Digest: Browns’ oft-suspended Josh Gordon has quadriceps injury
NFL: Josh Gordon’s return to football has been sidetracked again.
The oft-suspended Browns wide receiver, who was reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, has a quadriceps injury that will keep him out of training camp for at least two weeks.
It’s a new setback for Gordon, who hasn’t played since 2014 and was suspended all of last season for multiple drug violations.
Gordon reported to camp on Tuesday – two days before Cleveland’s veterans were required to arrive – and after he took a physical it was determined he needs time to recover from the injury sustained while working out on his own.
The Browns placed Gordon on the active/non-football injury list. Gordon also met with head of football operations Sashi Brown, coach Hue Jackson and others within the organization who laid out their expectations for the 25-year-old.
Jackson, who attended Tuesday night’s game between the Indians and Washington Nationals, declined to comment on Gordon’s situation.
With the urging of Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, Goodell decided to give Gordon another chance to resurrect his career, which was filled with so much promise after he led the league in yards receiving in 2013 and made the Pro Bowl despite being suspended for two games. However, Gordon has been in a tailspin since then and the Browns have patiently waited for him to be cleared.
League clears Manning of HGH allegations: The NFL says it found no credible evidence that Peyton Manning was provided with human growth hormone or other prohibited substances as alleged in a documentary by Al-Jazeera America last year.
The league said the quarterback and his wife, Ashley, fully cooperated in the seven-month investigation, providing interviews and access to all records sought by investigators.
The NFL is continuing its investigation into allegations made against other NFL players in the documentary, which the league said involves “different lines of inquiry and witnesses.” Those other players – all of them linebackers – provided the league with sworn affidavits, but the NFL wants to interview them in person.
Smith inducted into Pride of the Jaguars: Retired NFL receiver Jimmy Smith, whose life has been defined as much by drug addiction as football production, will be the next member of Jacksonville’s ring of honor.
The team announced that Smith will be inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars during halftime of its Dec. 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Smith will join offensive tackle Tony Boselli (2006), original owners Wayne and Delores Weaver (2011), running back Fred Taylor (2012) and quarterback Mark Brunell (2013) in the Pride.
The 47-year-old Smith is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (862), receiving yards (12,287) and receiving touchdowns (67). He still holds 11 team records, including most consecutive games with a reception (86).
Galette out for season: The Washington Redskins were dealt a big blow before the start of training camp when linebacker Junior Galette tore his right Achilles tendon and is out for the season.
Galette missed last season with a torn left Achilles tendon. This latest injury came while preparing for camp. He tweeted about it Monday, and coach Jay Gruden confirmed Galette’s status Tuesday.
Nelson reports minor issue with knee: Green Bay’s Jordy Nelson said a minor issue with his left knee contributed to a delay in his long-awaited return. He will have to wait a little longer to return to practice after having missed the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL in his right knee. That knee, Nelson stressed, feels great.
Coach Mike McCarthy said he had no long-term concerns about Nelson, either. The Packers had talked about proceeding cautiously with Nelson, anyway.
Boldin joins Lions via free agency: Anquan Boldin is joining the Detroit Lions, according to messages on the free-agent receiver’s Twitter account.
“This coming season, I am excited to announce that I have chosen to play for the (at)Lions and reunite with Coach Caldwell for another run,” Boldin tweeted.
Boldin played the past three seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, but prior to that he was with Baltimore for three seasons. In Boldin’s final season with the Ravens, they won the Super Bowl with Jim Caldwell as offensive coordinator. Caldwell is now the coach of the Lions.
Delany says no Rose Bowl move for playoffs
College Football: Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany does not envision the Rose Bowl abandoning its New Year’s Day spot in order to accommodate the College Football Playoff semifinals.
He said there might be “some movement from the bowls” but not by the Granddaddy of Them All.
The College Football Playoff is considering moving future semifinals off New Year’s Eve after ratings for last season’s games dropped in a big way. Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock told reporters two weeks ago at the SEC Media Days that the commissioners who comprise the playoff management committee are open to adjusting future schedules .
Durant leads U.S. Olympic team to win
Basketball: Cheered all night long by his basketball-crazed new fan base, Kevin Durant knocked down a 3-pointer on the Americans’ first touch and slammed home a dunk the very next time down the floor to help lead the U.S. Olympic team past China 107-57 in Oakland, California, for a third dominant victory in as many exhibition games.
Durant, who finalized his two-year contract with the Warriors on July 8, scored all 13 of his points during a 13 1/2-minute span of the first half while playing his first game at his new home, Oracle Arena.
Bouchard earns 3-set victory in Rogers Cup
Tennis: Eugenie Bouchard reconnected with her hometown fans with an impressive first-round victory at the women’s Rogers Cup in Montreal.
A large crowd at Uniprix Stadium was solidly behind the Westmount, Quebec, native throughout her 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3) win over Lucie Safarova, the pre-match favorite ranked 28th in the world to Bouchard’s 41st.
They roared as Bouchard came back from a 3-1 deficit in the tiebreaker with six straight points, taking the win on Safarova’s 10th double fault of the match.
Monfils, Berdych earn wins: Gael Monfils of France defeated Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-3, 6-3 and fifth seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic beat Croatia’s Borna Coric 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.