NFL notes

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws during a training camp session Friday in Foxborough, Mass. Brady, who is appealing a four-game suspension for his role in the team’s use of deflated footballs last season, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might be appearing in federal court later this month.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws during a training camp session Friday in Foxborough, Mass. Brady, who is appealing a four-game suspension for his role in the team’s use of deflated footballs last season, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might be appearing in federal court later this month.

NFL

Court dates set

photo

AP

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady heads to the practice field during an NFL football training camp in Foxborough, Mass., Friday, July 31, 2015.

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AP file photo

National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell is shown in this file photo.

NEW YORK -- The federal judge handling Tom Brady's attempt to overturn his four-game suspension strongly suggested the New England quarterback and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appear in court Aug. 12 and 19.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman told the sides Friday he had scheduled conferences on both days "with your principles (including, without limitation, Mr. Goodell and Mr. Brady)." He also requested the parties "engage in comprehensive, good-faith settlement discussions prior to the conference on August 12."

Earlier in the day, the NFL and the players' union said they wanted Berman to resolve their dispute over Brady's suspension by Sept. 4 -- six days before the Patriots' opener.

Brady was suspended for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game in January. Goodell upheld the suspension Tuesday after Brady appealed.

COWBOYS

LB Smith returns

OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys have brought back linebacker Keith Smith and moved center Shane McDermott off the non-football injury list.

Smith was released by Dallas in May after playing 10 games as an undrafted rookie free agent last season. He re-signed Friday, a day after Keith Rivers retired instead of reporting for training camp and Rolando McClain was placed on the physically unable to perform list.

Smith bounced from the active roster to the practice squad last season while the Cowboys were battling injuries to McClain and other linebackers.

McDermott, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Miami, missed the first day of workouts Thursday with an eye infection.

CHIEFS

Johnson, DeVito report

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive tackle Mike DeVito, both coming back from season-ending injuries, were among the veterans reporting to training camp Friday.

This is generally a loathsome period for veterans, with insufferable practices in heat often topping triple digits. But Johnson and DeVito wore broad grins as they ambled up the pathway to Scanlon Hall at Missouri Western State University.

Johnson's season ended before halftime of last season's opener when he ruptured his Achilles tendon with nobody near him. He remains 15 tackles away from breaking the franchise record.

Eight plays later, DeVito went down with the same injury at nearly the same spot on the field. And without him on the line, the Chiefs struggled all season to defend the run.

REDSKINS

Galette gets contract

RICHMOND, Va. -- Pass rusher Junior Galette's agent said the outside linebacker has agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins for the league minimum.

Agent Alvin Keels said Friday on Twitter that Galette "is grateful for the second chance he is being afforded."

The agreement comes less than a week after Galette was released by the Saints because of off-field problems.

Galette was arrested in January after an alleged domestic dispute. Charges were dropped, but the episode remains under review by the NFL. The league also is reviewing a video which shows a man resembling Galette in a fight on a beach.

A Redskins spokesman said he could not confirm an agreement with Galette.

As a player entering his sixth NFL season, Galette is due a $745,000 salary on a league-minimum deal.

CB Breeland suspended

Second-year cornerback Bashaud Breeland was suspended without pay for one game by the NFL on Friday, nearly a full year after he was cited for marijuana possession.

Breeland will miss the Redskins' first regular-season game, at home against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.

"It's a big loss for us, because not only can he play inside at nickel, he can play outside. And he's a key member of our special teams," Washington Coach Jay Gruden said. "We'll have to get somebody else ready."

The league said Breeland was suspended for violating the substance abuse policy. He can participate in preseason practices and exhibition games.

Breeland was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana the night before the Redskins broke training camp in August 2014. The fourth-round draft pick was cited on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, about a dozen blocks from the Redskins' training camp facility.

Asked why the punishment comes so much later, Gruden replied: "I have no idea."

PACKERS

Abbrederis has concussion

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Receiver Jared Abbrederis was held out of Green Bay Packers training camp Friday with a concussion.

The second-year wideout was hurt on the opening day of practice Thursday after falling hard to the ground during an interception. Coach Mike McCarthy said Abbrederis was going through the concussion protocol.

The Wisconsin native and fifth-round draft pick last year played his college ball in-state with the Badgers. He could be a contributor this season on offense and special teams.

But Abbrederis so far has been maligned by injuries. A knee injury last year during training camp knocked him out for the 2014 season.

Linebacker Mike Neal and rookie cornerback Quinten Rollins remain out for Green Bay. Tight end Andrew Quarless is still out to deal with a family situation.

Sports on 08/01/2015

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