Dec 13, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) rushes for a first down during the fourth quarter of the 115th annual Army-Navy game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium. Navy Midshipmen defeated Army Black Knights 17-10. Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Former Navy star Keenan Reynolds has been granted permission to play in the NFL this season, according to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.
Mabus revealed the decision while he was a guest on The Dan Patrick Show.
New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona also received approval to play this season. He played in every game for New England last season as a rookie.
Navy football players agree to a five-year service commitment in exchange for their undergraduate education.
Reynolds was a sixth-round draft pick by the Ravens. He is the highest-profile football player produced by the Navy since running back Napoleon McCallum — a 1986 fourth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Raiders.
–Aiming to find a team willing to sign him despite his controversial past, free agent defensive end Greg Hardy reportedly underwent behavioral therapy to deal with a number of issues.
According to Pro Football Talk, Hardy’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, informed all NFL teams that his client sought help for anger management, temper management and domestic violence and was evaluated for ADHD.
Rosehaus reported that Hardy attended at least 24 psychiatric therapy sessions, and that a Dallas-based psychiatrist, Dr. Heidi Bruty, and multiple NFL physicians evaluated him.
–The Jacksonville Jaguars signed second-round pick Myles Jack, the team announced.
Jack, a linebacker from UCLA, reportedly received a $2.8 million signing bonus as part of a four-year, $6.33 million deal.
Jack was selected with the 36th overall pick after falling out of the first round due to concerns over his surgically repaired right knee.
–The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Ronnie Stanley, the team announced.
Baltimore selected the offensive tackle with the sixth overall pick in the recent NFL draft.
The Ravens also agreed on a one-year deal with veteran cornerback Jerraud Powers.
Baltimore also released four players — receiver Marlon Brown, defensive end Nordly Capi and defensive backs Nick Perry and Jermaine Whitehead.
–The Cleveland Browns signed six draft picks, including first-round wide receiver Corey Coleman, before rookie minicamp got underway.
Coleman, the No. 15 overall pick out of Baylor, agreed to a four-year deal worth around $11.65 million under the NFL’s slotted wage scale for rookies.
The others signed are fifth-round wide receiver Jordan Payton, fifth-round offensive lineman Spencer Drango, fifth-round receiver Rashard Higgins, fifth-round defensive back Trey Caldwell and seventh-round linebacker Scooby Wright III.
–The Buffalo Bills signed fifth-round running back Jonathan Williams to a rookie contract.
The 6-foot, 223-pound Williams joins the Bills after four seasons at Arkansas.
–The Carolina Panthers signed first-round defensive tackle Vernon Butler before the start of rookie minicamp.
The 30th overall selection out of Louisiana Tech received the standard four-year deal expected to be worth $8.6 million with a signing bonus of $4.3 million under the NFL’s slotted wage scale for rookies.
–The Detroit Lions signed undrafted rookie free agent defensive lineman Louis Palmer and released offensive tackle Lamar Holmes.
