The Sports Xchange

The NFL and the NFL Players Association reportedly have engaged in talks regarding a potential settlement of Tom Brady’s four-game suspension for his alleged role in the Deflategate scandal.

Sources told FOX Sports that the two sides have had an open line of communication in recent days after reports last week of the NFLPA’s proposal being ignored by the league office. The talks also were confirmed to ESPN.

The talks could lead to a reduction of the four-game suspension levied on the New England Patriots quarterback, but sources told ESPN it is unlikely the sides will reach a settlement.

Tuesday will mark five weeks since Goodell heard Brady’s appeal. A FOX Sports source said Brady has become frustrated with the lack of a decision from the commissioner.

The NFLPA and Brady’s camp are planning to move their litigation to federal court if Goodell doesn’t wipe out the ban. Sources told ESPN that Brady might be willing to admit to a failure to comply with the investigation in exchange for a fine, but no suspension.

–Former Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin is retiring from the NFL.

Martin, a second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2012, was preparing for training camp with the Carolina Panthers but was battling a back injury.

Martin spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers.

He played his first two seasons with the Dolphins but in 2013 took a leave of absence, sparking what became an independent investigation into a bullying scandal with teammate Richie Incognito as the central antagonist.

–The Houston Texans placed outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on the list for the physically unable to perform.

Clowney can come off the PUP list any time before the start of the season; but, if he remains on PUP once the season begins, he will have to sit out the first six games.

Last week, Texans Dr. Walt Lowe said Clowney “looks spectacular” seven months removed from microfracture surgery on his right knee.

–The New England Patriots placed defensive tackle Dominique Easley and seven others on the list for the physically unable to perform.

Easley, the team’s 2014 first-round draft choice, played in 11 games as a rookie but struggled with a surgically repaired knee that ultimately forced the Patriots to put him on injured reserve in December.

Also placed on the PUP list were special teams captain Matthew Slater, wide receiver Brandon LaFell, offensive lineman Ryan Wendell, linebackers Dane Fletcher and Chris White and defensive tackles Vince Taylor and Chris Jones. Quarterback Matt Flynn was placed on the non-football injury list.

–The NFL will start spot-checking the inflation of footballs this year in the wake of the Deflategate scandal.

Mike Pereira, the league’s former head of officiating, wrote an article Sunday on FoxSports.com, detailing the NFL’s new football-monitoring procedures.

According to Pereira:

Each team will supply 12 primary and 12 backup footballs to the game officials 2 hours and 15 minutes before each game. Previously, the visitors had to supply just 12, though they could have supplied up to 24 for outdoor games.

If a football is found to be below the minimum of 12.5 PSI or above the maximum of 13.5 PSI, it will be inflated or deflated to 13 PSI.

–Guaranteed money is the hurdle the Seattle Seahawks must clear to sign quarterback Russell Wilson to a long-term contract.

According to NFL Network, Wilson has not turned down any contract offer from the Seahawks, contrary to published reports, and negotiations are ongoing focused on the amount of guaranteed money in the deal.

Wilson can become a free agent at the end of the 2015 season if he does not sign an extension.

–Junior Galette reportedly passed his physical with the New Orleans Saints and was set to be released.

The team’s intent to cut the pass rusher was learned last Friday. He had to pass a physical first, and he told The Times-Picayune on Monday that he passed the exam. He had been recovering from a torn pectoral muscle.

–Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the center of attention as training camp got underway over the weekend, doesn’t see an end to his career for many years to come.

Peterson’s newly renegotiated contract runs through the 2017 season, when he will be 32 years old.

“I don’t see the end,” Peterson told Peter King of TheMMQB.com. “Straight up and honest with you, I feel like, and I don’t know if I’ll do this, because I feel like once my mind tells me, ‘You know what — I’m not loving this game anymore,’ I’ll walk away whenever that time is. But I honestly feel I can play this game until I am 36 or 37 years old. And at a high level.”

–The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed defensive end Da’Quan Bowers. The minimum-salary deal is for one year, NFL Media reported.

The Buccaneers drafted Bowers in the second round in 2011, and he has played in 50 games (10 starts).