Dalton gets $115-million deal
The Cincinnati Bengals have made Andy Dalton one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Dalton signed a six-year extension. According to multiple reports, the deal is worth up to $115 million and will prevent Dalton playing out the final year of his rookie contract.
The deal was announced at a news conference Monday, but financial details were not released.
Dalton said he is relieved to have the deal finalized before the season.
“You do have it in the back of your mind, when is it going to get done,” Dalton said. “Now we don’t have to worry about it. Like (coach) Marvin (Lewis) said, just play the game and I don’t have to have this hanging over me.
“To get this opportunity to come to the city of Cincinnati, get drafted here and play for the Bengals and now sign this extension and be here for a long time, I’m just so blessed.”
Added Dalton: “We’re excited to know we’re going to be here for a long time.”
Dalton has passed for more than 3,000 yards in each of his three seasons. He led the Bengals to an 11-5 record and AFC North title in 2013. He set career highs with 33 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions.
Dalton was a second-round draft choice in 2011.
Gordon practices as appeal concludes: Josh Gordon got back on the field before the NFL stopped him.
Gordon returned to training camp and practiced Monday as his appeal hearing with the NFL took place for a second day in New York. The Pro Bowl wide receiver ended his workout earlier than his teammates so he could participate in the hearing via teleconference with his legal team, which fought his potential one-year suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Gordon’s hearing carried into Monday after the sides met for nearly 10 hours Friday in Manhattan. Gordon’s lawyer, Maurice Suh, contends that the 23-year-old, who has a history of drug issues, tested positive for marijuana because of secondhand smoke. The hearing wrapped up shortly before 3 p.m.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said he did not expect an immediate resolution and did not know when there will be a ruling on Gordon’s case. Until he’s told otherwise, Gordon intends to keep practicing.
Neck injury ends Wilson’s career: New York Giants running back David Wilson’s career is over after two seasons because of a neck injury.
The 23-year-old Wilson was told by doctors Monday he risked more serious problems if he kept playing.
He underwent fusion surgery to repair vertebrae and a herniated disk in his neck in January. Then, at practice last Tuesday, Wilson caught a pass and ran with his head down into the back of an offensive lineman, a hit that caused numbness in his hands and lower extremities.
He missed the final 11 games last season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal cord.
“I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me, or pity me,” he said in a statement released by the team. “I lived my dream. A lot of people only get to dream their dream. I lived that dream. Now, I have a chance to dream another dream and live that, too.”
Wilson was drafted in the first round, 32nd overall, out of Virginia Tech in 2012. As a rookie, he rushed for 358 yards and scored four touchdowns while making his mark as a kick returner. Wilson led the NFL with 1,533 kickoff return yards, a team record.
Pinkston waived:
The Cleveland Browns reached an injury settlement and waived former Pitt offensive lineman Jason Pinkston, whose career may be over because of blood clots in his lungs. Pinkston, who played at Pitt, made 24 starts over the past three years. He was hospitalized with blood clots in 2012 and missed most of last season with an ankle injury.
Hardy’s jury trial set:
Carolina Panthers franchise player Greg Hardy entered a not guilty plea at an arraignment hearing and his jury trial has been set for Nov. 17, according to his attorney Chris Fialko.
The Pro Bowl defensive end is appealing a July 15 conviction on misdemeanor charges of assaulting a female and communicating threats.
The trial date is scheduled during Carolina’s bye week. Carolina hosts Atlanta on Nov. 16.
However, Fialko issued a statement Monday saying he believes the trial will be pushed back.