Osweiler a Bronco again after he’s cut by Browns
Brock Osweiler is returning to Denver as the Broncos’ backup quarterback.
The Broncos agreed to terms with Peyton Manning’s former apprentice Saturday on a oneyear deal after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns. Provided he passes his physical Monday, Osweiler will serve as Trevor Siemian’s understudy in his second stint in Denver.
Osweiler went 5-2 in relief of an injured Manning during the Broncos’ Super Bowl season two years ago before bolting to Houston in free agency.
The Texans traded him in March to the Browns, who will pay Osweiler his $16 million guaranteed salary this season minus the offset from the Broncos. The minimum for a sixth-year pro is $775,000.
Denver also released threetime Pro Bowl strong safety T.J. Ward with a year left on his contract. Second-year pro Justin Simmons has stood out in place of Ward, who missed most of training camp and all of the preseason with a torn hamstring.
Kaepernick update: Jaguars executive vice president Tom Coughlin says the team was never interested in signing former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“No. We did the study, the research, and we weren’t interested,” Coughlin said.
Asked to explain the reasons, Coughlin added, “I’m not explaining it.”
Jaguars owner Shad Khan said last week he would be open to signing Kaepernick. Coughlin, though, has final say on personnel decisions.
Roster cuts, trade highlights
Giants: Geno Smith has completed a comeback from major knee surgery and made New York’s roster as Eli Manning’s backup.
The former Jet edged Josh Johnson for the No. 2 spot, with third-round draft pick Davis Webb out of Cal waiting in the wings.
The Giants also selected rookie kicker Aldrick Rosas over veteran Mike Nugent and waived tight end Will Tye. Browns: They pulled off a trade with their chief rival, acquiring wide receiver Sammie Coates from the Steelers for a sixth-round pick in 2018. Colts-Patriots trade: New England traded quarterback Jacoby Brissett to Indianapolis for receiver Phillip Dorsett.
The Colts add some depth at quarterback with Andrew Luck still working his way back from shoulder surgery — Luck was activated from the physically unable to perform list. Brissett, a third-round pick in 2016, started two games as a rookie last season while Tom Brady served his fourgame “Deflategate” suspension.
Dorsett, a first-round draft pick in 2015, helps the Patriots move on with Julian Edelman out for the season with a knee injury. Dolphins: Safety T.J. McDonald reportedly agreed to a $24 million, four-year extension. McDonald will miss the first half of the season serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Cowboys: Quarterback Kellen Moore was released, completing undrafted rookie Cooper Rush’s rise to the backup job behind reigning NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott. Also, the Cowboys sent an undisclosed 2019 draft pick to Cincinnati for cornerback Bene Benwikere.
Bills: The team reached an injury settlement with former Raiders and 49ers receiver Rod Streater. He was having a strong camp before dislocating a toe in the Bills’ preseason game Aug. 17.
Texans: They released kicker Nick Novak, their starter the past two seasons, and quarterback Brandon Weeden.