NFL roundup: Payton's contract voided by NFL
The multi-year contract extension the New Orleans Saints gave to suspended coach Sean Payton in September of 2011 was voided by the NFL, sources told ESPN.com Sunday.
If the deal is voided, Payton will be a free agent at the end of the year.
Payton was suspended for a season for his suspected role in the bounty scandal. His status with the Saints after this season is questionable because he will likely be a heavily sought-after coach.
However, the NFL issued a statement saying that it has "made no determination" on Payton's contract status for next year.
"All contracts between clubs and their employees must be approved by the commissioner, and we do not comment on specific terms of individual contracts," the statement said. "Any comment regarding the matter should come from Coach Payton and the Saints."
Payton told Fox Sports Sunday morning that he "absolutely plans" on staying with the Saints, regardless of his contract status.
Payton was reportedly told by commissioner Roger Goodell in March when he appealed his suspension that his contract was not satisfactory as constructed. The league took issue with it because it contained a clause that Payton could void the deal if general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended, fired or left the Saints.
---Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson left Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter with an ankle injury, according to NFL.com.
Nelson sustained the injury while sliding on his knees trying to catch a pass from Aaron Rodgers inside the Cardinals' 5-yard line. The play was ruled an incompletion.
---Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews left Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a hamstring injury.
Matthews was able to walk to the locker room after exiting the game in the third quarter.
---Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia, attended Sunday's game against the visiting Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN.com.
Pagano has been on leave because of the illness. Doctors, however, assured Pagano that he is immune from infection.
He received added security as they escorted him to owner Jim Irsay's suite to watch the game. The Indianapolis Star reported that Pagano spoke to the team before the game.
Pagano will return to the hospital Monday for a second round of radical chemotherapy.
---Vic Ballard started at running back for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, according to NFL.com.
Regular Donald Brown has been dealing with a knee injury and was listed as questionable heading into the game. However, Brown is active.
Ballard has carried the ball 32 times for 139 yards the past two games.
---Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill started Sunday against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.
Tannehill, the No. 8 overall pick in the June draft, was listed as questionable with an injured left knee and quad. He was injured last Sunday against the New York Jets.
---Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson was active for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnson did not practice during the week because of a knee injury and was listed as questionable.
---The playing status of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is a game-time decision, according to ESPN Dallas.
Bryant, who has been bothered by a sore hip, was listed as questionable to play Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons.
Bryant practiced on a limited basis during the week.
