NFL notebook: Suh joins Lions
No. 2 overall pick signs $68-million, five-year contract
The Detroit Lions waited four-plus days to get Ndamukong Suh on the field, then wasted no time putting him on their first-string defense in his first practice.
Suh took a flight from Nebraska to Michigan on Wednesday, signed his contract, passed a conditioning test and joined his teammates for drills on a muggy afternoon.
“I’m happy to finally be out here,” he said. “I enjoyed it, knocking off the rust.”
The No. 2 pick overall in the NFL draft was greeted by chants of “Suuuuhhhh!” from fans as he walked on the practice field and was the center of attention for the next two hours.
Suh didn’t report to training camp Friday and missed seven practices.
“It was a tough time,” he said. “Obviously, I wanted to be in camp on time as I said previously. Unfortunately, I wasn’t, so I apologize for that.
“As we all know, it’s a business.”
Suh’s five-year contract is worth $40 million guaranteed and as much as $68 million.
Roethlisberger doing more than asked
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is doing more than he was asked to do by the league when given a six-game suspension after being accused of sexual assault.
Goodell says he will meet with Roethlisberger before the regular season starts in September and determine whether to reduce the punishment to four games.
Goodell is scheduled to visit Steelers camp today and plans to meet with Roethlisberger.
Haynesworth sits out another practice
On the seventh day, Albert Haynesworth rested again.
The fitness of the Washington Redskins defensive lineman remains unresolved one week into training camp. Haynesworth did not attempt the team’s conditioning test for the second straight day, and won’t be allowed to practice until he passes the test.
He’s been hampered in recent days by a sore left knee and isn’t expected to try the test again until the problem subsides.
Commissioner wants testing for HGH
Roger Goodell says the league wants to test players for human growth hormone “to protect the integrity of our game.”
In an interview with the AP while riding with former NFL coach and TV broadcaster John Madden on the Madden Cruiser between visits to the Ravens and Redskins training camps, Goodell called the HGH issue a key element of ongoing labor negotiations involving owners and the players’ union.
“It’s very important. It’s about the integrity of the game. It’s about player health and safety,” Goodell told the AP. “It’s about making sure that we’re doing everything to protect our players and to protect the integrity of our game.”
The NFL has told the players’ union it would like to add HGH to the list of drugs in the league’s testing program. The union has opposed blood tests.
Around the league
The Denver Broncos signed running back LenDale White to provide depth after Correll Buckhalter (back) and Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) were injured on the first day of training camp. Moreno is expected to miss the rest of camp and Buckhalter about a week. In a surprising twist, the Broncos released Kolby Smith, their most experienced backup running back. … San Diego Chargers linebacker Donald Butler, a rookied out of Washington, will miss the entire season after sustaining an Achilles’ tendon injury at practice on Tuesday. … Carolina right tackle Jeff Otah had arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee, a procedure the Panthers hope he’ll recover from in time to play in the regular-season opener. … Miami Dolphins kick returner Kory Sheets has a torn right Achilles’ tendon and is out for the season. He was hurt during a no-contact special teams drill. … The Buffalo Bills released top pass-rusher Aaron Schobel, providing the veteran linebacker the opportunity to sign with another team or retire.