Harvin left the team 9 days ago when his grandmother died and has not returned. But many figured the mourning period would end on Monday. 

Vikings coach Brad Childress said on Tuesday that Harvin has had some migraines recently and that  he’s resting at home in the Twin Cities.

Harvin, who made the Pro Bowl as kick returner as a rookie, missed one game last season due to migraines as well as the week leading up to the NFC title game.

 Cushing, suspended for having elevated levels of HCG in his system, says his positive test last year was the result of overtrained athlete syndrome, a “unique” condition that can trigger hormonal spikes.

McNair will cite Cushing’s latest proof with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in hopes of reducing the penalty on his linebacker.

HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin is a fertility drug taken by steroid users to help restart natural testosterone production after a steroid cycle.

Cushing says he never took the banned drug and has no idea how it got into his body.

“I think that’s the final diagnosis we came up with,” Cushing said, “and a lot of doctors have supported why this has happened.

“Every individual is genetically different … I had a unique situation where something like this occurred and we have the science to back it up.

“It’s taken months. It’s really beyond what we ever thought and it’s beyond the regular medical doctor. We’ve gone in depth, and there has been a lot of money spent on the research. There have been a lot of interesting results that I think can help us.”

Following the suspension, Cushing’s lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, told the Houston Chronicle that Cushing had an enlarged pituitary gland and that was the basis for the appeal.

“He had a pre-existing medical condition that was consistent with the natural production of HCG in males,” Steinberg said. “They came out in the hearing, and they were documented.

After 9 days in camp, Davis was named the starting right tackle while Iupati will be the team’s left guard. Dave Baas, the former left guard, could move to centre following the leg injury suffered by Eric Heitmann on Monday.

COWBOYS LOSE BACKUP TIGHT END

Dallas Cowboys tight end John Phillips may have suffered a torn ACL in hi right knee during Sunday night’s Hall of Fame game, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Phillips led the team with 3 receptions for 60 yards before getting hurt and helped power the running game with a couple of nice blocks.

MORE NFL NEWS

Darrelle Revis is the best corner in the NFL: Champ Bailey
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

SAM BRADFORD WOWS RAMS FAITHFUL

If he keeps this up, the formal education of Sam Bradford, rookie quarterback,  won’t last very long.

The St. Louis Rams’ No. 1 overall draft pick was more than impressive during a team scrimmage at Lindenwood University Saturday night.

The Oklahoma pivot competed 9-of-12 passes for some 116 yards during live tackling periods that somehow translate to no contact on QBs. 

But even against what is considered a below-average defensive unit, Bradford’s handling of the offense, his poise and accuracy, speak to his ability to compete for the starter’s role, which is currently pencilled in with A.J. Feely’s name.

“(Bradford) was zipping the ball around pretty good,” said Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo. “He was finding receivers. He was hitting second receivers. I thought there were one or two in there where he might not have gotten them away.”

COLT FOUND ON THE ROAD

Colts sophomore defensive lineman John Gill was arrested by Indianapolis police Sunday morning after being discovered passed out in a ditch on the side of a road.

In the police report, police said the barefoot Gill couldn’t stand up and kept falling over. They described the 23-year-old’s  blue shirt and khaki shorts as dishevelled and soiled.

Gill was arrested for public intoxication.

MORE NFL NEWS

Cowboys shut down Bengals in Hall of Fame game 

Meet Tim Tebow, the rookie monk

Pro Football Hall of Fame: Emmitt Smith’s acceptance speech

Pro Football Hall of Fame: Jerry Rice’s acceptance speech

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

FALCONS’ MICHAEL JENKINS GROUNDED

Michael Jenkins will be out 4 to 6 weeks after injuring his shoulder Friday night.

Jenkins fell on his right shoulder during the Falcons’ scrimmage at a local high school. He was running a crossing pattern and reached for an underthrown ball from quarterback Matt Ryan.

49ERS BROOKS SUFFERS LACERATED KIDNEY

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks did not suffer bruised ribs as originally reported and instead suffered a lacerated kidney.

He is expected to be out of action for at least two weeks.

Brooks signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension in March after a breakout season in which  he recorded a career-high six sacks and four forced fumbles.

