Newsmakers
Returned Unhappy wide receiver Percy Harvin returned to the Minnesota Vikings’ practice after a brief absence following his request to be traded. Harvin was on the field Thursday for the final portion of minicamp at Winter Park, taking part in all of the drills. Harvin’s earlier absence came after word that Harvin wants to be dealt. General manager Rick Spielman then told reporters there is no plan to trade him. Head coach Leslie Frazier said Wednesday he sees no reason why the situation can’t be resolved.
• The Detroit Lions signed quarterback R.J. Archer and released wide receiver Troy Burrell. The move creates competition for Kellen Moore of Boise State and Prosser, Wash. Archer was cut as a rookie free agent by the Minnesota Vikings two years ago. He plays for the Georgia Force in the Arena Football League.
Withdrew Golfer Mark O’Meara withdrew from the Champions Tour’s Montreal Championship because of a lingering cartilage injury to his lower right ribs. The 1998 Masters and British Open champion hoped to return to action today after the pro-am event.
Appealed The retired players whose lawsuit against the National Football League Players Association was dismissed last month have filed an appeal. The group led by Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Eller filed with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson rejected their claims that the current players and their attorneys had no right to bargain with the NFL about retiree benefits last summer because they weren’t legally a union then.
Arrested Authorities in Idaho arrested a Boise man accused of stealing 13 bikes from a professional women’s cycling team as it was planning to race in a competition last month. Michael Anthony Lawrence was arrested by officers who say they caught the 19-year-old stealing car tires.
Injured NBA center Byron Mullens will miss the London Olympics because of an injury, depriving host Britain of one of its three NBA players. The Charlotte Bobcats center is shelved for the tournament because of a long-standing toe problem. Mullens received his British passport in March and hasn’t yet played for Britain.