Lesnar’s fantasy camp in Minnesota comes to end
Brock Lesnar won’t be the next big thing in the NFL — at least not this year.
The former pro wrestling star who hadn’t played football in nine years, was cut by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
Lesnar developed faster than expected and impressed his teammates with hard work. But his lack of football experience — combined with minimal playing time and a groin injury from an April motorcycle accident — were too much to overcome in just one month of training camp.
“He gave me a hug,” coach Mike Tice said. “He was very happy for the chance.”
Lesnar, 27, won the 2000 NCAA heavyweight championship at the University of Minnesota, and gained pro wrestling fame as ‘The Next Big Thing’.
But despite a seven-year, $45 million WWE contract, he decided to pursue a professional football career. On the eve of training camp, Lesnar signed a one-year contract with the Vikings for $230,000, the rookie minimum.
“When he called me, that’s all he asked for, is an opportunity,” Tice said. “I think we gave him a good opportunity to see if this is what he wanted to do.”
Tice declined to speculate about whether Lesnar would be added to the Vikings’ practice squad, but said the club would be “proud” to allocate him to the NFL’s developmental league next spring.
•Vikings running back Michael Bennett will miss the team’s regular season opener Sept. 12 against Dallas with a right knee sprain.
Douglas back with Philly
Defensive end Hugh Douglas is returning to Philadelphia after a one-year hiatus.
Douglas agreed to a one-year contract for just under $1 million, the same day he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Incentives could make the deal worth as much as $3.4 million, said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
“Hugh desperately wanted to come back to Philadelphia,” Rosenhaus said. “He didn’t want to waste any time. He’s looking forward to getting back to the fans he loves so much.”
In his last season with the Eagles, Douglas collected 12 1/2 sacks, then parlayed that into a five-year, $27 million free-agent contract with the Jaguars that included a $6 million signing bonus.
Jaguars’ Brady ailing
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without tight end Kyle Brady for at least two games.
Brady will have surgery today to insert a pin into a finger injured Friday. He’ll be out a minimum of three weeks.
Brunell gets nod in Washington
As expected, Mark Brunell will be Washington’s starting quarterback. He beat out Patrick Ramsey, last year’s starter.
Brunell, acquired in the offseason from Jacksonville, had been more impressive in preseason games. He also has 117 starts in his career to 16 for Ramsey and experience always has been important for coach Joe Gibbs.
Around the league
Rams All-Pro left tackle Orlando Pace will reportedly end his holdout in time for Thursday’s final preseason game at Oakland. … Free agent quarterback Shane Matthews signed with the Bills. … The Ravens are awaiting the arrival of Deion Sanders, who appears poised to end his three-year retirement at age 37 and could join the team this week. … Broncos running back Mike Anderson will miss the entire season because of a groin injury sustained last weekend in an exhibition game against Houston. … Colts rookie safety Bob Sanders finally reported to practice, ending a monthlong holdout.