Dallas’ troubled Bryant accepts strict guidelines

IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys are trying to provide some guidance for Dez Bryant, the talented young receiver who has had issues off the field.

Coach Jason Garrett wouldn't go into specifics Monday or describe potential discipline for not abiding by the rules, but he said the Cowboys want to support Bryant and his family.

"What we've tried to do is come up with a plan for Dez like we would for any player who we feel like needs our support, and help him be his best as a player and as a person," Garrett said. "And the accountability factor is an important part of that with him and with anybody on our football team."

According to numerous reports, Bryant will attend weekly counseling sessions, have a full-time security team and not be allowed to consume alcohol or attend strip clubs. The security members will drive Bryant to team functions, including practices and games, and the receiver will also be subject to a curfew.

Bryant was arrested in July for allegedly assaulting his mother, who has since said she doesn't want authorities to pursue charges against him. The Dallas County district attorney's office has yet to make a decision about misdemeanor family violence charges.

There is still the chance that the NFL could discipline Bryant, who is going into his third season with the Cowboys.

"We're going to control what we can control as an organization, and Dez has done everything that we've asked him to do up to this point both on and off the football field," Garrett said. "Any decision about that is out of our control."

Bryant hasn't been available to speak to reporters since the start of training camp because of his pending legal issues. He didn't talk in the locker room after practice Monday.

■ PATRIOTS - New England gave Pro Bowl tight end Aaron Hernandez a new, five-year contract.

The deal is worth $40 million, according to reports, and comes just months after the team locked up another All-Pro tight end, Rob Gronkowski, through 2019. In two seasons, Hernandez has 124 catches, 1,473 yards and 13 scores.

Hernandez's deal casts a larger shadow over the possibility of a long-term contract for Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker. After a stellar season in which he led the league with 122 receptions - 22 more than the next highest total - Welker, who finished with 1,569 yards, was unable to come to terms on an extension this offseason. Instead, he signed a $9.5 million franchise tender in May.

"It's good for him. Definitely happy for him," Welker said of Hernandez. "He's a great player and (has) done a lot of great things for us. (It's) good to have him here."

■ JETS-RAMS TRADE - New York and St. Louis swapped struggling right tackles as the Jets acquired Jason Smith from the Rams for Wayne Hunter.

Smith was the No. 2 overall pick by the Rams in the 2009 draft, but failed to live up to lofty expectations and lost his starting job. Free agent Barry Richardson has started at right tackle all preseason ahead of Smith, who has been plagued by concussion problems and ineffectiveness throughout his career.

Hunter was demoted to the jumbo tight end spot and replaced by Austin Howard last week after struggling in the first two games of the preseason while coming off a rough first year as the Jets' starter at right tackle.

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that Smith is expected to serve in the same role Hunter was expected to fill, and Howard will be the starter at right tackle. The Jets had no intention of trading Hunter, but the Rams called to inquire about a deal and both teams thought the players would benefit from a change of scenery, according to the source.

■ DOLPHINS - Offensive tackle Jake Long, who battled injuries all last season, is hobbled again.

Long left practice Monday after hurting his right knee when he went down in a pile on a pass play. An MRI exam showed the injury wasn't serious, said a person familiar with the diagnosis.

Back trouble slowed Long last season, and he went on injured reserve before the final game because of a torn right biceps. He nonetheless was chosen a Pro Bowl starter at left tackle for the third consecutive year.

Although Long has missed only two games in four NFL seasons, he has dealt with knee trouble in the past and wore a brace on his right knee Monday. Any absence would be especially worrisome with rookie Ryan Tannehill preparing to make his first NFL start in the season opener Sept. 9. Rookie Jonathan Martin, who protected Andrew Luck's left side at Stanford, moved over from right tackle to fill in for Long.

■ EAGLES - Michael Vick is back practicing after injuring his ribs last week and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said he's "real close to 100 percent."