NFL NOTES

updated 8:12 p.m. ET March 14, 2005

Tennessee Titans left tackle Brad Hopkins was arrested Monday in Franklin, Tenn., and charged with domestic assault against his wife.

Cpl. Carrie George of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, said Hopkins would remain in jail for 12 hours until early Tuesday in accordance with state law. He has a bond of $1,000.

Franklin police did not comment on the charges.

No one answered Hopkins’ cell phone when called by The Associated Press.

Mark Bartelstein, Hopkins’ agent, had no immediate comment.

“We are aware of the situation involving Brad,” Titans spokesman Robbie Bohren said in a statement. “We are in the process of gathering all the facts.”

Hopkins, a first-round draft pick by the then-Houston Oilers in 1993, has been starter since his rookie season. He is married to Ellen Hopkins and has three children.

Hopkins is the third Titans starter to be arrested this offseason.

Cornerback Samari Rolle was charged with domestic assault Feb. 15. He was later cut and signed with Baltimore.

Safety Tank Williams was arrested for driving under the influence two days later.

Former Vikings QB Johnson visits Minnesota
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson worked out Monday for his old team, now in the market for a backup to Daunte Culpepper after Gus Frerotte agreed to sign with Miami.

Frerotte, who played behind Culpepper for the last two seasons, joined former Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan with the Dolphins, according to Minnesota vice president for football operations Rob Brzezinski.

Frerotte was interested in returning to Minnesota if he couldn’t get the chance to start elsewhere, but the Dolphins are unsettled at the position.

Minnesota needs a proven backup, with third-stringer Shaun Hill lacking experience.

“Brad had a great visit,” coach Mike Tice said in an e-mail. “He worked out very good ... has great anticipation on his throws. He would be a great fit for us.”

Brzezinski said Monday there were no plans to bring in any other quarterbacks. Johnson’s agent, Phil Williams, didn’t immediately return a phone call Monday.

The 36-year-old Johnson, cut by Tampa Bay earlier this month in a salary-cap move, was benched by the Buccaneers after four games and fell to third on their depth chart.

Johnson, drafted by the Vikings in the ninth round in 1992 out of Florida State, worked his way up through the practice squad and became Warren Moon’s backup in 1994. He took over the starting job in 1997, only to lose it to Randall Cunningham the next season after an injury in September.

Johnson was traded to Washington the following spring for the Redskins’ first-round draft pick, a selection Minnesota used to take Culpepper.

After spending two years as the starter in Washington, Johnson joined Tampa Bay and wound up with a Super Bowl ring following the 2002 season. But he lost 10 of his last 13 starts with the Buccaneers, including his last six.

Bills release safety Prioleau
The Buffalo Bills released Pierson Prioleau after the backup safety rejected the team’s offer to restructure his contract.

Prioleau, a six-year NFL veteran, was scheduled to make a $1.25 million base salary in the final year of a four-year deal with the Bills next season.

Prioleau’s agent, Brian Mackler, said Buffalo offered his client a new three-year deal, which included restructuring the final year of his current contract. But Prioleau turned it down, hoping to find a better opportunity with another team.

Mackler described the Bills’ offer as fair, but Prioleau was willing to explore his options after being relegated to mostly special teams last season. After starting a career-high 16 games with Buffalo in 2002, Prioleau had only two starts last season.

His playing time was expected to drop even further after the Bills shifted veteran cornerback Troy Vincent to safety late last season.

Mackler didn’t rule out Prioleau re-signing with the Bills.

The Bills also re-signed backup tight end Ryan Neufeld. He had a career-high five starts in 16 games last season, taking over after the Bills lost starter Mark Campbell and backup Tim Euhus to knee injuries. Finishing with six catches for 61 yards, Neufeld showed versatility, capable of playing fullback and special teams.

With Campbell and Euhus still recuperating, the Bills were in need of bolstering their depth at the position.

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