NFL players cleared in investigation

NFL stars James Harrison, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers can start the regular season without having the specter of a league investigation over whether they used performance-enhancing drugs hanging over their heads.

The NFL cleared all three players Wednesday, saying there was “no credible evidence” the players were guilty of any of the claims made in a documentary by Al-Jazeera America in January.

An NFL statement said that “the investigation involved witness interviews, a review of relevant records and other materials, electronic research, and laboratory analysis and review.”

The league had threatened Harrison, Matthews, Peppers and free agent Mike Neal with indefinite suspensions if they did not meet with investigators.

A person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press the Pittsburgh Steelers have restructured receiver Antonio Brown’s current contract, giving him a $4-million advance against his 2017 salary.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the details had not been made public. ESPN first reported the reworked deal.

A last-minute appeal in the NFL concussion case, filed by the son of an All-Star and civil rights activist, has sent the proposed settlement to the U.S. Supreme Court and delays payouts for at least several months.

The family of the late Buffalo Bills fullback Carlton “Cookie” Gilchrist asked the high court Tuesday to review whether the judge should have approved the settlement without a full challenge to the scientific evidence presented jointly by both sides.

Mack Brown ran for 149 yards and a touchdown in the rain to lead the Washington Redskins to a 20-13 preseason-closing victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday night.