Bears To Extend LT Charles Leno Jr.
The Bears and left tackle Charles Leno Jr. are closing in on four-year, $38MM extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The deal includes $21.5MM in guarantees. 
[RELATED: Bears Sign LB Kelvin Sheppard]
The new pact marks a massive step up in pay for the former seventh round pick. Prior to today’s agreement, he had just one year left on his rookie deal at a salary of $1.797MM.
Leno, 25, has started 32 games for the Bears over the past two seasons, including the last 29 contests. Last year he graded out as the No. 41 tackle among 78 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. He may not be a superstar, but it’s getting harder and harder to find quality tackles. Leno offers stability and youth at a time when some older mediocre tackles are making north of $7MM/year.
The Bears now have the left side of their offensive line locked up for years to come thanks to recent deals for Leno and left guard Kyle Long. Starting to the right of those two will be center Cody Whitehair, Josh Sitton, and Bobby Massie. The Bears hope that they have the building blocks in place for an O-Line that can adequately protect Mike Glennon in 2017 and Mitch Trubisky in future seasons.
Jets Cut WR Marquess Wilson
The Jets have released wide receiver Marquess Wilson, according to a team announcement. Wilson had the most career yardage of any receiver on the roster. 
Wilson was expected to play a significant role for the rebuilding Jets this year, but a hip injury cost him time in practice and his place on the depth chart. He showed promise in Chicago, averaging 16.6 yards per reception in the 2015 season with career highs in targets (51), catches (28), and receiving yards (464).
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old (25 in September) has struggled with injuries ever since then. Wilson spent the first two months of the 2016 campaign on the PUP list and recorded just nine receptions in three games before suffering a season-ending foot fracture. He has had three left foot fractures in his career and is now working to rehab from his hip issue.
It has been a rough offseason for the Jets’ receiving corps following the release of Eric Decker and the loss of Quincy Enunwa to a neck injury. While Jalin Marshall faces a four-game suspension to start the season, the team’s top receivers will be Robby Anderson plus third round pick ArDarius Stewart and fourth round pick Chad Hansen.
In a related move, the Jets inked former Alabama State tight end Brandon Barnes.
Browns Shopping QB Brock Osweiler
The Browns will not play Brock Osweiler in Saturday’s preseason game, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Browns are looking to trade him, but that is nothing new, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter) hears. The Browns have been making calls about Osweiler throughout camp, according to sources.
[RELATED: Kizer To Start On Saturday Vs. Bucs]
Reviews of Osweiler have generally been positive this summer, but rookie DeShone Kizer has also impressed in practice. On Wednesday morning, we learned that Kizer will be starting on Saturday against the Buccaneers. It was assumed that Osweiler would be the QB2 for that third preseason game, but we now know that he won’t be suiting up at all.
The Jaguars are among the teams that could use a veteran signal caller like Osweiler given the way that Blake Bortles has struggled. The Ravens, who have been in the hunt for an upgrade over backup Ryan Mallett, could also consider a QB like him.
It doesn’t sound like the Browns are hellbent on trading Osweiler and they are indicating that he could still win the starting job between now and Week 1. Even if he doesn’t beat out Kizer, he could be a valuable reserve. If possible, however, one has to imagine that the Browns would like to move Osweiler and get some of his $16MM salary off of the books.
Osweiler came to Cleveland in a deal that was largely unprecedented for the NFL. The Browns received a 2018 second-round pick and a sixth-round pick in exchange for the QB (and his exorbitant salary) and a fourth-round choice.
Giants Waive OL Michael Bowie
The Giants have waived left tackle Michael Bowie, according to a team announcement. Bowie is facing charges for domestic violence, but the Giants indicated that they could be open to a return, depending on how things shake out. 
“We have waived Michael Bowie,” GM Jerry Reese said in a statement. “As we have already stated, we were made aware of this situation on Saturday. The league has started to gather more information. That process will continue. The outcome of that process will determine whether there is another opportunity here for Michael.”
Bowie was reportedly involved in an argument with his girlfriend earlier this month and that dispute turned physical, police say. Bowie was said to have grabbed his girlfriend by the neck and thrown her to the ground. He also allegedly broke two televisions and punched a hole in a wall in the process. The lineman is facing charges of domestic assault and battery plus two counts of malicious injury or destruction of property.
In related moves, the Giants waived guard Corin Brooks and waived/injured wide receivers Darius Powe and Andrew Turzilli. To fill their spots on the roster, they signed wide receivers Marquis Bundy and C.J. Germany and offensive linemen Richard Levy and Matt Rotheram.
Extra Points: Browns, Kizer, Falcons
Browns coach Hue Jackson announced that DeShone Kizer will start the team’s third preseason game against Tampa Bay. This as a sign that Kizer is in the lead for the Browns’ starting QB job, despite talk of Brock Osweiler being in the catbird seat this summer.
“He is certainly positioning himself well to earn the starting job heading into the regular season,” said the coach.
In two preseason games, the Notre Dame product has completed 19-of-31 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown. Kizer also added 47 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. The Browns’ season begins on Sept. 10 when they face the Steelers in Cleveland.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Newly signed Falcons tackle Austin Pasztor is dealing with a pectoral injury, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. He will not play in Saturday’s preseason game and there is no definitive word on his status for Week 1 one way or the other. He is expected to serve as the first tackle off of the bench behind starters Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder.
