Brown returns to Raiders’ practice in new helmet
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Star receiver Antonio Brown practiced in a certified helmet with the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday, two days after being given an ultimatum by general manager Mike Mayock to be “all in or all out.”
“He’s all in, ready to go,” coach Jon Gruden said. “That’s my understanding. Really happy to have him out here. He’s a great player.”
Brown didn’t attend practice Sunday as he worked to find a helmet he was comfortable using and that met safety standards set by the NFL and NFLPA. He lost a grievance last week in which he sought to be allowed to use the Schutt Air Advantage helmet he has worn throughout his career. But the helmet was too old to be certified as safe.
He had hoped to find a newer version of his preferred helmet that could be approved but the one he submitted failed a safety test conducted by the league and union.
Brown filed a second grievance Monday seeking a one-year grace period, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because it wasn’t made public. But he is back practicing with the team while that gets resolved.
Luck to miss another week
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will miss another week of practice as he continues recovering from a lower left leg injury.
He last practiced July 28. The Colts already had said the injury probably would keep Luck out of the entire preseason.
Luck was initially diagnosed with a strained calf in March and did not participate in any of the team’s offseason workouts.
Elliott avoids charges in Vegas
Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott won’t face criminal charges after scuffling with a music festival security guard in Las Vegas.
Prosecutor Steve Wolfson said the findings of a police investigation “lacked prosecutorial merit.”
The NFL said last month that Elliott didn’t violate league personal conduct rules and wouldn’t face suspension.
Elliott was handcuffed but not arrested after police said he pushed a security guard to the ground at the event last May at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Mayfield’s mouth causes a stir
Comments by brash Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield created a stir at the training camps for the Browns and New York Giants on Tuesday.
Mayfield, the outspoken and uninhibited secondyear QB, strangely took a swipe at the Giants and rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, the team’s firstround pick this year and potential heir apparent to Eli Manning.
In an interview with GQ, Mayfield said he was stunned the Giants would draft someone such as Jones, who went 17-19 at Duke.
“Blows my mind,” Mayfield told the magazine, adding he thinks NFL teams are flawed in their quarterback evaluation. “Some people overthink it. That’s where people go wrong. They forget you’ve gotta win.”
Following practice, Mayfield posted on Instagram that his comments about Jones were taken out of context.
“This is not what I said … just so we’re clear,” Mayfield wrote. “I also said I was surprised I got drafted number one. Then was talking about the flaws in evaluating QBs. Where I brought up winning being important. Reporters and media will do anything to come up with a clickbait story. Heard nothing but good things and wish nothing but the best for Daniel.”
Broncos lose rookie QB Lock
Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock suffered a sprained right thumb Monday night in a preseason game against San Francisco and will miss the rest of the preseason.
The second-round draft choice is competing with Kevin Hogan to back up Joe Flacco.