NFL Roundup: Eagles look for help with Cooper issue

The Philadelphia Eagles and wide receiver Riley Cooper mutually determined that seeking understanding of his words and actions would require "outside assistance."

Cooper is under fire for making derogatory racially insensitive comments captured on video during a Kenny Chesney concert. He was fined by the Eagles, and commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday that the NFL wouldn't take further action.

Coach Chip Kelly, who wasn't scheduled to meet with the media Thursday but made an exception to discuss the team's handling of the Cooper incident, said the Eagles will not sweep the comments under the rug. Kelly said he was "appalled" by Cooper when he saw the video and doesn't believe there's any instant salve for the wounds created in or outside of the locker room.

"It's going to take some time," Kelly said.

Goodell stressed that the NFL stands for "diversity and inclusion."

---Free agent linebacker Nick Barnett signed a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins.

Barnett fills a void created when Keenan Robinson was sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle. Robinson is expected to miss the entire 2013 season but hasn't been placed on injured reserve.

Barnett has 139 career starters with the Packers and Bills. He spent the past two seasons in Buffalo.

The Redskins weren't forced to make a roster move. Running back Tristan Davis told Shanahan "his heart wasn't in football" and plans to retire.

---Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip on Thursday, and coach Pete Carroll said Harvin faces a long rehab.

Carroll said the reports the team received indicated it went "very well." Harvin will spend the next few weeks in New York before returning to Seattle.

"There's a long rehab process coming up," said Carroll, who declined to provide a timetable for Harvin's return but said the team's is "optimistic" it will be during the 2013 season.

"That's what we're hoping," said Carroll. "We're hopeful that he'll have a chance to get back."

---For the third time in eight years, All-Pro inside linebacker Patrick Willis is dealing with a broken bone in his right hand.

Willis was injured Wednesday and CSNBayArea.com reported he might have a "slight fracture" in his right hand. He was scheduled for further tests Thursday.

In 2005 at Mississippi and with the 49ers in 2007, Willis played with his hand in a cast. In 2010, he had pins inserted into a broken bone in his right hand but the team allowed at the time only that he was "banged up." The injury at Ole Miss and 2010 was a broken finger.

He's been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his six NFL seasons.

Hairline fractures can heal as quickly as two weeks and most heal within 3-4 weeks.

Willis and inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman left Wednesday's practice with injuries. Bowman injured his groin and didn't practice Tuesday. He was able to practice until the end portion of the session Wednesday.

---New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman has been medically cleared to practice after recovering from foot surgery, coach Bill Belichick confirmed Thursday.

Edelman played in nine games last season and made 21 catches for 235 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He missed the final four regular-season games and the postseason after breaking his right foot against Miami on Dec. 4, 2012.

Also, the Patriots announced they had signed four players: free agent defensive lineman Travis Carpenter, wide receiver Johnathan Haggerty, wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei and offensive lineman Scott Vallone. New England also released defensive back Stephon Morris, who injured his right hamstring injury during Tuesday's practice.

---Offensive tackle DeMarcus Love of the Minnesota Vikings has been suspended without pay for the team's first four games of the 2013 regular season for what he claims was an unintentional violation of the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Love told NFL Network he failed a test after buying an over-the-counter supplement at GNC.

---Carolina Panthers guard Geoff Hangartner went from the starting line to the unemployment line Thursday. The eight-year veteran had been a starter since 2006, including a two-year stint with the Buffalo Bills.

Hangartner, 32, started every game in which he played from 2009 to 2012 and was working with the first team at right guard. He also started eight games at center last season.

Edmund Kugbila is the most likely candidate to start at right guard. However, he's been nursing a hamstring injury. The rookie fourth-round pick missed most of organized team activities with a knee injury.

---Newly-signed offensive lineman Ryan Lilja was still going through paperwork Thursday before hitting the practice field with the Denver Broncos, but coach John Fox is pleased with the experience the longtime Indianapolis Colt brings to the offensive line.

"I think there is no substitute for experience. We're pleased to have him in the building," Fox said. "We're going to continue to look at people that we think can help us, whether it's depth or competing for starting jobs or competing for a spot on the team."

Lilja, 32, played with Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning for six seasons in Indianapolis, primarily at guard, but he'll compete for playing time at center in Denver. The Broncos don't know when J.D. Walton will return from an ankle injury and lost Dan Koppen to a season-ending knee injury.