NFL News & Rumors: Tuesday 2/12

NFL

• Free agent QB JaMarcus Russell is working out at TEST West in the hopes of returning to the league. (San Jose Mercury News)

NFL Draft

• West Virginia QB Geno Smith plans to participate in all drills at next week’s Combine. (Gil Brandt)
  
• Texas S Kenny Vaccaro could be working his way up to a Top 10 prospect. (Draft Countdown)
• LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu, South Carolina WR Ace Sanders, South Carolina S D.J. Swearinger, Kansas State LB Arthur Brown and Fresno State S Phillip Thomas are listed as 5 rising prospects. (Daniel Jeremiah)
  
• Rice TE Vance McDonald was mentioned as a sleeper to watch. (Gil Brandt)

49ers

• RB Kendall Hunter figures to be ahead of LaMichael James on the team’s depth chart as they head into training camp. (CSN Bay Area)
  

Bears

• Bears terminated the contract of WR Johnny Knox on Tuesday. (NFLTR)
  
• Johnny Knox’s agent mentioned that his client intends to play in 2013. (NFLTR)

Bengals

• Free agent RBs Reggie Bush and Chris Ivory could be potential offseason targets for the Bengals. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
  

Browns

• The Browns could target a number of free agents from rival teams within the AFC North. (NFLTR)
• WR Mike Wallace is a “realistic possibility” for the Browns. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Buccaneers

• The Bucs freed up some extra cap space by reworking the contracts of WR Vincent Jackson and G Carl Nicks. (NFLTR)
• GM Mark Dominik mentioned that there’s a good chance that they’ll once again be active in free agency. (NFLTR)

Cardinals

• Cardinals president Michael Bidwill mentioned that they will explore the idea of restructuring QB Kevin Kolb‘s contract. (NFLTR)
• ILB Stewart Bradley is set to make $6.5 million next year, but the Cardinals could save $3.5 million in cap space by releasing him.
  
• LB Paris Lenon is unlikely to be brought back. (AzCardinals.com)

Chiefs

• OT Branden Albert passed a physical last week, which helps to put the rumors regarding the Chiefs being concerned about his back to rest. (Mike Garafolo)
• Free agent DT Chris Canty has no other visits planned after meeting with the Chiefs and Titans last week. (Mike Garafolo)
• Chiefs signed TE Kevin Brock on Monday.
  

Cowboys

• Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones mentioned that they’re still focused on getting QB Tony Romo locked up for the coming years. (NFLTR)
• Stephen Jones reiterated that they’re hoping to retain OLB Anthony Spencer. (Dallas Morning News)
• Dallas could look for an upgrade to RB Phillip Tanner at some point this offseason. (DallasCowboys.com)
• The Cowboys are considering the idea of moving Sean Lissemore from DE to DT in their new 4-3 defense. (Calvin Watkins)

Dolphins

• The Dolphins figure to be in on free agent WRs Mike Wallace and Greg Jennings. (Armando Salguero)
  

Eagles

• QB Michael Vick mentioned that he believes there’s a chance he could rush for 1,000 yards in Chip Kelly’s offense. (Pro Football Talk)
• New OC Pat Shurmur mentioned that they intend to give LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown a “generous” amount of carries next season. (CSN Philly)
• LB Akeem Jordan is unlikely to back in Philly next year. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• The Eagles figure to target an inside linebacker at some point during the offseason. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Giants

• The Giants are hoping OT Will Beatty, G Kevin Boothe and TE Martellus Bennett. 
• CB Corey Webster & OT David Diehl could both be on the chopping as releasing them would create $12 million in cap space.
• CB Terrell Thomas‘ contract is a one-year contract worth $700,000 and includes $500,000 in incentives.
• TE Bear Pascoe‘s one-year contract is worth $892,500.
• DT Shaun Rogers‘ one-year contract is worth $1.005 million.

Jets

• RB Ahmad Bradshaw mentioned that he’s considered the idea of playing for the Jets. (NFLTR)
• The Jets reportedly do not have any interest in RB Ahmad Bradshaw at this point. (NFLTR)
• The Jets haven’t approached QB Mark Sanchez about restructuring his contract. (Brian Costello)
• LB Demario Davis figures to replace Bart Scott as their staring inside linebacker next season.  (ESPN New York)
  
• ILB David Harris is a “prime candidate” to have his contract restructured this offseason.  (ESPN New York)

Packers

• The Packers could free up $15.45 million by releasing S Charles Woodson and ILB A.J. Hawk. (NFLTR)
• More talk of Steven Jackson being a “perfect” for in Packers’ offense. (NFLTR)

Patriots

• G Brian Waters is not an unrestricted free agent as his contract was tolled after he sat out the entire 2012 season. (ESPN Boston)
• Waters is unlikely to play for the Pats “ever again.” (ESPN Boston)
  

Raiders

• DT Richard Seymour accounts for $14 million in “dead money” against the Raiders’ salary cap.  (Contra Costa Times)
  
• Releasing WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and DT Tommy Kelly would create $10 million in cap space. (Contra Costa Times)
• Oakland could also free up another $9 million by releasing QB Carson Palmer, but that’s unlikely to happen. (Contra Costa Times)

Ravens

• The play of OLB Courtney Upshaw could be enough for the Ravens to allow OLB Paul Kruger sign elsewhere. (Albert Breer)
• The Ravens would like to keep FB Vonta Leach next season despite their cap issues. ( Baltimore Sun)
  

Redskins

• WR Santanta Moss could be asked to restructure his current deal as he counts $6.1 million against their Salary Cap. (Washington Post)

Saints

• LB Jonathan Vilma will most likely have to take a pay cut, considering that his cap figure is $8.6 million next season. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
• HC Sean Payton seems to think Vilma will be able to play OLB in their new 3-4 defensive scheme. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
• Saints could end up passing on impending free agents DT Sedrick Ellis & WR Devery Henderson. (ESPN.com)
  

Seahawks

• Seahawks signed DB/KR Will Blackmon.  (Mike Garafolo)
  

Steelers

• OLB James Harrison is open to restructuring his contract, but isn’t willing to take a pay cut in the process. Harrison could be a candidate to be released. (NFLTR)

Texans

• The Texans are unlikely to pursue either Mike Wallace or Percy Harvin. (NFLTR)
  
• Houston reportedly has FS Glover Quin as their ”top priority” this offseason. (NFLTR)
• Both ILB Brian Cushing and DE Antonio Smith are candidates for contract extensions this offseason. (NFLTR)

Titans

• Free agent DT Chris Canty has no other visits planned after meeting with the Chiefs and Titans last week. (Mike Garafolo)

Vikings

• Vikings GM Rick Spielman mentioned that he would like to re-sign RT Phil Loadholt this offseason.