Giants waive linebacker Brinkley, sign quarterback Johnson
September 5, 2016
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Giants have signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson and terminated the contract of middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley.
The Giants announced the moves Monday as they began preparing for the season opener against Dallas.
The signing of Johnson gives New York three quarterbacks for the first time since 2013. He joins Eli Manning and backup Ryan Nassib.
Johnson is a seven-year veteran who has previously been with eight teams, throwing a total of 177 regular-season passes, the last in December 2011.
Brinkley played in 15 games last season, starting nine. His 66 tackles were No. 3 on the team. He also had a sack, four forced fumbles and a recovery.
Brinkley was a contender to start until he hurt a knee and missed the final preseason game.
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Steelers place LB Bud Dupree on injured reserve
September 4, 2016
PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree will miss at least the first eight weeks of the season to deal with a lingering groin injury that sidelined him during training camp.
Dupree recorded four sacks during his rookie season in 2015 and shed 20 pounds in the offseason in hopes of adding quickness of the edge on the pass rush. Instead the Steelers will likely go with veteran Arthur Moats in the 2016 opener at Washington on Sept. 12.
Pittsburgh can designate Dupree as eligible to return at some point, but he is required to sit out at least eight weeks.
The Steelers signed veteran Steven Johnson to take Dupree's roster spot. Johnson was among the final cuts when Pittsburgh pared down to 53 players on Saturday.
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Rams make roster moves during their actual move to new home
September 4, 2016
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) Amid the usual rush of personnel moves on the final weekend before the NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams also are making their actual move into their new team headquarters.
Coach Jeff Fisher is balancing the shuffle of his 53-man roster with the latest change of address in the Rams' peripatetic season. They're settling into the modular buildings next to their brand-new practice fields in Thousand Oaks, 85 miles from training camp in Irvine and 45 miles from the Coliseum.
''We've had a really good couple of days here from the standpoint of moving in and getting settled, and then from the standpoint of making hard decisions on the roster,'' Fisher said Sunday. ''Everybody has worked really hard. We're all in the midst of unpacking boxes and getting ready to get back to it.''
The Rams made numerous cuts Saturday, but Fisher said the roster is far from set for next week's season opener. He expects changes to the 53-man lineup, along with Los Angeles' practice squad signings.
Perhaps the Rams' most surprising decision was the departure of linebacker Akeem Ayers, a Los Angeles native and UCLA product. Fisher indicated that the Rams are hoping they don't lose Ayers, whose contract was terminated.
''All of the decisions that we make are difficult, and some of the decisions that you make are not permanent,'' Fisher said. ''Akeem has played well for us. We've enjoyed having him. We're kind of hopeful that this is not the end between us and Akeem, I'll just say that.''
In Ayers' place, the Rams kept three rookie linebackers, including undrafted free agents Cory Littleton and Nic Grigsby. Los Angeles has only three safeties and five linebackers on its current roster along with Mark Barron, who plays a hybrid linebacker/safety role sometimes referred to as ''weak safety.''
While Fisher indicated those numbers will change in the next few days, he credited the rookie linebackers for their work.
''They showed improvement week after week after week,'' Fisher said. ''They also showed that they can be productive on special teams in practice, really since the rookie camps and OTAs. Pleased with their progress. They've got a ways to go, but we like where the future is with that group.''
The roster also included rookie receiver Nelson Spruce, the prolific Colorado pass-catcher who grew up a few minutes away in Westlake Village. Spruce, an undrafted free agent, survived the 53-man cut despite being limited to one preseason game by injury.
''Nelson did a lot of things well, in addition to the preseason game that he played in,'' Fisher said. ''He's healing up. We feel like he has a chance to contribute and make plays.''
The Rams will begin game preparations for their season opener with a walkthrough on Labor Day, but their moving process will continue for the next few days. After every challenge over the past eight months, Fisher is confident the Rams can handle unpacking a few more boxes.
