OXNARD, Calif. -- The Cowboys have broken camp in California, technically a day early but in keeping with their routine for preseason games this year.
Dallas ended a 29-day run in Oxnard with a Thursday morning practice that wrapped up with rookie defensive end Randy Gregory catching a punt in a challenge from Coach Jason Garrett.
Garrett let the offensive and defensive lines nominate three players each, with the first one to catch a punt ending camp. Gregory went first, and cradled the ball as he fell to the ground.
The Cowboys were off the day before their first two preseason games in San Diego and San Francisco. They will be at team headquarters Friday, with their preseason home opener set for Saturday night against Minnesota.
TEXANS
Mallett misses practice
HOUSTON -- Houston Texans backup quarterback Ryan Mallett missed practice on Thursday for what Coach Bill O'Brien called a personal issue.
Brian Hoyer was named the team's starter on Monday after competing with Mallett for the job. On Tuesday, Mallett expressed his anger and disappointment at losing the job, but said he was going to continue to work hard.
Of the absence, O'Brien would only say: "That's between Ryan and I. It's just a personal issue for him."
When asked if it was an excused absence, O'Brien repeated almost the same phrase.
O'Brien said he thinks Mallett will be back at practice today. The Texans visit the Saints on Sunday.
SEAHAWKS
Lynch, NFL settle
It had been expected that Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch would have a hearing with the NFL Thursday morning to appeal a $75,000 fine for not talking to the media after the NFC Championship game last January.
Instead, there was no hearing with the two sides reaching a settlement and the NFL expecting that Lynch will comply with the league's media access rules.
The NFL clarified Thursday morning that under the terms of the agreement Lynch will "make himself available to reporters now. If he doesn't, he pays the fine." In essence, players are expected to be available once a week and then after games.
Lynch has not been regularly available to the media for a few years, but has complied -- in his own, unique manner -- at big events, such as Super Bowl media day.
The NFL decided that Lynch had fulfilled media requirements at the Super Bowl.
It had not been known until this week, however, that the fine for not being available after the win over the Packers in Seattle had been levied but not resolved.
Pro Football Talk reported earlier in the week that Lynch planned to appeal that fine. But the hearing was waived off after the settlement.
REDSKINS
RGIII skirts big question
ASHBURN, Va. -- Robert Griffin III evaded questions Thursday about when -- or even if -- he sustained a concussion in the Washington Redskins' second preseason game.
"You've got to talk to the people who report that stuff," Griffin said. "I don't report that stuff. I was in the locker room, taking a shower, getting ready to watch the rest of the game, so I don't know."
The quarterback is expected to play Saturday night at the Baltimore Ravens in what could be his last preseason action.
So far, Griffin is 6 for 13 for 44 yards in two appearances, and the Redskins have not scored a touchdown with him on the field.
Last week against Detroit, Griffin left after four series, going 2 for 5 with two fumbles, three sacks and a few other big hits.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since that game, Griffin said Thursday he didn't know whether he was injured on his final play against Detroit, when he dropped the ball and then was hit as he tried to recover the fumble.
"I have no idea," Griffin said. "I just know I was in some pain, and the trainers came out, and that was it."
Asked whether he should have stayed in the game as long as he did, Griffin responded: "That's the coach's decision. As we like to say, 'I just work here, man.' "
PACKERS
Tackle suspended
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion has been suspended for the first three games of the 2015 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Guion, 28, was arrested in February on felony charges of possession of marijuana and a firearm. Police seized 357 grams of marijuana, a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and more than $190,000 in cash from Guion's 2015 Dodge Ram after a traffic stop in Starke, Fla.
The suspension, announced Thursday by the NFL, means Guion is eligible to return to the active roster on Sept. 29, one day after the Packers complete their third regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers play at San Francisco in Week 4 on Oct. 4. In the interim, Guion can participate in all practices and exhibition games.
The Packers, citing the confidentiality of the process, did not comment.
That the final suspension remained at three games indicates Guion lost his appeal. It means the Packers enter the season opener without two key players on the defensive line. In addition to Guion, defensive end Datone Jones was also suspended one game for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Jones, 25, was ticketed for possession of marijuana in February.
STEELERS
Center's return a question
Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday afternoon that center Maurkice Pouncey has a chance to return this season from his fractured left fibula, but he did not offer a prediction on when that might be.
"He's got a chance," Tomlin said. "We'll have more information as the initial recovery subsides."
Pouncey is a strong candidate to begin the season on the short-term injured reserve. One player per team is allowed to be placed on short-term IR, and they must sit out the first eight weeks of the season.
Pouncey, who has not spoken to reporters since suffering the injury Sunday afternoon in the third preseason game against Green Bay, has told teammates he wants to return this season.
Pouncey was one of two star players to sustain a significant injury in the game. Green Bay receiver Jordy Nelson was lost for the season with a knee injury.
The only player Tomlin ruled out for Saturday's preseason game at Buffalo is starting defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, who injured his ankle against the Packers. He is in a walking boot.
Tomlin also said he is undecided whether new backup quarterback Michael Vick will play against the Bills.
"We have a couple of days of work before we come to that determination," Tomlin said.
BROWNS
Manziel out for preseason
Cleveland Browns Coach Mike Pettine said quarterback Johnny Manziel will definitely be sidelined Saturday night in the third exhibition game at Tampa Bay, and he'll also likely sit out the preseason finale at Chicago because of his sore right elbow.
"Given the short week and not wanting to put him out there against Chicago, I could see he'll just be down for the next two [preseason games]," Pettine said Thursday after practice.
Pettine also essentially named projected starting quarterback Josh McCown the starter for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the New York Jets. Pettine has called McCown "firmly" the No. 1 quarterback throughout the summer.
"Is there a league rule I have to name a starter Week 1? Not today," Pettine said. "When the league says I have to name a starter, I'll name a starter. No, I think I've said he's the starter without saying it."
REDSKINS
LB Galette out for season
ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said outside linebacker Junior Galette will miss the entire season after tearing his left Achilles tendon.
Gruden discussed Galette's status on Thursday, a day after the pass rusher was injured toward the end of practice.
Gruden said Galette is scheduled to have surgery today.
Galette missed Washington's first two exhibition games as he worked his way back from an injury to a chest muscle.
He is the fifth Redskins player lost to a season-ending injury in the preseason, including tight ends Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen.
Washington signed Galette at the start of training camp after he was released by New Orleans because of off-field issues. He had 22 sacks for the Saints the past two seasons.
Sports on 08/28/2015