NFL-National Football League roundup

Sept 4 (The Sports Xchange) - Josh Gordon cannot be found in the NFL or even the CFL this season, but the suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver will be highly visible at Sarchione Auto group in Randolph, Ohio. According to reports, Gordon, who was banned for a year for a positive drug test, was hired as a salesperson and community ambassador for the Chevrolet and Ford dealership. - - Tom Brady is not on the injury report, but the New England Patriots quarterback was not present for Thursday's practice. An update to the injury report is not due until the end of the Patriots' morning practice. His backup, rookie second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo, took the first-team snaps. - - On Wednesday, there were reports that the NFL was "close" to an agreement with the NFL Players' Association on a new drug testing policy that would include hGH testing. On Thursday, NFLPA president Eric Winston, urged everyone to proceed with caution, saying to characterize negotiations as "close" might be premature. - - A day after the NFL said the number of concussions suffered by players in 2013 had decreased, commissioner Roger Goodell declared the "game is safer and better than it ever has been." "I think the players have adjusted," Goodell said on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike". "The coaches have adjusted. The game has adjusted. And the game is better for it." - - First there was Johnny Football. Soon, there will be Johnny Cleveland. The Browns rookie quarterback has filed the name Johnny Cleveland with the intention of using it on sports apparel, according to records with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. - - When fans in Tampa Bay rushed to get tickets to the regular-season opener Sunday, few of them likely expected to see a quarterback matchup of Derek Anderson and Josh McCown. But that scenario is closer to reality after Carolina Panthers starter Cam Newton was limited by cracked ribs in practice. Tampa Bay will start veteran Josh McCown, the 35-year-old journeyman who had a breakout second half of last season with the Chicago Bears while subbing for Jay Cutler. Newton insists he will play and feels "great." - - Bears safety Chris Conte was fully cleared before practice and is expected to play Sunday as part of a three-way safety rotation with Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray. - - Rookie No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney was cleared to play in the Houston Texans' regular-season opener Sunday. Clowney has been limited since Aug. 20, when he was injured in joint practices with the Denver Broncos. - - Seeking reinforcements for their secondary, the Detroit Lions are considering a deal for 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey. Bailey, 36, was released on Saturday by the New Orleans Saints, who signed Bailey to a two-year deal in April. (Editing by Frank Pingue)