''We're still looking for my clock, so there's a few things we haven't found yet, but we'll be up and rolling,'' Fisher said. ''As the players came through (Sunday) - it's their day off, mind you, but so many came through just to see it - they all said, `Wow, this is a lot better than I thought it was.' So they're excited about it. Once you get inside, in a lot of ways there's more space than what we had in St. Louis. There's a newness to it, and guys are excited about the field. It flows well. People worked really hard.''
NOTES: The Rams signed seven players to their practice squad: WR Paul McRoberts, DE Morgan Fox, DB Michael Jordan, OT Isaiah Battle, LB Brandon Chubb and RBs Aaron Green and Terrence Magee. .. Fisher said the Rams have made contact with Tre Mason's family, but still haven't spoken directly to the troubled running back. He was placed on a Did Not Report list in July when he didn't show up to training camp after numerous offseason legal troubles. ''The organization's position, including the league and the players' association, is to take care of him and help him to get the help that he needs to get through this life crisis that he's having,'' Fisher said.
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WR Hunter claimed by Dolphins, who waive WR Whalen
September 4, 2016
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) Receiver Justin Hunter has been claimed by the Miami Dolphins, who waived receiver Griff Whalen.
Hunter was a second-round draft pick in 2013 by the Tennessee Titans, and they waived him Friday. He started five games last year and had 22 receptions for 264 yards and one score.
With the roster moves Sunday by the Dolphins, they reunite Hunter with receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, who previously was an assistant coach at Tennessee. Hunter is one of six receivers on the Miami roster.
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Panthers claim DE Edwards off waivers; release DE Horton
September 4, 2016
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Panthers claimed defensive end Lavar Edwards off waivers from the Buffalo Bills and released defensive end Wes Horton on Sunday.
Edwards has had stints with Chicago, Dallas, Tennessee and Buffalo since coming into the league in 2013. He has played in 12 games with no sacks.
Horton had spent the last three seasons with the Panthers, playing in 41 games with 17 starts. He had 41 tackles and six sacks during that span.
The Panthers also named their 10-man practice squad on Sunday: running back Jalen Simmons, wide receiver Keyarris Garrett, tight end Beau Sandland, guard David Yankey, defensive end Larry Webster, defensive tackle Eric Crume, linebacker Brian Blechen, cornerback Zack Sanchez and safeties Marcus Ball and Travell Dixon.
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Bills claim fullback Vitale off waivers
September 4, 2016
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills claimed fullback Dan Vitale off waivers on Sunday.
Vitale was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick this spring.
Vitale can line up as both a tight end and a fullback. As a senior, he led Northwestern in receiving with 33 catches for 355 yards and had four touchdowns.
To make room for Vitale, the Bills released reserve linebacker Jamari Lattimore.
The Bills also announced that wide receiver Dez Lewis and kicker Jordan Gay have been signed to the practice squad. Lewis made a push in the spring up the depth chart but struggled in the preseason. Gay was the team's kickoff specialist in 2014 and 2015.
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Packers release veteran guard Josh Sitton
September 4, 2016
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers released three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton on Saturday, making an unexpected change on their offensive line.
The 30-year-old Sitton had started 112 of 121 regular-season games since being drafted in the fourth round in 2008 out of Central Florida. He was one of the leaders on a front five that protects quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers' other notable cuts Saturday to get to the 53-man limit for the start of the season included former starting linebacker Sam Barrington and wide receiver Geronimo Allison, an undrafted free agent who drew praise from quarterback Aaron Rodgers during training camp.
Sitton played through injuries, including a torn ligament in his left big toe in 2014. But the Packers have financial decisions to make up front, with the contracts of left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard T.J. Lang expiring after this season.
Sitton was entering the last year of a five-year, $33.75 million extension signed after the 2011 season. He was due to count $6.85 million against the cap this year.
