With the twenty-sixth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Calvin Ridley. Four years later, in the middle of the 2022 season, he’s traded to Jacksonville. Now, after being reinstated back into the NFL, he’s looking to make the Jaguars a serious playoff contender.

Ridley, who is currently 28 years old, has been battling adversity all his life.

Kicking off his football career with 64 receptions for 821 yards and ten touchdowns in his rookie season, many Falcons fans grew excited that their team had selected a potential star with the twenty-sixth pick of that year’s NFL draft. He followed up his stellar rookie season with 63 catches for 866 yards and seven touchdowns, having played three fewer games in 2019. Then, during his breakout season in 2020, a season in which he played 15 games, Ridley finally registered his first 1,000-yard season in the league, accumulating 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns, while gaining worldwide recognition as one of the top wide receivers in the league.

The following season, after having played only five games in 2021, the Falcons announced that Ridley would be out the following week due to “personal reasons,” and then continued to rule him out week by week for the remainder of the season. It was later revealed that Ridley left the team in order to go and focus on his “mental well-being.”

At the time, no one knew exactly what Ridley had been dealing with, but respected the fact that he was trying to set his mind right and focus on getting himself better.

In early March 2022, before the NFL season began, it was announced that Ridley had been suspended indefinitely as a result of him violating the NFL’s gambling policy and would remain out of the league for at least the 2022 NFL season.

Fans were devastated when the news broke. After sending former teammate Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans, Ridley was viewed as the clear alpha dog receiver in Atlanta. Everyone knew from his mighty 2020 breakout season the elite potential that resided in Ridley. Following that tremendous fifteen-game stretch of his career, many argued that Ridley was the number one route runner in the entire NFL. Period. That year, he was so dominant, in fact, that in early November 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars were willing to pull the trigger and make a trade to acquire Ridley before the NFL trade deadline passed, even though they weren’t fully certain when Ridley may have been allowed to play another game in the NFL.

In February 2023, Ridley applied for reinstatement. On March 6, the NFL officially announced his reinstatement back into the league. However, many Jacksonville fans are still concerned that after sitting out from the game for over a full season and a half, Ridley may not come back the same player he was.

In an attempt to assuage these worries and shed some light on all that’s happened with Ridley since deciding to leave his team after week five of the 2021 NFL season, Ridley wrote an article in the Player’s Tribune, detailing the immense challenges he’s faced over the past few years and his great regret for what he described as “the worst mistake of my life.”

The very first thing Ridley wrote about in his letter is an admission of guilt. He knows that he “f—ed up.”

“This is hard for a dude like me to talk about,” Ridley expressed in the beginning of his article. “But I want to be real with everybody. Back then, I was depressed. I was battling anxiety. I didn’t even want to leave my house. Football was the only thing that ever gave my life meaning, and I couldn’t even find any joy in that at the time. Honestly, I couldn’t even get up off the chair in my living room. Everything was just … dark.”

In discussing the beginning of his battle with depression, Ridley proclaimed that it started back in 2020, the year he firmly established himself as one of the league’s premier receivers.

During his first two seasons in the NFL, Ridley wrote how he played through bone spurs and got himself through it with painkillers. In the middle of year three, however, during week eight, Ridley recalled looking at his former teammate Julio Jones and recognizing that something was seriously off. When he received his MRI though, his trainer had informed him that it was only a bone bruise. Ridley continued to play for the remainder of the season, taking Toradol shots every Sunday before game time. He was determined to not miss games just because of a bruise.

It wasn’t until after the season when the entire staff got fired and a new trainer came in, that Ridley got sent to a specialist in Green Bay, who informed him that his foot was indeed broken, which meant that Ridley had been playing with a broken foot for the majority of the 2020 season.

When Ridley discovered the news, he was distraught. Ridley recalled how it was only a couple of months before the beginning of the 2021 season. He acknowledged that he was the number one weapon on his team now with Julio traded to Tennessee, and recalled that he felt he was under a mountain of pressure. He got the recommended surgery and came back to play as soon as he was cleared, but showed up to training camp “mentally drained.” He even recalled struggling to plant his foot into the ground at camp, constantly reminding himself that if he took a pill, he could run at his normal speed.

When he’d arrive home after the games, Ridley’s two-year-old daughter would come charging up to him with an abundance of energy and excitement. However, Ridley was coming home feeling shattered and broken. He remembered not even being able to do anything other than lie down in a dark room by himself.

That’s the first time Ridley knew something was clearly wrong. He felt the anxiety settling in hard and fast, but decided to shake it off and play through the season with more shots and pills. As a leader of his team, Ridley felt determined to do his job and “grit it out.” However, suiting up for week one of the 2021 season, Ridley stated how he felt like “a shell of myself, but I played.”

Following the game, Ridley arrived back home with his wife and daughter, only to notice a large group of people piled up outside his home. His front door had been kicked into and police cars were all over the street.

Ridley and his family quickly discovered that their house had been robbed. Ridley recalled him and his wife being relatively calm at first, recognizing everything stolen were items that could be replaced. However, when they took a good look at the security footage and noticed a group of men entering their home armed with guns, Ridley recalled being shaken up. His wife was traumatized and couldn’t sleep at night for some time following the incident. She couldn’t stand it when her husband had left home.

