New Orleans Saints linebacker Victor Butler tore his ACL and will likely miss the entirety of the upcoming season. Butler joined the Saints as a free agent this offseason, signing a two-year contract. Unfortunately for New Orleans, Butler was in line for a starting role and now they have a hole at the position.
NFL news: Victor Butler tears ACL; Tarvaris Jackson returning to Seahawks
Linebacker Victor Butler tore his ACL and is done for the season, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is returning to the Seattle Seahawks, and more you may have missed from Wednesday.
Stephen Dunn
That was the biggest news of Wednesday, though there’s plenty more you might have missed below:
The Detroit Lions made it clear that they want to get quarterback Matthew Stafford signed to an extension sooner rather than later. The team was adamant they postpone talks until after this year if they couldn't get Stafford under contract before the start of the regular season, however. On Wednesday, Stafford said that he is focusing on the upcoming season and isn't thinking about a contract.
That’s a good attitude to have, especially since the team went 4-12 last season and part of Stafford’s motivation is likely to put up better numbers for a bigger contract.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters was arrested for drag racing on Wednesday. Actually, he was arrested for drag racing and fleeing from the police, as he neglected to pull over when the arresting deputy turned on the emergency lights. Peters allegedly accelerated above 100 mph and attempted to escape before pulling over in a shopping center parking lot and being arrested.
The Seattle Seahawks are bringing back quarterback Tarvaris Jackson on an expected one-year contract. In an effort to reduce their quarterback competition to two players, the Buffalo Bills released Jackson on Monday. The Sehawks don't have much in the way of backups to Russell Wilson. At this stage in his career, Jackson is probably OK with being a reserve, as he certainly won't have a chance to compete with Wilson.
Adam “Pacman” Jones is in legal trouble once again, as he’s dealing with an assault charge for allegedly punching a 34-year-old woman. The 911 call from the woman, Shannon Wesley, was released on Wednesday, and it doesn’t sound good for Jones. This isn’t his first issue off the field, and his outlook for a future in the NFL probably isn’t great at this point.
On Wednesday, free agent running back Michael Turner was sentenced to 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine and 30 days of community service for a September DUI arrest. It's likely that Turner will find a team at some point, though probably not until during or after training camp.
The Saints signed cornerback Chris Carr on Wednesday, inking the veteran to a one-year deal. Carr is one of the few players still on the market with starting experience. That said, he won't be given a starting role right from the get-go, as he'll have to compete with guys like Jabari Greer, Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson. Carr will likely come in and contribute primarily on special teams, with the potential to earn a starting job.
Fullback Vonta Leach has long been considered one of the top players at his position, but he's getting up there in years and was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. However, as noted on Wednesday, Leach could return to Baltimore at a reduced salary if he finds the open market unaccommodating.
Wide receiver Chad Johnson is serving jail time after a judge felt Johnson wasn’t taking things seriously after reaching a plea deal. Johnson patted his lawyer on the backside, as athletes often do, and the judge elected to throw out the deal. Now, Johnson’s lawyer is asking the judge to reconsider, suggesting that Johnson didn’t mean anything by it and that athletes patting each other on the backsides is a “sign of respect and gratitude.”
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