ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Lions waited four-plus days to get Ndamukong Suh on the field, then wasted no time putting him on their first-string defense in his first practice.
Suh took a flight from Nebraska to Michigan on Wednesday, signed his contract, passed a conditioning test and joined his teammates for drills on a muggy afternoon.
“I’m happy to finally be out here,” he said. “I enjoyed it, knocking off the rust.”
The No. 2 pick in April’s draft and Heisman Trophy finalist received a five-year contract worth $40 million guaranteed and as much as $68 million.
Roethlisberger praised
WESTMINSTER, Md. — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is doing more than he was asked to do by the league when given a six-game suspension after being accused of sexual assault.
“He is doing what he’s been asked to do — and frankly more,” Goodell said, adding Roethlisberger “understands the seriousness of this and the fact he has to change the way he’s doing things. I’m encouraged by that.”
Goodell said he will meet with Roethlisberger before the regular season starts in September and determine whether to reduce the punishment to four games.
Goodell also said the league wants to test players for human growth hormone “to protect the integrity of our game.”
Footnotes.
Calling it “the fair thing to do,” the Bills released top pass rusher Aaron Schobel, providing the linebacker the chance to sign with another team or retire.
• Former Chargers defensive lineman Gary “Big Hands” Johnson, whose 17 1/2 sacks in 1980 remain a team record, died in Shreveport, La., just more than two weeks after suffering a stroke. He was 57.
Also, Chargers rookie linebacker Donald Butler will miss the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury.
• Carolina right tackle Jeff Otah had surgery on his troublesome left knee, but is expected to recover before the regular-season opener.
• Dolphins kick returner Kory Sheets tore his right Achilles tendon and was waived hours after getting injured.
The Associated Press
