OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice received a two-game suspension from the NFL on Thursday following his offseason arrest for domestic violence.

Rice will miss the season opener against AFC North champion Cincinnati on Sept. 7 and the Sept. 11 game on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The six-year veteran was arrested following a Feb. 15 altercation in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in which he allegedly struck then-fiancee Janay Palmer. The 27-year-old Rice has been accepted into a diversion program, which upon completion could lead to the charges being expunged.



Gordon to meet with league Aug. 1

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns may soon learn whether they’ll have Josh Gordon this season.

The Pro Bowl wide receiver will have an appeal hearing with NFL officials in New York on Aug. 1, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.



Suspended WR Blackmon arrested on
drug complaint

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have no plans to part ways with troubled receiver Justin Blackmon.

Owner Shad Khan made it clear Thursday that Blackmon will remain on the roster despite his latest arrest.

“We want to keep him as a player,” Khan said following a charity kickoff luncheon at EverBank Stadium. “He’s not part of the team, obviously. But I think it’s very important for him to get the help. I think that’s the most important thing. ... I think it’s good for him and good for us. We want him to get the help and really beat this.



Lynch expected to hold
out from Seahawks camp

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Marshawn Lynch isn’t expected to be present for the first day of the Seattle Seahawks’ training camp, close friend and former teammate Michael Robinson said Thursday.

Appearing on NFL Network, Robinson said he spoke with Lynch and Seattle’s star running back plans to hold out of the camp that begins Friday.

“I really think he just wants his position in the organization and how they view him, he just wants that recalibrated a little bit,” Robinson said on NFL Network. “He’s been the face of the franchise, he’s been the face of the organization.”