Notes

COLTS Suspended TE cut

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Colts cut tight end Weslye Saunders on Thursday, one week after he was suspended by the NFL for eight games for violating the performance enhancing drugs policy.

Saunders signed with the Colts last October and played in 11 games (four starts), making two receptions for 15 yards. He served a four-game suspension for violating the same policy earlier in 2012 while with the Steelers, who subsequently released him.

While at South Carolina, he was questioned by NCAA investigators about possible contact with an agent and was later suspended by Gamecocks Coach Steve Spurrier for violations the coach said were not related to the NCAA probe. Less than a month after first announcing the suspension, in August 2010, Spurrier kicked Saunders off the team.

Instead of transferring, Saunders wound up forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. Saunders went undrafted and signed with the Steelers as a free agent.

Indianapolis also signed outside linebacker Daniel Adongo, a 6-foot-5, 257-pound Kenyan rugby player, on Thursday.

BEARS Ex-Razorback signs

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - The Chicago Bears have signed veteran defensive lineman Jamaal Anderson (Little Rock Parkview, Arkansas Razorbacks) to a one-year contract with defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis deciding to retire rather than report to training camp.

Drafted eighth overall by Atlanta in 2007, the 6-foot-6, 280-pound Anderson has started 48 of 77 games played in six seasons with the Falcons (2007-10), Indianapolis (2011)and Cincinnati (2012).

Anderson was placed on injured reserve by the Bengals after tearing a quad tendon in the second game of the season against Cleveland.

Ellis, a first-round pick by New Orleans in 2008, played five seasons with the Saints before signing a one year deal with Chicago on July 12. He started all 16 games last season and recorded 36 tackles and broke up one pass.

FALCONS

5-year extension for QB

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension.

Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said that the deal was being finalized as Ryan led the offense through practice Thursday on the first day of training camp.

A person familiar with the situation said Ryan’s extension is for $103.75 million deal, with $59 million guaranteed. The person said Ryan will average $20.75 million during the first three years of the extension. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms of the deal had not been announced.

SEAHAWKS

Hip an issue for Harvin

RENTON, Wash. - It didn’t take long for the Seattle Seahawks to face a potential injury problem.

Newly acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin has a hip injury that landed him on the physically unable to perform list when Seahawks training camp began Thursday. The injury is in the area of Harvin’s labrum, according to Seattle Coach Pete Carroll, and the severity hasn’t been determined.

Carroll said more information was needed and that second opinions would be sought. Carroll did not rule out surgery, but said the team has time to get Harvin ready. Carroll said Harvin was working out full speed at the team’s facility just a few days ago.

Along with Harvin, Seattle also started camp with defensive end Chris Clemons (knee) and tight end Zach Miller (foot) on the physically unable to perform list.

REDSKINS Third knee surgery for DE

RICHMOND, Va. - Washington Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker is out another four to five months after a third surgery on his right knee.

Carriker was placed on the active physically unable to perform list Thursday, the opening day of the team’s training camp. He tore the quad tendon in his knee early last season.

Cornerback Josh Wilson was also put on the active physically unable to perform list in the morning, but he then received clearance to practice and joined his teammates for the afternoon session. He has been recovering from left shoulder surgery.

RAIDERS First-round pick on board

NAPA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders have signed first-round pick cornerback D.J. Hayden to a contract before the first training camp practice.

The team announced the deal on Thursday, assuring that the entire 10-player draft class will be on hand when practice begins today.

It still has not been determined whether Hayden will be able to participate in practice right away after he underwent off season abdominal surgery.

Hayden’s off season got cut short when he needed surgery in late May to remove scar tissue from the abdominal region. That operation came months after a near-fatal practice injury that ended his college career at Houston early.