Buccaneers Cut DE George Johnson
The Buccaneers are getting a head start on roster cuts. The team has released defensive end George Johnson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
The move brings Johnson’s second stint with Tampa Bay to an end. In the process, the Bucs get themselves off the hook for his $2.25MM salary, which would have become guaranteed if he was on the roster for Week 1.
Unfortunately, the 29-year-old (30 in December) hasn’t seen the field since the 2015 season. Last August, an ACL tear shut him down for the year.
An undrafted free agent in 2011, Johnson originally signed multiple contracts early in his career with the Buccaneers, and spent parts of the next two seasons with the club. He was quietly effective in 2014, appearing in all 16 games for the Lions and earning a positive grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required), largely thanks to his excellent pass-rushing acumen. In 2015, Johnson appeared in eleven games for the team, tallying 23 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Johnson’s release could bode well for defensive end Jacquies Smith making Bucs’ roster to start the year, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Smith has been on the PUP list throughout the summer.
Latest On Ezekiel Elliott
The NFL handed Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott a six-game suspension stemming from domestic violence allegations earlier this month, but the league’s director of investigations, Kia Roberts, recommended no ban for the running back, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Roberts’ decision came after interviewing Tiffany Thompson, Elliott’s ex-girlfriend who accused him in June 2016 of committing physical violence against her on multiple occasions. Despite Roberts’ key role in the investigation, her suggestion didn’t make it into the NFL’s final report and its suspension letter, notes Hill. Further, Roberts wasn’t present during a commissioner Roger Goodell-led meeting that centered on potential disciplinary measures for Elliott, Hill adds.
Senior vice president of investigations Lisa Friel was among those in attendance with Goodell, and it was Friel who advised a six-game suspension to the commissioner, according to Hill. The fact that Goodell ultimately did hand down that penalty to Elliott left Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “furious,” in part because he expected Elliott to elude punishment. A top official with the NFL informed Jones that the league would not discipline Elliott, Hill relays.
Elliott appealed his suspension this week during a hearing that spanned three days and over 25 hours, and his side testified that Friel banned Roberts from the aforementioned meeting, Hill reports. Roberts, who was also on hand, testified Tuesday that she was the only league employee to interview Thompson, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Roberts also confirmed that she would not have recommended discipline for Elliott had she been part of the decision-making committee – one that Hill reports consisted of former New Jersey attorney general Peter Harvey, Pro Football Hall of Famer Ken Houston, chief executive of the Women of Color Network Inc. Tonya Lovelace and former U.S. attorney and ex-chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission Mary Jo White. Friel provided testimony on Wednesday and corroborated that of Roberts, Graziano writes.
Hill contends the hearing went well for Elliott’s camp, noting that the league lacks solid proof that he abused Thompson. Both that and the NFL’s unwillingness to listen to Roberts would not bode well for the league in federal court, Hill posits. Elliott could file a lawsuit against the league if hearing officer Harold Henderson doesn’t overturn or reduce the suspension, and Graziano suggests that the NFLPA is ready to fight in court if necessary. Henderson is reportedly “under pressure” to make a decision by Monday.
Texans Extend DeAndre Hopkins
The Texans have agreed to a five-year contract extension with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). It’s a five-year, $81MM pact, Ian Rapoport and James Palmer of NFL.com report, while Schefter adds that it includes $49MM in guarantees (Twitter links). Both the total value of the contract and the guaranteed amount place Hopkins atop the NFL at his position, moving him above Atlanta’s Julio Jones ($71.25MM and $47MM, respectively).
Thursday has been an extremely busy day for Texans general manager Rick Smith, who has agreed to extensions with Hopkins, safety Andre Hal, tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz and fullback Jay Prosch over the past few hours. The crown jewel of the quartet is undoubtedly Hopkins, a bona fide star who has provided exceptional production despite having to play with a slew of mediocre-at-best quarterbacks during his four-year career.
