Peterson to join Saints

The New Orleans Saints and free-agent running back Adrian Peterson have agreed on a twoyear contract. The deal means Peterson, a 10-year veteran who has posted seven 1,000-yard seasons with Minnesota, could become a backup running back.

Still, Saints coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that he envisions a productive role for Peterson, who is coming back from a 2016 meniscus tear that required season-ending knee surgery after only three games.

“It’s rare and unique to have the opportunity to add a [future] Hall-of-Fame player to your roster. His career has been topnotch,” Payton said in a statement provided by the club.

Peterson, 32, has spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings. His career-best 2,097-yard rushing season in 2012 came one season after he had reconstructive knee surgery.

The NFL reinstated Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant and Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington on a conditional basis, clearing the way for the players to return from suspensions for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. The league suspended Bryant in March 2016 for a second violation of its substance abuse policy. Washington was banned for three years after he was suspended for multiple drug violations. though it was not clear if she would have been exonerated from a four-shot penalty with six holes to play in the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage this month.

Thompson had a 15-inch par putt on the 17th hole in the third round when she stooped to mark the ball, and then quickly replaced it about an inch away. A TV viewer contacted the LPGA Tour the next day, and officials determined it was a clear violation. Thompson was assessed a two-shot penalty for where she replaced the ball, and because it happened the day before, she received a two-shot penalty for signing an incorrect scorecard. She went from a three-shot lead to one shot behind, and lost to So Yeon Ryu in a playoff.

Two issues the USGA and R&A did not tackle was whether to allow TV viewers to call in violations, and whether to add penalty shots for what becomes an incorrect scorecard.

USC guard Elijah Stewart did not file his paperwork to declare for the NBA draft and will return to USC, Stewart said. Two USC players did officially declare for the draft by the deadline: forward Bennie Boatwright and guard Shaqquan Aaron. Neither has hired an agent, meaning both are eligible to return.

North Carolina point guard and Final Four most outstanding player Joel Berry II is withdrawing from the NBA draft to return for his senior season.