Cowboys secure Austin, Covington to deals
The Dallas Cowboys have reached agreements on one-year deals to keep receiver Tavon Austin and add defensive tackle Christian Covington.
Austin missed nine games last season with a groin injury after being acquired from the Rams in a trade last spring. He was a firstround pick by the Rams in 2013.
Austin had eight catches for 140 yards and split punt returns with Cole Beasley, who left Dallas in free agency this week for the Buffalo Bills.
Covington spent his first four seasons with the Texans. He had 15 tackles in 12 games last year. In other free agent news:
• Instead of playing for his hometown Dolphins, Teddy Bridgewater will continue his course with the Saints under coach Sean Payton with hopes to succeed quarterback Drew Brees as the future Saints starter.
“13 years later, I’m trying to see if history will repeat itself in my favor at some point,” Bridgewater posted from his Twitter account, addressing how Brees spurned the Dolphins to sign a 6-year, $60 million deal to join the Saints on the same date in 2006.
Defensive tackle Malcom Brown agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Saints the last four seasons after with the Patriots.
• The Jets released running back Isaiah Crowell, an expected move after the team agreed to terms with Le’Veon Bell. Crowell spent one season with the Jets after playing his first four in Cleveland. He broke the franchise record with 219 yards rushing on just 15 carries in New York’s win over Denver in Week 5.
New York also announced it has re-signed starting nose tackle Steve McLendon, as well as offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison and defensive back Darryl Roberts.
• The Raiders released 2018 leading wide receiver Jordy Nelson and backup quarterback AJ McCarron to create salary cap space after going on a spending spree earlier this week.
The moves save more than $8.5 million for the upcoming season after the Raiders committed more than $50 million to acquire receiver Antonio Brown, tackle Trent Brown, safety Lamarcus Joyner and receiver Tyrell Williams.
• The Bears signed former Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year contract.
Dix has 14 interceptions over five seasons with Green Bay (2014-18) and Washington (2018). He made the Pro Bowl in 2016 after picking off five passes and breaking up seven.
• The Packers signed four unrestricted free agents: outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, safety Adrian Amos, and offensive lineman Billy Turner. They each signed fouryear contracts worth a combined $182 million, $57 million of which is guaranteed.
• The Lions signed three free agents: defensive end Trey Flowers, cornerback Justin Coleman and tight end Jesse James. Flowers had a career-high 7½ sacks last season for New England.
• The 49ers signed free-agent wide receiver Jordan Matthews to a one-year contract.
The addition of Matthews on Thursday gives the 49ers a veteran receiver to take the place of Pierre Garcon. The Niners declined an option on Garcon’s contract earlier this offseason to make him a free agent.