Harrison will talk after deadline
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is willing to meet with the NFL to discuss an alleged link to performance-enhancing drugs — but only five days after a deadline the league has imposed while threatening him and three other players with indefinite suspensions.
NFL Players Assn. attorney Heather McPhee sent a letter to the NFL on Thursday, accusing it of trying to “bully and publicly shame” Harrison without offering evidence beyond a brief mention in a television interview last year that was recanted by the accuser.
Green Bay’s Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, and free agent Mike Neal also were threatened with suspensions.
The league’s deadline for cooperation from the four players is Aug. 25. McPhee’s letter said Harrison would meet with the NFL at 5 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the team's facility, and would only discuss the portion of the Al-Jazeera interview that mentioned the 14-year veteran.
Exhibitions
Jimmy Garoppolo completed 16 of 21 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 23-22 victory over the Chicago Bears in New England. Tom Brady did not play for the second straight preseason game . ... Jeremy Hill ran for a nineyard score on Cincinnati’s first possession, and the Bengals went on to a 30-14 victory over the Lions in Detroit.
Nolan Carroll returned one of Landry Jones’ four interceptions 38 yards for a touchdown in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 17-0 victory over the host Pittsburgh Steelers. ... Eddie Lacy’s powerful running (nine carries, 45 yards) helped the Packers to a 20-12 win over the Oakland Raiders in Green Bay.
Robert Griffin III threw two touchdown passes in the first half in his home debut for Cleveland in the Browns’ 24-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons . ... Marcus Sherels intercepted Trevone Boykin’s pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown with 1:23 left and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Seahawks, 18-11, in Seattle.
Etc.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame said it would refund fans for tickets and hotel stays after canceling its annual preseason game in Canton, Ohio, this month because of poor field conditions . ... The NFL is investigating whether Buffalo Bills linebacker Manny Lawson violated the league's personal conduct policy, the team announced, without providing further details . ... Trevor Siemian, locked in a tight battle with Mark Sanchez for the Broncos’ starting quarterback job, will get his turn to start Saturday during Denver’s exhibition against the San Francisco 49ers . ... Colin Kaepernick threw passes on the side during the 49ers’ joint practice with the Broncos, signaling the quarterback’s return from a sore shoulder . ... New York Giants kicker Josh Brown said an arrest on suspicion of domestic violence in May 2015 led to his onegame suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Brown said the woman whose wrist he grabbed in Woodinville, Wash., during a disagreement was his wife. He said the couple has since divorced.