That’s when Ridley began to feel the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Following the incident, Ridley went back to focusing on football. However, when he entered into the team facility and was reminded that everyone was getting prepared to go and play in London, he realized he didn’t want to leave his family behind. That’s when he finally broke down and informed the team that he needed to spend some time away from the game.

Ridley began speaking to a therapist almost immediately after, diving in deep to all that’d been swimming rapidly upon his mind. They spoke about certain things Ridley claimed he wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about to his own family.

Since the age of eight years old, when he and his three younger brothers were dropped off at a foster home, Ridley has led a challenging life. When he and his siblings would ask what’d been going on, all they were told was ‘Your mom and dad went away for a while. You need to stay here.” That’s when Ridley first developed his true passion for the physical sport, claiming “that’s when football really saved my life.”

Making it into the NFL was “life-changing” for Ridley. In his article apologizing for tarnishing the game, Ridley stated that he “f—-ed up. Period. It was in a dark moment. I wasn’t trying to cheat the game.”

Anytime he would get asked what was he thinking when deciding to violate the NFL’s gambling policy and placing bets on his own team, the only answer he’d give is “I wasn’t.”

“When you’re depressed, you’re not thinking about anything in the future,” Ridley proclaimed. “You’re just trying to get through the day.”

Reflecting over the time when the NFL investigators had brought him in, Ridley recalled that it “was probably the worst day of my life. Seeing my mom googling my name … and everything people were saying about her son…. That broke me down, man. But honestly, maybe I had to go through all of it. Maybe I had to hit rock bottom so I could get healthy. Thank God, with the help of my therapist, I was able to understand what was happening to me. I learned the names for the things that I was feeling — stress, depression, anxiety — and how to cope with those emotions.”

Now, Ridley claims he’s stronger than he’s ever felt before, both mentally and physically. Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ridley is happy to be back home where his dream of making it to the NFL first started, and with a clean slate. He’s happy to go back to playing the sport he loves.

“Football saved my life. It’s still my purpose. I still love it, maybe now more than ever.”

Ridley went on to claim that if healthy, he’ll deliver 1,400 yards a season for Jacksonville fans. “Period.”

Although accumulating that many yards after sitting out of football for over a year and half, all while having to learn a brand new playbook in an entirely new offensive scheme would be a mighty tall task, Ridley recognized that he has “a debt to pay back to the game.”

When people talk about the name Calvin Ridley in a decade or two from now, Ridley is determined to do everything he can to ensure that “it rings out for the right reasons.”

Charles Rogers, a former wide receiver for both the Michigan State Spartans and the Detroit Lions, has died at the age of 38.

The native of Saginaw, Michigan was a five-star recruit coming out of high school before joining a Michigan State team coached by Bobby Williams. In just two seasons for the Spartans, Rogers finished with 135 catches for 2,821 yards and 27 touchdowns; he was also named an All-American.

Rogers’ former coach at Saginaw High, Don Durrett, spoke of his memories of Rogers as a high school phenom and how he has already heard from a number of former players.

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“I’ll tell you, he was – and I’m including Flint, too, since I coached at Flint Northern all those years – he’s the best athlete I ever seen. I mean, honestly,” Durrett told the Free Press. “We’re talking about basketball, football and track together. He could have had a scholarship in all three sports. That’s how good.… I haven’t seen nobody that fast that could do it all. He was just a blessed athlete that could do it all.”

After a successful high school and college career, Rogers was selected as the number two overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. His professional career, however, was relatively short-lived due to admitted struggles with drugs. Rogers played in 15 games in his NFL career, catching 36 passes for 440 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Former Michigan State and NFL tight end Chris Baker took to Twitter to express his condolences:

“Devastated to learn of the passing of my spartan brother Charles (Rogers),” Baker tweeted. “Spoke with his mom this morning. Please pray for her and his children. Please also be respectful of their privacy at this difficult time. Rip Chuck”

Rogers certainly made an impact on many different communities throughout his lifetime and his legacy will undoubtedly live on.

New England Patriots wide receiver Eric Decker announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons on Sunday afternoon, less than one month after signing with the team.

Patriots WR Eric Decker Announces Retirement

Decker, 31, agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots on Aug. 3. He shared the following message on his Instagram account:

“It has been my childhood dream and my passion to play the game of football,” the veteran wideout wrote. “I was very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to have those dreams fulfilled and to have played with such extremely talented and hard-working teammates, coaches and staff.”

Decker sat out the first half of New England’s preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers on Friday.

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Now that he is leaving, the Patriots are in desperate need of more receivers. Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four weeks of this season due to performance-enhancing drug use, which means Phillip Dorsett, Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson will likely be used in the team’s regular season opener. Riley McCarron, Devin Lucien, Braxton Berrios, Matthew Slater and Paul Turner are the other wideouts New England could give playing time to this year.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said over the weekend he believes Decker has learned everything he needs to know thanks to his previous experience working with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels back when the wideout played with the Denver Broncos. Belichick added that Decker had practiced playing several different offensive positions during his brief time with New England.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Decker’s retirement during the preseason follows that of another veteran receiver, former New York Giants star Victor Cruz, who has since joined ESPN as an analyst.

