Seahawks add pass rusher Richardson
Jets will get Kearse and 2 draft picks as compensation
The Seattle Seahawks have made a big splash for their top-notch defense just before the start of the regular season.
A person with direct knowledge of the deal says the Seahawks acquired defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from the New York Jets on Friday in exchange for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round draft pick. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced by the teams.
Seattle will also send a 2018 second-round pick to the Jets and the clubs will swap seventh-round picks in 2018 as part of the deal.
Landing Richardson solidifies the interior of Seattle’s defensive line and quells some of the concerns raised by the uncertainty surrounding rookie second-round draft pick Malik McDowell, who was injured in a July ATV accident. Richardson has spent his entire career with the Jets after being picked in the first-round pick in 2013 and was a Pro Bowl selection after the 2014 season, when he recorded a careerhigh eight sacks.
Goodell knew of view
The NFL says Commissioner Roger Goodell was aware of one of his lead investigator’s view that Ezekiel Elliott shouldn’t be disciplined before the Dallas running back was suspended for six games in a domestic violence case.
League spokesman Brian McCarthy on Friday disputed a key claim in a lawsuit filed by the players’ union on behalf of Elliott seeking to vacate an upcoming ruling on an appeal. McCarthy says Goodell knew of investigator Kia Roberts’ belief that Elliott’s accuser wasn’t credible before deciding to suspend Elliott.
Arbitrator Harold Henderson is expected to rule on Elliott’s appeal soon. The lawsuit filed late Thursday night in federal court in Texas seeks to pre-empt Henderson’s ruling with the intent of making Elliott eligible to play in the season opener Sept. 10 against the New York Giants.
Elliott, the NFL’s 2016 rushing leader as a rookie, was suspended after the league concluded he used physical force last summer in Ohio against Tiffany Thompson, his girlfriend at the time. Prosecutors didn’t pursue the case, citing conflicting evidence.
Osweiler cut
A person familiar with the moves says the Cleveland Browns will release quarterback Brock Osweiler, who will be paid his $16 million this season.
Osweiler will be cut along with veteran guard John Greco, kicker Cody Parkey and defensive lineman Xavier Cooper.
Bryant, Bell return
Martavis Bryant’s long road back to the NFL is complete.
The NFL granted the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver permission to participate in regular season games on Friday, nearly 18 months after Bryant was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Bryant was conditionally reinstated in April, though his return hit a snag at the start of training camp when he was forced to sit for the first two weeks of practice due to procedural issues. Bryant has caught 76 passes for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns in 21 games with Pittsburgh and is expected to start opposite Antonio Brown when the Steelers open the season at Cleveland on Sept. 10.
The announcement came on the same day Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell visited the team’s headquarters in anticipation of his return. Bell skipped training camp after opting not to sign his franchise tender.
Short yardage
A person with knowledge of the situation says the Arizona Cardinals have released running back Chris Johnson. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the team had not officially announced its list of players who were released . ... The Tennessee Titans have acquired defensive end David King from the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.