The Minnesota Vikings placed ailing wide receiver Percy Harvin on injured reserve Wednesday, abruptly ending a season that began so well for one of the NFL’s most versatile players.
Coach Leslie Frazier answered questions about Harvin’s status cryptically and vaguely at his regular news conference, when he ruled Harvin out of practice again because of the severely sprained ankle that has kept him out of the last three games. Then about six hours later, the Vikings announced the move that declared their top pass-catcher done for the year.
Cards’ Dockett apologizes
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett says he’s apologized to teammate Kerry Rhodes for the pair’s on-field run-in during the waning seconds of last Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets.
Dockett said after practice that Rhodes has forgiven him and the pair is moving on.
What Dockett described as a “very heated argument” stemmed from Rhodes trying to persuade him to allow the Jets to score so the Cardinals could get the ball back and try for the winning touchdown.
Texans sign CB Routt
The Houston Texans have signed veteran cornerback Stanford Routt after placing Brice McCain on injured reserve with a designation for return.
Routt started seven games this season for the Chiefs before he was released on Nov. 5.
McCain, Houston’s nickel cornerback, had surgery to repair a broken left foot Monday. He could only return for the Super Bowl.
Titans’ Hutchinson out
The Tennessee Titans placed veteran guard Steve Hutchinson on injured reserve because of an injured right knee and claimed guard Mitch Petrus off waivers from New England on Wednesday.
Hutchinson hurt his knee last week in a 24-10 loss to Houston and will have surgery Thursday. He becomes the fourth of Tennessee’s five starting offensive linemen at the start of training camp placed on injured reserve with only left tackle Michael Roos still active.
Browner suspended
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner has dropped the appeal of his suspension for using performance-enhancing substances and will miss the final four games of the regular season, the league announced Wednesday.
Browner’s loss leaves the Seahawks without a Pro Bowl cornerback whose size and physical play has flustered wide receivers.
Chargers’ Barnes on IR
The San Diego Chargers have placed outside linebacker Antwan Barnes on injured reserve and re-signed guard-tackle Reggie Wells.
Barnes played in 11 of 12 games this season. He had three sacks among six total tackles, including two sacks in a loss to Baltimore on Nov. 25.
Bills’ Kelsay done for year
The Buffalo Bills have placed defensive end Chris Kelsay on season-ending injured reserve because of a neck injury.
Kelsay, a 10-year veteran, missed three of the past four games after partially tearing a ligament in his neck in practice last month. After missing two games, he aggravated the injury in a 20-13 loss at Indianapolis two weeks ago.
Grant re-signs with Packers
Running back Ryan Grant is back with the Green Bay Packers.
The veteran was signed Wednesday to add depth to Green Bay’s banged up running backs. The Packers announced last week that Cedric Benson would stay on injured reserve with a foot injury, and Johnny White was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a concussion.
