anton Harrison didn't participate in team drills on Tuesday, but that was because of a sore shoulder. The 27th overall pick said he expected to be fine. -- Mike DiRocco

Philadelphia Eagles: The Jalen Hurts-A.J. Brown connection caught fire Tuesday. The play of the day came late in practice, when Hurts threw a dime downfield that hit Brown in stride for the touchdown. Brown was productive all morning despite facing off mostly against standout corner James Bradberry. His back shoulder snag along the left sideline during team drills provided another highlight. -- Tim McManus

Carolina Panthers: Rookie quarterback Bryce Young was intercepted Tuesday, the fourth straight practice in which he threw a pick as the Panthers focused on red zone offense. But the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft wasn't concerned and neither was coach Frank Reich, who said Young had a good day. Young was 8-for-13 on red zone team drills, with one interception and no touchdown passes. His only red zone touchdowns came on 7-on-7 drills. Reich wasn't concerned about the interception because he wanted to see Young take chances. Young wasn't concerned because nothing fazes him. "I'm big on controlling what I can control and turn the page," Young said. -- David Newton

Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders' first day in pads was as physical a training camp practice as seen in many years. They were tackling to the ground to end practice, including semi-barrel roll takedowns, chirping at each other -- LB Curtis Bolton and G Jordan Meredith skirmished -- and Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby continually gave rookie TE Michael Mayer the business. Indeed, a knock on Mayer, a second-rounder from Notre Dame, is he needs to improve his blocking skills, and going up against the relentless Crosby in full pads is a good learning lab going forward. -- Paul Gutierrez

Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt had a relatively quiet rookie season last year, especially for a guy who was the 28th overall pick. The defensive lineman has been anything but that so far in camp. On Tuesday, he was a wrecking crew during the one-on-one pass rushing drill. He used a spin move to cast aside center Josh Myers to win that rep and then he flashed his power by shoving tackle Jean Delance so forcefully that the offensive line toppled over. During a team period, he beat guard Jon Runyan for what would've been a sack of Jordan Love. "I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident with plays," said Wyatt, who played only 224 snaps all of last season. "I'm a lot more focused, not much stress. I hit the rookie wall about the beginning of the year but it's gone now. Now it's just time to take that next step." -- Rob Demovsky

Los Angeles Chargers: Through two practices in pads, the Chargers' secondary is standing out. On Monday, second-year cornerbacks Deane Leonard and Ja'Sir Taylor, 2022 sixth- and seventh-round selections, respectively, made several impressive plays to break up passes. On Tuesday, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and safety Alohi Gilman followed suit, with Gilman going a step further to jump a route and intercept quarterback Justin Herbert on a pass intended for 6-foot-8 tight end Donald Parham Jr. Following the departures of veterans Bryce Callahan and Nasir Adderley, each of these players will be expected to play significant roles in a position group that includes All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. and cornerback J.C. Jackson, who continues to steadily increase his workload as he returns from a season-ending knee injury. -- Lindsey Thiry

Buffalo Bills: For a second straight day, quarterback Josh Allen finished a play dealing with an apparent injury, but then was able to resume practice normally. On Tuesday, Allen had the pocket close in on him during a play and would have been sacked if contact was allowed. He walked away from the play clearly frustrated, and quarterback Kyle Allen came in to finish the first-team offense's reps for that series. Allen was looked at briefly and general manager Brandon Beane and wide receiver Stefon Diggs checked on him. He received what appeared to be tape on his right foot and did not miss any additional reps. Coach Sean McDermott was not at practice as he was attending to a personal family matter. He was expected to return to camp in the afternoon. -- Alaina Getzenberg

---

Best NFL videos

Every rep George Pickens goes against Joey Porter Jr: 🍿🍿🍿pic.twitter.com/fy36VvuJX3

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 1, 2023

Love to see it! 👏 #BillsCamp @HamlinIsland | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/8UnOSmxNCF

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 1, 2023

Some 2-on-2 with Falcons RB Bijan Robinson pic.twitter.com/lDdtjMqpeG

— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) August 1, 2023

🤝💯#PackersCamp pic.twitter.com/Xrcjat2U6j

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 1, 2023

one-hander??? more like one-palmer pic.twitter.com/3smoLoLUNa

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 1, 2023

This throw by Mills was on the money. pic.twitter.com/JMIGWX2sf7

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 1, 2023

if terry has a million fans, i am one of them
if terry has ten fans, i am one of them
if terry has only one fan, then that is me
if terry has no fans, then that means i am no longer on earth
if the world is against terry, then i am against the world pic.twitter.com/nOa2krpfla

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 1, 2023

OMG @Slideweezy 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/qBgRYnxexP

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 1, 2023

---

Best NFL photos

Woke up a month closer to gameday 😎 pic.twitter.com/T48597QGGg

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 1, 2023

#Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo is padded up and ready to go... pic.twitter.com/3LAurJfMjw

— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) August 1, 2023

Padded up. pic.twitter.com/VCsOMvLvb5

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 1, 2023

The Bash Bros 💥@alexsingleton49 x @josey_jewell pic.twitter.com/NkdBZ3g7H6

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 1, 2023

---

Best of the rest from across the league

we got an honorary DB in the building today @methodman ✈️ pic.twitter.com/8ZkvRc4ZKS

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 1, 2023

On birthday No. 99, she meets player No. 99. Melba Jacobsen and Chase Young... and then the rookies sing. Jacobsen has attended practice on each birthday since she turned 90. pic.twitter.com/VUPVcXOAFm

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 1, 2023

Panthers QB Bryce Young on being a Door Dash driver his first year at Alabama. pic.twitter.com/Gc8FUdbZ0X

— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 1, 2023

.@man_dammn heard @Beyonce is in town 👸 pic.twitter.com/mmecDFQBQ7

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 1, 2023

Wait for the reaction to high-fiving @Lj_era8 💜 pic.twitter.com/9qAEC1smiy

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 31, 2023