Vikings Hall of Famer Tingelhoff dies at 81

MINNEAPOLIS >> Hall of Fame center Mick Tingelhoff, the ultimate ironman who started 240 consecutive games at a bruising position for the Minnesota Vikings and played in four Super Bowls, has died. He was 81.

Undrafted in 1962, Tingelhoff played 17 years for the Vikings and was never sidelined once. His games started streak is the third longest in NFL history, behind only Brett Favre (297) and Jim Marshall (270). Philip Rivers tied Tingelhoff last season before retiring.

No cause was given. Tingelhoff’s cognition had been in decline, the toll of playing a punishing position for so long during an era when safety measures were scant. He was in the first wave of former players who joined the concussion lawsuit filed against the league a decade ago, alleging they were misled about the long-term effects of head injuries. The 2013 settlement will cost the NFL an estimated $1 billion over a 65-year period. CHIEFS ALL-PRO SAFETY MATHIEU OUT OF COVID-19 PROTOCOL >> Chiefs safety

Tyrann Mathieu was added to the active roster from the COVID-19 list, and the three-time All-Pro was listed as questionable for Kansas City’s regularseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Mathieu tested positive on Sept. 1, even though he was fully vaccinated, and he needed to return two negative tests taken 24 hours apart to be eligible to play. He was still in the protocol on Friday, but is now cleared to play Sunday. INCOGNITO TO MISS SEASON OPENER FOR RAIDERS >> Las Vegas Raiders left guard Richie Incognito will miss the season opener against Baltimore with a calf injury.

Incognito got hurt during a joint practice against the Rams on Aug. 19 and hasn’t practiced since. Coach Jon Gruden said there was a good chance Incognito could return for Week 2 at Pittsburgh. PATRIOTS ELEVATE K FOLK, BACKUP QB HOYER FROM PRACTICE SQUAD >> The New England Patriots elevated kicker Nick Folk and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer to the active roster from the practice squad.

Folk, 36, has played 13 NFLseasonswiththeCowboys, Jets, Buccaneers and Patriots.

GENE J. PUSKAR — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE Former NFL player Mick Tingelhoff poses with his bust during the 2015 induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.