Bucs Talk With Incognito – NFL Roundup

UNDATED (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith has confirmed he was going to meet with offensive lineman Richie Incognito, one of the central figures of the bullying scandal that engulfed the Miami Dolphins last season. Smith also cautioned the "visit" might not necessarily end with the free agent guard resuming his career with the Bucs. An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other Dolphins offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of teammate Jonathan Martin, who left the team in the middle of last season.

In other NFL news:

— Veteran Matt Cassel (KAS'-uhl) has been named starting quarterback by Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. Cassel was chosen over rookie Teddy Bridgewater. Cassel has completed more than 66 percent of his passes for 367 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in three preseason games. Bridgewater has completed 65 percent of his passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns in the preseason.

— Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann (TY'-rahn) Mathieu is close to making a quicker-than-expected return to the team. Mathieu and inside linebacker Kevin Minter were optimistic about being ready for Arizona's season opener against San Diego on Sept. 8. Mathieu is coming back from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL suffered during Week 14 last season.

— Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry have returned to practice after dealing with injuries. Berry has missed most of the past couple weeks with a heel injury. Charles has been out the past two preseason games after hurting his foot while moving out of the dorms at the Chiefs' training camp headquarters.

— Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather has been suspended for the first two games of the regular season for a blow to the head to a receiver. The NFL announced the suspension, saying it was the sixth time Meriweather has violated rules aimed at improving player safety.

— The New York Jets have "indefinitely" suspended cornerback Dimitri Patterson after he left the team for 48 hours without contacting the organization. General manager John Idzik says that Patterson spoke to him and coach Rex Ryan on last night. Idzik would not discuss the reason for the absence.

— Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub missed his second straight day of practice with a sore throwing elbow, a problem that has lingered throughout the preseason. Rookie Derek Carr took first-team snaps.

NEW YORK (AP) — Medical officials from the NFL, FIFA and other sports organizations are banding together to look into better ways to identify, manage and treat concussions.

The "think tank," funded by an educational grant from the NFL, started two days of meetings yesterday at league headquarters in New York. Dozens of scientific and medical personnel, representing contact sports such as football and rugby to noncontact competitions such as equestrian, took part.

Dr. Rich Ellenbogen, chairman of the NFL's head, neck and spine committee, says the various sports organizations "need to look at all variations of what is being done around the world."