Former NFL fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who played 11 seasons in the league with five different franchises, died Saturday after a seven-year battle with a recurring brain tumor. Heyward, who retired from the league following the 1998 season, was 39.

The Atlanta Falcons re-signed wide receiver and return specialist Jerome Pathon. Pathon played in eight games for the Falcons last season, catching one pass for 18 yards and returning three kickoffs for 54 yards. In his eight-year career he has 260 receptions for 3,350 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The Atlanta Falcons, after reportedly fielding several offers for T.J. Duckett, are holding on to the 6-foot, 254-pound battering ram of a running back known as "The Diesel." At least for the time being. The Falcons may be more willing to move Duckett, a first-round pick out of Michigan State in 2002, once they get a look at third-round pick Jerious Norwood, a running back from Mississippi State, in their mini-camp. Should Norwood give indications he can complement Warrick Dunn in 2006, Atlanta's asking price for Duckett could come down. The Steelers were one of the teams that made an offer for Duckett on Sunday.