''We want to thank Josh for his contributions during his time in Green Bay. He has been an important part of the success we have enjoyed on the field,'' general manager Ted Thompson said. ''While these decisions are never easy, this was done with a focus on what is best for the team and the growth of the offensive line.''
The Packers drafted two linemen this year, Jason Spriggs out of Indiana in the second round and Kyle Murphy in the sixth round out of Stanford.
JC Tretter has taken over at center with two-year starter Corey Linsley out with a hamstring injury.
The Packers placed Linsley on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, which will keep him from practicing and playing for at least the first six weeks of the season.
''Well, expectation of the offensive line, I think we clearly could have one of the best lines that we've had here,'' coach Mike McCarthy said recently. ''I think I've said that the last two years and frankly health is always important.''
Another veteran Packer, punter Tim Masthay, was released on Tuesday after the team claimed Jacob Schum off waivers from Tampa Bay. Masthay had been with Green Bay for six seasons.
The Packers also are without a long snapper after they released Rick Lovato, a first-year player who joined the team near the end of last season.
By letting go of Barrington, a fourth-year pro who started eight games in his career but missed most of last season with a foot injury, the Packers could be counting on a youthful tandem of Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez as their starting inside linebackers.
Green Bay selected Martinez in the fourth round of this year's draft out of Stanford.
Green Bay cut 17 players Saturday, including Brandon Ross, which leaves undrafted rookie Brandon Burks as the third running back behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks.
The Packers placed a pair of undrafted free agents, defensive tackle Tyler Kuder and center Kyle Steuck, on injured reserve.
Green Bay also moved defensive tackle Mike Pennel and cornerback Demetri Goodson to the reserve/suspended list. Both players will miss the first four games for violations of the NFL's drug policy.
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Eagles trade quarterback Sam Bradford to Vikings
September 3, 2016
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Sam Bradford was given the trade out of Philadelphia he wanted months ago, just eight days before the season opener.
The Minnesota Vikings found their emergency replacement for Teddy Bridgewater, paying a steep price while signaling anew they're in it to win it this year.
Bradford was sent to the Vikings on Saturday for a pair of draft picks, including a first-rounder in 2017.
''We felt this was a very rare and unique opportunity to add a quarterback of Sam's caliber,'' Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said, adding: ''We did not mortgage the future in my mind.''
After Bridgewater went down with a gruesome injury to his left knee in practice on Tuesday, Spielman initiated a marathon evaluation session that night of other potential options around the league. He publicly expressed confidence on Thursday in Shaun Hill to take over for Bridgewater, but the 15-year veteran Hill has only been a starter as an injury fill-in and has limited arm strength with which to stretch the field for Adrian Peterson and the rest of the offense.
So Bradford, whose career has been blemished by injuries since becoming the first overall pick in the 2010 draft by St. Louis, entered the picture. He is signed through 2017, which was a major reason for Minnesota's interest. After dislocating his knee, completely tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and sustaining other significant damage, Bridgewater will have a hard time making it back next season.
''I was a little surprised just because it wasn't on my radar, but I think that surprise quickly turned into excitement when I realized the opportunity I had ahead,'' said Bradford, who won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma but has never been to the playoffs in the NFL.
The Vikings also parted with a fourth-round draft pick in 2018 that can become a third-rounder or a second-rounder based on how they finish. Spielman touted the extra selections the Vikings have in the third and fourth rounds in 2017, an opportunity to move back into the first round if a particular player inspired them to do so.
The Eagles were 7-9 last season and would have been in a rebuilding mode in a division other than the diluted NFC East. The deal allows them to develop No. 2 overall draft pick Carson Wentz sooner than expected. Chase Daniel is the only other quarterback left on their roster. Wentz missed the last three preseason games because of broken ribs, but personnel chief Howie Roseman said the team is ''very confident'' about the recovery track he's been on.
Before the trade, the Eagles didn't have a first-round pick for 2017 when the draft will be held in Philadelphia. They dealt that one and others to move up for Wentz this spring.
