FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots draft pick Aaron Hernandez said he violated the substance abuse policy once at college, but he denies published reports he was a multiple offender.

Hernandez was drafted in the fourth round last week, the 113th overall pick. Hernandez said he was up front with all of the teams he talked to about the drug test and expressed his regret.

Hernandez set records for a Florida tight end last season with 68 catches and 850 yards receiving while playing with star quarterback Tim Tebow.

 

PANTHERS-BEARS: Carolina traded starting strong safety Chris Harris to Chicago for reserve linebacker Jamar Williams, returning Harris to Chicago less than three years after he was traded to the Panthers.

The 25-year-old Williams played in all 16 games in each of the past three seasons with the Bears and had a career-high 43 tackles last season. But he wasn’t been able to win a starting job with Lance Briggs in front of him and was a restricted free agent.

After missing the first three games with a knee injury and then getting off to a slow start, Harris had 44 tackles and three interceptions last season.

 

DOLPHINS: General Manager Jeff Ireland apologized for asking wide receiver Dez Bryant an inappropriate question during a predraft interview.

In a statement released by the Dolphins, Ireland said he used “poor judgment,” but didn’t say what he asked Bryant, the Oklahoma State standout, when he met with the team April 1-2.

Yahoo Sports reported Bryant was offended by Ireland asking him if his mother, Angela, was a prostitute.

Angela Bryant received an 18-month jail sentence in 1997-98 for drug trafficking.

 

COWBOYS: Dallas signed tight end Scott Sicko to a free-agent contract three days after the New Hampshire player said he was turning down the NFL to go to graduate school. Sicko wasn’t taken in the draft.

The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Sicko caused an Internet stir with his announcement Saturday. Some applauded his focus on academics, while others blasted him for passing on a rare opportunity.

 

BENGALS: Cincinnati claimed running back Cedric Peerman off waivers from Detroit.

 

CARDINALS: Arizona agreed to terms with free-agent left guard Alan Faneca on a one-year contract, three days after he was cut by the New York Jets. The team did not release financial terms.

The 33-year-old Faneca played the last two seasons for the Jets and has 128 consecutive starts over the past eight years.

Faneca rejoins Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm, both former Steelers assistants. Grimm was the nine-time Pro Bowl selection’s position coach from 2001-06 in Pittsburgh.