Decker also previously played with the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets, and caught 439 passes for 5,816 yards and 53 touchdowns.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has announced that he will not be attending the team’s training camp in order to abide by a “health and treatment plan” as he returns for what he hopes will be his first full season since 2013 following several substance-abuse violations. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Gordon is seeking counseling in order to fully treat the mental health issues with which he has been dealing over the past few years. The receiver indicated that he used marijuana and alcohol in order to self-medicate and treat his anxiety.

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Gordon made the announcement himself via Twitter.

https://twitter.com/JOSH_GORDONXII/status/1021398682619572225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1021398682619572225&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2F

The Browns have responded with nothing but support for Gordon, as they indicated that they will welcome him back to the team whenever he feels ready to return. Via a statement, Browns general manager John Dorsey said, “We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress. We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team.”

Prior to his series of substance-abuse suspensions, Gordon had a monumentally dominant season in 2013, in which recorded 1,646 receiving yards (best in the NFL) and 9 touchdowns on 87 receptions. What makes this even more impressive is that he was thrown to by the likes of Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden, and Brian Hoyer.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Gordon clearly has a ton of talent, and is primed to be one of the NFL’s best receivers should he stay on the field. The Browns are looking to make quite the splash in the AFC this year, acquiring a pair of Pro-Bowlers in quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Jarvis Landry from the Miami Dolphins. Perhaps even more important, though, is the development of the 2018 first overall pick, quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Browns clearly view Mayfield as the future of their franchise, and the presence of a dominant wide receiver will be seriously beneficial to his progression into stardom.

After missing all 19 of his team’s games during the 2017-18 season and postseason, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman could end up adding more to that number, as he is currently facing a 4-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policies surrounding performance-enhancing substances.

Edelman’s trainer, Alex Guerrero, issued a formal statement in which he said, “I’ve known Julian since his rookie year and he is a phenomenal athlete who takes his training seriously-it’s disappointing to hear today’s news. Elite athletes sometimes work with multiple coaches and health professionals as part of their training. Here at our facility, we take a natural, holistic, appropriate and, above all, legal approach to training and recovery for all of our clients. And anyone who would suggest otherwise is irresponsible, and just plain wrong.”

Edelman missed all of last season after tearing his ACL on a non-contact play during last year’s preseason. If this suspension were to hold up, he would miss the Patriots’ opening 4 games against the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins.

This could prove to be a pretty big blow for the Patriots, who lost wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola in the offseason. Edelman has proven himself to be one of quarterback Tom Brady‘s favorite targets along with tight end Rob Gronkowski, recording 1,106 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 98 receptions over the 2016-17 season. Up until this point in time, the Patriots have made it seem as though they still find success even when a player who doesn’t where the number 12 on his jersey, so they should still be successful. However, Edelman is the most seasoned of New England’s wide receivers, especially given the fact that their receiving core is almost completely brand new. This could prove to be troublesome in their Week 2 matchup against Jacksonville, who possess what is arguably the most dominant defense in the NFL. Nonetheless, the Patriots will more likely than not be perfectly fine without Edelman on the field.

If his suspension does hold up, Edelman will be first eligible to take the field against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.

Dwight Clark, the legendary San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, died Monday at age 61, approximately 15 months after he announced he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

49ers Legend Dwight Clark Dead at 61

Clark’s wife Kelly posted a brief statement about his death on his Twitter page.

According to a Huffington Post report, Clark had believed that his ALS — which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — was partly because by his football career. However, many medical experts have said they have found no evidence to assert the neurodegenerative disease and football are related.

Clark played for the Niners from 1979 to 1987 after being selected as a 10th-round draft pick out of Clemson. He helped lead the franchise to five Super Bowl victories, two of them as a player and the other three as a team executive. Clark was also named to two Pro Bowls.

The receiver is perhaps most famous for making a legendary play simply known as “The Catch.” Late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game between the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys after the 1981 season, San Francisco was losing. Then-49ers quarterback Joe Montana was being pressured by Dallas’s defense but managed to throw a desperate, deep pass to Clark, who jumped up to catch the ball in the back of the end zone to seal the victory.

San Francisco won its first national title that year, the first of five.

Here are some of the people from around the NFL who paid tribute to Clark on social media:

Veteran wide receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris signed with the Oakland Raiders in free agency on Monday.

Raiders Sign Dwayne Harris News

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Details of the deal were not immediately announced. Harris, 30, spent the past three seasons with the New York Giants after playing four years with the Dallas Cowboys.

The one-time Pro Bowler (2016) has averaged 26.1 yards per kickoff return in his career and 9.7 yards per punt return. He scored four total touchdowns on special teams.

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The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Harris was limited to five games last season before being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. The Giants — who finished the 2017 season a dreadful 3-13 — also lost many other offensive players to injuries, including Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall the same day Harris sustained his injury.

Harris will added much-needed depth to the Raiders receiving corps, as the team traded Cordarrelle Patterson — one of its top wideouts — to the New England Patriots in March. The Raiders — who are set to move to Las Vegas in 2020 — have also added receiver Jordy Nelson this offseason.

Harris was originally drafted in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Cowboys out of East Carolina.

With the Cowboys in 2013, Harris finished second in the NFL with a 30.6 kickoff return average after recording 28 returns for 857 total yards.

