Josh Brown on exempt list

The NFL placed Josh Brown on paid leave Friday hours after coach Ben McAdoo struggled to answer questions about how the New York Giants might discipline the kicker for abusing his now ex-wife.

In a letter to the 14-year veteran, NFL senior vice president of labor policy Adolpho Birch said Brown was being placed on the league’s exempt list while the league investigates whether he should be suspended as punishment for several acts of spousal abuse. Brown acknowledged the abuse in police records released this week.

Birch’s letter said the move “does not represent a finding that you have violated the personal conduct policy,” but does pave the way toward potential further sanctions.

Brown cannot attend practices or Giants games but can go to Giants headquarters for meetings and workouts.

Questions about how much the Giants knew about Brown’s off-field troubles have overshadowed preparations for Sunday’s game in London against the Rams. Basketball: The Sacramento Kings exercised their third-year option on center Willie Cauley-Stein.

San Antonio guard Danny Green will miss three weeks after straining his left quadriceps, meaning he won’t play in the Spurs’ season opener against the Warriors on Tuesday.

The Philadelphia 76ers say forward Nerlens Noel will need surgery on his left knee. Golf: Minjee Lee patiently navigated Jian Lake’s undulating greens again, following her opening 7-under-par 65 with a bogey-free 67 to stretch her lead to six strokes in the Blue Bay LPGA in Hainan, China.

Defending champion Justin Thomas shot a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead halfway through the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Defending champion Andy Sullivan shot a 10-under 61 for a share of the Portugal Masters lead, matching Scotland’s Mark Warren (65) at 14-under 128 at Oceanico Victoria. Soccer: Barcelona forward Neymar signed a three-year contract extension through 2021. Obituaries: Gail Cogdill, a star receiver for the Detroit Lions and the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1960, died at 79 in Spokane, Wash., of organ failure and dementia.

Morris Stroud, a 6-foot-10 tight end who played with the Kansas City Chiefs from 197074, died Monday in Kansas City, Mo. He was 70.