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Chiefs lock up tackle Fisher

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Eric Fisher could be protecting the blind side for Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks for the next six years.

The Chiefs announced they had signed the left tackle to a contract extension Saturday, the first day veterans such as Fisher joined rookies on the practice field at Missouri Western for training camp.

The Chiefs did not announce terms of the extension, but a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press it was a four-year, $48 million deal that includes $40 million guaranteed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract terms were confidential.

Fisher is starting the final year of his rookie contract, and the Chiefs exercised their fifth-year option on the former No. 1 overall pick in May. That means Fisher’s total deal spans six years and $63 million.

“In three seasons he’s grown significantly as a football player in our system,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in a statement. “He’s a tough, physical presence and a leader on our offensive line. We look forward to keeping him as a part of our organization and community.”

The Chiefs hoped that Fisher would develop into a franchise left tackle when they selected him in the 2013 draft out of Central Michigan. But he struggled mightily his first couple years as he adjusted to life in the NFL, and for a while, many Chiefs fans thought that Fisher would turn out to be a bust.

He finally came into his own last season, adeptly protecting quarterback Alex Smith and helping to ensure the Chiefs’ run game remained on track even after Jamaal Charles suffered a season-ending knee injury. Fisher started both of the Chiefs’ playoff games, helping them win one for the first time since the 1993 season.

“Coach (Andy) Reid’s big thing is it all starts in the trenches with O-line, D-line and he’ll tell us that before every game,” Fisher said during the offseason. “We take that to heart, we’ve been building this thing for multiple years now and I think we’re getting to that point where we’re just about there.”

The only other first-round pick from the 2013 draft to sign an extension is Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who in January signed a six-year, $63 million deal with $35.5 million guaranteed.

Fisher’s deal means the Chiefs could have the three most prominent spots on the offensive line solidified for the foreseeable future. Mitch Morse is entering his second year at center after a dazzling rookie season, and the Chiefs signed free-agent right tackle Mitch Schwartz to a five-year, $33 million deal in March.

McKenzie extended

NAPA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders signed general manager Reggie McKenzie to a four-year contract extension.

Owner Mark Davis announced the move Friday night in front of about 100 former Raiders players. Davis said it was time to “reward” McKenzie for the job he had done in his first three years with the team.

McKenzie was originally given a five-year contract back in 2012 to run the team after the death of longtime owner Al Davis. The Raiders struggled at the start as McKenzie tried to rebuild the organization, winning just 11 games his first three seasons.

But a few strong draft classes and the hiring of coach Jack Del Rio last year helped Oakland improve to 7-9 in 2015 and the Raiders are expected to contend in the AFC West this year.

Hopkins not in camp

HOUSTON – Houston Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins did not report to training camp Saturday.

Entering his fourth pro season, Hopkins is holding out for a new contract. He is scheduled to make $1 million in salary in the final season of his rookie contract, though the Texans have picked up his fifth-year option.

Hopkins can be fined up to $40,000 for every day he misses camp.

He comes off a huge season with 111 receptions, 1,521 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns despite inconsistency at quarterback and few other receiving options on the Texans.

Houston general manager Rick Smith said in a statement, “Our focus is on the 2016 season and all of our collective efforts and attention will be centered on that endeavor.”

Davis reinstated

SAN FRANCISCO – Right tackle Anthony Davis was reinstated by the NFL on Saturday after an 11-month retirement that he planned to come back from all along.

The San Francisco 49ers made the announcement ahead of their first day of training camp Sunday under new coach Chip Kelly.

Davis was the 49ers’ first-round draft choice, the 11th overall pick, in the 2010 draft out of Rutgers. He was affected by a concussion late in the 2014 season.

On June 5, 2015, at age 25, Davis announced his retirement in another surprising offseason departure last year for the 49ers. He became the fourth prominent San Francisco player to retire in a three-month span, joining linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland and defensive end Justin Smith. The announcement came four days before the team’s mandatory June minicamp.

Also Saturday, San Francisco placed nose tackle Ian Williams on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Davis started all 71 games in which he had appeared, as well as eight playoff games. If at his previous top form, he could provide stability to an offensive line that lost Alex Boone to Minnesota in free agency.

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