Pass-happy Saints will run with Peterson
Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s most productive running back for much of the past decade, has decided to head into the twilight of his career as a potential backup in New Orleans’ passhappy offense.
The Saints yesterday came to terms on a two-year contract with Peterson, a 10year veteran who has posted seven 1,000-yard seasons with Minnesota and once eclipsed 2,000 yards.
Saints coach Sean Payton said he envisions a productive role for Peterson, who is coming back from a 2016 meniscal tear that required season-ending knee surgery after only three games.
“It’s rare and unique to have the opportunity to add a (potential) Hall of Fame player to your roster. His career has been top-notch,” Payton said in a statement provided by the club. “We think he will be an excellent fit in our locker room and in our offense.”
The agreement was first reported early yesterday when Peterson provided a statement to ESPN.
“It goes without saying that the Saints are really solid behind Drew Brees. I feel like my skillset can make them even more dominant (offensively),” Peterson said in a statement. “They have a great offensive line, which is something that stood out to me as well.”
Peterson, 32, has spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings, who the Saints open the 2017 regular season against — in Minnesota.
Bryant back on job
The NFL conditionally reinstated the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant, clearing the way for the talented but enigmatic Bryant to return to the team to prepare for the 2017 season. The league suspended Bryant in March 2016 for a second violation of its substance abuse policy.
Bryant may work out at the team’s training facility and attend meetings. He won’t be allowed to participate in all preseason activities — including games and practices — until the league has confirmed that Bryant has set up “clinical resources” in Pittsburgh. The league will review Bryant’s progress at the end of the preseason before making a determination on his availability going forward.
The Steelers selected Bryant in the fourth round of the 2014 draft, and he became one of the league’s top deep threats. Bryant caught 76 passes for 1,314 yards during his first two seasons, even though he was inactive for the first six games of his rookie year and missed more than a month at the start of 2015 while serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.
Prospect in trouble
An attorney for former Ohio State football star Gareon Conley says the player denies an accusation made in a police report that he sexually assaulted a woman. No charges have been filed.
Spokeswoman Kathleen Caffrey of the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Prosecutor’s Office says the April 9 encounter is still being investigated by police.
A Cleveland police report released yesterday says the 23-year-old woman told officers that Conley sexually assaulted her in the bathroom of a hotel room.
Police spokeswoman Jennifer Ciaccia says investigators are making arrangements to interview Conley, one of the top defensive prospects in the upcoming NFL draft. The cornerback is projected to go in the first round of the draft.
Cards LB reinstated
The NFL says it has reinstated Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington on a conditional basis three years after he was suspended for multiple violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy.
The Cardinals, however, issued a statement saying that the team’s “energy and attention is fully focused” on this week’s draft and that it was premature to discuss Washington’s potential return to the team. . . .
Defensive end Joey Bosa is back with his Los Angeles Chargers teammates, saying he made the right decision to spend the last two weeks working with his personal trainer in Florida. Bosa is participating in a two-day voluntary minicamp for veterans in San Diego, where the team will remain through June.