Former 49ers end McDonald indicted
A Santa Clara County grand jury indicted former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald on one count of rape of an intoxicated person. The indictment Wednesday stemmed from an incident Dec. 15 at McDonald’s home.
Current 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks also was charged Wednesday by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office with misdemeanor sexual battery for an alleged assault the same day involving the same alleged victim.
In a civil lawsuit filed in May against both men, a woman accused Brooks of groping her while she was unconscious at McDonald’s home. McDonald faces a maximum of eight years in prison. Brooks faces a maximum of six months in jail. St. Louis stadium
Missouri’s legislative budget leaders said they oppose spending taxpayer money on a new St. Louis football stadium, casting serious doubts on whether supporters can cobble together enough money for the facility before an approaching NFL vote on whether to relocate the Rams.
House Budget Chairman Tom Flanigan sent a letter to Gov. Jay Nixon warning he will block any effort to put money in the state budget for payments on a new stadium unless the Legislature or voters approve the additional debt. And Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Kurt Schaefer told the AP he doesn’t believe there is legislative support for using taxpayer money for a new stadium.
Their reluctance further complicates an already fragile plan that requires buy-in from a number of public and private entities to pay for the estimated $998 million stadium, a counterproposal to efforts by Rams owner Stan Kroenke to move the team to the Los Angeles area. Grossman to Atlanta
Rex Grossman, who hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2011, signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Grossman, 35, will compete with T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree to be the primary backup behind three-time Pro Bowl selection Matt Ryan. NFL, union in court
The NFL Players Assn. remains at odds with the NFL regarding Adrian Peterson’s suspension, despite the resumption of the running back’s career with Minnesota. NFLPA and NFL lawyers traded arguments in front of U.S. District Judge David Doty ona contempt-of-court motion the union filed in May. The union says Peterson should be paid back the millions he lost during what amounted to a six-game suspension. Raiders sign Mays
The Oakland Raiders signed free-agent safety Taylor Mays, reuniting him with defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., who was an assistant coach at USC when Mays played there. Mays, released by Detroit last week, has played 66 games the last five seasons for San Francisco and Cincinnati. Umenyiora retires
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora announced his retirement, signing a one-day contract with the New York Giants to retire as a member of the team with which he won two Super Bowls. He played 12 NFL seasons, 10 with New York and two in Atlanta. Etc.
Jadeveon Clowney, who had microfracture knee surgery in December and didn’t practice with the Houston Texans until last week, is expected to play in the season opener Sept. 13 against Kansas City, Coach Bill O’Brien said. . . . Brandon McManus regained his job as Denver’s kicker when the Broncos released Connor Barth to make room for two-time Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel probably will sit out Saturday’s exhibition game at Tampa Bay because of persistent elbow soreness. . . . The New England Patriots traded an undisclosed 2016 draft pick to the Lions for tackle Michael Williams ,a seventh-round draft pick in 2013 who has not played in an NFL game.