For all the offensive line issues the Carolina Panthers have suffered through over the last couple of seasons, the play of Pro Bowl offensive guard Trai Turner hasn’t been one of them.
Thursday Turner and the Panthers agreed on a four-year, $45 million contract extension with $20.5 million in guaranteed cash. Part of that is a $15 million signing bonus. Turner was entering the final year of his old contract.
Beyond excited today!! Thank you to Mr. Richardson and the Panther family, I'll be a Panther for 4 more years!!! #KeepPounding #SvckaFree
— Trai Turner (@trai_turner) July 20, 2017
This is the first signing move from interim general manager Mary Hurney and a good one. The Panthers have another guard, Andrew Norwell, they need to re-sign too so don’t be surprised to see a new deal announced for him in the next few weeks.
It wasn’t that kind of good news for offensive tackle Michael Oher. Seemingly the only guy sorry to see former GM David Gettleman go was sent packing Thursday when the Panthers cut him after he failed a physical. The move opens up $1.69 million in salary cap room. Oher only played in three games last year after suffering a concussion he never fully recovered from.
The Brain is a scary thing. You have to be careful with it.
— Michael Oher (@MichaelOher) July 20, 2017
Oher has made public that he feels he’s still suffering the effects from the concussion and his career might be over.
McKinley will miss the start of Falcons’ camp
Takkarist McKinley, still recovering from his March shoulder surgery, is expected to miss the beginning of training camp with the Atlanta Falcons. McKinley played with a torn labrum at UCLA all last season.
Takkarist McKinley to reportedly miss start of Falcons camp, possibly start of season https://t.co/E7f21axwHN pic.twitter.com/m68jashLfP
— SportsRadio 740 (@SportsRadio_740) July 20, 2017
On Draft Night when the Falcons picked McKinley, NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport reported that teams new that McKinley’s surgery would take a while to heal, with some thinking he’d be read for the regular season and others predicting he’d start on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Last year McKinely recorded 61 tackles, 18 for a loss, 10 sacks, six passes defended, one fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.
Cardinals bring back Chris Johnson
The Arizona Cardinals are taking no chances with their running back depth chart. Thursday they signed their former running back Chris Johnson to a one-year deal. Johnson has been on the Cardinals’ roster for the last two seasons, but ended both injured. Last year he went down with a groin injury midway through the year.
Cardinals are re-signing RB Chris Johnson, per source. Back for another season in Arizona, more backfield depth.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 20, 2017
Johnson will battle with Andre Ellington and Kerwynn Williams to back up star running back David Johnson. The financial part of the contract has not been revealed.
Johnson is just 463 yards away from 10,000 in his career and, reportedly, wants to hit that mark. With his health issues, a back up role is probably best for him at this point and the Cardinals know they can count on him when he’s on the field.
Rams bring in quarterback Dan Orlovsky
New head coach Sean McVay is making sure he has plenty of arms in camp to install his new offense with the Los Angeles Rams. Thursday the Rams signed free agent quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a one-year deal. Financial details have not been released.
#Rams agree to terms with QB Dan Orlovsky.
Read more 📰 » https://t.co/NYf9iWguKM pic.twitter.com/zRS6oxBhzD
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 20, 2017
Orlovsky spent last season with the Detroit Lions and saw action in three games. He completed 55 percent of his passes for 201 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Orlovsky began his career with the Lions and actually started seven games in the disastrous 2008 0-16 season. His best year was during the disastrous 2011 season of the Indianapolis Colts. He got his only two career wins in five tries that season, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.
The move comes five days after the Rams waved former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Dylan Thompson. Orlovsky will enter camp as the No. 3 QB behind Sean Mannion and starter Jared Goff.
Cowboys sign Justin Durant
With so many defensive players facing (or already getting) suspensions from the NFL for various reasons, the Dallas Cowboys added some insurance at linebacker Thursday by signing free agent Justin Durant. Durant was with the Cowboys last season.
Cowboys have signed veteran LB Justin Durant. 37 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 sack last year (13 games). DB Jeremiah McKinnon gets cut. pic.twitter.com/SSR8QBxVVL
— ✭Cowboys News✭ (@DemBoyz_News) July 20, 2017
Durant didn’t start a game, but played in 13, recording 37 tackles, one sack and three passes defended. He’d been with the Cowboys for two seasons previous in 2013-14. Durant was a second round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2007.
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