MORE NFL NEWS

 Hall of Fame game preview 

Albert Haynesworth passes fitness test then rests

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

COWBOYS’ SPEARS SIDELINED 

Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears sprained his left knee on Thursday and will miss the rest of training camp and possibly the season opener.

Spears is expected to be out four to six weeks after suffering a slight ligament tear in practice. Surgery will not be required.

His replacement, Jason Hatcher, has been hampered in camp by a hyperextended elbow but should be ready to fill in.

FIRST ROUNDERS ALL IN THE BOOKS

And then there were none. C.J. Spiller and Russell Okung, the last two first-round picks holding out for a contract, signed on the dotted line on Friday.

Okung, the 6^th overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft was officially the last to sign, inking a 6-year contract worth $46.5 million, including $30 million guaranteed, with the Seattle Seahawks.

Okung stepped into Seahawks camp and practised in the afternoon, working at left tackle with the second team. With the retirement of Walter Jones, Okung is expected to fill the starter’s sooner rather than later.

Many figured Spiller would be the last to sign, given the strong language from his camp about negotiations being just business, but the Clemson guard signed a 5-year deal worth $25 million, with $20.8 million guaranteed, a day after his 23^rd birthday.

“It’s something that I’ll always remember,” Spiller said, noting he learned the deal had been agreed to on Thursday, shortly after he had a birthday lunch with his family in Lake Butler, Fla. “Whatever day, I would have always remembered it. But it’s always special to do it on your birthday. It was a great feeling.”

The ninth overall pick made it Rochester, N.Y., for an afternoon team meeting and practised with the team Friday night. He had missed 11 practices since camp opened on July 29.

“Any time you miss any day, that’s one day you can’t get better,” Spiller said. “Of course you miss that, but at the same time, you understand that you’ve got to get the business done first before you get on the field. And I’m glad I was able to get it done so I can get out there.”

MORE NFL NEWS

Broncos LB Elvis Dumervil could miss entire season

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5

VOTE OF SUPPORT FOR BIG BEN

Roger Goodell likes what he’s seeing from Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

But the NFL commissioner says he won’t cut the suspension levied against the disgraced Steelers star until the end of pre-season.

“I think he’s doing great,” Goodell said. “I had a chance to chat with him … and I’m very encouraged by what I’m seeing. I think he’s understanding the seriousness of the issue and is working to improve and to make better decisions. I think that’s a very positive development.”

Roethlisberger was suspended 4-to-6 games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual assault 5 months ago. At the time, Goodell said Roethlisberger’s behavior would determine the final penalty.

Given the comments, the Steelers expect Roethlisberger’s suspension to be set at the four-game minimum. That would allow the two-time Super Bowl winner to return Oct. 17 against Cleveland.

Roethlisberger is practising with the team and can play in preseason games. While suspended, he can have no contact with the team unless there is an injury issue.

MRI ORDERED FOR HAYNESWORTH

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan can thank Brett Favre for knocking him off the NFL headlines for a couple of days but the issue with his problem child remains.

Albert Haynesworth, who must pass a fitness test comprising of 2 300-yard shuttle runs in order to practice with his teammates, will undergo an MRI for the sore knee that has prevented the $100-million defensive tackle from taking the test this week.

MORE NFL NEWS

Bills let Aaron Schobel walk

Brett Favre says he hasn’t decided anything

Did we just fall for another Brett Favre retirement waffle?

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4

ANOTHER EAGLE FALLS IN THE NEST

Three days after wide receiver DeSean Jackson was carted off the Eagles practice field at Lehigh University, running mate Jeremy Maclin exited the same way on Tuesday.

The Eagles said Maclin suffered a hyperextended left knee but according to Comcast Sports Philadelphia, MRI tests revealed only a bone bruise.

If so, it’s the second major sigh of relief in Eagles camp.

Jackson suffered only a lower back strain and is day-to-day, while Maclin should be back within days as opposed to weeks.

That’s because the Eagles injury list already includes guards Todd Herremans (foot) and Stacy Andrews (shoulder), centers Jamaal Jackson (knee), Nick Cole (knee), A.Q. Shipley (ankle), cornerback Asante Samuel (hamstring), linebacker Stewart Bradley, running back Mike Bell (hamstring), defensive tackle Antonio Dixon (concussion) cornerback Macho Harris (hamstring) and tight end Martin Rucker (hamstring).

