49ers join Manning derby; decision expected Monday or Tuesday

Associated Press

The stealthy 49ers are in the chase for Peyton Manning. The Dolphins and Cardinals are out. And the Broncos and Titans want to make sure the four-time NFL MVP is healthy.

Got all that?

After a brief lull, the pursuit of Manning sure got interesting in a hurry Friday.

The year’s top free agent, who has been rehabbing in North Carolina after a string of neck surgeries, threw the football at Duke’s athletic facilities for Hall of Fame QB turned Broncos executive John Elway along with Denver coach John Fox.

The workout lasted a little under two hours, and when it was over Elway seemed convinced that Manning is still Manning.

“We enjoyed visiting with Peyton today in N.C.,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “He threw the ball great and looked very comfortable out there.”

Whether San Francisco executives and coaches feel the same way, they weren’t saying. But they also have shown interest in the man who led Indianapolis to a Super Bowl victory in 2007. A person familiar with the situation said that Manning worked out for 49ers’ coach Jim Harbaugh on Tuesday night at Duke. ESPN first reported on the session.

Manning is expected to make his decision on Monday or Tuesday, multiple outlets reported Friday night.

Browns release Mitchell

CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Browns have released defensive end Jayme Mitchell.

Mitchell, acquired in a 2010 trade from Minnesota, had a disappointing season in 2011, losing his starting job to Emmanuel Stephens.

The Browns also signed free agent defensive end Juqua Parker and re-signed defensive back Dimitri Patterson.