Vikings’ Sparano dies at 56

The Minnesota Vikings announced that offensive line coach Tony Sparano died early Sunday, at the age of 56, but did not give a cause of death. He had been the Vikings’ offensive line coach since 2016.

Sparano began his NFL coaching career in 1999 and had stints as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders.

He was the Dolphins’ head coach from 2008-11 and went 29-32. He went 11-5 and won the AFC East in his first season with the Dolphins.

Sparano also spent time with Cleveland, Washington, Jacksonville, Dallas and San Francisco.

New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch told The Hollywood Reporter that his players won’t be penalized if they kneel during the national anthem and he criticized President Trump for his involvement in the controversy. “They are not going to be punished,” Tisch said. “There is not going to be any punitive action taking place against them.”

Indianapolis signed linebacker and secondround pick Darius Leonard . ... The Giants signed running back and first-round pick Saquon Barkley. ... Tennessee linebacker Kevin Dodd was placed on the “did not report” list. Linebacker Rashaan Evans, the team’s top draft pick, was out with a “nonfootball illness.” ... Montreal of the Canadian Football League acquired quarterback Johnny Manziel from Hamilton in a five-player trade.