JETS AINGE IN REHAB

New York Jets backup quarterback Erik Ainge, who was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list by the team, has entered a rehab facility for “recreational issues” according to the New York Post.

“I am taking some personal time to address a non-football related illness. Thank you for all the love, thoughts, and concerns. I love you all,” read a post on Ainge’s Twitter page Monday night.

Ainge, who was drafted out of Tennessee in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, has yet to play in the regular season. He was suspended for four games in 2008 for violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

MORE NFL NEWS:

Did we just fall for another Brett Favre retirement waffle?

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3

NO SIGN OF LAND

Still no signs of Revis Island at Jets camp.

After three days, all-pro cornerback Darrelle Revis remains a no-show at the Jets’ facility in Cortland, N.Y., with little indication that the deep freeze that has enveloped his contract negotiation will thaw anytime soon.

On Monday, Jets owner Woody Johnson told general manager Mike Tannenbaum to reach out to Revis’ camp. But precious little has come out of that gesture.

Revis is to make $1 million in the fourth year of his six-year rookie deal but wants to become the league’s highest-paid cornerback, a distinction that currently belongs to the Raiders’ Nnamdi Asomugha, who signed a 3-year, $45.3 million contract extension last year.

LIONS PAY SUH GOOD

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions on a 5-year contract that could be worth as much as $68 million with $40 million guaranteed.

The second overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft is a 6-4, 307-pound powerhouse who is expected to boost a defense that has been historically bad over the last two seasons – over its 2-30 stretch, the Lions defense ranked among the league’s all-time worst in points allowed.

At Nebraska, Suh became the first defensive player to win The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year award since its inception in 1998.

JOLLY STRIKES A PLEA

Supended Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly avoided trial on a felony drug charge on Tuesday by opting for year-long probation.
Jolly struck a deal with prosecutors that will have the case against him dismissed if he doesn’t break the law and completes 160 hours of community service.

Jolly was charged with possession of a controlled substance — having at least 200 grams of codeine — after being arrested July 2008 in the parking lot of a Houston club known for drug and gun use.

STRIKE ONE FOR BABINEAUX

Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux was suspended by the NFL for one game, the Falcons season opener Sept. 12 against Pittsburgh, following his arrest on marijuana charges last December.

Babineaux pleaded guilty to felony marijuana possession on July 19 and received probation for one year after police found 1 ½ ounces of marijuana in his car.

BILLS, DOLPHINS LOSE ROOKIES

Buffalo rookie left tackle Ed Wang is out indefinitely with a hand injury after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.

Wang, the Bills fourth-round draft pick out of Virginia, was expected to battle for a backup spot.

Buffalo will also be without their sixth-round pick, linebacker Danny Batten, for two to six weeks due to an injured shoulder.

The Bills weren’t the only AFC East team to suffer season-ending news.

Dolphins rookie linebacker A.J. Edds is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee on Monday.

Edds, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa, was competing for a reserve role.

MORE NFL NEWS:

Brett Favre retires, again

MONDAY, AUGUST 2

The Albert Haynesworth saga is reaching Jaws-like proportions.

And by that we mean the daily bulletins that used to be heard in Martha’s Vineyard 35 years ago to update cast, crew and extras (local residents) on the status of the three mechanical sharks that starred in the movie.

The sharks didn’t work most of the time, which led director Steven Spielberg to build suspense by shooting a number of scenes without the film’s antagonist.

After one week of training camps, Haynesworth and his failed fitness tests (2 300-yard shuttle runs with a 3 ½ minute break) have become the daily bulletin across the league.

After two days to rest his swollen knee, Haynesworth attempted the test again on Monday but pulled up after 150 yards due to the pain in his knee.

On Tuesday, no attempt was made.

Haynesworth, who complained about his new role as a nose tackle and then cashed a $21-million roster bonus check before publicly demanding a trade this offseason, failed to pass the test on Thursday and Friday.

THREE ROOKIE HOLDOUTS LEFT

And then there were three.

As of Monday night, the Lions’ Ndamukong Suh (2^nd), the Seahawks’ Russell Okung (6^th) and the Bills’ C.J. Spiller (9^th) were the last three first round picks holding out.

