Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
MANKATO, Minn. ó The NFL season hasn’t even started yet, and the Minnesota Vikings already have a victory over the Green Bay Packers under their belts.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled Monday that contact between the Vikings and Brett Favre this summer did not violate league tampering rules, as the Packers alleged.
Goodell said that while there were conversations between then-retired Favre and Vikings coaches, none of the conversations suggested Favre was soliciting a job or that anyone was soliciting his services.
“We respect the Commissioner’s decision and the thoroughness of the process,” the Vikings said in a statement. “We provided the league with all information requested so they could be comprehensive in their decision-making. Our focus has been, and continues to be, on our football team and having a successful season.”
GRAY RETIRES
KIRKLAND, Wash. ó The last day of Chris Gray’s unsung career was the first day he got star treatment.
“So this is what (Matt) Hasselbeck goes through every day,” the invaluable yet relatively anonymous Seahawks offensive lineman joked as he sat in front of cameras and microphones Monday to announce he was retiring on the eve of his 16th NFL season. At least he could joke. And walk.
Seattle’s record holder for consecutive games played at 121 from 1999 to 2006 is retiring because of a lower back and spine injury that had doctors telling him he risked paralysis if he continued playing.
“There wasn’t much of a choice. Once they told me the seriousness, I couldn’t risk being confined to a wheelchair just to play a 16th year,” the 38-year-old Gray said.
TEXANS
HOUSTON ó Houston Texans running back Chris Brown returned to practice Monday after sitting out last week with a sore back.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Brown, who signed as a free agent in March, is expected to back up Ahman Green this season. Brown rushed for 462 yards and five touchdowns last year for Tennessee and missed four games with injuries.
Brown took a painkilling injection last week.
CARDINALS
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. ó Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin will miss Thursday’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints with a right hamstring injury.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection remains day-to-day for practice, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
EAGLES
PHILADELPHIA ó Philadelphia Eagles guard Shawn Andrews is battling depression and might arrive at training camp this week, the two-time Pro Bowl selection said Monday.