The Miami Dolphins have used their non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Jarvis Landry. 

Jarvis Landry franchise tag news

The 25-year-old star would thus receive around $16 million next season if both sides don’t agree on a long-term contract. He made less than $1 million last season, so this would be a huge boost for Landry pay-wise.

Should Miami opt not to match an offer sheet for Landry, they would be due two first-round draft picks from the wideout’s new team.

Landry led the NFL with 112 receptions last season. He also had 987 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons.

Landry was ejected in the Dolphins’ season finale against the Buffalo Bills after he started a fourth-quarter brawl. Coach Adam Gase called the incident “embarrassing.”

The youngster finished both the 2015 and 2016 seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards: he recorded 1,157 yards and 1,136 yards, respectively.

Only Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown (471) and Atlanta’s Julio Jones (411) have more receptions than Landry’s 400 since he debuted in the NFL in 2014. Those 400 catches are also the most for any player through his first four seasons in the league.

The Dolphins offered Landry a new contract in early December, and Landry’s agent made a counter-offer in mid-December.

Landry told the Miami Herald in December that he would be fine with either a long-term contract or the franchise tag.

“I displayed I was a team guy,” Landry said in January about negotiations. “I understand not going to OTAs and training camp would raise eyebrows. My agent and I talked about being a leader and setting a good example, so I silenced all those things by going to OTAs and training camp, by putting the team first and being a team guy. I feel like in the NFL, they preach loyalty and family and they have none for you. As a player, you see it’s not a family during negotiations, how it becomes them versus me or me versus them. That’s part of the NFL I believe the fans don’t see.”

Nevertheless, a source said remaining with the Dolphins is appealing to Landry.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 17: Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown against the New York Jets during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on December 17, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots are close to agreeing to a two-year contract with troubled free-agent wide receiver Kenny Britt, according to several reports.

Kenny Britt patriots contract news

Britt, 29, was waived by the Cleveland Browns on Friday and visited New England on Tuesday.

The youngster — who played at Rutgers under Greg Schiano, a close friend of Bill Belichick — had 18 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns in nine games for Cleveland this year.

Britt also recorded a career-high 68 receptions for 1,002 yards with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016. He had played his first five NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans, who had selected him as a first-round draft pick (30th overall) in 2009.

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound wideout will join a Patriots receiving corps that includes Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks.

By 2012, when played for the Titans, Britt had eight run-ins with police. Most of his off-the-field incidents were driving/traffic violations. They included:

• A 2012 arrest on charges of driving under the influence. He was found not guilty but was suspended one game by the NFL.
• Four 2011 incidents that included warrants in Tennessee for inaccurate information on his driver’s license application; an arrest at a Hoboken, New Jersey, car wash that involved suspicion of possession of marijuana; an arrest in Bayonne, New Jersey on charges of eluding police; and a criminal complaint filed for theft by deception for failing to pay bail promised for a friend.
• Three 2010 incidents, one a citation in Tennessee for driving with a revoked license, one an arrest in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, for outstanding traffic warrants, and one involving a bar fight in which no charges were filed but he was later sued.

Britt signed a four-year, $32.5 million deal last offseason that included $17 million guaranteed to join the Browns.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 24: Kenny Britt #18 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Allen County (Indiana) Coroner’s Office has determined that former Buffalo Bills wide receiver James Hardy’s death was a suicide.

Ex-Bills WR James Hardy Suicide

Chief investigator Michael Burris specified in a statement on Wednesday that the cause of Hardy’s death was asphyxia due to drowning, according to ESPN.

Burris added that the determination of Hardy’s suicide was made based on his medical and psychiatric records, his interactions with law enforcement and other evidence, including some found on his corpse.

Hardy’s body was discovered lodge in a dam in the Maumee River in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 7, weeks after he was reported missing. He was 31.

The former wideout played two seasons with the Bills, from 2008 to 2010.

The Bills and the University of Indiana’s football program — for whom Hardy played before Buffalo drafted him as a second-round pick — both released statements on the former wideout’s death on Twitter in which they offered their condolences to the former player’s friends and family.

During his time with the Hoosiers, Hardy amassed 191 receptions for 2,740 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Hardy also compiled ten passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games (three of which he started) during his two-year NFL career.

The former receiver — who also briefly played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 before injuries forced him to retire early — was detained in Los Angeles for resisting arrest in a confrontation with police in 2014. However, a judge later ruled him mentally incompetent to stand trial and he was admitted into a mental institution, per TMZ.

According to Indiana channel WANE, Hardy’s mother Jeanie Summerville reported him missing form Fort Wayne on May 30, five days after she last saw him alive. She revealed what her son’s last words to her were.

“He says, ‘Mom I’ve got to leave, I’ve got to get out of town,’” said Summerville. “I said ‘Why, where are you going?’ And he says, ‘I’ve got to go. If I don’t go, I’m going to die tonight.’ Those were his words.”

