EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Vikings acquired receiver Greg Camarillo from the Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Benny Sapp on Wednesday, one day after signing former Broncos receiver Javon Walker. The deal is contingent upon both players passing a physical.
Minnesota has little choice: Pro Bowler Sidney Rice will miss at least the first half of the season after having hip surgery Monday, and Percy Harvin hasn’t practiced much because of recurring migraines, leaving Brett Favre without his top two targets with just two weeks left in the exhibition season.
Camarillo rebounded from a torn ACL in 2008 to catch 105 passes for 1,165 yards and two touchdowns over the last two years. He did not drop a pass last season.
“We have to get on board together rather quickly, obviously,” Favre said. “It will be tougher. I’m not going to sit here and lie to you. It will be tougher than we had hoped. So we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Harvin returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since he collapsed during practice last week. He had some tests performed this week, but it is still impossible to predict when the headaches will surface and tests are still being done.
Agent: Chargers unlikely to trade Jackson
SAN DIEGO — The agent for Vincent Jackson said the Chargers have given him the impression they aren’t inclined to trade the Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Unhappy he hasn’t been given a long-term deal, the former University of Northern Colorado star hasn’t signed the one-year, $3,268,000 contract he was tendered as a restricted free agent.
The Seahawks said last week that they were given permission by the Chargers to talk to Jackson’s representatives about a trade. Jackson’s agent, Neil Schwartz, said he spoke with Chargers negotiator Ed McGuire on Tuesday, and the team won’t give him permission to talk with teams other than the Seahawks.
Manning returns to practice — with new helmet
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants quarterback Eli Manning practiced with a helmet for the first time since suffering a 3-inch cut on the left side of his forehead in a preseason game against the Jets, declaring himself ready for Saturday’s game against the Ravens.
“It felt fine,” Manning said of the new helmet. “There were no issues. I had a normal day of practice, no pain, no discomfort. So I am ready to go.”
NFL hit by tough economy
NEW YORK — The average value of NFL teams has fallen for the first time since Forbes began keeping track in 1998.
The magazine released its annual ranking of NFL team values, and it found larger-market teams have weathered the rough economy far better than their smaller counterparts. Overall, the average value decreased 2 percent from last year to $1.022 billion.
The Cowboys were the top-ranked team, at $1.8 billion, while the Broncos were 10th, at $1 billion.
None of the top 12 franchises lost more than 3 percent of their value. The bottom six dropped by 5 percent to 16 percent.
Footnotes.
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher missed his third straight practice with a strained left calf, and his status for Saturday’s game against the Cardinals is in question.
• Bills receiver James Hardy returned to practice after missing 15 days with an undisclosed injury.
• Seahawks guard Ben Hamilton missed practice because of a sore knee.
The Associated Press
