NFL news and notes: Ezekiel Elliott gets an offer; Patrick Chung indicted on cocaine charge

Kirstie Chiappelli

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NFL news and notes: Ezekiel Elliott gets an offer; Patrick Chung indicted on cocaine charge image

Multiple players have yet to report to their respective teams just two weeks before the regular-season opener, but one could be nearing a resolution.

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Meanwhile, another player may not be available for at least a few weeks, and maybe more, after getting into some legal trouble.

Three things that matter

Patrick Chung indicted on cocaine possession charge

The Patriots safety was summoned by a New Hampshire grand jury on the charge, a Class B felony in the state that carries a fine of up to $2,000 and a potential prison term of up to seven years. Even if Chung is found not guilty of the charge, which stems from June, he'll likely face discipline from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Chung was absent from practice Wednesday ahead of Thursday's preseason meeting with the Panthers after previously wearing a red non-contact jersey throughout training camp as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

He's scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 28, one day before New England wraps up exhibition play against the Giants.

Cowboys offer to make Ezekiel Elliott among highest-paid RBs

The question is: will he take it? The contract, rumored to be worth more than Todd Gurley's but less than Le'Veon Bell's, would reportedly net Elliott between $13.135 million and $14.375 million per year.

Elliott has remained a holdout throughout the preseason over his contract dispute and racked up more than $900,000 in fines for not reporting to training camp. He recently returned to Texas after training in Mexico, but the situation soured this week as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joked about his absence.

We'll see what Elliott's agent has to say about the proposal.

Arizona swaps with Philly in rare player-for-player trade

The Cardinals dealt safety Rudy Ford to the Eagles for defensive tackle Bruce Hector. Ford, a sixth-round pick out of Auburn in the 2017 draft, has played 23 games with Arizona over his first two seasons. Hector signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in 2018 before earning a spot on the team's practice squad. He played eight games as a rookie last season.

Two things that don't matter

Steelers name Ray Sherman interim WR coach

The move comes in the wake of the unexpected death of former wide receivers coach Darryl Drake earlier this month. Drake, who was 62, was in his second season with the Steelers, and his passing took a toll on his players.

Sherman hasn’t coached since he retired following the 2015 season, but the 67-year-old brings four decades of coaching experience at both the college and professional level to the table. He even served as offensive coordinator for the Steelers in 1998.

Detroit doubles down on Damon Harrison

The Lions signed the defensive tackle to a one-year extension worth a reported $11 million, which would bring Harrison's guaranteed money to $12 million between 2019-20. 

The All-Pro defender was traded from the Giants to the Lions midway through last season, bringing his total to 17 games played in 2018. He had 31 tackles with New York before adding 50 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in 10 games for Detroit.

One video you have to see

Ryan Shazier is getting ready to go back to school next week but found time to give an update on his spinal rehabilitation. He's progressed to box jumps!

Thursday's tweet of the day

Antonio Brown couldn't help but take a shot at his former fan base after a report claimed HBO's "Hard Knocks" ratings in Pittsburgh were triple the national average.

 

Kirstie Chiappelli