NFL News & Rumors: Monday 2/18

NFL Draft

• Alabama RB Eddie Lacy will not work out at combine after suffering small tear in some tissue around his hamstring while training last week. (Adam Schefter)
  • Lacy is likely to only running back to be taken in the first-round. (Peter King)
• USC QB Matt Barkley will not throw at the combine. (Adam Schefter)
  • Barkley is dealing with a Grade 3 shoulder separation. (Mike Florio)
• Georgia LB Alec Olgetree would be a “clear” top-10 pick if he did not have off the field issues. (Peter King)
• Mike Mayock believes that DE/LB Dion Jordan could have LB Aldon Smith potential.
• RB Marcus Lattimore is “way ahead of schedule” in his rehab. (Mike Mayock)

49ers

• Matt Bowers does not believe that QB Alex Smith will be kept as a backup.
• Peter King writes that there’s a chance the 49ers hold on to Alex Smith until they find a trade partner.
• The 49ers may pass on using the franchise tag DB Dashon Goldson again this offseason. (NFLTR)

Bengals

• The Bengals are expected to re-sign LB Thomas Howard, DB Adam Jones and Terence Newman. (Joe Reedy)
• OL Andre Smith is expected to be franchise tagged. (Joe Reedy)

Buccaneers

• DB Ronde Barber has yet to make a decision to return to football in 2013. (Pat Yasinskas)

Broncos

• RB Knowshon Moreno could be on the chopping block. (NFLTR)
• LB Steven Johnson is expected to compete for the starting middle linebacker job. (Mike Klis)
• DB Tracy Porter is not expected to be re-signed. (Mike Klis)
• Impending free agent DL Terrance Knighton could be targeted by the Broncos. (NFLTR)

Browns

• Mary Kay Cabot “hears” that Patriots QB Ryan Mallet is still not a trade option for the team.
• Impending free agent QB Matt Moore could be an option for the Browns. (NFLTR)

Chiefs

• Several NFL teams are reportedly concerned that signing WR Dwayne Bowe could lead to a “decreased effort” from him next season. (SI.com)

Cowboys

• RB DeMarco Murray has the potential to be an elite player, says running back coach Gary Brown. (Rainer Sabin)
• Ed Werder does not believe that team will allow QB Tony Romo to play out his contract year.
• Cowboys are not expected to pursue impending free agent DL Henry Melton. (Calvin Watkins)

Dolphins

• DB Sean Smith is “preparing” to be franchise tagged. (Ben Volin)

Eagles

• Patriots DB Pat Chung could be targeted by the Eagles in free agency. (Zach Berman)
• Eagles are not expected to use their franchise tag. (NFLTR)

Falcons

• TE Tony Gonzalez could be looking into his TV opportunities. (Peter King)

Giants

• OL Will Beatty could be an option for the franchise tag. (NFLTR)

Jaguars

• The Jaguars are not expected to use the franchise tag. (Ryan O’Halloran)
• CB Rashean Mathis began to “look very old last year.” (Florida Times Union)

Jets

• DB Darrelle Revis is unhappy regarding the teams handling of the trade rumors. (Manish Mehta)

Lions

• Impending free agent RB Reggie Bush could be out of the teams price range. (NFLTR)

Packers

• DB Sam Shields is an option for the packers to sign a long-term deal. (Tom Silverstein)
• The team has not attempted to re-sign impending free agent WR Greg Jennings recently. (Mike Vandermause)

Patriots

• After having ACL and microfracture surgery TE Jake Ballard‘s recovery is “coming along nicely“. (Mike Reiss)
• Patriots are not expected to use the franchise tag on WR Wes Welker. (NFLTR)
• DB Aqib Talib is expected to be allowed to test the free agent market. (Christopher Price)

Rams

• WR Danny Amendola and the Rams are “far apart” in contract negotiations. (NFLTR)
• WR Brandon Gibson is not expected to be re-signed. (Jim Thomas)
• Team officials expect RB Steven Jackson to void his contract. (Jim Thomas)
• “Many in the NFL” believe RB Steven Jackson wants to finish his career with the Rams. (Jeff Legwold)

Ravens

• There is a “positive” outlook for LB Jameel McClain to play in 2013. (Aaron Wilson)
• QB Joe Flacco and the Ravens could resume contract talks at the NFL combine. (NFLTR)

Redskins

• The Redskins are not expected to use the franchise tag. (Mike Jones)

Saints

• LB Jonathan Vilma and DL Will Smith are expected to be asked to take a pay cut. (NFLTR)

Steelers

• LB Larry Foote has “a good chance” to be approach regarding re-signing with the team. (Ed Bouchette)
• Team coaches want LB James Harrison to return in 2013. (Ed Bouchette)
• RB Rashard Mendenhall will likely not be re-signed by the team. (Ed Bouchette)
• LB Sean Spence is not expected to make an impact for the team during the 2013 season. (Ed Bouchette)
• Restricted free agent RB Jonathan Dwyer may not be tendered. (Ed Bouchette)
• LB LaMarr Woodley was criticized for his workout ethic after an injury plagued 2012 season. (Ed Bouchette)

Titans

• The Titans are unsure if OL Fernando Velasco should be tendered an offer or not. (Jim Wyatt)
• The Titans are expected to approach OL Leroy Harris about a one-year contract. (Jim Wyatt)
• The Titans are not expected to re-sign impeding free agent RB Javon Ringer or LB Gerald McRath (Jim Wyatt)

Vikings

• WR Devin Aromashodu is not expected to return with the team in 2012. (Dan Wiederer)