Friday’s roundup: Long, Ravens parting ways
Offensive tackle Jake Long won’t be joining the Ravens after all.
The Ravens have been unable to find compromise with Long after the player’s physical turned up some concerns about his twice surgically repaired right knee. Long, a former Michigan star, tore his ACL in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
The two sides agreed to terms on a one-year contract earlier this week. However, the deal was contingent on the 31-year-old passing a physical. The Ravens were concerned about the condition of Long’s knee and asked him to get a second opinion from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. The team didn’t want to be liable if Long reinjured his knee.
Long, who played in seven games for the Falcons last season, has been reluctant to sign an injury waiver as part of the contract with the Ravens. He told ESPN that he was “enthused” by the results of his examination with Andrews and he remains focused on playing this season. Long remains a free agent.
The Ravens, meanwhile, remain in the market for a veteran offensive tackle. Their top reserves behind projected starters Ronnie Stanley and Rick Wagner are James Hurst, De’Ondre Wesley and rookie fourth-round pick Alex Lewis.
In failing to get a deal done with Long, the Ravens have a vacancy on their 90-man roster. They can use it to sign a veteran tackle or to add another running back with Kenneth Dixon (knee), Trent Richardson (knee) and Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) all sidelined.
Personnel dept.
Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan’s suspension ended just as training camp began.
Jordan was reinstated by the NFL on a conditional basis after sitting out last season for his latest violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Jordan on Friday, when the Dolphins held their first practice.
Following the Dolphins’ first practice, coach Adam Gase declined to say much about plans for Jordan.
“We’re still at the beginning stages of this,” Gase said. “I know that’s the boring answer, but that’s what it is right now.”
... The Titans agreed to terms with seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson.
... Wide receiver Sammy Watkins and starting defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus won’t be ready for the Bills at the start of training camp.
Watkins is coming off foot surgery in April and will open camp on the team’s active/non-football injury list.
... Four-time Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster has been played on the active-physically unable to perform list by the Dolphins.
Foster is coming back from Achilles tendon surgery.
... Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert, who had ankle surgery two months ago to repair a partial ligament tear, was in a cast for six weeks and has to wear a protective boot for at least another week.
... Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee was held out of practice Friday with a left hamstring injury. Running back T.J. Yeldon (right ankle) also was held out.
Former Giant sentenced
Former Giants tackle Luke Petitgout has been sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to simple assault against his estranged wife in a New Jersey court.