Bills’ Ryan says exiled guard Incognito will start for Buffalo
Lineman missed 15 months
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — From being labeled an NFL bully to Buffalo Bills starter: guard Richie Incognito took a big step in his return to football following a 15-month hiatus that placed his career in jeopardy.
Three days into training camp, coach Rex Ryan named Incognito the team’s starting left guard. Ryan made the announcement Sunday, when he included Incognito along with center Eric Wood and left tackle Cordy Glenn as three offensive linemen he regards as starters.
“One thing’s for sure, Richie’s a starter,” Ryan said. “He looks about as good as any of them. He really does.”
That’s a significant step for Incognito, the eighthyear player who signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in February. He had been out of football since midway through the 2013 season, when he was suspended for being a central figure in a bullying scandal that led to offensive lineman Jonathan Martin leaving the Dolphins.
An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other Dolphins offensive linemen harassed Martin, who played for San Francisco last season. Incognito went unsigned last season despite being reinstated by the NFL.
“It was a long road back,” Incognito said, when informed of Ryan’s comments. “It was dark times. And it was something at times I didn’t think was going to happen. But I’ve been blessed with an opportunity.”
DEVELOPMENTS:
Cowboys Bryant has practice incident: Dez Bryant kept going after Dallas cornerback Tyler Patmon in a heated training camp skirmish that didn’t end until quarterback Tony Romo finally stepped in and calmed his star receiver.
Bryant, who has a history of sideline antics that include screaming at coaches and teammates, threw something at Patmon and later appeared to take a swing at him after the two tangled during a play in 11-on-11 work late in the practice Sunday.
Tight end Jason Witten was among those who couldn’t get Bryant to walk away. Romo eventually came over and got Bryant to move to a different part of the sideline, while Patmon stood with players and other team personnel nearby.
Seahawks make Wager highest paid LB: Two days after expressing displeasure at not having an extension in hand, Bobby Wagner was basking Sunday at being the highest paid middle linebacker in football after signing a four-year extension worth a reported $43 million. The deal was finalized and signed late Saturday night.
Also on Sunday, Seattle acquired cornerback Mohammed Seisay from the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed 2016 draft pick.
Cowboys DE ends hold out: Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jeremy Mincey didn’t stay away from training camp long in his effort to get a reworked contract.
The team’s sack leader last season ended a brief holdout and worked on the side Sunday at practice after missing the first three days of camp, including the first padded practice. Mincey showed up Saturday night.
The 31-year-old Mincey reached an agreement that boosts his contract this year to $2 million, a $500,000 increase that essentially replaces a playing-time bonus he barely missed out on last season.
While Mincey also wanted to add years to his deal, that’s unlikely to happen until after the season. He could have been fined $30,000 for each day he missed, but the Cowboys agreed to waive it.
Briefly: Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson hurt his right knee during practice on Sunday and was taken off the field on a cart. He was sent for tests. ... New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson left practice Sunday with a tweaked hamstring, an injury coach Todd Bowles didn’t believe is serious. ... The Carolina Panthers have waived injured wide receiver Stephen Hill after he suffered a torn right ACL in practice. Hill was injured on Saturday when he attempted to catch a pass over the middle and landed awkwardly on his leg. ... The Buffalo Bills suspended offensive line coach Aaron Kromer without pay for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.