NFL notebook: Cardinals' Peterson suspended; Collins in Patriots; Ravens bring McPhee

Eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals has been suspended for the first six games of 2019 for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. Details of the violation have not been released, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Peterson has dropped his appeal. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the length of the suspension -- compared to the typical four-game punishment for a PED violation -- is because the violation involved a masking agent.

Peterson, 28, has never missed a start since the Cardinals drafted him in the first round (fifth overall) in 2011, making the Pro Bowl all eight seasons and earning first-team All-Pro honours three times. The Pro Bowl streak will now end, with Peterson ineligible due to the violation. "Patrick recognizes how disappointing this is for everyone in the organization as well as our fans," the Cardinals said in a statement Thursday.

"As we all do, he understands that regardless of intent he is ultimately responsible for everything he puts in his body. Our coaching staff and our players are now aware that we will have to play the first six games without Patrick and they understand they have to rise to the challenge that it presents."

Peterson asked for a trade last October, but rescinded the request and later confirmed his commitment to the Cardinals. However, reports earlier this offseason said Peterson's relationship with the team has become strained, and Rapoport reported Thursday that the suspension has further complicated things. --Outside linebacker Jamie Collins rejoined the New England Patriots after two-plus seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Terms of the deal were not announced.

Collins, 29, spent three-plus seasons with the Patriots before being dealt with the Browns for a conditional third-round pick midway through the 2016 season. Cleveland signed Collins to a four-year, $50 million extension in January 2017, but he was released this March after 30 games with the club. The Patriots drafted Collins in the second round in 2013 and he blossomed with a Pro Bowl campaign in 2015. In 50 games (41 starts) with the Patriots, Collins totalled 326 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, five interceptions and 16 passes defended. In 2018, Collins played in all 16 games for the first time in his career, totalling 104 tackles, four sacks, an interception and four passes defended for the Browns.

--The Baltimore Ravens reportedly reached a one-year deal to bring back free agent linebacker Pernell McPhee. After three seasons with the Chicago Bears (2015-17) and one with the Washington Redskins (2018), McPhee returns to the organization he called home from 2011-14. McPhee, 30, has 31 career sacks, 94 quarterback hits, 197 tackles and six forced fumbles in 109 games.

--Scott Pioli resigned after five years as assistant general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, after months of discussions about his future with the club. Pioli, who has 26 years in NFL personnel evaluation under his belt, and Dimitroff have been friends for decades after meeting in Cleveland. Dimitroff's father was a scout for Bill Belichick's Brown's staff, which included Pioli.

--Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph won't take a pay cut to stay in Minnesota, telling the Star Tribune: "I am too young for that." Rudolph, the subject of trade rumours and reported broken-down negotiations over a contract extension, said he is hoping to find a way to stay with the only team he played for in his eight seasons. The 29-year-old has one year left on his contract and is due $7.5 million in 2019. The Vikings have about $1.13 million left in cap space, according to Over The Cap.

--First-round draft pick Jonah Williams and second-round selection Drew Sample signed their rookie contracts -- both four-year deals -- with the Cincinnati Bengals. Williams, the No. 11 overall selection, played 44 games at offensive tackle for Alabama and was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2018. Sample, a tight end from the University of Washington, was the No. 52 overall selection.

--Sixth-round pick Corey Ballentine signed his rookie contract with the New York Giants as he continues his rehabilitation from injuries suffered on the night he was drafted. He was shot in the backside on April 28 in an incident in Topeka, Kan., that claimed the life of Washburn University teammate Dwane Simmons. Ballentine missed New York's rookie minicamp from May 3-5. The Giants encouraged him to remain in Kansas to mourn the loss of his best friend, whose funeral took place on May 4.

(With inputs from agencies.)