Cardinals break ground, hire female coaching intern for LBs at training camp

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians hired Jen Welter Monday, 37, a former pro football player, to be a coaching intern at training camp this year. She will help coach inside linebackers.

“Coaching is nothing more than teaching,” Arians said, per the team's website. “One thing I have learned from players is: ‘ How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don't care if you're the Green Hornet, man, I'll listen.’ I really believe she'll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her.”

In a Twitter message, Welter said, “I am honored to be a part of this amazing team. Special thanks to @BruceArians & the @AZCardinals.”

Welter comes to Arizona from the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League. Welter, who has a doctorate in psychology, was the first female non-kicker to play in a men's pro league when she played running back for the Revolution in 2014. She also played on the gold-medal squads for Team USA in the Women's World Championship in 2010 and 2013.

The Cardinals also have hired former Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker Levon Kirkland, who will coach outside linebackers for the next two seasons under the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship.

Panthers

Offense tackle Jonathan Martin, the lineman harassed in the Miami Dolphins’ 2013 bullying scandal, is contemplating retirement after a back injury.

Martin’s agent Ken Zuckerman said his client recently injured his back in a workout. Zuckerman said doctors informed Martin he’s not allowed to do any activity for six weeks and needs surgery.

Zuckerman says he advised Martin “not to rule anything out,” but said his client would rather retire than have surgery.

Texans

Houston placed outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on the physically unable to perform list. Clowney can come off the PUP list any time before the start of the season; but if he remains on PUP once the season begins, he will have to sit out the first six games. Clowney is about seven months removed from microfracture surgery on his right knee.

Saints

New Orleans added tight end Kevin Brock and offensive lineman Cole Manhart after formally releasing outside linebacker Junior Galette. The team also waived center Michael Brewster, citing a non-football injury.

Buccaneers

Tampa Bay reportedly resigned defensive end Da'Quan Bowers on a minimum-salary deal for one year. The team drafted Bowers in 2011. He became an unrestricted free agent in March, but did not sign with another team.