Peterson signs with Saints for 2 years

Free-agent running back Adrian Peterson says he has agreed to a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints have not announced a deal, but Peterson told ESPN in a statement Tuesday that he’s agreed to play in New Orleans.

“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 as a unit,” 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 10-year NFL career with the Vikings, surpassing 1,000 yards rushing in a season seven times and 2,000 yards once. His career-best 2,097-yard rushing season in 2012 came one season after he had reconstructive knee surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Peterson played in only three games last season before being sidelined by another knee injury, a meniscal tear that was surgically repaired. He also missed 15 games in 2014 because of a child abuse case in which he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless assault. The victim was his son, then 4 years old.

Peterson’s last full season was in 2015, when he had 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing.

College football

OHIO STATE CB FACING RAPE ACCUSATION » 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 Prosecutor’s Office says the alleged April 9 incident is still being investigated by police.

A Cleveland police report released Tuesday says the 23-yearold 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. Conley’s attorney, Kevin Spellacy, told Cleveland.com that the accusations are “ridiculous and ludicrous.” He says the woman who made the claims is “an opportunist.” He did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press.

NBA

ROCKETS PREVAIL OVER THUNDER» James Harden had 34 points and his supporting cast helped Houston overcome a 47-point game by Russell Westbrook to get a 105-99 victory over Oklahoma City on Tuesday night to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder head home a year after advancing to the Western Conference finals after Houston took this series 4-1. The Rockets used a 5-1 run, with all their points coming on free throws, to pull away from the Thunder and make it 98-91. Victor Oladipo threw a pass about 5 feet above Westbrook’s head and out of bounds on the next possession and Harden made a layup on the other end with about 3 minutes left. The Rockets began eating up the clock after that and Oklahoma City missed shot after shot that could have closed the gap.