Over the weekend, Tyson Alualu (Jaguars, 5 years, $28.5 million, $17.5 million guaranteed); Ryan Mathews (Chargers, 5 years, $25.65 million, $15 million guaranteed); Jermaine Gresham (Bengals, 5 years, $15.8 million, $9.6 million guaranteed); Dan Williams (Cardinals, 5 years, terms not disclosed); and Jerry Hughes (Colts, 5 years, terms not disclosed) signed on the dotted line.

A RICH MANNING, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

Colts owner Jim Irsay raised the possibility of using the franchise tag on quarterback Peyton Manning for the first time on Monday, repeating his earlier comments that the 4-time MVP will be the league’s highest-paid player, one way or another.

“The bottom line is we’ll get something done and when it happens just depends,” Irsay said. “I said he’d be the highest-paid player and he may already be if we go with the tag. I’d love to see him be here and break all those records as a Colt.”

Manning is scheduled to earn $14 million in this final year of the 7-year, $98 million contract he signed in 2004.

Irsay said Manning’s agent, Tom Condon, and team president Bill Polian have discussed an extension, but the biggest obstacle remains a lack of a collective bargaining agreement.

“It’s not going to be easy because there’s probably going to be something that goes back and captures something from the uncapped year,” Irsay said.

MORE NFL NEWS:

CB Darrelle Revis holds out for a better deal from the Jets

Wes Welker passes his test, Albert Haynesworth still prepping

SATURDAY, JULY 31

FIRST ROUNDERS COME OFF THE BOARD

With another rush of first-round signings, only 8 players taken with the first 32 picks of the 2010 NFL draft remain unsigned as of Sunday morning.

They are: DT Ndamukong Suh (2^nd), OT Russell Okung (6^th), RB C.J. Spiller (9^th), DE Tyson Alualu (10^th), RB Ryan Mathews (12^th), TE Jermaine Gresham (21^st), DT Dan Williams (26^th) and DE Jerry Hughes (30^th).

On Saturday night, safety Earl Thomas agreed to a 5-year, $21.1 million contract with Seattle. The 14th pick overall received $12.31 million in guarantees.

The 15^th overall pick, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul signed a five-year contract with the Giants worth $20 million, with $11.6 million guaranteed.

Tennessee also came to terms with DE Derrick Morgan to a 5-year deal. Financial terms for 16^th pick overall were not disclosed.

Wide receiver Demayrius Thomas agreed to terms with Denver on a 5-year, $15.5 million deal with $9.35 million guaranteed.

And the Jets signed cornerback Kyle Wilson, the 29th pick, to a 5-year, $13 million pact with $7 million guaranteed.

MORE NFL NEWS:

Bucs shell out more than $100 million for McCoy, Penn

Rookie Eric Berry becomes the highest-paid safety, ever

No fitness test for Albert Haynesworth on Saturday

MORE RECEIVERS INJURED

Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson was carted off the field with what was later reported to be a back injury at the team’s training camp in Lehigh, Pa.

Jackson, who caught a pass and stumbled to the ground without making contact, reportedly walked out of the locker room on his own and drove away without speaking to reporters.

The injury to Philadelphia’s leading receiver isn’t serious, according to teammates.

In Napa, Calif., a pair of Raiders wide receivers sat out practice on Saturday.

Louis Murphy suffered a concussion after taking a Nnamdi Ashomuga knee to the head during Friday’s workout.

Chaz Schilens also sat out with a sore left foot, the same one that has been operated on twice in the past year.

On the plus side, Darrius Heyward-Bey continues to impress. The sophomore who struggled to catch just 9 passes in 2009, looked much improved in offseason workouts and is off to a similar start in training camp.

FRIDAY, JULY 30

INJURY BUG BITES COWBOYS, RAVENS

With some training camps still yet to open, injuries are already becoming a factor for the 2010 NFL season.

In San Antonio, rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys’ much-heralded first-round draft pick, suffered a high ankle sprain near the end of practice on Friday and will likely miss the rest of training camp.

Bryant is expected to be out of action for 4 to 6 weeks after getting tangled up with cornerback Orlando Scandrick on a pass thrown by backup quarterback Jon Kitna.