Most recently, Hopkins racked up 78 receptions for 954 yards and four touchdowns during a 16-start 2016. While most wideouts could only hope to post that type of output, it was actually disappointing coming from Hopkins, who didn’t benefit from now-Browns quarterback Brock Osweiler‘s presence in Houston. New starter Tom Savage earned Hopkins’ endorsement earlier this summer, and now the 25-year-old target will attempt to return to his pre-2016 form with Osweiler gone.
The 27th overall pick out of Clemson in 2013, Hopkins hasn’t missed a game and has already piled up 317 receptions, 4,487 yards (14.2 YPC) and 23 scores in his Houston tenure. During his career year, 2015, Hopkins wowed with 111 grabs, 1,521 yards and 11 TDs en route to second-team All-Pro honors and his sole Pro Bowl nod. Hopkins held out in search of a raise the ensuing summer, but his absence only lasted one day. There hadn’t been any acrimony between the sides between last July and Thursday, though. Hopkins made it clear on multiple occasions over the past year that he wanted to remain a Texan for the long haul, and both Smith and owner Bob McNair expressed similar sentiments.
Texans Sign C.J. Fiedorowicz To Extension
The Texans have agreed to a three-year contract extension with tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). The deal, which runs through 2020, is worth $22MM and includes $10.1MM in guarantees, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Fiedorowicz now ranks 14th among tight ends in total contract value, ninth in yearly average and 17th in guarantees.
This has been an extension-happy day for the Texans, who locked up safety Andre Hal and fullback Jay Prosch to long-term pacts in the afternoon. Fiedorowicz is arguably the highest-profile player of the trio, having broken out as a third-year man in 2016 with 54 receptions, 554 yards and four touchdowns on 89 targets. The 25-year-old also started in all 15 of his appearances, building on a 14-start campaign in 2015. In all, the former Iowa Hawkeye has logged 37 starts in 46 games and hauled in 75 catches, 754 yards and six scores since going to the Texans in the third round of the 2014 draft.
Between Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin, who amassed 50 receptions last season, the Texans possess one of the most prolific pass-catching tight end tandems in the league. Griffin is under contract through 2019 on the three-year, $9MM extension he signed in March, meaning the club will have the duo around for the foreseeable future.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle first reported that the two sides were nearing a deal. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Broncos To Cut Ward If They Can’t Trade Him
One way or another, the Broncos are about to show T.J. Ward the door. If the Broncos can’t find a suitable trade for the safety by Saturday afternoon’s roster deadline, they’re expected to release him outright, Mike Klis of 9News hears. 
By cutting Ward, the Broncos would take themselves off the hook for his non-guaranteed $4.5MM salary. If Ward’s salary comes off the books, the Broncos may redirect that money towards extensions for kicker Brandon McManus and linebacker Todd Davis, Klis writes.
The Broncos can afford to keep Ward, but they would prefer to give a starting opportunity to sophomore Justin Simmons after his strong showing this summer. While Simmons has soared, Ward has been sidelined with a nagging hamstring injury throughout the preseason.
Releasing Ward could allow the Broncos to keep undrafted rookie safety Jamal Carter, a favorite of Vance Joseph & Co.
Browns Interested In Jermaine Kearse
The Browns are interested in Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The Seahawks have him on the block as Saturday’s roster deadline approaches. 
[RELATED: Seahawks Shopping Jermaine Kearse]
Kearse is coming off of a down year and is set to enter the second year of a three-year, $13.5MM deal. He doesn’t hold as much appeal as he did this time last year, but the Browns could use someone with his experience level to round out their thin receiving corps. Free agent Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman will serve as the top two receivers, but converted running back Duke Johnson and late round 2016 picks Ricardo Louis and Rashard Higgins are the next ones in line.
So far this preseason, Coleman has been the Browns’ only reliable performer. Even Britt has looked shaky, and that has the Browns looking for outside help.
Ezekiel Elliott Decision To Come On Monday?
