Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Indianapolis 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Luck, five months removed from a lacerated kidney and on the verge of a massive contract with the Indianapolis Colts, continues to experience issues throwing the football.
The quarterback told Colts.com after the start of offseason workouts in Indianapolis on Monday that he is not yet 100 percent.
That hasn’t caused any hesitation from owner Jim Irsay in contract negotiations with Luck. Irsay said he hopes to nail down a deal with Luck by July 4. Some project that contract will be worth $27 million to $30 million per year.
Luck didn’t want to talk dollars. He was also glad not to be forced to disclose all information about his recovery, such as specific issues he has when throwing the ball.
–Les Snead has a million dollar secret and the general manager of the Los Angeles Rams intends to keep it under lock and key until April 28.
Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher acquired the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft last week in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. All signs point to the Rams drafting a quarterback, and most suspect Cal’s Jared Goff holds the edge over North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz.
Snead said he’s 97 percent sure who the Rams will draft next Thursday, but the speculation will continue.
“There will be suspense leading all the way up to the draft,” Snead said. “It will be good for the networks.”
–Prosecutors in Dallas are moving forward with a family violence case against Johnny Manziel and plan to present it to a grand jury on Thursday.
A decision by the grand jury would be likely early next week, meaning the former Cleveland Browns quarterback could hear charges days or hours before the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Dallas police department completed its investigation of the case in February and turned it over to a grand jury, but the term ended last week.
Manziel was released in March by the Browns after two seasons. He’s currently an unsigned free agent but has been a regular in off-field headlines. Most recently, he was accused of trashing a rental house in West Hollywood around the same time his latest agent, Drew Rosenhaus, presented an ultimatum to either enter rehab or find a new agent. Rosenhaus confirmed Tuesday he officially terminated his agreement with Manziel.
–Fletcher Cox was on the trade block in April 2015 but he stayed with the Philadelphia Eagles and the 25-year-old defensive tackle is on the verge of a contract that would make him the Eagles’ highest-paid player.
Cox will reportedly agree to a six-year deal worth at least $52.5 million guaranteed, Bleacher Report reported. The contract could be framed to match the deal Justin Houston signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in July 2015. Houston’s $101 million, six-year deal included $52.5 million guaranteed.
After missing the start of voluntary workouts this week, Cox sparked speculation he could be on the trade block again. But Howie Roseman, who is serving a personnel role again with Chip Kelly gone, said Monday there would be no trade involving Cox.
–Brian Hoyer could capitalize on the ongoing standoff between the New York Jets and their 2015 starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Hoyer, released by the Houston Texans on Monday after one shaky season, met with the Jets on Tuesday.
The Jets and Fitzpatrick are unable to agree on the value of a one-year contract. He is an unsigned free agent and could be targeted by teams who fail to fill a need in the NFL draft next week.
Hoyer could add to the Jets’ roster a quarterback with starting experience with the Cleveland Browns and Texans. The current depth chart features Geno Smith ahead of Bryce Petty, who is entering his second season in the NFL.
–Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is pleased with his progress after undergoing major knee surgery in December and is aiming to be ready for training camp in late July.
Flacco underwent the operation in early December to repair both the ACL and MCL in his left knee. He said he has made “big improvements” over the past three weeks.
Flacco is participating in the Ravens’ offseason workout program and is able to engage in minor running and throw short passes.
–New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell has been medically cleared to resume his NFL career, the team announced.
Donnell, 27, suffered a season-ending neck injury last season and it was feared it could also be a career-ending ailment.
But the team’s medical staff declared Donnell healthy and he followed by signing his restricted free-agent tender for the 2016 season.
Donnell was limited to eight games last season and caught 29 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. He had a breakout campaign in 2014 when he had 63 receptions for 623 yards and six touchdowns.
–Linebacker Tony Steward was released by the Buffalo Bills.
A second-year player out of Clemson, Steward was a sixth-round draft pick in 2015 and recorded two tackles while appearing in seven games as a rookie.
Steward, 23, was in the news in February when he discussed his wedding proposal to Brittany Burns, who died on Feb. 1 from a rare form of ovarian cancer. Steward proposed in December, just days after Burns’ cancer was diagnosed.
–The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Dan LeFevour from the Canadian Football League.
LeFevour will be reunited with Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian, who was at Central Michigan as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach while LeFevour was in college.
The 6-foot-3 LeFevour has played in the CFL since the 2012 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montreal Alouettes. At Central Michigan, LeFevour set an FBS record with 150 touchdowns, including 102 passing, 47 rushing and one receiving.
