Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers strained a calf during New York’s first practice in front of the media on Tuesday in Florham Park, N.J. John Minchillo/Associated Press

Aaron Rodgers never made it past warmups in his first New York Jets practice in front of the media.

The 39-year-old quarterback, acquired last month from Green Bay, strained a calf while participating in conditioning drills Tuesday. Rodgers watched quarterback drills and remained on the field during practice, but was without his helmet and threw no passes.

“I don’t think it’s too serious,” Rodgers said, downplaying the injury and saying he took “a vet day.”

He didn’t have a noticeable limp, but stretched his lower legs and ankles several times throughout the practice. Rodgers, who wasn’t wearing a wrap on either calf while he stood at the podium and spoke to reporters, was uncertain when the injury occurred.

“I dunno,” he said with a smile. “Just running, I guess.”

Organized team activities began Monday and Rodgers participated in practice, with the Jets tweeting photos and videos of the quarterback throwing passes. The session Tuesday marked the first with media in attendance, and a few dozen reporters showed up to watch Rodgers practice with the Jets for the first time.

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That will have to wait until next Wednesday at the earliest, when practice is next open to the media.

New York acquired Rodgers, the No. 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder in this year’s draft from Green Bay on April 26. In exchange, the Packers got the 13th overall selection, a second-rounder, a sixth-rounder and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that could become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of New York’s plays this season.

The four-time NFL MVP spent his first 18 seasons in Green Bay and contemplated retirement before going on a darkness retreat in Oregon in February. Rodgers emerged wanting to continue to play — and chose to do so with the Jets. That set in motion the deal to New York.

COMMISSIONER: Roger Goodell and the NFL have agreed on the framework of a three-year contract extension that will keep him in place until 2027, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed at the league meetings.

Goodell’s current deal expires in 2024. He has been commissioner of the league since replacing Paul Tagliabue in 2006.

“That’s always good news,” Irsay told reporters in Minnesota, where owners finished their spring meetings. “I think we still have to rubber-stamp it so to speak, but it’s virtually done.”

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Irsay said he’s under the impression Goodell will retire after the extended contract expires and be involved in the development of a potential successor.

“We’ll look for his contribution every way possible,” Irsay said.

Goodell tried to downplay the topic and declined to confirm an agreement.

“It’s not extended today, that’s for sure. I’ve been focused on other matters. It hasn’t been a point of focus for me,” Goodell said. “I have a year left. I love the job. I have no doubt that we’ll reach it at some point. When we do, we’ll let you know.”

The Bills are taking things slowly with defensive back Damar Hamlin, who is returning after he went into cardiac arrest during a game last season. Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press

BILLS: Wearing shorts and his familiar No. 3 blue practice jersey, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin began easing his way back into football during the team’s voluntary minicamp, some five months after having a near-death experience on the field.

The only thing missing was his helmet.

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Though held back from taking part in team sessions, Hamlin participated in individual drills and the stretching portions to open and end practice in taking the next steps toward resuming his football career.

“We’re taking it one day at a time and just support Damar in every way possible,” coach Sean McDermott said. He otherwise did not provide any timetable as to when the player can resume practicing fully a little over a month after Hamlin was cleared to play.

The 25-year-old Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the first quarter of a game at Cincinnati, and being broadcast to a national prime-time audience on Jan. 2.

Defensive backs coach John Butler shed further light on the team’s approach to Hamlin’s practice routine by saying it’s based on constant communication between the player and the Bills medical staff.

“This is Damar’s process,” Butler said. “All we can do is listen, communicate with him and try to get on the same level as him.”

CHARGERS: Los Angeles avoided a holdout by running back Austin Ekeler by adding $1.75 million in incentives to his contract for the upcoming season, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

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The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Chargers have not announced the restructuring.

Ekeler is entering the final season of a four-year, $24.5 million extension.

Ekeler, who has scored an NFL-high 38 touchdowns over the past two seasons, could earn as much as $8 million in the 2023 season.

RULES: The NFL has pushed the kickoff return further toward irrelevance with a priority on player safety.

League owners voted for a one-year trial of an enhanced touchback rule that will give the receiving team the ball at its own 25 with a fair catch of a kickoff anywhere behind that yard line.

The proposal passed despite an expression of distaste for it from coaches and players across the league. They argued the rule change will create uglier plays with squib and corner kicks that are impossible for fair catches.

BRONCOS: Denver severed ties with kicker Brandon McManus as they released the last holdover player from the team that won Super Bowl 50.

The 31-year-old McManus announced he was being let go on social media shortly before the Broncos made it official.

McManus finished his nine-year career with Denver as the second-leading scorer in team history (946 points). He connected on a franchise-most 42 field goals of 50 or more yards in the regular season and the playoffs.


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