GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Defensive tackle B.J. Raji says he is taking a hiatus from the NFL and will not play in 2016 following seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Raji said Monday in a statement that he made the decision after hours of conversation with family members and mentors. He did not rule out a return to the field, but said that he "will definitely not be playing during the 2016 season."
The statement was provided by Raji's agents. The Green Bay Press-Gazette first reported Raji's decision.
Raji was a free agent after having a good season in 2015 with 22 tackles in 15 regular-season games. His decision leaves a hole up front in the Packers' run defense (see full story).
Ravens: Safety Eric Weddle signed
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens and safety Eric Weddle agreed to terms Monday on a four-year contract.
An All-Pro in 2011 and 2014, Weddle has spent his entire nine-year career with the San Diego Chargers. But that ended in an ugly manner last season.
One of the longest-tenured Chargers, Weddle started in 13 games in 2015, and missed three with a groin injury. He felt disrespected that the team didn't offer him a contract extension. The relationship flamed out when the Chargers fined Weddle $10,000 for staying on the sideline at halftime of the Dec. 20 home finale to watch his daughter perform in a show sponsored by the team's cheerleaders.
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Weddle was placed on injured reserve a week later, against his wishes, and told he couldn't travel to Denver for the finale (see full story).
Steelers: WR Martavis Bryant suspended at least 1 year
PITTSBURGH -- Martavis Bryant's blossoming NFL career took another significant hit Monday when the NFL suspended the talented but troubled wide receiver for at least one year following another violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
This is the second league-mandated discipline for Bryant. The 24-year-old sat out the first four games last season following a violation during the offseason.
Bryant caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns when he returned in Week 6 and was dynamic in the playoffs. He made an acrobatic touchdown grab in a wild-card win over Cincinnati and accounted for more than 200 yards of total offense in a loss to Denver in the divisional round, a game the Steelers played without All-Pro Antonio Brown.
The Steelers pointed to Bryant's development heading into 2016 as key for the franchise getting back to the Super Bowl. Now they'll make that journey without the 6-foot-4 speedster who is among the most physically gifted players at his position (see full story).