- As expected, Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. has been officially charged with first degree misdemeanor battery, criminal mischief, and petty theft, per TMZ Sports. Fowler was originally arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida in mid-July following an incident of apparent road rage. Subsequent reports have indicated Fowler was also arrested in March 2016 after an altercation with a police officer. If convicted, Fowler could face a year in jail.
- Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell announced that he’ll be joining the team next Friday.
Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.
49ers Work Out Tyson Jackson
The 49ers are in the market for some front seven depth. Former Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson auditioned for the team on Tuesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The former No. 3 overall pick was released by Atlanta at the outset of free agency. With $8.5MM and two years to go, it was an easy choice for Atlanta given the way that Jackson played in 2016.
Last year, Jackson finished out with 13 total tackles and two pass deflections in 16 games (seven starts). The advanced statistics at Pro Football Focus rated him as just the No. 67 interior defender in the NFL out of 127 qualified players. His grades for run defense, pass rush, and coverage were all poor in his 389 total snaps.
Jackson failed to record a sack in any of his three seasons with the Falcons, but he was an effective player while with the Chiefs. The Niners are now assessing whether he can be a worthwhile pickup for their team.
NFL Suspends Chargers OL Max Tuerk
Chargers guard/center Max Tuerk has been suspended four games by the league office. Tuerk violated the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances, according to the press release. For his part, Tuerk denies any real wrongdoing. 
“This offseason, I made the mistake of taking over-the-counter supplements,” Tuerk said in a statement. “In doing so, I opened myself up to the possibility of consuming a tainted supplement – something that ultimately led to a positive test for a banned substance. I accept responsibility for my actions and understand the NFL’s policy is very clear on this matter. This is a very hard way to learn a lesson, and I will never make this mistake again.”
Tuerk will be eligible to return to the Chargers’ active roster on Monday, October 2 following the team’s October 1 game against the Eagles. This is far from ideal for L.A., but it’s not necessarily devastating since Tuerk was likely in line for a reserve role. The Chargers project to start Russell Okung, Matt Slauson, Spencer Pulley, Kenny Wiggins, and Joe Barksdale on the offensive line. Tuerk had been listed as Slauson’s primary backup at left guard on the Chargers’ early edition of the depth chart.
Browns LB Tank Carder Out For Season
Bad news for the Browns. Linebacker Tank Carder will not be able to play in 2017 thanks to an ACL tear, coach Hue Jackson tells reporters. 
Carder, 28, has appeared in all but two of the Browns’ regular season games since 2012. Although he saw time in just 56 defensive snaps this year, he was projected to start at middle linebacker for Cleveland this season.
The Browns will still have standouts Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey to start at linebacker, but the team now has a void to address in the middle. Reserves Dominique Alexander and James Burgess may get a crack at the job, unless the team wants to do some reshuffling to put Collins or Kirksey at MLB. Joe Schobert, former second-round pick Nate Orchard, and Cam Johnson are among the team’s reserves at OLB.
Odell Beckham Jr. May Get Injury Insurance
A contract extension would give Odell Beckham Jr. some security against an injury scare like the one he got during Monday night’s preseason game against the Browns. While he works to hash things out with the Giants, Beckham is looking to give himself some additional comfort or, at least, drum up some leverage. The wide receiver is thinking about purchasing a massive insurance policy, possibly one in excess of $100MM in injury protection, sources tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. 
“[If a deal isn’t done] by the regular season, he’ll take steps to protect himself. [But] a new deal is preferable to adding insurance,” one source told Robinson.
A one-year $100MM+ policy would cost Beckham upwards of $600K, Robinson hears. ODB is still on his rookie deal, but he can afford the expense as he is slated to earn $3.3MM in 2017. To date, he has already earned roughly $7MM in NFL salary, not counting his lucrative endorsement deals. The $100MM sum is not coincidental as Beckham has been pushing for a contract that would put him near the $100MM mark.
In 2016, Beckham earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod with 101 receptions for 1,367 yards and ten touchdowns.
Broncos’ Shaq Barrett Could Play Week 1
At one point this year, the Broncos feared that Shaquil Barrett would miss the bulk of the 2017 season. Today, they have reason to believe that the edge rusher will be able to suit up for the season opener. 
[RELATED: Broncos Name Trevor Siemian Starting QB]
Barrett was removed from the non-football injury list on Tuesday, according to the team’s latest edition of the roster. Apparently, Barrett has bounced back well from his hip injury and will be able to resume football activities this week.
The linebacker will now practice with an eye on suiting up for the team’s opening game against the Chargers on September 11. Failing that, he’ll hope to be ready in time for Week 2 against the Cowboys (September 17) or Week 3 against the Bills (September 24). Barring any unforeseen setbacks, the Broncos will probably have him on the 53-man roster to start the season. Otherwise, the Broncos would have to keep him on NFI for the first half of the season.
When Barrett takes the field for Denver, he’ll likely be the team’s top reserve option to spell Shane Ray and Von Miller. The Broncos are also keeping their fingers crossed when it comes to Ray since he is dealing with a torn ligament in his right wrist that could sideline him for the start of the season.