McKinnie handed 4-game suspension

The NFL suspended Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay Friday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, a blow to the protection of Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson’s blind side.

McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a street brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February. He will be eligible to return to the Vikings’ active roster following the team’s Sept. 28 game against Tennessee.

McKinnie will also sit out games against Green Bay, Indianapolis and Carolina. That means potential matchups against premier pass rushers Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Packers), Dwight Freeney (Colts) and Julius Peppers (Panthers).

Artis Hicks, who was Minnesota’s starter at right guard for 1 1/2 seasons before being unseated by Anthony Herrera, is expected to fill in for McKinnie.

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The Houston Texans released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and 20 other players, one day before NFL teams must set their 53-man rosters. The Texans signed Colvin in June after he was released by New England. He had 52 1/2 sacks in nine seasons with Chicago and New England.

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The New Orleans Saints terminated the contract of veteran safety Lance Schulters and waived defensive end Jeremy Geathers.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, Fla., a switch that became official this week, according to media reports.

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In exhibition games: Third-string quarterback Darrell Hackney threw for 208 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown to Keary Colbert, and Denver beat Arizona, 28-14, at Glendale, Ariz. Arizona’s Matt Leinart replaced starter Kurt Warner and directed the Cardinals to two touchdowns. . . . Eldra Buckley made a one-armed diving catch on a two-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds left to lead the San Diego Chargers to a 20-17 win over the 49ers at San Francisco. . . . T.J. Duckett rushed for 71 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Seahawks to a 23-16 win over the Oakland Raiders at Seattle.