Incognito will meet with Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to meet with Richie Incognito to determine if one of the central figures in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal can help their struggling offensive line.

Coach Lovie Smith emphasized Monday that while the Bucs had arranged a “visit” by the free agent guard, a signing wasn’t necessarily imminent.

An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other Miami offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of teammate Jonathan Martin, who left the team in the middle of last season. Incognito was suspended and missed the final eight games before becoming a free agent when his contract with the Dolphins expired.

Smith said it would be “jumping the gun” to assume the Bucs will sign Incognito but that he would enter the meeting late Monday with an open mind.

“We look at everyone who’s available. It’s no more than that. We haven’t signed anyone,” Smith said. “We owe it to ourselves to compare our roster to what’s out there, and Richie’s a part of that. So I think we should just wait and let the process take care of itself and go from there.”

The Buccaneers overhauled their offensive line after last season, beginning with the release of two-time Pro Bowl guard Davin Joseph. The unit suffered another blow when the team announced on the opening day of training camp that it was releasing projected starter Carl Nicks, who missed most of last season with a MRSA infection.

Several players, including quarterback Josh McCown and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said Incognito would be welcomed to the team if Incognito winds up being signed.

Concussion group formed

Medical officials from the NFL, FIFA and other sports organizations are banding together to look into better ways to identify, manage and treat concussions.

The “think tank,” funded by an educational grant from the NFL, was held Sunday and Monday at league headquarters in New York. Dozens of scientific and medical personnel, representing contact sports such as football and rugby to noncontact competitions such as equestrian, took part.

Dr. Rich Ellenbogen, chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee, says the various sports organizations “need to look at all variations of what is being done around the world.”

FIFA’s chief medical officer, Dr. Jiri Dvorak, insists that the team doctor has final say over players returning to action after an apparent head injury. FIFA was criticized during the World Cup for not effectively policing concussions.

Jets suspend Patterson

The New York Jets have “indefinitely” suspended cornerback Dimitri Patterson after he left the team for 48 hours without contacting the organization.

General manager John Idzik said Monday that Patterson spoke to him and coach Rex Ryan on Sunday night. Idzik would not discuss the reason for the absence.

Idzik adds that the suspension will be “brief,” but the 31-year-old veteran will face further discipline once the team has gathered all the facts. Patterson wasn’t on the practice field Monday.

Minnesota picks Cassel

The Vikings named veteran Matt Cassel as the team’s starting quarterback for the season opener against the Rams.

Cassel has completed more than 66 percent of his passes for 367 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the preseason to beat out rookie Teddy Bridgewater.

Around the League

Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather has been suspended for the first two games of the regular season for a blow to the head of Ravens receiver Torrey Smith on Saturday. … Rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will get his first NFL start when his Patriots visit the Giants for Thursday night’s preseason finale. … Falcons running back Steven Jackson returned to practice after missing nearly a month with a hamstring injury. … Jets rookie wide receiver Jalen Saunders participated fully in practice for the first time in over a week after suffering a seizure that hospitalized him for two days following a single-car accident.