MINNEAPOLIS — Cornerback Chris Cook has been suspended indefinitely by the Vikings without pay, following a felony charge for allegedly strangling his girlfriend during an incident that left her bloodied.
The Vikings announced the suspension late Tuesday, describing the allegations as “very disturbing and disappointing.” Cook was charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. State guidelines call for a sentence of a year and a day.
Cook was released from jail on $40,000 bail, where he’d been since his arrest early Saturday. He has a court appearance set for today.
• The Vikings waived receiver Bernard Berrian, who has seven receptions for 91 yards this season and will receive all of his $1.9 million salary unless another team claims him.
Stafford unsure if he’ll play against Broncos
DETROIT — Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford might be day to day with a sprained right ankle, but he sounded slightly less optimistic about his chances of playing Sunday against the Broncos than coach Jim Schwartz did Monday.
“I think every competitor plans on playing,” Stafford said. “We’ll see if that comes true. I’ve got to keep getting better to get there, but I want to, obviously.”
Stafford said the sprain is “kind of in a weird spot,” and he’s not sure whether he’ll practice today. If he can’t play against the Broncos, Shaun Hill, who started 10 games last year, will start.
Democrats seek hearing on HGH testing
WASHINGTON — Three Democratic congressmen — Henry Waxman (Calif.), G.K. Butterfield (N.C.) and Bobby Rush (Ill.) — are urging the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the impasse between the NFL and players union on testing for human growth hormone.
The NFL and the players agreed to begin blood testing for HGH as part of their new collective bargaining agreement reached in late July — but only if the union agreed to the methods. The union has delayed implementing the test, asking for more scientific data to prove it is reliable.
“There appear to be few questions about the validity of the HGH test,” the Democrats wrote.
They also noted that CBS football analyst Boomer Esiason, a former NFL quarterback, said the union is “backing off because they have players guilty of using this substance,” and said that many believe at least 20 percent of players are using it.
Footnotes.
Two months after signing with the Colts, 17-year veteran quarterback Kerry Collins was placed on injured reserve with a concussion — a move that will end his season and possibly his NFL career. He ranks 10th in career passing yards (40,922), having passed Joe Montana in Week 1.
• The Redskins placed tight end Chris Cooley on injury reserve because of a knee injury.
• The Dolphins signed J.P. Losman after placing quarterback Sage Rosenfels on the reserve-nonfootball illness list. Losman last completed a pass in 2008.
• The Bills placed linebacker Shawne Merriman on injured reserve because of a right Achilles injury.
• Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn right Achilles tendon.
Denver Post wire services
