Murray in, AP out for Vikes
Adrian Peterson has taken his final handoff for the Vikings, a 10- year run featuring a league MVP award, plenty of off- the- field drama and a franchise- leading 11,747 yards rushing over 123 regular- season games.
After the Vikings declined their $ 18 million option on his contract for 2017 two weeks ago to make Peterson a free agent, they signed former Raiders running back Latavius Murray on Thursday. General manager Rick Spielman then clarified the obvious, saying the four- time All- Pro will play elsewhere in 2017.
“He will always be a Viking,” Spielman said. “I know, to our fans and to the people in this building, he will always have a special place in this franchise.”
Murray, who signed a three- year, $ 15 million deal with $ 3.4 million guaranteed, will join Jerick McKinnon as the team’s top two running backs.
The Raiders signed tight end Jared Cook to a two- year, $ 12.2 million with $ 5 million guaranteed. Cook had 30 catches for 377 yards last season with the Packers, despite missing six games with an ankle injury.
The Falcons signed defensive tackle Dontari Poe to a one- year, $ 8 million contract.
The Ravens signed cornerback Brandon Carr to a four- year, $ 24 million contract.
The Rams signed linebacker Connor Barwin to a one- year, $ 6.5 million contract.
The Cowboys re- signed running back Darren McFadden.
The Dolphins re- signed guard Jermon Bushrod.
Fernandez operated boat
Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was the “probable” operator of a speeding boat that crashed into a Miami Beach jetty Sept. 25, killing him and two other men, according to a report issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which investigated the accident.
The 46- page report included a seating chart that had Fernandez at the helm, based on “physical evidence” collected during the investigation, including the pitcher’s fingerprints and DNA on the steering wheel and throttle and projection of his body as he was thrown from the boat. It also listed drugs and alcohol as factors.
Max Scherzer probably will miss the Nationals’ opener against the Marlins on April 3 because of a stress fracture in his right ring finger.
Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar was hired by Major League Baseball as a special consultant and tasked with focusing on youth development in Puerto Rico.
Love returns in Cavs’ win
LeBron James scored 33 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and the Cavaliers defeated the visiting Jazz 91- 83.
Kevin Love played for the first time since having surgery on his left knee last month and scored 10 points in 19 minutes. But Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert left the game with injuries.
Russell Westbrook had 24 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds for his 34th triple- double of the season as the visiting Thunder beat the Raptors 123- 102.
The Suns said point guard Eric Bledsoe will be benched for the team’s final 15 games.
Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica will miss the rest of the season with an injured left foot.
Emiliano Grillo and Matt Fitzpatrick ( 5- under 67) shared the firstround lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida.
Steve Penny resigned as president of USA Gymnastics after intensified pressure on the organization for its handling of sex- abuse cases.
Sun- Times wires