SAN DIEGO — Running back Ryan Mathews signed a five-year, $25.65 million contract with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, with just more than $15 million in guaranteed money.
The heir apparent to LaDainian Tomlinson, Mathews was expected to be at Sunday’s late-afternoon practice. He missed seven practices, including three for rookies and selected veterans last week.
Mathews rushed for 3,280 yards in three seasons at Fresno State, scoring a school-record 39 touchdowns and averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
The Chargers still have three holdouts. Linebacker Shawne Merriman, left tackle Marcus McNeill and Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson are unhappy about their status as restricted free agents.
Romo not worried about arm.
Tony Romo has a sore right throwing arm.
“I’ve got to watch it just because you don’t want it to stay like that for an extended period of time,” Romo said after practice.
Romo first started feeling the soreness Saturday and started cutting back on his throws. He said “it happens every year. . . . It’s just part of the process.”
None of the veteran starters took part in the first of two practices.
Titans’ Morgan on sideline.
Titans defensive end Derrick Morgan signed a contract around midnight Saturday and got on the field for the Titans’ second practice of training camp.
He didn’t last long before being sidelined by the same tight left calf that bothered him during the offseason.
Coach Jeff Fisher said the Titans thought about putting Morgan on the physically-unable-to-perform list but will just “back him down.”
Jets’ Revis holding out.
Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is holding out, locked in a contract dispute.
Revis is to make $1 million in the fourth year of his six-year rookie deal, but he wants to be the league’s highest- paid cornerback. Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha holds that distinction, signing a three-year, $45.3 million extension last offseason.
Also, the Jets’ fourth-round draft pick, running back Joe McKnight, passed a conditioning test that he initially failed. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes was given a later mandatory report date of Wednesday so he can attend to a family matter. Holmes wrote on this Twitter page this week that his son was in the hospital, but it was uncertain if that was the reason for the delay. Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (hamstring) and backup quarterback Kellen Clemens (calf) were placed on the active/physically-unable-to-perform list.
Footnotes.
Raiders wide receivers Chaz Schilens (foot) and Louis Murphy (head) sat out practice again. Murphy was kneed in the head by cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on Saturday.
• Steelers kicker Jeff Reed isn’t happy after signing a one-year deal for $2,814,000 and plans to explore his options after playing out the season.
• Jaguars tight end Zach Miller is practicing for the first time since minicamp because of a foot injury.
• Joe Haden, taken seventh overall, worked out at cornerback as the Browns went through their second day of camp in high heat and humidity before about 3,000 fans at their practice facility.
• The Giants placed safety Kenny Phillips (knee surgery) on the physically-unable-to-perform list, and no one is saying when he will be ready to go.
• Patriots receiver Wes Welker was removed from the PUP list and placed on the active roster seven months after tearing ligaments in his knee. He ran pass patterns and participated in noncontact drills.
• Albert Haynesworth took another day off from his quest to pass the Redskins’ conditioning test.
• Bills coach Chan Gailey is requiring all of his offensive linemen to wear knee braces through training camp in a bid to prevent injuries.
The Associated Press
