NFL

NFL

News & notes

Kansas City Chiefs: The team placed four players on waivers Tuesday, including former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had been signed in the offseason and was trying to earn a backup job. The Chiefs did not choose a quarterback in last week’s draft, but they already have Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray on the roster. They are also expected to add a couple of undrafted quarterbacks as free agents in the coming days. Pryor was 3-7 as a starter over three seasons in Oakland. He has not played since 2013. The Chiefs also waived linebacker JoJo Dickson, wide receiver Corbin Louks and long snapper Jorgen Hus on Tuesday.

Minnesota Vikings: The team has agreed to terms with contracts with 10 undrafted rookies, including Virginia safety Anthony Harris. The Vikings announced the deals Tuesday. Harris was widely pegged as a mid-to-late-round pick, but concerns about a shoulder injury likely contributed to his fall off the board. Harris ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, tied for seventh fastest at his position. He had 11 interceptions at Virginia. Others who agreed to contracts were Tennessee cornerback Justin Coleman, Notre Dame wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, Iowa State center Tom Farniok, Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke, BYU wide receiver Jordan Leslie, Pittsburg State wide receiver Gavin Lutman, Boise State fullback Blake Renaud, Saginaw Valley State guard Jesse Somsel and Boston College guard Bobby Vardaro.

Arizona Cardinals: Tight end John Carlson has announced his retirement from football, a week shy of his 31st birthday. In a statement released by the team, Carlson said that after “much thought and consideration,” he and his wife Danielle decided this was the best decision. The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Carlson played seven NFL seasons with Seattle, Minnesota and Arizona. He had a history of concussions before signing with the Cardinals last offseason. With Arizona, Carlson played in 16 games, 12 as a starter, catching 33 passes for 350 yards and a touchdown. A second-round draft pick by the Seahawks out of Notre Dame in 2008, Carlson played in 90 games, with 210 catches for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns.

New England Patriots: The team has released former starting cornerback Alfonzo Dennard after using him in just six games last season. Dennard started seven games as a rookie in 2012 and nine in his second season. He started four of the first seven games last season but played in only two more and went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury before the last game of the regular season. In 29 games with the Patriots, he had five interceptions.

Carolina Panthers: Special teams coordinator Bruce DeHaven has taken a leave of absence to deal with health concerns. It’s unclear when DeHaven will return, and the Panthers did not release any additional information on the health concerns. Russ Purnell, who has spent 26 years coaching in the NFL, will assume DeHaven’s duties. DeHaven, who has been an NFL coach 28 years, joined the Panthers in 2013 as a special teams assistant before being promoted to coordinator in February. Panthers coach Ron Rivera says in a release “our thoughts are with Bruce and his family, and we wish him a quick recovery.”

Associated Press