Blount signs with Eagles
LeGarrette Blount has signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced yesterday, ending his second stint with the Patriots. He has the potential to earn up to $2.8 million on the deal.
Blount rushed for 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, helping the Pats to the Super Bowl LI title. The 30-year-old achieved career highs in both stats.
Blount was deemed expendable after the Patriots signed running backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee in the offseason. The Patriots also have Dion Lewis, James White and Brandon Bolden in their running back stable.
The Pats extended a rarely used tender to the running back earlier this month, assuring they will recoup some kind of compensation for the signing. The compensation will be based on Blount’s contract, playing time and statistical production.
Blount played parts of four seasons with the Pats, gaining 2,917 yards and averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He totaled 34 touchdowns in 49 games in Foxboro.
The Pats released journeyman tight end Rob Housler, who had signed Feb. 7.
Vikings sign Sutton
The Minnesota Vikings signed defensive tackle Will Sutton, who was cut last week after three seasons with the Chicago Bears. Sutton was a third-round pick in 2014 from Arizona State, drafted by the Bears for a 4-3 scheme. The new coaching staff installed a 3-4 defense in 2015, and the 6-foot-1, 290-pound Sutton didn’t fit as well. . . .
Prosecutors dismissed a misdemeanor battery complaint against Cleveland Browns sixth-round draft pick Caleb Brantley, a defensive tackle from Florida. A woman alleged Brantley hit her in the face after she pushed in during an incident April 13, but Florida state attorney William Cervone said yesterday, “It is apparent that there is no reliable evidence upon which an arrest or prosecution would be warranted or legally justified.”
Jags ink Fournette
Running back Leonard Fournette signed his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The fourth overall pick in last month’s NFL draft signed a four-year deal that, according to the NFL’s rookie salary system, is expected to be worth more than $27 million and include an $18 million signing bonus. The deal is fully guaranteed and includes a team option for a fifth year. ...
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed second-round pick Juju Smith-Schuster, a wide receiver out of Southern California, to a four-year deal. . . .
The Indianapolis Colts signed fourth-round pick Marlon Mack, South Florida’s career rushing leader. . . .
The Los Angeles Chargers signed safety Rayshawn Jenkins, their fourth-round draft pick, to a four-year deal. The Chargers also signed undrafted free agent punter Toby Baker.
More brain pledges
Two-time Super Bowl champion Leonard Marshall and three-time Pro Bowl selection Matt Hasselbeck will donate their brains to the Concussion Legacy Foundation for research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
The announcements were made as part of the second annual Brain Trust conference, which is hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Marshall already has short-term memory loss and erratic behavior. The former New York Giants defensive lineman is 55. Hasselbeck’s father, Don, played for the Patriots and was a teammate of Marshall’s on the Giants. He also pledged his brain to the foundation in 2010.