NFL

NFL

News and notes

STEELERS

Former first-round pick signs with Cardinals

TEMPE, ARIZ.

Free agent linebacker Jarvis Jones signed Tuesday with the Arizona Cardinals.A first-round draft choice in 2013 out of Georgia, Jones spent his first four years in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but never made a big impact. He played in 50 games with 35 starts and had 125 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Jones could step in for Alex Okafor, who left Arizona for New Orleans. He is the second linebacker to leave the Steelers in free agency; 10-year veteran Lawrence Timmons went to Miami.

Last season, Jones lost his starting job in Pittsburgh, which had declined to pick up his fifth-year option last year.

STEELERS

Free-agent Hightower visits, leaves with no deal

PITTSBURGH

Coveted free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower’s tour hit Pittsburgh on Tuesday, but Hightower left the team’s facility without signing a deal. The team announced it hosted him after he spent Monday getting wooed by the New York Jets. Hightower spent most of the day at the team’s headquarters, but left early in the evening without a deal imminent. Hightower has helped the New England Patriots win a pair of Super Bowls in his five seasons with the team and is probably the best inside linebacker on the open market. The Steelers are searching for a replacement for veteran Lawrence Timmons, who signed with Miami last week after spending a productive decade with Pittsburgh.

SEAHAWKS

Lacy signs 1-year deal

RENTON, WASH.

The Seattle Seahawks are hoping Eddie Lacy can be motivated by a one-year contract to rediscover the form that made him the 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year.The Seahawks and Lacy agreed to terms on a one-year deal Tuesday, providing Seattle a big body for a run game that was once the best in football but lagged last season following the retirement of Marshawn Lynch. Lacy was the top offensive rookie four years ago when he rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for more than 1,100 yards in 2014, but has since been slowed by injuries and lost favor with Packers coach Mike McCarthy at times. Last season, Lacy played in only five games, sidelined by ankle problems, and finished with only 360 yards rushing and no touchdowns. Weight has also been an issue for Lacy, but Carroll said he would expect the running back to play in the range of 240-250 pounds.Seattle’s running back situation was filled with instability from the start of last season. Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise were both limited by injuries. Christine Michael was cut midseason due to ineffectiveness, yet still led the Seahawks in rushing during the regular season.

VIKINGS

Vikings sign former Packers’ top pick

EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive end Datone Jones, the former first-round pick of the rival Green Bay Packers. The Vikings closed the deal on Tuesday with Jones, who was selected 26th overall out of UCLA in the 2013 draft. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Jones played defensive end in 59 of a possible 64 regular-season games, mostly as a backup. He also played some outside linebacker in Green Bay’s 3-4 scheme. The Packers previously declined their fifth-year option on Jones that is built into every first-round pick’s contract. Jones has nine sacks and seven passes defended in his career. Jones was a college teammate of Vikings starting linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks.

BEARS

Kicker re-signs for 1 year

LAKE FOREST, ILL.

The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with placekicker Connor Barth on a one-year contract. Barth made 18 of 23 field-goal attempts last season and missed only one of 32 extra-point tries in 16 games.

Associated Press