Griffen’s health concerns Vikings

Last week, the Minnesota Vikings were concerned enough about Everson Griffen’s state of mind that they barred the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end from practice until he had a mental health evaluation.

After a scary series of incidents Saturday, Griffen remained away from the team Tuesday and out indefinitely. Coach Mike Zimmer said Griffen wouldn’t travel with the team to L.A. — where he starred at USC — to play the Rams on Thursday.

“The only thing we really are concerned about for Everson isn’t anything to do with football. It’s about him getting better,” Zimmer said. “In the five years that I’ve been here I’ve always loved Everson and the effort that he puts out, the work that he does, the chance to count on him in game time and even in practice. He’s always been a really, really good model for us, and obviously he’s going through some tough times.”

Griffen was ruled out Sunday with a knee injury, but according to police in Minnetrista, the suburb where he lives, Griffen was making comments about people trying to kill him. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for his well-being, despite jumping out of the vehicle during a brief stop. He was never arrested or suspected of committing any crimes.

According to the police report Saturday:

Vikings director of security Kim Klawiter requested a welfare check for Griffen’s wife, Tiffany, and their three children after a recent pattern of erratic and disruptive behavior at team headquarters caused concern. Griffen arrived for practice that morning and was told he couldn’t participate.

Officer Michael Kokesh met with Griffen’s wife, who told him that Griffen got up in the middle of the night Sept. 16 and left the house, which he has done before to deal with “demons in his head.” Griffen was gone for days during the week, at one point sending his wife a text message that referenced suicide.

Reached by Kokesh on his phone, Griffen said he had no thoughts about harming anyone.

Kokesh spoke with Vikings executive director of player development Les Pico, who said Griffen had been exhibiting paranoid behavior and irrational and rapid speech but did not believe he was at risk for harming himself or others. Pico met Griffen at a downtown Minneapolis hotel, where Griffen had also created a disturbance in the lobby and threatened violence.

Griffen showed up shirtless outside the house of teammate Trae Waynes, who lives on the same street. A little later, Griffen left his vehicle at a gas station and rode home with a man who said he didn’t know Griffen and was shaking when he met officers waiting outside Griffen’s house.

Winston back

Jameis Winston is back from a three-game suspension, but Tampa Bay won’t say if he’ll start at quarterback Sunday at Chicago.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has the Buccaneers off to a 2-1 start while throwing for more than 400 yards in a leaguerecord three consecutive games. The 35-year-old journeyman, who’s played for seven teams in 14 seasons, has thrown for 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns. But he helped dig a hole in Monday’s loss to Pittsburgh with interceptions on three straight second-quarter passes.

Etc.

Green Bay signed cornerback Bashaud Breeland, according to reports, and put Davon House on injured reserve . ... New Orleans put cornerback Patrick Robinson on IR . ... Tennessee signed quarterback Austin Davis and put offensive lineman Kevin Pamphile on IR.