NFL notes

Evan Mathis signs one-year deal with Broncos

Free-agent quarterback Michael Vick met with Pittsburgh early Tuesday and later signed a one-year deal as the team’s backup to starter Ben Roethlisberger.
Free-agent quarterback Michael Vick met with Pittsburgh early Tuesday and later signed a one-year deal as the team’s backup to starter Ben Roethlisberger.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Two-time Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos that could be worth up to $4 million.

The Broncos are high on rookie left guard Max Garcia, but they already have two starters -- left tackle Ty Sambrailo and center Matt Paradis -- who are NFL novices.

So, they were looking for some more experience along the line.

They suddenly sport one of the best guard combinations in the NFL: Mathis and Louis Vasquez were both first-team AP All-Pros in 2013.

Mathis will help protect Peyton Manning, who's trying to become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl at age 39.

STEELERS

Vick visits HQ

Michael Vick, a multi-talented quarterback who has gone through his share of troubles off the field including a stint in prison for dog fighting, arrived Tuesday at Steelers headquarters to possibly sign with the Steelers as a backup quarterback.

The immediate reaction of his possible new teammates was welcoming.

"For me, it's about any way, any person, any thing who can help this team," Ben Roethlisberger said. "If that's Michael Vick, then so be it."

Roethlisberger said he doesn't really know Vick, but "he's a great football player."

"It's undeniable the athlete he is and the quarterback he is, especially in Atlanta and the things he did. I know a lot of guys growing up wanted to be Michael Vick because he was a splash, exciting football player."

Vick, 35, has been a free agent after playing for the New York Jets last season. Steelers veteran backup Bruce Gradkowski has a severely injured finger on his left hand after he was injured in Sunday night's game. He did not participate in training camp until last week because of a sore right shoulder.

The Jets were Vick's second team since his pre-jail days in Atlanta with the Falcons. He played five years for the Eagles and last season for the Jets, who did not try to re-sign him when he became an unrestricted free agent in March. He's been trying to find another job with an NFL team since then with no luck.

PACKERS

Coach: Offense will adjust

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers Coach Mike McCarthy said his team took a tough blow after losing top receiver Jordy Nelson to a knee injury, but vowed that the offense would adjust and move on.

Nelson was lost for the season with the right knee injury after jumping for a pass on the first series of the 24-19 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

Nelson is one of the team's most respected veterans. McCarthy before practice on Tuesday called Nelson an "old-school pro" who will do everything he can to help the Packers while he's rehabbing.

McCarthy is looking for younger and less experienced receivers to step up. But he said nothing has changed in terms of the team's identity and the style of football that he wants to play.

VIKINGS

Injured center still out

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan has been dealing with a back injury for the past week. Coach Mike Zimmer says the team is "just being cautious with him."

Sullivan missed practice again Tuesday. He has been off the field for the last seven days, including the exhibition game Saturday. Joe Berger started instead against Tampa Bay.

Safety Antone Exum returned to practice. He had been out with a hamstring injury, setting him back in the running for a spot on the starting defense.

Zimmer also declared Gerald Hodges the starter at middle linebacker, for now, in the base defense. Rookie Eric Kendricks will replace Hodges and play next to Anthony Barr in the nickel package in passing situations. The Vikings play their fourth preseason game Saturday at Dallas.

FALCONS

Possible backup QB in camp

ATLANTA -- Rex Grossman, who hasn't taken a snap in an NFL game since 2011, could soon join the competition to be the backup for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

Grossman, 35, was given a physical Tuesday morning and had a workout following the team's afternoon practice.

Falcons Coach Dan Quinn says he is happy with backup quarterbacks T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree. He says he is always looking for ways to improve.

Yates has struggled through two preseason games, throwing two interceptions with no touchdowns.

Grossman spent his first six seasons with the Chicago Bears. He was on the Redskins roster with new Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan from 2010-13.

GIANTS

Cruz misses practice

Victor Cruz did not practice Tuesday, marking a full week of his being sidelined with a calf injury.

And while there is relief from the Giants that the injury is not associated with Cruz's knee, Tom Coughlin is starting to get antsy about not having him on the field.

"I'm concerned, yeah," Coughlin said Tuesday. "Yeah, yeah I am. I would like to see him get out there and be able to stay out there. That's what our real intent is. As soon as that can be done, that's what will happen."

Coughlin would not rule out Cruz's participation in Saturday's preseason game against the Jets, although that seems increasingly unlikely. He also said he is considering playing Cruz in the preseason finale next Thursday against the Patriots.

Cruz has said he would like to get into a preseason game before he takes the field for the first time in the regular season. He was slated to do that this past weekend against the Jaguars before the calf injury happened. Now, with only two preseason games in the next nine days, time may be running out to fill that desire.

"It's great, but if it doesn't happen it doesn't happen," Coughlin said of Cruz playing in a preseason game. "Odell didn't have a preseason game last year. You want him to play, that's what the plan was. If it doesn't work out that way, then, what's the next thing? You can't worry about something that right now is not within our control."

Sports on 08/26/2015

Upcoming Events