Former first-rounder Fluker among cuts
Jets WR Marshall, Packers DT Guion suspended by NFL.
The Los Angeles Chargers have released cornerback Brandon Flowers, offensive lineman D.J. Fluker and receiver Stevie Johnson.
The Chargers announced the moves Tuesday.
Flowers spent three seasons with the Chargers after making the Pro Bowl and leaving Kansas City in 2013. He made just four interceptions in his three seasons, and he appeared in just six games last year while dealing with a concussion.
Fluker was the Chargers’ first-round pick in 2013. The versatile lineman was due to make $8.8 million next season, and he started all 16 games last season on the right side of the line.
Johnson caught 45 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns for the Chargers in 2015. He missed last season after injuring his knee early in training camp.
Falcons: All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after having minor foot surgery Monday, the club said.
Jones missed two games last season with a sprained left toe and also missed practice time in the second half of the season with foot problems. He still had 83 catches for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns and was named to his second straight All-Pro team.
Jets: The NFL suspended wide receiver Jalin Marshall for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancers. The second-year player from Ohio State can participate in all offseason team events, including training camp and preseason games, before serving the suspension.
Also a kick returner, Marshall made the Jets as an undrafted free agent. He had 14 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns, but a torn labrum in his shoulder forced him to miss six games.
Packers: Defensive lineman Letroy Guion was suspended without pay by the NFL for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The NFL said in a statement on Tuesday that Guion would be eligible to take part in all offseason and preseason practices, as well as preseason games.
Guion started 15 games last season, making 30 tackles. The nine-year veteran agreed to a three-year deal worth $11.25 million in February 2016 to stay with the Packers.
Vikings: Linebacker Chad Greenway, 34, is finished playing football, proud to be leaving the game “healthy and happy” and ready for retirement. Greenway concluded his 11-year career with a farewell news conference at Vikings headquarters. He turned his time at the podium into a 25-minute thank you to the people who influenced and supported him in football.
Seahawks: Cornerback DeShawn Shead and backup linebacker Brock Coyle will not receive qualifying offers, meaning both players will become unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins later this week.
The decision with Shead is surprising after he became Seattle’s starting cornerback late in the 2015 season and held the spot throughout 2016 opposite Richard Sherman. The former undrafted free agent played well but suffered a torn ACL in Seattle’s playoff loss to Atlanta in January.
Colts: Re-signed backup tight end Jack Doyle, keeping him off the free-agent market. Terms of the deal were not immediately known. Doyle had the best season of his fouryear career in 2016 with 59 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns.
Meantime, offensive lineman Joe Reitz announced his retirement. The 31-yearold played nine seasons, the past six with his hometown team, starting 44 games at both tackle and guard.
Panthers: Defensive end Charles Johnson will continue his long career with Carolina after signing a two-year contract extension. The 33-yearold Johnson has played all 11 seasons with the Panthers. He ranks second in franchise history with 67.5 sacks. He had 25 quarterback hurries and four sacks last season in 13 games.
Broncos: Placed second-round tenders on restricted free agents linebacker Todd Davis and kicker Brandon McManus, whose one-year offers of $2.746 million represent a pay increase of more than $2 million each.
49ers: Cut their second veteran player in two days, releasing safety Antoine Bethea. That move came hours after the team announced it had released wide receiver Torrey Smith.
Cardinals: Agreed to terms on a four-year contract to retain Jermaine Gresham. The Cardinals had made retaining the 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end a priority. Coach Bruce Arians often praised the player’s toughness and blocking ability, as well as his pass-catching skills.
Bills: Extended contract offers in retaining the rights to running back Mike Gillislee and offensive lineman Ryan Groy.