HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans have placed outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on the physically unable to perform list.
The move means the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft will not be ready for the start of training camp this weekend. But Clowney will be able to return to practice whenever he is ready.
Clowney played just four games as a rookie last season before having season-ending microfracture surgery in December. Monday’s move isn’t a surprise. The Texans have said they weren’t sure if he would be ready for the start of training camp, but they still hope that he will be healthy in time for the season opener.
Saints
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have added tight end Kevin Brock and offensive lineman Cole Manhart after formally releasing outside linebacker Junior Galette.
Galette’s agent, Alvin Keels, told The Associated Press on Friday that Galette, whose 10 sacks led the Saints last season, would be released Monday if he passed a physical over the weekend.
The Saints apparently were concerned about NFL reviews of Galette’s actions off the field, including a domestic violence arrest for which charges were dropped and a video of a beach melee that appeared to involve the player.
The Saints also waived center Michael Brewster, citing a non-football injury.
The 20-year-old Brock has played in 20 games with Buffalo, Kansas City and Cincinnati since 2011.
Manhart, a rookie out of Nebraska- Kearny, plays guard and center.
Steelers
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has given his team a pretty ambitious goal in 2015.
Haley told quarterback Ben Roethlisberger he believes the Steelers can average 30 points a game this season.
The Steelers set a franchise record last year by scoring nearly 27 points on their way to winning the AFC North title. Pittsburgh returns every starter from a group that included All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell and All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Roethlisberger says there are things to improve on during the preseason, but that the Steelers can be as good as they want to be.
The team has the day off on Tuesday. The first practice in pads is Wednesday afternoon.
Vikings
MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Mike Wallace has joined Minnesota’s offense as more than just a wide receiver for deep routes.
Coming off a couple of rocky seasons with Miami, Wallace has brought a renewed appreciation for the importance of leadership as he’s integrating himself with the Vikings. Two days into training camp, Wallace has already made an impression with his attitude and hustle.
Wallace caught 10 touchdown passes with the Dolphins last season, but his yards per reception average of the past two seasons was 12.8, down from 17.2 over his four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings could use a number much closer to the latter than the former.
Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers offense tackle Jonathan Martin, the lineman harassed during the Miami Dolphins’ 2013 bullying scandal, is contemplating retirement following a back injury.
Martin’s agent Ken Zuckerman told The Associated Press his client recently injured his back during a workout. Zuckerman says doctors informed Martin he’s not allowed to do any activity for six weeks and needs surgery.
Zuckerman says he advised Martin “not to rule anything out,” but says his client would rather retire than have surgery.
The agent says Martin “tells me he’s not going to play. I told him to never say never (because) there are always medical advancements.”
The 25-year-old Martin signed with Carolina earlier this offseason. He’s been working as a backup.
Martin made national headlines in 2013 when he left the Dolphins after being bullied by teammates.
Buccaneers
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Defensive end Da’Quan Bowers is getting another opportunity to prove himself with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 2011 second-round draft pick was a major disappointment in four seasons with the Bucs, appearing in 50 games but only making 10 starts after entering the NFL as one of the nation’s top college pass rushers.
Bowers, who has seven career sacks, had 21 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in 11 games with Tampa Bay last season. He became an unrestricted free agent in March, but did not sign with another team.
The Bucs report for training camp on Friday.
Browns
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns coach Mike Pettine has been impressed with quarterback Johnny Manziel’s improvement but said the former Heisman Trophy winner remains firmly behind Josh McCown for the starting job.
Meeting with Cleveland reporters to preview training camp, Pettine said McCown, signed during the offseason, likely will be the starter for the Sept. 13 season opener against the New York Jets but he wouldn’t guarantee it.
Manziel, whose rough rookie season was followed by a stay in rehab, reported to the team’s facility on Monday. Unlike last summer, Manziel did not make any headlines with his off-field conduct and Pettine was impressed that the QB recently worked out with former NFL coach Jon Gruden.
Pettine said the team “felt very comfortable” with Manziel’s plans for the offseason and reiterated that the Browns won’t micromanage their players.
Colts
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts are still trying to firm up their offensive line.
On Monday, the team announced it had signed tackle Matt Hall and waived guard Will Corbin.
The latest moves come one day after Indy released Gosder Cherilus, the projected starter at right tackle.
The 6-foot-9, 326-pound Hall spent last season on Indy’s injured reserve list. He was waived May 4.
Corbin signed with the Colts as an undrafted rookie May 26. He played at Appalachian State.
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