Source: Colts’ Taylor requests trade

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has requested a trade, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday night.

Taylor, the 2021 NFL rushing champ, has been seeking a contract extension before his rookie contract expires at the end of this season and he’s been one of several running backs to publicly air their grievances throughout the offseason.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the request hadn’t been made public. NFL Network first reported Taylor’s request to be traded.

It came shortly after Taylor left team owner Jim Irsay’s motorhome after a meeting that lasted nearly an hour as the Colts conducted a night practice.

“It was just a good conversation and, you know, hopeful going forward,” Irsay told reporters after practice. “We’re looking forward to a great season, hoping that Jonathan’s a big part of that and I think we had a good conversation.”

Taylor has not spoken with reporters since being placed on the physically unable to perform list Tuesday. General manager Chris Ballard said then the Colts wanted to wait for a new deal until they could see how a healthy Taylor fit the new offense installed by first-year coach Shane Steichen.

METAIRIE, La. — Jimmy Graham offered a few reasons why — at age 36 and without having played football last year — he could become a playmaker again for the New Orleans Saints.

“I’m feeling better than ever. I’m still 6-(foot)-7 and I like the red zone,” the veteran tight end said Saturday in his first public comments since rejoining his first NFL team Tuesday. “I definitely came into this with a chip on my shoulder and with something to prove.”

Estimating he weighed as much as 285 pounds in his previous stint with the Saints, when he worked out like “a meathead,” Graham said he has been cycling “hundreds of miles a week” and has changed his workout and eating habits to suit to his age.

“I know I’m definitely in shape,” said Graham, now listed at 265 pounds. “That’s not a problem at all.”

Graham, who has caught at least eight touchdown passes in six of his 12 NFL seasons, was a favorite target of former star quarterback Drew Brees and among the most popular players in New Orleans before the club surprisingly traded him to Seattle in 2015.

Many fans were upset, including general manager Micky Loomis’ own daughter. So, too, was Graham.

“For me, it was pretty shocking,” Graham said. “I thought I would never leave this place. … I woke up to the part of the business that hurt.”

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are signing free agent cornerback Eli Apple to a one year-deal, a person with knowledge of the signing told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the deal.

The Dolphins were in need of depth at the cornerback position after All-Pro Jalen Ramsey tore the meniscus in his left knee at practice Thursday.

Ramsey had surgery Friday to repair the tear and later tweeted the procedure “went well.” There is no timeline for his return yet, but he is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season.

Miami opens the season on Sept. 10 at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that while he is confident in the team’s cornerback room, which includes veteran Xavien Howard, 2022 standout Kader Kohou and 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, the Dolphins planned to work out a cornerback to add depth.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman has left the Atlanta Falcons’ training camp without taking the field after coming out of retirement.

Goldman was placed on the exempt/left squad list Saturday. Coach Arthur Smith said the player “is going through something personal” and may retire again.

Goldman signed with the Falcons a year ago, but announced his retirement before the season. He reversed that decision, rejoining the team during the offseason and reporting for training camp Tuesday.

But Goldman did not take part in any practices, raising doubts about how committed he was to a comeback.

CARDINALS: Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray is working his way back to football relevancy following an underwhelming fourth season that was cut short by a torn ACL in his right knee last December. Murray’s expected to miss at least a few games of the upcoming season while he continues to recover. He watched Saturday’s practice at State Farm Stadium in a gray hooded sweatshirt and long black sleeve over his entire right leg. His impending return is a hot topic at Cardinals camp, but Murray says he has no timetable.

TITANS: Outside linebacker Harold Landry III couldn’t be happier about being back on the practice field for the Tennessee Titans. Losing last season to an ACL torn Aug. 31 will do that to an NFL player. Making his return even sweeter is that Landry finally has his chance to prove he can follow up his best season yet.