Bears sign Cruz to 1-year deal
The Chicago Bears added some salsa to the roster yesterday, signing former New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz to a one-year contract. The Bears were looking for help after former Pro Bowl receiver Alshon Jeffery
signed with Philadelphia. They’re hoping Cruz can rediscover some of his old flair and give them a reliable option along with the oft-injured youngster Kevin White.
A feared receiver with the Giants, Cruz helped them win the Super Bowl before being slowed by injuries. The UMass product was released in February after seven seasons.
Cruz has 303 catches for 4,549 yards and 25 touchdowns. A knee injury and a calf problem caused him to miss most of the 2014 season and all of 2015. Last year, he had 39 catches and one touchdown, the only time he got to perform his salsa dance in the end zone.
The Bears have revamped their offense after finishing last in the NFC North at 3-13. They cut quarterback Jay Cutler after eight seasons and signed
Mike Glennon. They also drafted Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick and brought in veteran
Mark Sanchez as a backup.
Beckham nixes OTAs
The New York ended their first week of voluntary organized team activities missing two of their biggest stars in wide receiver Odell
Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon.
Beckham missed all four workouts. The team did not say whether Vernon missed all four, but the veteran, who signed an $85 million contract in the offseason last year, wasn’t there yesterday, the only day workouts were open to the media.
Vernon has a workout clause in his contract so he has the potential to lose $250,000 if he does not show up. Beckham does not have a workout clause.
The Giants also signed defensive end Devin Taylor and safety Duke Ihenacho, adding two veterans who have played in 102 NFL games. Taylor started all 17 games for the Detroit Lions in 2016, with 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Ihenacho played in 15 games with 10 starts last season for Washington. He had 59 tackles and two passes defensed.
Tannehill healthy
Back from a seasonending knee injury, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan
Tannehill said he has healed and feels “totally normal.” And that is allowing him to take part in offseason workouts without restrictions.
Tannehill missed last season’s final four games, including a playoff loss at Pittsburgh, after spraining the ACL and MCL in his left knee. After surgery was ruled out, Tannehill rehabilitated the partially torn ligaments and underwent stem cell treatments.
Yesterday, Tannehill said he has no remaining hurdles in his recovery after taking part in the Dolphins’ first organized team activities of the offseason this week in Davie, Fla.
“Yes, it’s really strong and ready to go,” he said. “I’m feeling good. I’m feeling back to 100 percent. Everything feels totally normal, and I’m excited to keep pushing to get better.”
Tannehill wore a knee brace in practice and plans to use it this season for protection. He wore one in college and said it doesn’t hamper his mobility.
Jets ink corner
The New York Jets signed veteran cornerback
Corey White and waived injured wide receiver Brisly
Estime. White, 27, played in 15 games last season for Buffalo, including four starts, and had two interceptions. . . .
The Bills signed veteran linebacker Gerald Hodges, who started 12 games for San Francisco last year, and released cornerback
Charles Gaines. ...
The Arizona Cardinals signed safety Budda Baker, the team’s second-round draft pick out of Washington. Baker, the 36th selection overall, led the Huskies in tackles (71) and tackles for loss last season. He also had three sacks and two interceptions. . . .
The Minnesota Vikings signed fifth-round draft choice Rodney Adams, a wide receiver from South Florida, and seventh-round selection Ifeadi Odenigbo, a defensive end out of Northwestern.