LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[November 30, 2016] Nov. 29 (The Sports Xchange) - Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson was officially suspended for 10 games on Tuesday for his second violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy, the NFL announced.

Reports circulated on Sunday that Henderson was going to be disciplined by the league. He served a four-game penalty at the start of the season for his first violation.

The NFL said via statement that Henderson's suspension "begins immediately."

The 24-year-old Henderson was diagnosed with Crohn's disease last season. He has previously stated he used medicinal marijuana to deal with the pain from the illness and two intestinal surgeries.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was spotted running sprints during Tuesday's practice as he continues to work his way back from a right knee injury that sidelined him for the last nine games.

Peterson, who was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 23 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus, took part in a scheduled side workout with head trainer Eric Sugarman. He ran repeated sprints, but did not participate in cutting or lateral drills.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told reporters last week that a December return was a possibility for Peterson.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III was cleared for full contact, suggesting he may return to game action soon.

Coach Hue Jackson made the announcement on the upgraded status of Griffin, who is recovering from a broken bone in his shoulder suffered in the season opener.

The Browns have a bye this weekend, and Jackson has not named a starting quarterback for Cleveland's next game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 11.

Cody Kessler, who has started eight games for the Browns this season, is out of the concussion protocol, and Jackson will make his choice of a starting quarterback from among Kessler, Griffin and Josh McCown.

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant is heading to the season-ending injured reserve list due to his pectoral injury, the NFL Network reported.

Trufant is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the pectoral on Thursday.

Trufant suffered the injury in Week 9 and was holding out hope he could return to help the Falcons (7-4) pursue a playoff spot.

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Embattled former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel is being sued for up to $1 million in damages by a bartending assistant after allegedly breaking the man's nose on Sept. 6.

Eric Newton filed a lawsuit against Manziel in Travis County, Texas on Monday, stemming from an incident at a private party.

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Manziel is due in court on Thursday in Dallas for a hearing in the domestic assault case involving former girlfriend Colleen Crowley. Prosecutors reached a tentative deal to dismiss the case earlier this month. Manziel was accused of hitting Crowley in January.

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The Carolina Panthers placed five-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury.

Kalil missed three games this season due to the injury. He reinjured the shoulder in a Nov. 17 contest against the New Orleans Saints and sat out Sunday's loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Kalil's backup, Gino Gradkowski, also was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Carolina signed reinforcements in veteran center Ryan Wendell and tackle Dan France.

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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said he thinks injured wide receiver Jordan Matthews will be able to play Sunday against the Bengals in Cincinnati.

Matthews, the Eagles' most productive receiver, injured his right ankle making a catch on a back-shoulder throw from quarterback Carson Wentz in the second quarter of Monday night's 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to terms with veteran safety Major Wright, the team announced. It is a one-year deal, according to ESPN.

The Buccaneers lost safety Chris Conte to an undisclosed injury in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Conte is not expected to play Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, so the Bucs needed some help at that position.

The Buccaneers also waived running back Mike James and waived wide receiver Louis Murphy from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list.

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Los Angeles Rams legendary running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson said he is no longer welcome on the team's sidelines during games after a dispute with coach Jeff Fisher.

Dickerson, 56, said Fisher told him that players feel "uncomfortable" with him because of his criticism of the team, and Dickerson told AM 570 in Los Angeles that a member of the Rams front office told him he is no longer welcome on the sidelines.

Fisher denied the rift between the two at his media session Monday. (Editing by Steve Keating.)

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