In other NFL news, Dallas police have suspended their investigation into Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s involvement in an alleged assault at a bar on Sunday night in the Texas city, citing lack of sufficient evidence and an inability to contact the victim as their reasons.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 14: Wide receiver James Hardy #81 of the Buffalo Bills comes down with a touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter over Rashean Mathis #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 14, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 20-16. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Michael Floyd, a former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Ex-Cardinals WR Michael Floyd Signs with Vikings

The 27-year-old wideout was last claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots on Dec. 15. Before that, Floyd played four years for the Cardinals, who released him on Dec. 14, two days after he was arrested for drunk driving in Scottsdale, Arizona.

A police report obtained by NFL.com stated the receiver was found “unconscious behind the wheel of his running vehicle.”

Floyd, a 2012 first-round pick (No. 13) out of Notre Dame, became a free agent last offseason. According to Rapoport, his new deal with the Vikings is worth $1.5 million for one year, but could be worth as much as $6 million.

The wideout caught 33 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns over his last 13 games with Arizona. He also recorded four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown with the Patriots.

Floyd is sure to provide a big offensive boost for Minnesota, which mainly relied on Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph and Adam Thielen during Sam Bradford’s first year as quarterback. However, none of these receivers delivered a 1,000-yard (or more) season. Laquon Treadwell, the team’s first-round pick in 2016, appeared in just nine games, catching one pass for 15 yards.

In addition, the 6’2, 220-pound Floyd — a native of St. Paul, Minnesota — is a fast player whose intimidating physique will surely benefit the Vikings. The wideout also proved during his brief time with the Patriots last season that he can block aggressively downfield, which will surely delight Minnesota’s new running-back duo of Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook. 

GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 11: Wide receiver Michael Floyd #15 of the Arizona Cardinals is unabe to catch a pass during the NFL game against the New England Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Andre Johnson is officially retiring as a Houston Texan after signing a one-day contract with the team, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reported Monday:

NFL News: Andre Johnson to Retire as Texan

The 35-year-old wide receiver spent his first 12 years with the Texans before playing with the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans over the past two years.

Johnson announced his retirement in October after playing eight seasons in Houston and recording just nine catches for 85 yards.

In November, Johnson said “it would mean a lot” for him to retire as a Texan, according to Reid Laymance of the Chronicle.

In his career, the wideout totaled 1,062 catches, good for 11th in NFL history, plus 14,185 receiving yards and 70 touchdowns.

The third overall pick in 2003 out of the University of Miami also played in seven Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice.

Johnson played and started 169 games for the Texans from 2003-14 and led the team in receptions and receiving yards in 10 of those seasons.

Veteran Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch also announced his retirement on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old played 11 seasons with the Lions, Titans and Philadelphia Eagles, per the Lions’ official website.

The durable Tulloch didn’t miss a start over his first eight NFL seasons. The 5-foot-11, 245-pounder, who was drafted as a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina State in 2006, was well-liked by teammates, and served as captain for both Tennessee and Detroit.

Tulloch led his team in tackles in six separate seasons, and helped both the Titans and Lions reach the playoffs.

It was also announced Tuesday that the 2017 NFL regular-season schedule will be unveiled exclusively on Thursday at 8 pm EST on NFL Network as part of a two-hour long 2017 NFL Schedule Release special.

The 2017 preseason schedule was released last week.

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 28: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans catches a touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter in a NFL game on December 28, 2014 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears will reportedly not place a franchise tag on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery for 2017, meaning that barring a surprise long-term deal from the team, he will likely soon become a free agent.

Bears WR Alshon Jeffery Likely To Become Free Agent

It’s not much of a surprise that the Bears will be severing ties with 27-year-old Jeffery, a 6-foot-4, 230 pound former second-round pick in 2012. The team franchised him last year at a price of $14.599 million, and under the rules of the tag, tagging him for a second consecutive year would mean paying 120 percent of that 2016 amount, or $17.519 million.

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Jeffery’s entry into the free agent market could draw interest from the Indianapolis Colts:

The wideout was suspended for four games last season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancers, and he missed the final seven games of 2015 after being placed on injured reserve for a hamstring injury and other ailments.

In 12 games last year, Jeffery had 52 receptions (94 targets) for 821 yards and two touchdowns.

After playing 63 games in his five seasons, the receiver ranks third in Bears history in receiving yards with 4,549.

The contract website Spotrac places Jeffery’s market value at $12.2 million per year, using fellow wideouts A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, T.Y. Hilton and Demaryius Thomas as comparisons.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is also expected to be traded or released.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 13: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Chicago Bears carries the football in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 13, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Alshon Jeffery will be sitting out the next four NFL games.

Bears WR Alshon Jeffery Suspended 4 Games By NFL For Violating Policy On PEDs

The Chicago Bears announced on Monday that the wide receiver has been suspended without pay for the next four weeks for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing drugs.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Jeffery– a fifth-year veteran– blamed his PED violation on taking a supplement that contained an ingredient banned by the NFL’s substance policy.

“As a professional athlete, I have been careful about what I put in my body,” he said. “I took a recommended supplement to combat inflammation. Unfortunately this supplement contained an ingredient that was on the NFL’s banned substance list. I take full responsibility and I’m deeply upset with myself for not doing the proper research on this supplement. I want to apologize to my family, the Bears organization, my teammates, and Bears fans. I will work hard to earn back the respect and trust of the Bears nation and look forward to being back on the field.”

