Roethlisberger sets guidelines

Ben Roethlisberger quickly moved Saturday to make sure his problems don’t become those of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Roethlisberger apologized to his teammates for causing a possible distraction, and then answered questions for the first time since being named as the defendant in a Nevada civil lawsuit that accuses him of sexual assault.

He declined to discuss his legal problems, or even acknowledge them, saying, “I’m playing football.”

Then Roethlisberger said it again, as if to emphasize there will be no questions answered during training camp at Latrobe, Pa., about any issue other than the Steelers.

“This is what I do, it’s football,” Roethlisberger said after being asked if he could stay focused. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s football.”

Vikings’ QB hurt

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson sprained the MCL in his left knee after getting tangled with a defensive lineman in practice at Mankato, Minn., according to a person with knowledge of the injury.

Jackson was hurt when defensive lineman LeTroy Guion fell at his feet and rolled over his leg during an 11-on-11 drill and is day-to-day, said the person, who requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.

Jackson is in a battle with Sage Rosenfels for the starting quarterback position after Brett Favre decided not to come out of retirement and join the Vikings.

Edwards keeps mum

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards missed the team’s first training camp practice at Berea, Ohio, with an injury no one wants to talk about.

Edwards rode a stationary bike, ran sprints and stretched while his teammates sweated through the first of two practices under first-year Browns coach Eric Mangini.

Edwards deflected questions about the nature and severity of his injury. There have been reports that Edwards hurt himself playing basketball, but the Browns’ top playmaker refused to divulge any information.

“Talk to coach Mangini about that, see what he says,” Edwards said.

Around the league

First-round pick Hakeem Nicks signed a five-year contract with the New York Giants that will pay the receiver from North Carolina a little less than $12.5 million. … Houston agreed to a deal with their first-round pick, linebacker Brian Cushing. Cushing, the 15th overall pick in the draft, was a four-year starter at Southern California. … Receiver Kenny Britt agreed to terms on a contract with Tennessee. Britt set a Big East Conference record at Rutgers with 3,043 yards receiving. … Running back Beanie Wells didn’t quite make it through his first practice with Arizona at Flagstaff, Ariz. He rolled his left leg in a collision with Jason Banks late in the workout and was taken off on a cart, smiling as he left. The Cardinals announced hours earlier that they had agreed to terms with the Ohio State back, their No. 1 draft pick and the 31st selection. … Michael Crabtree was a no-show at San Francisco’s training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. The Niners kicked off their first camp under coach Mike Singletary without their top draft pick, the star receiver from Texas Tech. … Atlanta Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White skipped the first two sessions of training camp at Flowery Branch, Ga., in a contract holdout. … Reggie Bush missed his first practice of training camp at Metairie, La., but New Orleans coach Sean Payton said the star running back was resting and did not appear to have any problems with his surgically repaired left knee. … Linebacker Jarvis Moss, Denver’s top draft pick in 2007, left camp in Englewood, Calif., amid reports he’s contemplating retirement.