“(Scandrick) made a play on the ball. That’s what we expect,” coach Wade Phillips said. “The ball was thrown behind the guy.”

In Westminster, Md., the Baltimore Ravens learned they’ll be without cornerback Domonique Foxworth for the entire season.

Foxworth tore the ACL in his right knee Thursday during practice.

“I was just running and tried to change directions, something I’ve done a million times in my career. This time it just didn’t work,” Foxworth said Friday. “It wasn’t anything odd. It happened on grass, so I can’t even blame it on turf.”

If there’s an early leader in the freak injuries department, it’s the Ravens, who are also without their top pick in rookie outside linebacker Sergio Kindle.

Kindle suffered a fractured skull after falling down a flight of stairs while visiting a home and will miss the Ravens training camp.

The team is also unsure when all-Pro safety Ed Reed will be ready to return from reconstructive hip surgery.

MORE NFL NEWS:

Mike Shanahan makes Albert Haynesworth run

FIRST ROUNDERS IN A RUSH TO SIGN

They’re coming fast and furious now.

Offensive tackle Trent Williams is the latest first-round pick to sign an NFL contract, agreeing to 6-year, $60 million pact with the Redskins that includes $36.75 million guaranteed.

Williams, the fourth overall pick, was one of 6 first rounders to sign on Thursday, including Brandon Graham (13^th), Kareem Jackson (20^th), Bryan Bulaga (23^rd), Tim Tebow (25^th) and Patrick Robinson (32^nd).

Tebow signed a 5-year, $11.25 million contract that includes $8.7 million guaranteed, a little less than the $12 million the 24^th pick, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, received but a little more than the $8.5 million Bryant received in guarantees.

FLOZELL ADAMS SIGNS WITH STEELERS

Former Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers had been looking for veteran help since losing Willie Colon for the season to a torn Achilles tendon.

The 35-year-old Adams, a 5-time Pro Bowler, could play right or left tackle for the Steelers, who have Max Starks pencilled in on the left side.

THURSDAY, JULY 29

TEBOW STILL NOT IN CAMP

Who’s still not in camp? How about Mr. Wonderful, Tim Tebow.

The league leader in jersey sales missed his second training camp workout on Thursday while his agent and the Broncos continue to wrestle with a contract that’s expected to be for roughly 5 years and $12 million.

Tebow, who added Jockey this week to the growing stable of products he currently represents – Nike, EA Sports, was the 25^th pick and the second quarterback taken in the 2010 NFL draft.

FAVRE-LIKE OPTION FOR BILLS’ SCHOBEL

The Buffalo Bills placed defensive end Aaron Schobel, who’s still mulling retirement, on the reserve/did not report list Thursday.

Schobel, who did not report for the start of Bills camp and has missed all of the team’s off-season workouts, said earlier this week that he was leaning toward playing but won’t decide until mid-August.

RAIDERS SIGN 1^ST ROUND PICK MCCLAIN

Rolando McClain, the 8^th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, agreed to a contract with the Oakland Raiders Wednesday night, hours before the team’s first workout. Financial terms were not disclosed.

McClain is the highest draft pick to sign thus far, and only the third first-round selection, joining Dallas’ Dez Bryant and the Patriots Devin McCourty, who signed Wednesday morning.

MORE NFL NEWS:

No suspension likely for Titans QB Vince Young

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28

GATES GETS PAID

The San Diego Chargers made perennial Pro Bowler Antonio Gates the highest-paid tight end in league history on Wednesday.

Gates, who caught 79 passes for a career-best 1,157 yards, with 8 TDs in 2009, signed a reported 5-year contract extension worth $36.2 million, with $20.4 million guaranteed.

The former basketball star at Kent State went undrafted in 2003 but has developed into a 3-time All-Pro and 6-time Pro Bowler.

“I’ve been blessed my whole career to be with one team,” Gates said in a statement released by the team. “It’s always good to get it out of the way. The goal is to win a championship. We all are human and it becomes a distraction even though you might not want it to be. It’s always great to be able to go ahead and do what you need to do and get it out of the way.”

CASH FOR BANKRUPT BRUNELL

The Jets made it official on Wednesday, announcing that Mark Brunell had signed a 2-year contract to become the team’s backup quarterback behind Mark Sanchez.

