Players agree to interview over allegations of doping

Eagles sign veteran Tulloch

WASHINGTON, Aug 23, (Agencies): Green Bay linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers along with Pittsburgh’s James Harrison have agreed to meet with NFL investigators regarding allegations of doping, the league said on its website on Monday.

The NFL had set an Aug 25 deadline for four players, including free agent Mike Neal, to come forward for questioning or face possible suspension.

The accusation against the players was made in a report by Al Jazeera America in December. Al Jazeera reported that a former intern pharmacist told an undercover reporter that the four players were supplied with performance enhancing drugs, along with retired quarterback Peyton Manning.

The NFL has since cleared Manning of wrongdoing, and the pharmacist later recanted his statement but the league is investigating the report and said that multiple attempts had been made to set up interviews with the accused players.

“I just agreed to it so they can get their little 23 seconds or whatever,” Harrison told reporters. “They don’t have credible evidence. Period. End of discussion.”

All four players had given written statements regarding the report but the NFL said this was insufficient and demanded the interviews.

Matthews

Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones will miss the remainder of the preseason with a left shoulder injury, the team announced Monday.

Jones sustained a separated shoulder in the first quarter of Friday’s preseason game versus the New York Jets and did not return.

The 23-year-old rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie season in 2015 and was expected to handle a larger workload with Albert Morris signing with the Dallas Cowboys in the offseason.

Coach Jay Gruden told reporters that he has “high hopes” that Jones will be ready for the regular-season opener against Pittsburgh on Sept 12.

Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu, working his way back from a torn ACL in Week 15 last season, has returned to the practice field.

The All-Pro practiced Sunday for the first time since the injury, participating in 11-on-11 drills with the first unit.

“I felt great,” Mathieu said after the team wrapped up practice at University of Phoenix Stadium. “I got to get my wind back, but other than that, I felt great. I felt like I moved around pretty good.”

The Baltimore Ravens activated veteran linebacker Elvis Dumervil and former first-round wide receiver Breshad Perriman off the physically unable to perform list.

While Dumervil participated in practice, the team wasn’t as quick to put Perriman back on the field. Perriman, who sustained a partially torn ACL two months ago in a noncontact drill during training camp, was expected to participate in a walkthrough on Monday.

While Perriman, the 26th overall pick in the 2015 draft, has yet to play in an NFL game, Dumervil has excelled when he’s been on the field. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Dumervil is looking to make his way back after having a surgical procedure on his foot in June.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported the contract is for one year and up to $3 million, with $1.75 million guaranteed.

Tulloch will have instant familiarity with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, under whom the 31-yearold played at both Tennessee and Detroit. He was released by the Lions last month.

The Detroit Lions released wide receiver Andre Caldwell from the reserved/injured list. Caldwell sustained a broken bone in his hand last week and was placed on injured reserve.

Signed to a contract in May, Caldwell saw his chances of making the roster dim after veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin was brought in on the heels of Calvin Johnson’s retirement.

The Denver Broncos added depth to their ailing defensive line by signing free agent tackle Henry Melton.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed for the former Pro Bowl selection, who is expected to help fill the team’s void after losing starter Vance Walker to a season-ending knee injury.

Melton collected 131 tackles, 22.5 sacks and six fumble recoveries in seven seasons with Chicago, Dallas and Tampa Bay.