Bell picked up by Vikings
Former OU standout Blake Bell was acquired off waivers Sunday by the Minnesota Vikings. As a tight end for San Francisco the last two seasons, Bell caught 19 passes for 271 yards. In Minnesota, he’ll now be reunited with offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who coached tight ends for the 49ers during Bell’s rookie season.
The Dallas Cowboys have released defensive tackle Cedric Thornton, their most expensive free agent a year ago, and claimed Brian Price off waivers from Green Bay to replace him.
The Cowboys acquired linebacker Jayrone Elliott from the Packers on Sunday for a late-round pick in the 2018 draft. Dallas made room for Elliott by waiving linebacker Mark Nzeocha, a seventh-round selection in 2015. Thornton had 18 tackles and 1 sacks in one season with the Cowboys after signing a $17 million, four-year deal with $9 million guaranteed. He couldn’t beat out Terrell McClain in 2016, and worked behind free agent pickup Stephen Paea while nursing a hamstring injury in training camp this year.
Jameill Showers made the practice squad for the third straight season, and second as a safety after moving from quarterback. Defensive tackle Lewis Neal and 6-foot-10 offensive lineman Dan Skipper were among the undrafted rookies to make the 10-player squad.
Bell lands with Vikings
Former Oklahoma quarterback and tight end Blake Bell has a new home after being waived on Saturday.
The former San Francisco 49ers tight end was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, according to the Star Tribune.
Bell was the No. 117 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft to San Francisco.
He appeared in 13 games last season for the 49ers. He caught four passes for 85 yards before being placed on injured reserve late in the season.
Cravens talked out of retirement
Washington Redskins safety Su’a Cravens had to be talked out of retiring on Sunday during a meeting with team president Bruce Allen, and his future with the team is in doubt.
The 22-year-old Cravens, Washington’s expected starter at strong safety, has been out since Aug. 15 following knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but was expected to return to practice this week to prepare for the season opener Sept. 10 against Philadelphia.
Agent Fadde Mikhail did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
The organization’s second-round pick in 2016 after a stellar career at Southern California, Cravens saw significant playing time as a reserve linebacker in his rookie season while missing five games with a concussion and an arm injury.