Gruden says Brown now ‘all in’
All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown practiced in a certified helmet with the 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.
He filed a second grievance Monday seeking a oneyear grace period, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because it wasn’t made public. But he’s back practicing with the team while that gets resolved.
Brown didn’t take part in a full practice during the Raiders’ entire training camp stay in Napa, which wrapped up Monday, missing time because of frost bite on his feet suffered in a cryotherapy accident in France and then over the helmet issue.
Still no Luck: Colts QB Andrew Luck will miss another week of practice as he continues recovering from a lower left leg injury.
The four-time Pro Bowler 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 didn’t participate in any of the team’s offseason workouts. When training camp opened, he was limited to individual drills and seven-on-seven but no full team drills. But when the pain persisted, Luck returned to rehab and was only permitted to run the starting offense in walkthroughs.
Cowboys’ Smith gets new deal: The Cowboys and linebacker Jaylon Smith agreed on a five-year, $64 million contract extension. The deal includes $35.5 million in guaranteed money.
Smith, 24, started all 16 games last season, when he was second on the team in tackles (150) and tackles for loss (five).
Extra points: Cowboys WR Amari Cooper likely will not play in a preseason game because of a heel injury suffered earlier this month, but the three-time Pro Bowler is hopeful he can practice by the end of the week . ... Broncos rookie QB Drew Lock will miss the rest of the preseason with a sprained right thumb. Lock, a second-round pick, was competing to be Joe Flacco’s backup . ... The Jets claimed S Derrick Kindred off waivers from the Colts. Kindred, 25, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Browns. He has two INTs, 12 passes defended and 148 tackles.