NFL roundup: Fitzpatrick return, McClain disappears

We give you all the NFL news in one tidy roundup.

The Dallas Cowboys all took off on a plane for Oxford, Calif., all except for one. Middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who is suspended for the first 10 games of the 2016 regular season, was nowhere to be found. This is just another bizarre twist in what has been a nightmarish offseason for Dallas.

From one suspended player to another, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon says he has turned around his life since being suspended for the entire 2015 campaign. Gordon was a dynamo in 2013, leading the league in receiving yardage with more than 1,600 despite only playing in 12 games. Since then, Gordon has been either unproductive or suspended. Cleveland needs him to step up if it wants to surprise.

Out in Seattle, defensive end Chris Clemons has decided that 13 years in the professional arena was enough. The 34-year-old had 69 sacks in his career and was a consistent force off the edge for more than a decade. Now, the Seahawks have to focus on another defensive end in Michael Bennett, who is demanding a new contract or asking to be traded.

Meanwhile, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is talking about playing into his 40s. Brees, during an interview in West Virginia at the team’s training camp, stated that he could see himself on the field five years from now. Currently, Brees is 37 years old but he has shown no decline in his game. Since being in New Orleans, Brees has also been very healthy. In this age of protection quarterbacks from huge and low hits, perhaps he can do it.

Finally, the Minnesota Vikings have an opening at backup quarterback after Taylor Heinicke put himself out for three months after kicking a locked door. Heinicke was trying to aid a friend with getting into his apartment, but ended up injuring a tendon. Sometimes, you can’t make this stuff up.