''This was not part of the blueprint, but we have to take advantage of opportunities that are presented to us,'' Roseman said.
The Vikings, who finished 11-5 to win the NFC North last year, are more poised for a Super Bowl run now.
''We had to make a very difficult decision on what's going to give us the best chance to win,'' Spielman said, adding: ''I understand at times there's a premium you have to pay.''
Bradford, who was acquired by the Eagles in a trade with the Rams about 18 months ago, set franchise records last season with 346 completions and a 65 percent completion percentage. His 3,725 yards passing in 14 games was the fourth-most in Eagles history, thriving down the stretch in coach Chip Kelly's fast-paced scheme. Bradford then passed up free agency and signed a two-year, $36 million contract with $22 million guaranteed in March.
But the Eagles grabbed Wentz, and Bradford responded by skipping some voluntary offseason workouts. After a trade with Denver couldn't be worked out, Bradford returned as the starter and played well in the preseason in new coach Doug Pederson's offense.
Bradford will now play for his sixth offensive coordinator, Norv Turner, in seven seasons. The Vikings tight ends coach, though, is Pat Shurmur, who was Philadelphia's offensive coordinator in 2015 and Bradford's offensive coordinator in his rookie season with the Rams. Shurmur filled the Vikings in on all of Bradford's intangibles, another key to the deal, according to Spielman.
''If there's a good thing about learning a new offense every year, it's that I'm familiar with this process and how it goes I guess,'' Bradford said.
Bradford has played a full 16-game season only twice in six years. He tore the ACL in his left knee during training camp in 2014 with the Rams and was replaced, ironically, by Hill, who was one of the first people Bradford called after the trade. The Vikings sent a private jet to Bradford's home in Oklahoma, and he arrived at team headquarters late in the afternoon to begin cramming in as much knowledge of Turner's system as he can.
Hill will likely start the opener on Sept. 11 at Tennessee, though.
''That's not up to me. I'm going to come in and give it everything I have,'' Bradford said.
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Barth, McCain among final Saints cuts; Hoomanawanui on IR
September 3, 2016
METAIRIE, La. (AP) The New Orleans Saints placed tight end Michael Hoomanawanui on injured reserve and cut 21 players - including recently acquired offensive lineman Khalif Barnes and defensive end Chris McCain - to trim their roster to the regular season maximum of 53.
One of the moves made by Saturday's deadline was the release of kicker Connor Barth, meaning Kai Forbath will retain the job he took over during last season.
Hoomanawanui, one of New Orleans' top blocking tight ends, has been sidelined since going down with an undisclosed injury in New Orleans' third preseason game.
McCain was acquired Monday in a trade that sent a conditional seventh-round pick to Miami. The Saints will now retain that pick. Barnes was acquired the same day as a free agent.
Also cut were: defensive tackle Bobby Richardson; defensive ends Darryl Tapp, Davis Tull and C.J. Wilson; linebacker Jeff Schoettmer; fullback Austin Johnson; receivers Jake Lampman and Jordan Williams-Lambert; offensive linemen Jack Allen, Joseph Cheek, John Fullington, Marcus Henry, Tony Hills, and Tyrus Thompson; tight end Garrett Griffin; and defensive backs Brian Dixon and Trae Elston.
Johnson scored a touchdown on a short pass in New Orleans' preseason finale against Baltimore on Thursday night, but the Saints elected to go with veteran fullback John Kuhn, who was acquired during training camp.
Four undrafted rookies - receiver Tommylee Lewis, guard Landon Turner, and defensive backs De'Vante Harris and Ken Crawley - remain on the roster, as do all five of the Saints' 2016 draft choices.
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Raiders keep four undrafted free agents
September 3, 2016
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Raiders kept four undrafted free agents on their 53-man roster, with running back Jalen Richard, defensive lineman Darius Latham, receiver Johnny Holton and cornerback Antonio Hamilton all surviving cuts at the roster deadline.
