NFL News & notes

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

NBC will use Skycam for primary angle

NASHVILLE, TENN.

NBC will use a Skycam as its primary camera during the preseason game Sunday between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans.

The network received plenty of critical reviews the last time it tried this for a Thursday night game between the Steelers and Titans.

“Sunday Night Football” executive producer Fred Gaudelli is willing to try again after refining some things.

The camera will be approximately 50 feet above the ground and perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. Skycams are normally 22 feet above the ground and positioned behind the offense or defense.

Gaudelli said the new angle was first used for Notre Dame’s spring game and he hopes that the new view gets better feedback.

DETROIT LIONS

Source: DT Harrison agrees to extension

DETROIT

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that defensive tackle Damon Harrison and the Detroit Lions have agreed to an $11 million, one-year extension, giving him three years left under contract with the franchise.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement had not been announced.

The Lions acquired Harrison from the New York Giants in the middle of last season for a draft pick. Harrison, who turns 31 in November, was a 2016 All-Pro selection.

Harrison is entering his eighth season. He’s started 16 games in six straight seasons while playing for the Jets, Giants and Lions.

NEW YORK JETS

Copeland suspended four games for PEDs

FLORHAM PARK, N.Y.

New York Jets linebacker Brandon Copeland has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Copeland can still participate in the team’s preseason practices and games. He’s eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 7.

The 28-year-old Copeland was a key contributor on defense and special teams last year, his first with the Jets. He had a career-high five sacks while starting 10 games.

Copeland was signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent out of Penn in 2013. He has also spent time with Tennessee and Detroit.

Copeland is the second Jets player who’ll miss the start of the season because of league discipline. Tight end Chris Herndon was also suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Former top draft pick busted for trespassing

KATY, TEXAS

Former Texans star Mario Williams has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge accusing him of trespassing at a woman’s Houston-area home.

Harris County court records show Williams was arrested Tuesday and freed on $100 bond. Online records don’t list an attorney to speak on behalf of Williams, the No. 1 draft pick in 2006 who spent six seasons with the Texans before joining Buffalo and then Miami in 2016.

Deputy Thomas Gilliland says sheriff’s deputies around 1 a.m. Tuesday responded to a report from a woman wanting someone removed from her home in Katy. Gilliland had no information on whether Williams, who lives in Houston, knows the woman.

Court records show Williams has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. A motion for an emergency protective order was also filed Tuesday.

Associated Press