Finally, we could be getting some closure in the Ezekiel Elliott case. Harold Henderson, the appeals officer in the Elliott hearing, is under pressure to reach a decision by Monday, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
The Cowboys are operating under the belief thatElliott will play in the season opener if a ruling doesn’t come by Tuesday at 3pm, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News tweets. That could explain why the league is pushing Henderson to wrap things up by Monday.
Of course, if Elliott doesn’t have his suspension overturned or reduced, he may still take his battle to the legal system. It has been reported that Elliott is furious over his six-game ban and is vowing to fight the league on it until he has exhausted all options.
On Wednesday, Elliott personally spoke on the domestic abuse allegations against him. Thursday’s portion of the hearing included analysis from a doctor who has analyzed photos of the alleged victim’s injuries. The multi-day hearing has now concluded and it’s time for Henderson to reach his verdict.
If Elliott does not have the suspension overturned or trimmed down, he will miss games against the Giants, Broncos, Cardinals, Rams, Packers, and 49ers.
Lions Trade G Laken Tomlinson To 49ers
The Lions have traded guard Laken Tomlinson to the 49ers, according to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Detroit will receive a 2019 fifth-round pick in the swap. 
Tomlinson entered the 2016 campaign as the Lions’ starting left guard but eventually lost his job to rookie Graham Glasgow and only returned to the starting lineup when Glasgow was shifted to center to fill in for the injured Travis Swanson. The Lions were hoping that he would pick things up this summer, but he fell behind both Glasgow and Joe Dahl on the depth chart. Glasgow projects to start once again at left guard with free agent pickup T.J. Lang on the other side.
The Niners, meanwhile, have been on the lookout for guard help and Tomlinson might have a chance to start in Week 1. The right guard spot is up for grabs while left guard Joshua Garnett is likely to be sidelined for the start of the year.
Tomlinson, 25, appeared in all 16 regular games for the Lions in each of his two NFL seasons. In both years, he had atrocious scores from Pro Football Focus. Last year, Tomlinson’s 43.9 mark slotted him as one of the ten worst qualified guards in the entire NFL.
Between this trade and the Cameron Erving swap, we have seen two former first round offensive lineman traded for fifth-round picks in the same week. In total, we have seen a dozen trades go down in the month of August.
Steelers, Kevin Colbert Agree To Extension
First they gave a new deal to Mike Tomlin and now the Steelers have done the same with Kevin Colbert. The Steelers have reached agreement on a two-year extension with their GM that will take him through at least the 2020 NFL Draft. 
[RELATED: Steelers Sign CB Joe Haden]
“I am excited to announce we have extended Kevin Colbert’s contract for an additional two years,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “Kevin’s dedication and diligent work have played a major role in our success. We are pleased he will continue to lead our personnel efforts for at least the next three years.”
Colbert has been with the Steelers since February of 2000, meaning that he is in his 18th year with the organization. He spent the first eleven years as the club’s director of football operations before advancing to the GM position seven years ago. During his time with the Steelers, the team has won two Super Bowl championships, three AFC Championships, and eight division titles.
The Steelers prioritized extensions for both Tomlin and Colbert this offseason, though the coach beat the GM to the punch by signing his deal in early August. Tomlin’s deal is slightly longer as it goes through the 2020 season rather than the 2020 draft.
Seahawks Shopping CB Jeremy Lane, Others
The Seahawks aren’t just shopping Jermaine Kearse. The Seahawks are also actively gauging the trade values of players like cornerback Jeremy Lane and running back Alex Collins, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Lane, 27, appeared in all 16 games for the Seahawks last season, including nine starts. It appeared that Lane would be in line for significant playing time yet again as DeShawn Shead heals up from last year’s injury, but he’s fallen out of favor somewhat. The Seahawks signed ex-49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock in August and bolstered depth by drafting Shaquill Griffin (third round) and Michael Tyson (sixth round), so they can get by without Lane if the right deal comes along.
Collins, a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft, is entering the second year of a four-year, $2.566MM deal. He’s affordable enough, but he probably doesn’t hold a ton of value. There’s a good chance that Seattle drops Collins outright now that J.D. McKissic has been reclassified as a running back.