The wideout is playing on a $14.6 million franchise tag this season after sides couldn’t reach a long-term agreement this summer. Jeffery wanted to get paid like a top-tier receiver, while the Bears hoped to sign him to a deal worth around $11 million per season.

“We’re very disappointed,” Bears coach John Fox said. “He’s fairly embarrassed about it. We’ll support him and welcome him back after serving his suspension.”

Although he’s  Chicago’s top offensive player, Jeffery, 26, has not fared well this season, compiling more than 80 yards in just three games. He has only one touchdown this season.

The suspension could potentially cost Jeffery money on the open market this offseason, as he could face a longer ban should he fail another test in the future.

Jeffery will be eligible to return to the Bears’ active roster on Dec. 12 after the team’s Week 14 game against the Detroit Lions.

The final three games of the 2016 season could be the last for Jeffery in Chicago.

The Bears (2-7) will next visit the New York Giants on Sunday, after coming off a brutal 36-10 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 13: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Chicago Bears carries the football in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 13, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Percy Harvin has returned to the NFL.

Percy Harvin Exits Retirement; WR Re-Signs With Bills

The 28-year-old wide receiver is exiting retirement to rejoin the Buffalo Bills, Harvin’s agent confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bills will pay the wideout a whopping $1 million, including incentives, over the final eight games of the season. The one-year deal reunites Harvin and Buffalo less than seven months after he told the team he planned to retire.

Harvin, plagued by a hip injury, played five games with the Bills last season before he was placed on injured reserve in November.

“Percy is a guy that worked so hard,” said head coach Rex Ryan, via the team site. “It’s either full speed (or nothing), and sometimes you try to back him down a little bit, but that’s why last year he was so frustrated that he wasn’t able to contribute more to our team. He just needed some time away from the game to get healed up. So hopefully we catch lightning in a bottle so to speak and Percy is back to himself.”

Healthy again, Harvin now rejoins a Buffalo team in need of receiving help with Sammy Watkins (foot) out until at least Week 12, Greg Salas (groin) on injured reserve and Marquise Goodwin coming off a concussion.

Harvin was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as a first-round pick (22nd overall) in 2009 out of Florida, and spent three seasons there before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks, with whom he spent one year. The Bills (4-4) will visit the Seahawks on Monday. Buffalo is coming off a 41-25 home loss to the New England Patriots.

His first year with the Vikings, Harvin made the Pro Bowl and was also named NFL Rookie of the Year. He won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks against the Denver Broncos in 2014.

With Buffalo’s bye coming up in Week 10, we will more likely see Harvin eased into action the following week against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills subsequently play the Jaguars, Raiders, Steelers and Browns.

Thus, there remain a few more games until it becomes evident whether Buffalo’s decision to re-sign the wideout will have truly paid off.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – SEPTEMBER 27: Percy Harvin #18 of the Buffalo Bills rushes during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on September 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Less than one week after Arian Foster retired from the NFL, another former Houston Texans star is saying goodbye to the game.

Titans WR Andre Johnson Retires After 14 Seasons In NFL

Wide receiver Andre Johnson told the Tennessee Titans early Monday he is retiring after 14 seasons in the NFL.

Johnson, 35, spent last season with the Colts after 12 extraordinary years with the Texans, who drafted him third overall in 2003 out of the University of Miami. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts before the 2015 season on a three-year deal. He was released after last offseason and then signed a two-year deal with the Titans in July.

The most accomplished player in Texans history, Johnson ended his career with an incredible 1,062 regular-season catches for 14,185 yards and 70 touchdowns. The seven-time Pro Bowl wideout is 10th all-time in receiving yardage.

His seven 1000-yard seasons are three more than Buffalo’s Andre Reed, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

A giant, 6-foot-3, 219-pound lead pass-catcher with more than enough speed, hand strength and physical characteristics to stop opposing cornerbacks. Johnson was a constant asset on a Houston squad that struggled to pair him with a premier quarterback.

Johnson had nine catches for 85 yards this season, including the game-winning touchdown grab in Tennesee’s 16-15 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 2.

Titans general manager Jon Robinson praised Johnson in a statement.

“Going back to his days at the University of Miami, Andre was one of the most impressive wide receivers I’ve scouted,” said Robinson. “He had a professional approach to the game both on and off the field and in my opinion is one of the best to have played the game. … We wish him nothing but the best moving forward in whatever endeavors he chooses.”

After David Carr’s run in Houston, the Texans matched Johnson with quarterbacks like Tony Banks, Dave Ragone, Sage Rosenfels, Matt Leinart, T.J. Yates and Case Keenum. His best years, however, came alongside a younger Matt Schaub, who threw during four of Johnson’s seven 1000-yard campaigns.

Former Texans GM Charles Casserly made the decision to draft Johnson in 2003 and also lauded him during a Monday morning conversation with NFL Network.

“There’s not many players, when you draft them — even when you draft them high — that you figure are going to be Pro Bowl players and dominant players … but Andre did,” Casserly said. “Andre was the biggest, fastest, most-talented wide receiver that I ever scouted. We worked him out at the University of Miami on grass. He ran 4.35. And he played fast on the tape.”

