NFL notes: Julius Peppers gets pick 6, Packers rout Vikings

Julius Peppers returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown, Aaron Rodgers threw for three scores, and the Green Bay Packers routed the Minnesota Vikings 42-10 on Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Eddie Lacy ran for a season-high 105 yards and two touchdowns. Jordy Nelson hauled in a 66-yard touchdown catch, and the Packers’ defense held Minnesota scoreless for three quarters.
Green Bay (3-2) led 28-0 after the first half played in a light rain, and essentially toyed with Minnesota (2-3) the rest of the way.
Peppers had the highlight-reel play after picking off a pass over the middle in the second quarter from a pressured Christian Ponder.
Peppers veered left across the field and ran the final 10 yards along the sideline to give Green Bay a 21-0 lead with 7:06 left in the first half.
Ponder started for Minnesota with rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater out with a sprained left ankle.
Cowboys back Spillman, Brent
C.J. Spillman practiced Thursday with the Dallas Cowboys a day after his name surfaced in a sexual assault investigation. Not far away, Josh Brent was in a weight room working out on an exercise bike.
America’s team is in the midst of an unusual public relations nightmare, with owner Jerry Jones embroiled in a sexual assault lawsuit even as he steadfastly supports Brent, who is back after his arrest two years ago in a drunken-driving crash that killed a teammate.
The Cowboys are also standing behind Spillman, with coach Jason Garrett saying the special teams player will remain active because he hasn’t been arrested or charged in a police investigation into his role in an alleged assault last month at a suburban Dallas hotel.
“We’ve been very clear with our team about consequences that there will be if there is a situation where charges or arrests are made for a crime,” Garrett said. “That doesn’t apply in this case.”
Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter earlier this year in the 2012 wreck that killed practice squad player Jerry Brown. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail but avoided a long prison term. He was suspended for the first 10 games, but allowed to rejoin his teammates for limited work at the practice facility Monday.
NFL draft headed to Chicago
The 2015 NFL draft will be held in Chicago, the league announced.
Hours after the Bears posted an announcement on their Twitter account, the NFL confirmed the draft will move to Chicago on April 30-May 2. It will be held in the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.
“Chicago is pleased to welcome the 2015 NFL draft to America’s heartland,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Next year, NFL fans from across the country will travel here or tune in as the future of their team is decided in Chicago.”
The NFL soured on Radio City Music Hall in New York after it was forced to move the draft back two weeks into May this year.
Around the league
A visit to a spine specialist confirmed what already had been diagnosed: Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer has a “dead” nerve in his throwing shoulder. Palmer has not officially been ruled out of Sunday’s game at Denver, but all signs point to Drew Stanton making his third straight start. … The Santa Clara (California) District Attorney’s office said it has received the domestic violence case involving 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald. The district attorney’s office made the announcement on Twitter. “Prosecutors will review, decide whether or not to file criminal charges, or seek further investigation,” the announcement said. McDonald was arrested Aug. 31 on suspicion of domestic violence while celebrating his 30th birthday at his home with teammates and friends. He has continued to practice and play throughout as coach Jim Harbaugh, general manager Trent Baalke and CEO Jed York have said they will allow “due process” to play out before making a decision. … Oakland wide receiver Rod Streater will miss at least the next eight weeks after being placed on the injured reserve list with a designation to return. The Raiders placed Streater on the list after he underwent surgery on his broken foot. … New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker sat out practice with tightness in his balky right hamstring, leaving his status uncertain for the team’s game at San Diego on Sunday. … Chicago Bears left tackle Jermon Bushrod suffered a knee injury in practice, throwing his status for this week’s game at Carolina into question.