Packers cut DT Daniels after seven seasons

GREEN BAY, WIS. >> Matt LaFleur opened his first training camp as Packers head coach by saying the offense is still a “work in progress.”

The Packers defensemight need some attention, too.

Green Bay released former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Mike Daniels after seven seasonsWednesday, parting with one of its best players in a move that saves $ 8.31 million against the salary cap.

“I know he’s meant a lot to this community, this football team,” LaFleur said of Daniels. “I still think he’s a really good player. I wish himwell. Butwe feel really, really good about the groupwe have.”

Danielswas due tomake $ 8.5million this season — $ 7.6 million in base salary, a $ 500,000 roster bonus anda$ 400,000workoutbonus — in the final year of a four- year,$ 41million contract extension. WithDaniels off the books, the Packers are now $ 15.3 million under the salary cap.

“I think obviously there are choices that you have to make,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “Some are more long- term choices that you have to make, looking out forward. I feel pretty good about the depth we have in our defensive line room right now, and these things are never easy. But we wanted to make sure we had some flexibility moving ahead.”

Daniels, a fourth- round pick of the Packers in in 2012, made the Pro Bowl as an alternate after the 2017 season. Hemissed two games that year because of a hip injury, and he finished 2018 on injured reserve after a foot injury halted his season after 10 games.

Gutekunst said other players — like defensive lineman Kenny Clark andMontraviusAdams— will have to step up to fill the void left by the 30- year- old Daniels.

Titans Pro Bowl tackle says he’s suspended 4 games

NASHVILLE, TENN.>> Taylor Lewan, Tennessee’s three- time ProBowl left tackle, says theNFL has suspended him for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancers.

Lewan announced his suspension Wednesday in an emotional video he posted to social media, saying he received the letter from the NFL a few weeks ago that he had tested positive for ostarine. He said he wanted to share the news himself, which comes a day before theTitans report for training camp.

“I’ve never taken anything that would cheat the game. I’mso sorry to the Tennessee Titans,” Lewan said before pausing, taking a deep breath and wiping his eyes. “I’m sorry to the Titans, to the fans, that Iwon’tbe there for fourgames. I’ve never cheatedmyself, and I never want you guys to feel cheated. And I’msorry. But I’mgoing to be better for this. I’m going to come back.”

The Titans had no immediate comment.

Giants place suspended DB Moore on exempt list

EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. >> The Giants have received a commissioner’s exemption for suspended defensive back Kamrin Moore.

TheGiants announced themove late Wednesday, a little more than aweek after suspending the safety amid chargeshe punched awoman, stepped on her neck and rendered her unconscious. He will not count against the team’s 90- man training camp roster.

The alleged incident in Union County, N. J., took place earlier this month. Moore will face charges of third- degree aggravated assault.

Panthers sign 1st- round pick before camp opens

SPARTANBURG, S. C.>> The Panthers have signed first- round draft pick Brian Burns to a four- year contract with an option for a fifth season.

The edge rusher is slotted to make approximately $ 13.5 million on the rookiewage scale. Burns reported to training camp Wednesday morning and signed the deal later in the day. Burnswas selected No. 16 overall. The 6- foot- 5, 250- pound Burns played at Florida State. He is expected to serve as an edge rusher when the Panthers switch to a 3- 4 defensive front.