Winslow takes plea deal before retrial

VISTA, Calif. — Former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. pleaded guilty to raping an unconscious teen and sexual battery involving a 54-year-old hitchhiker.

Winslow entered the pleas as he was about to be retried on two rape allegations in San Diego County Superior Court.

In exchange for his plea, the court agreed to sentence him to between 12 and 18 years in prison. He had faced life in prison if convicted of rape on multiple counts in the retrial.

In June, a jury found him guilty of raping a homeless woman in Encinitas, north of San Diego. Jurors also convicted him of two misdemeanors — indecent exposure and a lewd act in public — involving two other women.

Le'Veon Bell had an MRI on one of his knees, and the New York Jets are awaiting the results to see if the star running back will need to miss any time.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett has a sprained left knee but has not been ruled out of Sunday's game against Miami.

Browns safety Jermaine Whitehead was released following his disturbing social media rant after a loss in Denver. Whitehead made several threatening and expletive-laden posts on Twitter. One of Whitehead's tweets was directed at Dustin Fox, a former NFL player who works for the team's radio network. Fox had sent an earlier tweet criticizing Whitehead's tackling.

Miami Dolphins running back Mark Walton was suspended without pay for the next four games for violating NFL conduct and substance abuse policies, and rookie receiver Preston Williams will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The Atlants Falcons signed former New England punter Ryan Allen, who was released by the reigning Super Bowl champions in August.