by Chris Mooney

As many drafts are fast approaching, here are some vital news updates you should know before your draft…..

The Larry Johnson saga is over.

The star running back Johnson has agreed in principle to a new six-year deal with Kansas City, and is expected to rejoin his team on Tuesday, FOXSports.com has learned.

While his teammates were holding two-a-days in River Falls, Wisconin, Johnson spent training camp working out at Athletes Performance Institute in Tempe, Arizona.

Financial terms of the deal were not yet available, but it is expected that Johnson will be one of the three highest-paid running backs in the NFL, along with San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson and Seattle’s Shaun Alexander.

In other player news…

The Denver Post reports the Broncos had just four healthy running backs work out Monday: RB Cecil Sapp, RB Selvin Young, RB Paul Smith and RB Troy Fleming. RB Andre Hall may be able to practice later in the week. But it will be a small group that plays against Cleveland. HC Mike Shanahan said starter RB Travis Henry (knee) will not play until the season opener. Henry suffered a mild knee sprain Saturday at Dallas. His backup, RB Mike Bell (hip), will be out two weeks with a hip injury. FB Kyle Johnson is expected back to practice this week. The team could sign a running back to help the numbers game for now, but because the ailments are minor it may not be necessary.

NorthJersey.com reports New York Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery apparently injured his right knee during Monday morning’s practice and spent the evening workout pedaling the stationary bike.

The Houston Chronicle reports after meeting with the Texans on Monday night, ex-Packers WR Robert Ferguson left Houston for Minnesota early Tuesday morning with the intention of signing with the Vikings. The Texans told Ferguson if he signed with them he would be placed on the scout team in practice this week. The Vikings told him they would sign him and play him immediately. “We told Robert that we’d evaluate him on the scout team in practice this week,” Texans HC Gary Kubiak said. “We’re continuing to evaluate the receivers we have, and we’ve got some tough decisions to make on them. And they’ve been here the whole camp. We wish Robert the best of luck.” Ferguson was the Packers’ second-round pick in 2001. His head coach at Green Bay was Mike Sherman, the Texans’ offensive coordinator. His position coach at A&M was Larry Kirksey, the Texans’ new receivers coach.

The Washington Times reports Redskins RB Clinton Portis (knee tendinitis) hasn’t participated in a full practice since July 30 because of knee tendinitis. While tendinitis requires significant rest, the Redskins probably don’t have that time. They could save Portis for the regular season, but there are questions whether he can tolerate the pain for an entire season. Without Portis, the running game averaged only 2.13 yards a carry in the first half against Tennessee and Pittsburgh. RB Ladell Betts has only 10 carries, but HC Joe Gibbs isn’t pleased with the running game in Portis’ absence.

Saints receiver Marques Colston said Monday a second MRI exam performed on his sore right knee Sunday revealed no structural damage.  Still, he is unsure if he will play Thursday night against Kansas City in the team’s fourth exhibition game. “If this was the regular season, I’d be able to play, but I think the coaches just want to take precautionary (measures) and keep me out,” Colston said.