The team couldn’t sign Brunell until free agency restrictions were lifted last week for the final eight playoff teams.

The 39-year-old Brunell, who filed for bankruptcy last month because of failed investments, worked out for the Jets a few months ago and then again on Wednesday.

Brunell spent the last seasons in New Orleans as a backup to Drew Brees. He has thrown for 31,928 yards and 182 touchdowns in 18 NFL seasons.

TUESDAY, JULY 27

MT. CODY GROUNDED BY RAVENS

Mt. Cody can’t move fast enough for the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens rookie defensive tackle Terrence Cody failed his conditioning test on Tuesday and was not allowed to practice with the team.

Cody, a second-round draft pick out of Alabama, is listed as 6-4 and weighing 354 pounds. Weight issues – he has tipped the scales at more than 400 pounds, likely dropped him out of the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and now he’ll begin his career on the active physically unable to perform list.

“Part of our process is everybody’s got to pass the conditioning test to be sure they’re ready to compete,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after Tuesday’s practice. “It’s going to be hot out here, our practices are fast. We’ve got to be sure guys are physically ready to practice at the pace we’re practising at.

“So, when he passes the conditioning test, he’ll practise.”

The Ravens other second-round pick, outside linebacker Sergio Kindle, is also not active. He fractured his skull while falling down a flight of stairs last week and will probably miss the entire camp.

PATRIOTS WELKER IN SAME BOAT

The New England Patriots also placed wide receiver Wes Welker in the active physically unable to perform list prior to the start of training camp.

The league’s leading receiver in 2009, Welker, is coming off surgery to repair a torn ACL but because he was placed on the PUP list now, can come off the list at any time.

MORE NFL NEWS:

Terrell Owens agrees to terms with the Bengals

MONDAY, JULY 26

COWBOYS ROOKIE TAKES A STAND

And so it begins…

In San Antonio, rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant fired the first salvo at Cowboys camp by refusing to carry veteran Roy Williams’ shoulder pads after practice.

The team’s first-round draft pick – and the player most likely to supplant Williams as a starter, sooner rather later — objected to the rookie hazing by saying, “I was drafted to play football, not carry another player’s pads.”

Good for Bryant. Hazing has stopped pretty much everywhere else in society, there’s no need to have it continue. Especially right under the very public eye of commissioner Roger Goodell.

Williams, who had to carry pads as a rookie with the Lions in 2004, and has a hard time grasping reality – he still believes he’s a No. 1 receiver, doesn’t get this concept or the subtleties of stealth. Like publicizing punitive plans across national media.

“He’s kind of ornery right now,” Williams said of Bryant. “He doesn’t want to carry the pads. He said that’s our pads and we should take them in the locker room….. If not, we’ll go to Step 2.”

Step 2?

“We’ll find out; we’re definitely going to find out,” Williams said.

“I’ve seen guys take people’s credit cards and go fill up their cars and wives’ cars. There’s a lot of dirt that goes on in that locker room.”

SERGIO KINDLE’S FALL

Sergio Kindle, the Baltimore Ravens top pick in the 2010 NFL draft, is in stable condition after injuring his head at a home he was visiting and will not report to training camp on Monday.

Kindle is believed to have fallen down two flights of stairs Thursday night at a home in Austin, Texas,

“We understand Sergio is stable at this time and that he is being tested and observed,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said.

Kindle, a disruptive pass rusher at Texas where he was compared favorably with former Longhorn teammate Brian Orakpo, was considered a first-round talent but dropped to the second round and the 43^rd pick due to injury and character concerns.

WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT? TWO ON THE WAY IN

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Unexplained absence at minicamp to help celebrate Adrian Peterson Day in his hometown of Palestine, Texas, all forgotten says team and star running back.

Tom Brady, Patriots: According to sources, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that there’s enough progress in contract negotiations between the two sides  that a deal could be completed this summer and past acrimony will be forgotten. Brady is entering the last year of his contract.

MORE NFL NEWS:

No suspension for Eagles backup QB Michael Vick

 Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, long considered the “best shutdown corner” in the league, admits that Darrelle Revis has surpassed him.

“I was reluctant to give it to anybody because I thought I was the best,” Bailey told a Denver sports radio station over the weekend.

“I watched every game he played last year and I’ve got to give it to him. He’s better than anyone right now.”

