Barkley cut in bid to back up Titans quarterback Tannehill

The Tennessee Titans released veteran quarterback Matt Barkley on Wednesday, less than a month after the team inked him to a deal in free agency.

Barkley, 30, was the team’s leading passer during the 2021 preseason, completing 24 of 39 passes (61.5 percent) for 295 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

A fourth-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles out of USC in 2013, Barkley has completed 58.4 percent of his passes for 2,699 yards, 11 TDs and 22 interceptions in 19 games (seven starts) with the Eagles (2013-14), Chicago Bears (2016) and Buffalo Bills (2018-20).

Logan Woodside, a 2018 draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, is now in line to resume backup quarterback duties for the Titans following a similarly solid preseason performance. This preseason, the 26-year-old completed 29 of 40 attempts (72.5 percent) for 248 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Returning starter Ryan Tannehill didn’t log any time this preseason, most recently missing the team’s 27-24 loss to the Bears on Saturday while on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

LIONS ADD A KICKER >> One day after cutting both of their kickers, the Detroit Lions claimed Austin Seibert off waivers.

Detroit cut both Randy Bullock and Zane Gonzalez on Tuesday and did not have a regular kicker on its initial 53-man roster. Seibert, a third-year pro, kicked in five games last season for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. He was waived by the Bengals.

JAGUARS CLAIM FORMER CHARGERS RECEIVER >> The Jacksonville Jaguars claimed wide receiver Tyron Johnson from the Los Angeles Chargers, with whom he caught 20 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season.

QB GRIER JOINS COWBOYS >> The Dallas Cowboys claimed quarterback Will Grier, waived by the Carolina Panthers. The move would seem to end speculation about the Cowboys’ interest in Cam Newton, cut Tuesday by the New England Patriots. He joins Cooper Rush to back up the recovering Dak Prescott. The Cowboys cut Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert on Tuesday.

SEAHAWKS PICK UP LUTON >> The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Jake Luton (Jaguars) to the 53man roster and releasing Sean Mannion.

Luton, out of Oregon State, becomes one of two backup quarterbacks behind Russell Wilson. Geno Smith is the No. 2 quarterback for the Seahawks. SAINTS RELOCATE HOME OPENER>> The New Orleans Saints will play their season opener in Jacksonville after being displaced by Hurricane Ida.

Instead of playing in the Superdome for the Sept. 12 opener against the Green Bay Packers, the Saints will host the game at the home of the Jaguars.

While the Superdome appears to have been spared significant damage from the powerful Category 4 hurricane, there are logistical challenges with staffing an NFL game there in the near future because of the widespread damage in the New Orleans area.

The Saints evacuated before the storm to North Texas, and have practiced this week at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. They are remaining in Texas for workouts next week.

VIKINGS’ SMITH JR. HAS SURGERY >> The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for a season-long absence for on-therise tight end Irv Smith Jr., after knee surgery Wednesday for a torn meniscus.

Smith had the procedure after being injured in the team’s last exhibition game Friday at Kansas City. He was in line for a breakout year, his third in the NFL after the departure of veteran Kyle Rudolph. Smith had 365 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games last season.

Smith had a full repair of the meniscus, coach Mike Zimmer said. That usually means a minimum fourmonth recovery.

The Vikings acquired tight end Chris Herndon in a trade Tuesday with the New York Jets to help reinforce the position. PANTHERS CUT MOORE >> The Carolina Panthers released former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver David Moore and claimed guard Michael Jordan from the Cincinnati Bengals off waivers.

Moore signed a two-year contract with Carolina in March that included a $1.25 million signing bonus.

Moore caught 78 passes for 1,163 yards and 13 touchdowns with the Seahawks, but was beat out by rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. for the No. 3 receiver spot.