Thursday, July 30, 2015
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Peterson back on field after hiatus
MANKATO, MINN.
Adrian Peterson burst through the line of scrimmage and veered toward the sideline as he headed up the field.
Safety Robert Blanton had the Minnesota Vikings running back in his sights and eased off the throttle as he went in to “thud” Peterson, looking to deliver a cordial bump during the team’s first training camp practice with players in pads. To Blanton’s surprise, Peterson lowered his shoulder and delivered a jolt to the fourth-year defensive back.
Most veterans dread the early days of camp and the first few hits that open the door to six months filled with jarring blows, aches and pains.
Not Peterson. He hadn’t felt the pop of the pads for more than 10 months, an exile brought on by child abuse allegations against him. With the case settled, his punishment over, his contract situation resolved and fans welcoming him back to the field, Peterson couldn’t help but be a little eager to finally get back to the business of football.
“I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time,” said Peterson, who missed the final 15 games of last season. “It was good to get the first day down. I feel comfortable. I didn’t feel sluggish or weighed down because of the pads. I felt pretty good.”
Vikings owner Mark Wilf said he was only too happy to see Peterson back on the field with a smile on his face after so much drama surrounding the team and its star player.
“Obviously he’s a unique talent and a good person,” Wilf said. “We’re happy he’s here playing for us. We can’t wait for the season to get going here.”
There were times in the offseason that it appeared like Peterson could be parting ways with the only NFL franchise for which he has played. A perceived lack of support from some in the organization, and the criticism that was heaped upon him by many fans and media when the allegations first surfaced, had Peterson thinking that it was time to move on.
But he was still under contract and the Vikings refused to entertain the idea of trading a player they believe can resume his role as the focal point of the offense, even as he passes the 30-year-old milestone that has spelled the beginning of the end for so many running backs before him.
As a show of faith, the Vikings also restructured Peterson’s contract to guarantee him $7 million next season in case of injury. It was the last in a series of efforts by the organization to smooth things over heading into a season with high expectations.
“He’s had a long history here with the Vikings and the community,” Wilf said. “We know what kind of person he is. That’s all in the rearview mirror as far as some of that stuff goes and we’re looking forward to him being a big part of our team going forward.”
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Berry back after cancer treatment
St. JOSEPH, MO.
Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry returned to the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice field Wednesday, just eight months after a cancer diagnosis threatened to derail his career.
Berry walked down the long hill from the locker room to the practice fields at Missouri Western State University, wearing his familiar No. 29 and with his helmet in hand. He stretched with rookies and select veterans, then joined them for parts of the workout.
“He looked pretty good out here with the work that he had,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
Berry passed a battery of tests before he was cleared to practice late Tuesday, but it remains unclear when he will be a full participant in practice. Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said Berry will be monitored constantly, especially during the early portion of camp.
Veterans report Friday, and the first full-squad workout is Saturday.
“He did a good bit of practice today ... and at the end he felt pretty good,” Burkholder said. “Right now, we’re very optimistic that everything is headed in the right direction.”
Berry was expected to speak to reporters later Wednesday.
The three-time Pro Bowl pick was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December, shortly after a mass was discovered in his chest following a game against Oakland. Berry began the first of six rounds of chemotherapy on Dec. 10 at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute near his home in Atlanta, and completed the final round of treatment on May 13.
Between each treatment, Berry was able to squeeze in 10 to 12 workouts, Burkholder said. He even chose to have the chemotherapy delivered intravenously rather than through a PICC line, which would have severely limited his amount of physical activity.
“That’s been his attitude — ‘I’m going to work out during this. I’m going to start the first game.’ That’s his attitude,” Reid said, “and that’s what drove him through this. There were some tough days for him, this wasn’t a breeze, but that’s what motivated him.”
On June 22, Berry had a follow-up PET scan that showed he was cancer-free.
The Chiefs had just finished their mandatory minicamp, so Berry headed to Florida, where he trained with teammates Travis Kelce, Justin Houston and others. Then last week, he headed back to Kansas City for another round of testing to make sure he was in football condition.
“He sailed through every test we gave him,” Burkholder said with a grin. “His doctors — I’ll speak for them — they were very pleased with his numbers.”
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Running back Hyde back on active roster
SANTA CLARA, CALIF.
Second-year 49ers running back Carlos Hyde has been elevated to the active roster less than 24 hours after the team announced he was on the active/non-football injury list.
Hyde will be counted upon to carry the load following franchise rushing leader Frank Gore’s departure. He had been placed on the active/non-football injury list four days ahead of the start of training camp.
The team announced Wednesday that Hyde is now active. The only known injury for him during the offseason program was a muscle pull — not his hamstring — that coach Jim Tomsula didn’t discuss in further detail.
Veterans report Friday to Santa Clara headquarters with the first practice Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
WR Hill cited for drug paraphernalia
CONCORD, N.C.
Panthers wide receiver Stephen Hill has been cited for knowingly possessing drug paraphernalia with intent to use.
Concord Police Department records indicate Hill was cited Tuesday — two days before players report to training camp — near Charlotte Motor Speedway for possessing two grinders with marijuana residue and a marijuana bowl used to process, prepare and store.
Hill, 24, spent last season on the Panthers practice squad.
The former Georgia Tech standout was drafted in the second round in 2012 by the Jets, but quickly fizzled out in New York after dropping too many passes.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera praised Hill for his strong work during minicamp and OTAs, saying he’d made big strides. Hill is expected to battle for Carolina’s sixth wide receiver spot with Brenton Bersin and Jarrett Boykin.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Two players placed on team’s PUP list
MIAMI
The Miami Dolphins have placed first-round draft pick DeVante Parker as well as safety Don Jones on the physically unable to perform list.
The Dolphins also announced Wednesday they have placed tight end Gerell Robinson on the non-football injury list.
Parker, a wide receiver from Louisville, underwent surgery on his foot last month and has been in a boot since the procedure. He had foot surgery last year and missed the first seven games of Louisville’s season.
The fact they were placed on the physically unable to perform list indicates Parker and Jones won’t be ready when the Dolphins report Thursday for training camp. They will be able to return to practice whenever they’re ready.
Associated Press