The Raiders traded safety Dewey McDonald to Seattle for a conditional draft pick, moved fullback Marcel Reece to the suspended list for the first three games and cut 20 other players Saturday.
The most noteworthy players to get cut were cornerback Neiko Thorpe, who had been given a second-round restricted free agent tender in the spring, and linebacker Neiron Ball, a fifth-round pick last year who was cut with an injured designation. Linebacker James Cowser was also waived/injured.
Richard, who played college ball at Southern Mississippi, impressed coaches almost immediately and joined rookie DeAndre Washington as the primary backups to Latavius Murray. Richard missed the first two exhibition games with an injury but showed some burst in the final two games as a runner, receiver and returner.
Latham, out of Indiana, was one of Oakland's most consistent defensive players in the preseason and provides depth on the line with starter Mario Edwards Jr. out with an injury. Edwards is expected to miss several more weeks and could be placed on injured reserve to start the season.
Holton, out of Cincinnati, was competing with K.J. Brent for the fifth wide receiver spot on the roster. Both players had good moments in the exhibition season, but Holton ended up winning out that race.
Hamilton, out of South Carolina State, was a bit of a surprise to make the team as one of six cornerbacks on the roster.
The other players released by Oakland were running back George Atkinson III; offensive linemen Mitch Bell, Denver Kirkland, Oni Omoile; defensive linemen Drew Iddings, Branden Jackson, Derrick Lott and Greg Townsend Jr.; linebackers John Lotulelei, Korey Toomer and Kyrie Wilson; receivers Marvin Hall and Jaydon Mickens; tight ends Jake McGee and Ryan O'Malley; and cornerback Kenneth Durden.
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Vikings cut draft picks Beavers, Bohringer, Weatherly
September 3, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Vikings have let go of three of their eight draft picks, waiving guard Willie Beavers, wide receiver Moritz Bohringer and defensive end Stephen Weatherly in the process of setting the roster for the regular season.
Quarterbacks Joel Stave and Brad Sorensen were among the 20 players cut Saturday by the Vikings, who also sent their 2017 first-round draft pick and a 2018 fourth-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford . With Teddy Bridgewater (knee) on injured reserve and Taylor Heinicke (foot) on the non-football injury list, the Vikings have only two quarterbacks for now with Shaun Hill and Bradford.
Beavers was taken in the fourth round out of Western Michigan. Bohringer became the first player in NFL history drafted straight from Europe. Weatherly was a seventh-round pick via Vanderbilt. But the Vikings are built to contend for a Super Bowl this season, leaving less room for rookies. They're all strong candidates for the 10-player practice squad that can be established Sunday.
Defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis, a vested veteran, was released. Waived in addition to Beavers, Bohringer and Weatherly were the following players: tackle Carter Bykowski, guard Isame Faciane, wide receiver Isaac Fruechte, running backs C.J. Ham and Jhurell Pressley, fullback Blake Renaud, tight end Kyle Carter, defensive ends Zach Moore and Denzell Perine, defensive tackles Toby Johnson and Travis Raciti, linebackers Jake Ganus and Brandon Watts, and cornerback Tre Roberson.
Safety Michael Griffin (back) and cornerback Jabari Price (knee) were placed on injured reserve to reach the 53-man limit. Griffin was signed to compete for the starting spot opposite Harrison Smith, but incumbent Andrew Sendejo has kept that job for now. The Vikings kept six cornerbacks, leaving little room for Price.
The offensive line will look a lot different than last season. Behind starters Matt Kalil, Alex Boone, Joe Berger, Brandon Fusco and Andre Smith, the Vikings kept backup tackles T.J. Clemmings and Jeremiah Sirles, backup guard Zac Kerin and backup center Nick Easton.
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Browns trade Gilbert, release Gabriel
September 3, 2016
CLEVELAND (AP) The Browns continued their methodical housecleaning by sweeping out another first-round pick.
