Griffen To Rejoin Vikings
Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, who has been away from the team for a month while battling mental health issues, will resume team activities Wednesday.
Griffen was taken by police for an evaluation on Sept. 22, the day before the Vikings lost to Buffalo at U.S. Bank Stadium. At the time, the team reported him out because of a knee injury.
Said Griffen in the statement: “While this is an exciting and positive move forward for me, it is only the next step in a longer process. My larger focus remains on addressing my personal health, and I'm hopeful the time will come when I feel comfortable sharing my story and using my platform to bring awareness to these issues.”
He was taken to a mental health facility by ambulance on Sept. 22 after being picked up in his neighborhood. The 30-year-old was not arrested nor accused of a crime.
Griffen, who has missed the Vikings' past five games, drew police attention on the afternoon of Sept. 22 at the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis, where he was threatening to assault staff employees and lying on the lobby floor, according to a Minneapolis police incident report. Griffen had been staying at the hotel.
Later in the day, Griffen met with police outside his home and agreed to be taken for an evaluation.
The Vikings selected Griffen in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He has been chosen for the Pro Bowl the past three seasons and received a four-year, $58 million contract extension from the team in 2017 that put him under contract through 2022. He was elected a team captain for the third consecutive season in 2018.
Broncos QB arrested: Broncos backup quarterback Chad Kelly was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass after a couple reported he came into their Englewood, Colo., house uninvited and sat down on their couch “mumbling incoherently,” according to court records.
General manager John Elway said the team was “very, very disappointed in Chad and the situation he put himself into” and suggested the Broncos were pondering Kelly's future with the club.
Kelly attended a Halloween party hosted by Von Miller on Monday that has long been a tradition for Broncos players and their significant others.
The Broncos were trying to figure out what happened after he left the party.
Kelly, 24, posted $2,500 bond Tuesday and was released. He's due back in court Wednesday.
Extra points: Falcons starting G Brandon Fusco will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken right ankle in Monday night's win over the Giants. Fusco is the second starting G, following Andy Levitre, to suffer a season-ending injury. ... The Chiefs placed OL Jordan Devey and LB Terrance Smith on IR as part of a series of roster moves. The Chiefs also promoted C James Murray and TE Deon Yelder to the 53-man roster and signed OT Pace Murphy and LB Raymond Davison to the practice squad. ... The Raiders signed PK Daniel Carlson and waived Matt McCrane. They also promoted WRMarcell Ateman and OL Denver Kirkland from the practice squad to fill open spots on the 53-man roster. The Raiders also signed RB James Butler to the practice squad and waived S Obi Melifonwu from the IR list.