NFL notebook: Cardinals CB Peterson banned 6 games (PEDs)

Details of the violation have not been released, but ESPN's Adam Schefter
reported that Peterson has dropped his appeal. Peterson, 28, has never missed
a start since the Cardinals drafted him fifth overall in 2011. He has made the
Pro Bowl in all eight seasons, earning first-team All-Pro honors three times.

"Patrick recognizes how disappointing this is for everyone in the organization
as well as our fans," the Cardinals said in a statement Thursday. "As we all
do, he understands that regardless of intent he is ultimately responsible for
everything he puts in his body. Our coaching staff and our players are now
aware that we will have to play the first six games without Patrick and they
understand they have to rise to the challenge that it presents."

Peterson would be eligible to return for the Oct. 20 road game against the New
York Giants.

--Outside linebacker Jamie Collins rejoined the New England Patriots after
two-plus seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Terms of the deal were not
announced.

Collins, 29, spent three-plus seasons with the Patriots before being dealt to
the Browns for a conditional third-round pick midway through the 2016 season.
Cleveland signed Collins to a four-year, $50 million extension in January
2017, but he was released this March after 30 games with the club.

The Patriots drafted Collins in the second round in 2013 and he blossomed with
a Pro Bowl campaign in 2015. In 50 games (41 starts) with the Patriots,
Collins totaled 326 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, five interceptions
and 16 passes defensed. In 2018, Collins played in all 16 games for the first
time in his career, totaling 104 tackles, four sacks, an interception and four
passes defensed for the Browns.

--The Baltimore Ravens reportedly reached a one-year deal to bring back free
agent linebacker Pernell McPhee.

After three seasons with the Chicago Bears (2015-17) and one with the
Washington Redskins (2018), McPhee returns to the organization he called home
from 2011-14. McPhee, 30, has 31 career sacks, 94 quarterback hits, 197
tackles and six forced fumbles in 109 games.

--Scott Pioli resigned after five years as assistant general manager of the
Atlanta Falcons, after months of discussions about his future with the club.

A restructuring under general manager Thomas Dimitroff was expected.

Pioli, who has 26 years in NFL personnel evaluation under his belt, and
Dimitroff have been friends for decades after meeting in Cleveland.
Dimitroff's father was a scout for Bill Belichick's Browns staff, which
included Pioli.

--Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph won't take a pay cut to stay in
Minnesota, telling the Star Tribune "I am too young for that."

Rudolph, the subject of trade rumors and reported broken-down negotiations
over a contract extension, said he is hoping to find a way to stay with the
team. The 29-year-old has one year left on his contact and is due $7.5 million
in 2019. The Vikings have about $1.13 million left in cap space, according to
Over The Cap.

Rudolph, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has spent his eight-year career in
Minnesota.

--First-round draft pick Jonah Williams and second-round selection Drew Sample
signed their rookie contracts with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Both signed four-year deals, and Williams' contract contains a team option for
a fifth year. Financial terms were not announced.

Williams, the No. 11 overall selection, played 44 games at offensive tackle
for Alabama and was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2018. Sample, a
tight end from the University of Washington, was the No. 52 overall selection.

--Sixth-round pick Corey Ballentine signed his rookie contract with the New
York Giants.

Ballentine is participating in meetings and classroom work with the other
rookies while he continues his rehabilitation from injuries suffered on the
night he was drafted. He was shot in the backside on April 28 in an incident
in Topeka, Kan., that claimed the life of Washburn University teammate Dwane
Simmons.

Ballentine missed New York's rookie minicamp from May 3-5. The Giants
encouraged him to remain in Kansas to mourn the loss of his best friend, whose
funeral took place on May 4.

--Field Level Media