Austin signs tender with Cowboys
Pro Bowl wide receiver Miles Austin signed his $3.16 million tender with the Dallas Cowboys Friday. Austin had a breakout season in 2009, catching 81 passes for 1,320 yards. He scored 11 touchdowns for the Cowboys. He caught only 13 passes for 278 yards in 2008.
Dallas is looking to sign the 25-year-old to a long term deal according to team owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys reduced Austin’s return duties in 2009, and that might have helped him focus on his role as a wide receiver more. Austin returned more than 20 kicks in each of the previous three seasons. His return total was down to seven in 2009.
Bethea signs four-year extension
Safety Antoine Bathea signed a four-year contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts Friday. The 25-year-old was drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007 as a replacement for Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
Bathea legitimized this selection when he made the 2009 Pro Bowl. He recorded 95 tackles in 16 games last season and picked the opposing quarterback off four times. Details of the contract have not been released.
Rams’ injury trouble
Two St. Louis Rams offensive linemen suffered injuries last week. Left tackle Jason Smith hurt his toe Thursday and an MRI later revealed a stress fracture. The injury will not require surgery, and Smith will most likely only miss the rest of the Rams’ OTAs. He should be ready to go for the team’s training camp.
Guard Mark Setterstrom suffered a more severe injury. He tore his triceps and may require surgery. A timetable on his return depends on whether the procedure is needed or not.
The Rams signed Smith with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 draft. He started five games and appeared in eight contests for the team last season. Setterstrom started in three games in 2009.
Raiders sign DT Henderson
The Oakland Raiders have signed veteran defensive tackle John Henderson to a one-year deal. The 31-year-old was picked up in free agency, after he spent his entire career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 6-foot-7, 335-pound tackle recorded three sacks and 36 tackles with the Jaguars last year. He has started in every game he appeared in since 2003.
Chargers sign WR Reed
The San Diego Chargers have reacted to some of the turmoil surrounding their OTAs by signing veteran wider receiver Josh Reed. The Chargers’ number one choice at wide out, Vincent Jackson, is one of three players who have been staying away from OTAs, including minicamp.
Jackson, left tackle Marcus McNeill, and linebacker Shawne Merriman are staying away from the team’s activities to protest the team only offering them one-year tenders.
Reed had 27 catches for 291 and only one touchdown with the Bills in 2009.
Peterson misses mandatory minicamp-workout
The Minnesota Viking’s running back Adrian Peterson missed a mandatory workout that was part of the team’s minicamp Friday. Instead of working out with the team, he traveled to his hometown Palestine, Tex. to attend Adrian Peterson Day, which was held in his honor Saturday.
Vikings coach Brad Childress said he wasn’t happy about Peterson’s absence.
Muhammad retires
Former Carolina Panther’s wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad hung up his cleats after 14 years in the NFL. The 37-year-old holds Panthers records in catches and receiving yards. The Panthers decided to take a different route in the offseason and did not re-sign Muhammad, who had said that he wanted to keep playing.
Carolina wanted a younger team and didn’t offer the wide receiver a contract. Muhammad, who would have had to find a new team, decided it was time for him to leave the league and announced his retirement.
