Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley, who is thought to have killed himself with a gunshot to the head, had made previous statements about committing suicide, according to a sheriff’s investigative report released yesterday.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s report quoted one investigator as saying McKinley had been depressed over a knee surgery he had a month ago.

"He had made statements while playing dominoes shortly after the surgery that he should just kill himself," the officer reported. "No one believed he was serious."

The report provided no explanation for the source of the investigator’s information.

The report also said McKinley had made statements about not knowing what he would do without football. It said McKinley had flown to South Carolina 10 days earlier to see his young son and had brought him back with him to Denver on Sunday night.

Vick will be Eagles’ starter

Vick will take over as the Philadelphia Eagles’ No. 1 quarterback, coach Andy Reid said yesterday, a day after he announced he would go back to Kevin Kolb.

Vick threw for 175 yards and one touchdown and ran for 103 yards in a 27-20 season-opening loss to Green Bay. He had 284 yards passing and two TDs in a 35-32 win at Detroit on Sunday.

Are Vikings a Baskett case?

The Vikings made a move to add a wide receiver yesterday, but it wasn’t San Diego holdout Vincent Jackson.

Instead, after rumors ran rampant early in the day that the Pro Bowl receiver was headed to Minnesota, the Vikings closed in on signing journeyman Hank Baskett. NFL.com first reported a move that the Vikings did not confirm last night.

Bush out 6 weeks

Reggie Bush’s broken leg likely will sideline him about six weeks but not the rest of the season, a person familiar with the injury said.

Bush was expected to be examined again yesterday, the source said.

Jets say Edwards will play

Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards will be active for New York’s next game Sunday night at Miami despite being arrested for drunken driving yesterday.

The team said Edwards won’t start, and how much he plays against the Dolphins will be up to coach Rex Ryan.

Texan suspended

Houston left tackle Duane Brown was suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Brown, the Texans’ first-round draft choice and the 26th overall pick in 2008, said he wouldn’t appeal the suspension.

Redskins release Johnson

Running back Larry Johnson has been released by the Washington Redskins after gaining 2 yards on five carries in two games with the team.