Cornerback Justin Gilbert, who never lived up to being the No. 8 overall pick in 2014, was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday for a sixth-round draft pick in 2018 and Cleveland also released wide receiver Taylor Gabriel as it trimmed its roster to the NFL-required 53 players.
Gilbert was a major disappointment almost from the moment he began with the Browns. He started in just three games over two seasons in which he never seemed to mesh with his teammates on or off the field. The 24-year-old made only one interception and never delivered on the big-play potential he showed after starring at Oklahoma State.
Gilbert's departure wasn't entirely a surprise. On Friday, coach Hue Jackson said the defensive back had shown some signs of improvement this summer but did not guarantee he would make the roster.
With Gilbert gone, the Browns don't have any of the players they selected in the first round from 2011-14. Phil Taylor, Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, Barkevious Mingo and Johnny Manziel - all first-round picks - preceded Gilbert out of town. Cleveland's new front office recently traded Mingo to New England and the troubled Manziel was released in March.
The Browns have made three trades in the past week and the roster is likely to undergo further changes in the next 48 hours.
In getting down 53, the Browns released Gabriel, who had 64 catches over the past two seasons.
The 25-year-old Gabriel figured to have an edge after a long punt return in Thursday's loss to Chicago. However, the Browns decided to keep the four rookies they drafted this year - Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton and Rashard Higgins - along with veterans Andrew Hawkins and Terrelle Pryor over Gabriel. Wide receiver Josh Gordon is suspended for the first four games because of multiple drug violations and does not count against the roster.
''We've gotten a lot bigger, we've got younger and I think we've gotten better,'' first-year coach Hue Jackson said. ''Having Terrelle Pryor and obviously our draft pick Corey Coleman is good, and it's great to see Terrelle come on. Obviously, getting Josh Gordon back on our football team is huge. You're talking about one of the better receivers in the league, and we've got to make sure we hold this thing together until he can get back and we're looking forward to having him back.''
Also, the Browns addressed their punting issue by signing former Denver punter Britton Colquitt to a one-year contract.
The Browns had been looking for a punter since trading three-time Pro Bowler Andy Lee to Carolina earlier this week for a fourth-round pick. On Thursday, punters Kasey Redfern and Mike Palardy both shanked kicks badly in a loss to Chicago. Redfern and Palardy were both released.
The 31-year-old Colquitt spent six seasons with the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos, who cut him on Tuesday. He has averaged 45.2 yards per punt in his career.
''It's great that we had the opportunity to add a quality veteran punter. Obviously, we let a really good one go, but it's tremendous that our personnel staff was able to quickly bring someone to our team who has had success in this league and has some skins on the wall,'' said Jackson, who vowed to fix the punting problem after the Browns lost 21-7 to the Bears. ''We're excited about the opportunity to work with him.''
Colquitt's brother, Dustin, punts for Kansas City. Their dad, Craig, punted for Pittsburgh from 1978-84.
On a busy day, the Browns learned they may face Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz in the Sept. 11 season opener. Philadelphia traded Sam Bradford to Minnesota on Saturday, clearing the way for Wentz to take over if he's recovered from cracked ribs.
The Browns could have taken Wentz in the draft but opted to trade the No. 2 overall pick to the Eagles, who gave Cleveland their first-round pick in 2017 to move up.
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Bears' McPhee to start season on PUP list with knee injury
September 3, 2016
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Chicago Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee will start the season on the physically unable to perform list and miss at least the first six games because of a knee injury.
McPhee is recovering from offseason surgery. He had six sacks last year - five in the first seven games.
The move was one of several as the Bears trimmed their roster to 53 before Saturday's deadline.
Receiver Marc Mariani and running back Jacquizz Rodgers were among six players who had their contracts terminated. The Bears waived 12 players, including rookie receiver Daniel Braverman.
They also waived defensive end Ego Ferguson and outside linebacker Danny Mason with injury settlements and placed receiver Marquess Wilson on the PUP list.
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