NFL roundup: Jets' Wilkerson escapes serious injury in car crash
New York Jets' defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson suffered no serious injuries early Saturday morning when the car he was driving overturned after hitting another vehicle, according to an ESPN SportsCenter report.
Wilkerson was transported to a Newark hospital after the accident on Garden State Parkway. His 2011 Dodge Challenger struck a Toyota Siena just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday. Wilkerson was charged with careless driving and failure to maintain his lane.
Wilkerson, 6-4, 315, reported to the team facility Monday. The team hasn't commented on his status or the incident.
--- Incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson is No. 1 on the Seahawks' depth chart over high-dollar free agent signee Matt Flynn and third-round draft choice Russell Wilson.
For now, coach Pete Carroll is standing by what he said in minicamp: Jackson will take snaps with the first unit while Flynn and Wilson prove they're ready to run offense.
Carroll said Jackson earned those reps with the first unit by virtue of his role as the team's starter last year.
Carroll said there's no timeline on when he will name a starter for the 2012 season.
--The Steelers released veteran quarterback Troy Smith, the team announced via its official Twitter feed.
Smith had been listed fifth on the Steelers' QB depth chart behind Jerrod Johnson, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Ben Roethlisberger.
Smith, who won the 2006 Heisman Trophy, was a fifth-round pick from Ohio State and spent three seasons with the Ravens before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 2010.
--Richard Hurd, a four-year walk-on basketball player at Baylor, was arrested for allegedly attempting to extort Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.
Hurd, 25, was arrested as part of an FBI investigation and held on $25,000 bond.
According to KXXV-TV in Waco, Hurd contacted the agency representing Griffin -- Creative Artists Agency -- and his agent, Ben Dogra, threatening to publish information to Griffin. Hurd allegedly asked for a large cash payment to keep the information private.
---New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who broke his foot last month, said in a radio interview he will on the field when training camp begins on July 26.
He told WFNZ-AM in Charlotte over the weekend that he's out of his walking boot and will begin running soon.
"Definitely making training camp,": he said, according to SportsRadioInverviews.com. "I start running in about two weeks, but the coaches don't really want me to force the issue right now, so I still haven't started running yet. They want me to just take my time with it -- they feel like that's what's best. So right now I'm just taking my time with it. ... But I'll definitely be ready for the season."
Nicks injured the foot during OTAs last month. He had 76 receptions for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011.
---The NFL Players Association may make another attempt in federal court to challenge Roger Goodell's powers regarding the disciplined doled out to Saints in the "bounty" case, CBSSports.com reported, using sources with knowledge of the situation. The suit would claim Goodell should not have full authority in this matter because on-field discipline should be issued by Ted Cottrell and Art Shell.
