The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peterson lands with Saints:
Payton: Former All-Pro ‘an excellent fit’ in New Orleans.
The Falcons will likely see Adrian Peterson two times a year now that the free-agent running back has signed a two-year deal with the Saints. In his 10 years with the Vikings, Peterson (above) posted seven 1,000-yard seasons and once eclipsed 2,000 yards. But over the past three seasons combined, Peterson has played in only 21 games. By the way, the Vikings host the Saints on Sept. 11 in the“Monday Night Football”opener.
The New Orleans Saints and free-agent running back Adrian Peterson agreed on a twoyear contract. The deal means Peterson, a 10-year veteran who has posted seven 1,000yard seasons with Minnesota and once eclipsed 2,000 yards, could become a backup running back on an offense that tends to pass more than run.
Still, Saints coach Sean Payton said Tuesday he envisions a productive role for Peterson, who is coming back from a 2016 meniscal tear that required knee surgery after only two 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 Tuesday when Peterson provided a statement to ESPN.
“It goes without saying that the Saints are really solid behind Drew Brees. I feel like my skill set can make them even more dominant (offensively),” Peterson said in his 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. His career-best 2,097yard rushing season in 2012 came one season after he had reconstructive knee surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Over the past three seasons combined, Peterson has played in only 21 games because of a suspension and injuries.
Now Peterson joins a Saints backfield led by running back Mark Ingram, who is coming off one of his best seasons and is New Orleans’ incumbent starter. Ingram rushed for 1,043 yards in 2016 and made 46 catches, helping Brees lead the NFL in passing with 5,208 yards.
Steelers: Martavis Bryant’s yearlong suspension is over.
The NFL conditionally reinstated Pittsburgh’s wide receiver Tuesday, 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.
Broncos: The quarterback competition began in earnest Tuesday with Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch throwing on the first day of new coach Vance Joseph’s first minicamp.
Joseph has said it’s a “50-50 open competition” between Siemian, the incumbent, and Lynch, a first-round draft pick last year who started two games as a rookie. Both are learning new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy’s system.
Cardinals: The NFL reinstated Arizona 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.
Giants: Will pick up the fifth-year option on receiver Odell Beckham Jr. before the deadline to do so next week, NFL Network reported. The fifth-year option will pay Beckham roughly $8 million for the 2018 season.
Titans: Picked up the fifthyear option on Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan. The 11th pick overall in 2014, the 6-foot-7 Lewan anchored a much-improved offensive line last season that helped the Titans rank third in rushing offense and tie for seventh-fewest sacks allowed with 28.