MINNEAPOLIS - The NFL suspended Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy, a blow to the protection of Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson's blind side.
McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a street brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February. He will be eligible to return to the Vikings' active roster following the team's Sept. 28 game against Tennessee.
McKinnie will miss games against Green Bay, Indianapolis and Carolina. That means potential matchups against premier pass rushers Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Packers), Dwight Freeney (Colts) and Julius Peppers (Panthers).
Seven-year veteran Artis Hicks, who was Minnesota's starter at right guard for 11/2 seasons before being unseated by Anthony Herrera, is expected to fill in at left tackle for McKinnie. Though McKinnie's performance has been up and down, the Vikings' first-round draft pick in 2002 has not missed a start since ending a holdout midway through his rookie year. That's 87 straight games.
McKinnie signed a seven-year, $48.5 million contract extension, including more than $17 million in guaranteed money, in September 2006. The Vikings did not practice Friday and had no comment.
Texans release Colvin: The Houston Texans released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and 20 other players Friday, the day before NFL teams must set their 53-man rosters.
The Texans signed Colvin in June after he was released by New England. They had hoped he could be a situational pass rusher, but decided he wasn't valuable enough to take up a roster spot.
"The bottom line was to have a player on your team to just play nickel, he would have to be special," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We had to sit there and weigh him against players who could play special teams and do some other things for our team."
Colvin had recovered from a foot injury that kept him out of the last five games and the playoffs last season. However, he struggled since arriving in Houston and wasn't anywhere close to becoming the pass rushing threat opposite Mario Williams the Texans were looking for.
Houston has one more cut to make and is evaluating running back Chris Brown to see if he is healthy enough to contribute this season. Brown, who was signed this offseason, has been struggling with back problems since the start of training camp.
The AFC champion New England Patriots released four players after wrapping up their first winless preseason since 1990 with a 19-14 loss to the New York Giants.
The cuts of tackle Steve Fifita, offensive lineman Jimmy Martin, cornerback Jeff Shoate and tight end Jonathan Stupar leave New England with 71 players before Saturday's deadline.
The New Orleans Saints placed receiver Adrian Arrington, a seventh-round draft pick, on season-ending injured reserve.
The Philadelphia Eagles released running back Ryan Moats and seven others, trimming their roster to 67.