NFL notes

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during the NFL football teams training camp in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Saturday, July 30, 2016.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during the NFL football teams training camp in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Saturday, July 30, 2016.

SAINTS

New-age camp

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Saints Coach Sean Payton is ending evening meetings with players an hour earlier at training camp this summer and starting practice an hour later in the mornings.

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AP

Kansas City Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher moves into a dorm at Missouri Western State University for the start of NFL football training camp in St. Joseph, Mo., Friday, July 29, 2016.

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AP

In this June 15, 2016, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) addresses the media after the NFL football team''s minicamp, in Eden Prairie, Minn.

Doing so gives players more time to enjoy the amenities at the luxury Greenbrier Resort in the mountains of West Virginia, should they choose -- but that was hardly the point.

Coming off consecutive 7-9, non-playoff seasons, Payton figured there had to be ways to tweak the schedule to get better results. Decades ago, conventional wisdom might have dictated longer, more grueling practices to promote toughness, a stronger work ethic and better conditioning. But Payton, who's gained a reputation for embracing technology and progressive philosophies about managing the modern pro athlete, didn't see the wisdom of such old-school approaches in 2016.

"One of the things we are paying attention to, obviously, is the recovery and all the elements that go into that," Payton said as camp practices began this past week. "A lot of it is the evening recovery -- trying to get the guys in the cold tubs, trying to get the guys really to sleep earlier. Then the [morning] schedule is even backed up ... with the idea of making sure that everyone is getting north of eight hours rest."

Payton said there wasn't any specific study or new data that led him to emphasize rest and recovery so much as "a sum total of what we've seen, read, and heard." Part of it was simply ensuring trainers had time to employ new technology that helps players maintain their bodies, such as air compression sleeves helping circulation and thus reducing swelling for even relatively healthy players. Saints players also can climb into a super-cooled chamber for a few minutes with the goal of supplying muscles with more oxygen-infused blood.

"We've got a lot more gear now: the inflatable legs, the cryotherapy machine," Payton said. "There's a lot of other things that we have access to that we've got to take advantage of."

CHIEFS

Fisher extends deal

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs signed left tackle Eric Fisher to a contract extension Saturday, the first day veterans joined rookies on the practice field at Missouri Western for training camp.

The Chiefs didn't announce terms of the extension, but a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press it was a four-year, $48 million deal that includes $40 million guaranteed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract terms were confidential.

Fisher was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft out of Central Michigan, but he struggled to adjust to the NFL his first couple years. He finally came into his own last season, showcasing the talent that the Chiefs hope can make him their left tackle for the foreseeable future.

The Chiefs exercised their fifth-year option on him in May. That means Fisher's total deal spans six years and $63 million.

COWBOYS

Wilson injures eye

OXNARD, Calif. -- Damien Wilson can be added to the list of freak accidents in the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys after the second-year linebacker injured an eye in a paintball accident.

Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said the incident happened about a week before the Cowboys reported for training camp in California.

Wilson is joined on the non-football injury list by running back Darren McFadden (Pulaski Oak Grove, Arkansas Razorbacks), who broke his right elbow during Memorial Day weekend trying to save his cellphone when he dropped it.

Jones declined to comment on details of Wilson's injury, but did say there wasn't much concern over serious complications for the 23-year-old.

The first practice for the Cowboys was Saturday.

TEXANS

Hopkins a no-show

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins did not report to training camp Saturday.

Entering his fourth pro season, Hopkins is holding out for a new contract. He is scheduled to make $1 million in salary in the final season of his rookie contract, though the Texans have picked up his fifth-year option.

Hopkins can be fined up to $40,000 for every day he misses camp.

He comes off a huge season with 111 receptions, 1,521 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns despite inconsistency at quarterback and few other receiving options on the Texans.

Houston General Manager Rick Smith said in a statement, "Our focus is on the 2016 season and all of our collective efforts and attention will be centered on that endeavor."

VIKINGS

Peterson sidelined

MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings held running back Adrian Peterson out of full-team drills at the start of training camp. Coach Mike Zimmer said Peterson has a minor injury from offseason training.

Offensive lineman Mike Harris is dealing with an undisclosed illness that's keeping him out of practice. He said Saturday he hopes to be able to return soon but wasn't sure if he'd be on the field this season.

The Vikings are keeping kickoff returner/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson out of practice, following an injury around his left shoulder.

Patterson was on the field Saturday as a spectator. He fell hard on his shoulder Friday while trying to make a catch. He was in immediate discomfort but appeared to be in good spirits later.

Sports on 07/31/2016

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