Bailey also says that if he were in Revis’ shoes, he’d be holding out for money from the Jets as well.

“If I was making what he’s making, I’d probably do the same thing,” Bailey said.

Revis is scheduled to make $1 million this season but is holding out in hopes of landing a contract that will make him the highest paid corner in the league, a distinction that belongs to the Raiders Nnamdi Ashomugha, who signed a 3-year, $45.3 million extension in 2009.

Thus far, Revis has missed one week of training camp. Bailey said Revis deserves to be paid. 

“I was fortunate enough to play with Deion Sanders,” Bailey said. “As a great corner you want to see who’s next. They tried to give it to Nnamdi (Asomugha), and I really wasn’t sold on it. But I was watching Revis when he played Brandon Marshall a couple years ago, and I was like, ‘This kid can play.’ Ty Law came up to me, he was on the team, and he said, ‘This kid is the real deal.’ And that’s when I really started watching him, and he is the real deal.”

While David Buehler provided the only points the Cowboys needed to turn back the woeful Bengals with three short field goals, his erratic miss from 49 yards out – wide, wide, wide left, provided more evidence for those who believe that a team with home Super Bowl aspirations can not rely on a kickoff specialist for last-second game winners.

Buehler led the league with 27 touchbacks last season — and buried three against Cincinnati, but attempted no field goals in 2009.

Outside of red-zone troubles, the Cowboys were impressive, especially defensively. They held the Bengals 178 yards and scored the team’s only touchdown, a 6-yard interception return by rookie linebacker Brandon Sharpe in the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys got three sacks, four turnovers — three interceptions and a fumble; forced the Bengals into more penalties (12) than first downs (10);  and generally made things miserable for the black-clad Bengals, whose lone bright spot in the first half was free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens.

Owens caught the only completions (two) by quarterback Carson Palmer for 18 yards before calling it a day, along with the rest of the starters, after two ineffective Cincinnati drives.

The Bengals broke the shutout bid with less than a minute left in the game when Jordan Palmer found tight end Darius Hill from a yard out . The score was set up by a 63-yard punt return by rookie wide receiver Jordan Shipley.

Tony Romo completed 5 of 10 passes for 59 yards in his lone drive of the night, which culminated in a 20-yard Buehler field goal. Third-string Cowboys running back Tashard Choice led all rushers with 41 yards on 7 carries.

Boxscore

Adrian Peterson, who was limited in the first week of camp with “leg tightness,” revealed that the tightness is a strained left hamstring but that he’s now good to go.

“It was the second practice, and I basically hit the corner with a nice little sprint and made an abrupt stop,” Peterson said. “If you know anything about running, that’s just something you don’t do as a runner. I made that mistake, and it backfired on me. But I’m feeling good, and I’ll be ready to roll Monday.”

The Vikings have predictable treated Peterson’s injury with caution. The fourth-year back, who’s 16 yards shy of 4,500 through his first three years in the league,  gets another day of rest on Sunday, when the Vikings enjoy an off day.

He missed four practices before returning to limited duty on Friday and Saturday.

The team’s first-round draft pick and league leader in jersey sales was brought down to earth, along with other Broncos rookies, with a hazing/initiation prank that left Tebow looking like the old San Diego Padres caricature.

“I think all the rookies had a good time with it,” Tebow said. “It was something to give everybody a laugh, something also to build chemistry.

Among the stunners: guard Zane Beadles’ received a reverse Mohawk while tight end Nathan Overbay got half of his head shaved while the other half remained.

More of a concern for the Broncos, rookie receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker left the workout at Invesco Field with injuries.

Decker limped off the field with a trainer and is nursing an injured left foot or ankle, according to the Denver Post.

Thomas, the Broncos’ other first-round draft pick from Georgia Tech, landed badly following a touchdown catch and hurt his left ankle as well.

“Well it was obviously a concern right away but they took him right in to get it looked at – we don’t have anything yet, it was just 25 minutes ago so obviously yes, that would be a concern because it was the same foot but we’re hopeful that it won’t be anything serious,” Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said in remarks distributed by the team.

“If we miss him for a little while it would be normal for this camp so we’ll just keep plugging along.”

Thomas broke his left foot in February while training for the NFL scouting combine.