Casserly continued: “To get a guy that big, that fast, that’s a great player — now that’s a rare situation. And on top of it, his work ethic was off the charts. … He was a guy who set the example by the work ethic. How hard he practiced. He went hard every rep, he was top of the charts in the offseason.”

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 28: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans catches a touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter in a NFL game on December 28, 2014 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Josh Gordon’s comeback with the Cleveland Browns seems to be nearing its end.

Browns Planning To Release Josh Gordon After WR Enters Rehab

The team is planning to release Gordon at some point following Thursday’s announcement that the wide receiver is entering an in-patient rehabilitation facility, a source familiar with the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. 

The development comes after Browns coach Hue Jackson told reporters the team was looking ahead without Gordon.

“We wish him well,” Jackson said. “We need to close that chapter right now. We’re moving on.”

Gordon is eligible to play in the Browns’ Week 5 game against the New England Patriots as part of the terms of his NFL reinstatement for a substance abuse violation. The 25-year-old was suspended for the entire 2015 season for several violations of the league’s substance abuse policies. He was reinstated conditionally on July 25 by commissioner Roger Goodell.

“After careful thought and deep consideration I’ve decided that I need to step away from pursuing my return to the Browns and my football career to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility,” Gordon said in a statement released through the Browns on Thursday. “This is the right decision for me and one that I hope will enable me to gain full control of my life and continue on a path to reach my full potential as a person. I appreciate the support of the NFL, NFLPA, the Browns, my teammates, my agent and the community through this extremely challenging process.”

Gordon later added to his statement via Twitter:

Gordon did not specify why he’s seeking treatment. The NFL, in a statement, said its “concern is with Josh’s well-being,” and declined further comment.

Sashi Brown, the Browns’ executive vice president of football operations, wouldn’t comment on Gordon’s status with the team either.

“We support Josh in taking this step to seek additional help and treatment,” Brown wrote in a statement. “His singular focus must be on his own health. We want nothing more than for Josh to be successful personally and professionally and will not comment on his status with the organization at this time.”

As part of the terms of his reinstatement, Gordon was permitted to practice with the Browns, but was suspended from the team’s first four games.

The oft-banned receiver hasn’t played in a game since December 2014. He’s just three years removed from leading the NFL in receiving yards (1,646), despite playing just 14 games in 2013.

Earlier this month, an arrest warrant for Gordon was withdrawn after he complied with a year-old court order to take a DNA test in a paternity suit.

An attorney who represents the woman told Cleveland.com that the DNA test came back Thursday and showed that Gordon is the father with 99.9 percent certainty. Another court hearing has been set for Nov. 8.

Before Gordon’s reinstatement, the Browns contacted teams regarding a potential trade involving the former All-Pro selection, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garofalo. Cleveland was seeking a “second-round pick and then some,” Garofalo added. The news quickly led Gordon to reaffirm his commitment to the team.

“Cleveland is my team. That’s where I want to be,” Gordon said. “I’m happy to be with Cleveland.”

The Browns are 0-3 to start the season, and rookie wideout Corey Coleman will be sidelined the next three to five weeks due to a broken hand. It seems the Browns will need to wait a little longer before adding some much-needed veteran help to their young receiving corps.

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 23:  Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns stands on the sideliens in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green followed a disappointing game with a strong one — finishing with 173 yards and a touchdown —to lead his team to a 22-7 home victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.

A.J. Green Has Great Game As Bengals Top Dolphins 22-7

The Bengals (3-1) bounced back from a 29-17 home loss to the Broncos on Sunday with a powerful game against a worn-out team.

Green led the offense, beating the Dolphins (1-3) on every type of route. During the first three quarters, he recorded 166 yards on catches while Miami had 152 total yards. Cincinnati’s season-long issue of stalling out near the goal line forced the team to settle for Mike Nugent’s season-high five field goals. Green even made an incredible 51-yard catch along the sidelines in the first quarter–after quarterback Andy Dalton found himself scrambling– following the game’s first few stalled offensive possessions. The wideout capped off the drive with a TD reception to put the Bengals up 10-7 early on.

Green also had a 43-yard catch that set up another field goal in the third quarter for a 19-7 lead. He finished with 10 catches.

The Dolphins were missing four starting offensive linemen, two linebackers, running back Arian Foster and tight end Jordan Cameron. Miami had one major play– quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Stills– but couldn’t manage much else offensively.

Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict marked his return with a strong game, leading the Cincinnati defense. The volatile player was suspended by the NFL for the season’s first three games due to his illegal hits. Burfict received a loud ovation from the crowd when he ran onto the field during introductions wearing a baseball cap. He knocked down a pass and recorded three tackles.

The Bengals will next visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 9, while the Dolphins will host the Tennessee Titans that same day.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 29: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium on September 29, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Josh Gordon appeared at a hearing on Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest for the Cleveland Browns wide receiver failing to submit to a paternity test.

Warrant Issued For Browns WR Josh Gordon’s Arrest, But NFL Says Playing Status Is Unaffected

“We are aware of the situation,” the Browns organization said in a statement. “Josh and his attorney are working with the Cuyahoga County Courts to resolve this matter. We have no further comment at this time”

Attorneys for the 25-year-old former Pro Bowler — who is serving a four-game suspension to start this season due to violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy — issued a statement saying Gordon appeared at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court in Cleveland and that “the matter was continued until November should a further hearing be needed.”

