EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Vikings receiver Percy Harvin experienced the scariest episode yet in a career plagued by migraine headaches when he collapsed during practice Thursday and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
Coach Brad Childress left team headquarters after practice and spent the rest of the afternoon at the hospital with Harvin, who also got visits from other coaches and teammates.
“Percy appreciates everyone’s concern,” Childress said. “He is alert and resting comfortably but will remain in the hospital overnight.”
Childress said Harvin’s episode was triggered when he looked up into a mostly cloudy sky to field a punt during a special-teams drill. Harvin, who has dealt with migraines most of his life, went inside to see team physician Sheldon Burns, then came back out to the field.
Soon after, Harvin was seen doubled over and trembling. Players and coaches stood in front of him to shield him while reporters watched from a distance as Harvin received medical attention.
“To see a guy go down, it’s never a good thing,” defensive end Ray Edwards said. “Just pray that the Lord is with him and he gets back to us safely, and to his family most importantly.”
Roethlisberger to play
LATROBE, Pa. — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play in Saturday night’s exhibition against the Giants — his first game action since drawing a six-game suspension — but coach Mike Tomlin wouldn’t say if he will start.
“It’s not finalized of yet, no,” Tomlin said.
Frye out for season
NAPA, Calif. — The Raiders placed backup quarterback Charlie Frye on injured reserve with an injured right wrist. Coach Tom Cable said it will take four to five months for Frye to rehabilitate the damaged ligament. Frye underwent surgery this week and will miss the entire season.
Sorgi out two-three weeks
ALBANY, N.Y. — Giants backup quarterback Jim Sorgi had an MRI and was diagnosed with a torn capsule in his right shoulder that will sideline him two to three weeks.
With Eli Manning (12 stitches) and Sorgi sidelined, first- year pro Rhett Bomar is going to start and possibly play the entire game Saturday night against the Steelers.
Bigby sidelined by ankle
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers safety Atari Bigby will miss at least four weeks after having ankle surgery this month, putting his availability in doubt for the team’s season opener Sept. 12 at Philadelphia. He is expected to be out four to eight weeks.
Cushing loses appeal
METAIRIE, La. — Texans linebacker Brian Cushing had his four-game suspension for taking a performance-enhancing drug upheld by the NFL, which means he won’t be eligible to play until October.
Cushing claims he has a unique medical condition that triggered the positive test for HCG, a fertility drug.
Footnotes.
Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was idle again during practice, this time because of a headache. During the past three weeks, Haynesworth made it through only five of 18 full practices.
• Jets coach Rex Ryan said he and Tony Dungy have smoothed things over after the two had a “man-to-man” talk about the former Colts coach’s criticism of Ryan’s vulgarities during HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series.
• Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley will start ahead of No. 1 pick Sam Bradford in Saturday’s preseason game against the Browns.
The Associated Press