The warrant stems from a complaint filed by Christina Lockhart on July 2, 2015. Lockhart is reportedly seeking child support from Gordon, who she claims is the father of her 1-year-old daughter.

The Browns wideout allegedly failed to respond to subpoenas sent to two separate addresses in Los Angeles and Cleveland. Gordon was also asked to submit samples for genetic testing on Sept. 23, 2015, but he failed to comply.

On Aug. 31, the court’s judge, Judge Alison Floyd, approved a warrant to arrest Gordon after he failed to attend a hearing.

Nevertheless, his playing status will remain unaffected, the NFL said. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said Gordon remains eligible to play again in the Browns’ game on Oct. 9 against the New England Patriots. He can resume practicing on Oct. 3.

Gordon is permitted to attend meetings, although he must remain in the facility when the team practices. He is, however, forbidden from speaking to the media during his suspension, the Browns said.

Gordon, who led the NFL in 2013 with 1,646 yards receiving, has been suspended for 29 of Cleveland’s past 34 games.

Coach Hue Jackson lauded Gordon despite the warrant, which comes during the same week the Browns are preparing rookie quarterback Cody Kessler to play at Miami.

“He still is doing well in my opinion,” Jackson said. “I don’t know all the inner workings of that (case). I can’t tell you about everything that goes on outside this building.

“But I know in this building, in our meetings, with me, with our coaches, with the players, he has been outstanding. That’s what I have to judge on. Now we’ll find out about this other part and know a little bit more about it as we move forward, but I have nothing but great things to say about Josh.”

Besides Gordon, another Browns player who has gotten himself into trouble in the last year is former quarterback Johnny Manziel, who was released by the team and dropped by two of his agents after a series of incidents of misconduct. Manziel quickly gained a reputation as a party animal, and was also involved in a legal case surrounding his allegedly violent behavior towards his ex-girlfriend.

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 23:  Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns stands on the sideliens in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Monday that veteran wide receiver Lance Moore is retiring from the NFL after ten years, and just three days after he signed with the team.

Ten-Year Veteran WR Lance Moore Retires Three Days After Signing With Falcons

Moore, who will turn 33 on Aug. 31, had signed with the Falcons on Friday to compete for the No. 5 receiver spot. In his 10 seasons, he finished with 389 receptions for 4,816 yards and 44 touchdowns.

The receiver reflected on his career in a Facebook post, writing:

“After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have made the decision to retire from The National Football League. After 11 amazing seasons, I am beyond thankful for all of the opportunities that football has given me. I want to thank the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and last but not least the New Orleans Saints. Thank you to all of my former coaches and teammates that made going to work each and every day so enjoyable. I also want to thank all of my family, friends and fans for their amazing support. It’s because of you that I was able to play for so long, and you will all always have a special place in my heart. I’ve dedicated more than twenty years of my life to this sport and I always prided myself in playing for the right reasons and respecting the game. At this point if I were to continue to play I would no longer be doing that. The joy that I had for playing the game was shown each and every time I took the field and your reaction to my efforts allowed me to know that I was able to have an impact on and make so many people happy. I will forever be grateful to all of you. While I still love the game of football, I love the game differently now. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family as well as exploring other opportunities and moving into the next phase of my life. To my former teammates who are still lacing them up good luck and continue to pour your heart into the game. And to my now fellow former players I look forward to joining you in retirement. Few people are able to leave this game on their own terms, and I’m proud that I’ve been able to make this tough decision and move on with my life. Thank you all so much and God bless!

#16 Lance Moore”

Moore played for three different teams in his career: the New Orleans Saints (2005-2013), the Pittsburgh Steelers (2014) and the Detroit Lions (2015). During his eight seasons with New Orleans, he compiled 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns off 346 catches. His big-play chemistry with quarterback Drew Brees hit its peak during the 2012 season, when Moore tore through defenses for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns.

He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2005 after playing collegiately at Toledo. He joined the Saints in 2006. Over the past two seasons, Moore operated as a role player for the Steelers and Lions prior to signing with the Falcons last week. Projected to push Justin Hardy for snaps in the slot, Moore was a long shot to make Atlanta’s roster.

He won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints against the Colts in 2010.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him as a man,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “I thought it was real admirable, his approach. What a pro to say, ‘If my heart is not in it, I want to make sure I’m not taking the opportunity from somebody else.’ I thought, ‘Man, what a classy guy.’

“I wish him the best. A guy like that you know is going to be very successful past football.”

Moore’s career was revived in 2015 after signing a one-year deal with Detroit last offseason. He had 29 catches for 337 yards and four touchdowns as the team’s No. 3 receiver.

Sains coach Sean Payton also praised Moore.

“He’s one of the best receivers that has played here,” said Payton on Monday. “The thing that stands out, man, he was consistent, and he would come up big on third down, in the red area. Had a tremendous career.”

Moore’s best statistical seasons were 2008 and 2012. He caught 79 passes for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008, and hauled in 65 receptions for 1,041 yards and six scores in ’12.

“The game will miss a guy like him,” Payton said. “He’s outstanding.”

With the Steelers, Moore caught 14 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: Lance Moore #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on October 18, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)