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 General manager David Caldwell said at a pre-draft media luncheon
Friday that the Jaguars are preparing as if they will be without
Blackmon, who is under indefinite suspension for violating the NFL's
substance-abuse policy a third time. Coach Gus Bradley said he has
been in contact via text message with Blackmon, but it has been
several weeks since he heard from him.
Blackmon was suspended Nov. 1 of last year. He was also banned the
first four games of the 2013 season. He is eligible to petition the
NFL for reinstatement this summer, but it is likely that his
suspension will force him to miss at least another eight games.
---The San Francisco 49ers picked up the fifth-year option on
defensive end Aldon Smith's rookie contract Friday.
The option year is worth $9.75 million in 2015 but is only
guaranteed if he suffers a major injury. It does not become fully
guaranteed next March if he is still with the team. The 49ers have
the option to release Smith before the 2015 season. The team also
would not be required to pay him in the event of an NFL suspension
or because of his legal issues.
Smith's most recent off-the-field transgression was allegedly making
a false bomb threat at the Los Angeles airport. He also has been
arrested in the past on drunken driving charges and illegal
possession of assault weapons.
---Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander was suspended on
Friday for four games as a result of violating the NFL's substance
abuse policy and program for substances of abuse.
Alexander will be allowed to practice with the team during the
offseason and preseason but will not be eligible to play in a 2014
regular-season game until after the Panthers face the Baltimore
Ravens in Week 4.
In 28 games during the past two seasons, Alexander has 33 tackles
and 3 1/2 sacks. The 2012 fourth-round draft pick played mostly as a
reserve behind Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson.
---The Washington Redskins exercised their fifth-year option on the
contract of linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
Kerrigan, 25, has started all 48 of Washington's regular-season
games and one playoff game since the team made him a first-round
draft choice in 2011.
In three seasons, Kerrigan has 184 tackles (131 solo), 24.5 sacks,
15 pass breakups, 10 fumbles forced, two interceptions (both
returned for touchdowns) and one fumble recovery.
---The Cleveland Browns exercised their fifth-year option on
defensive lineman Phil Taylor's rookie contract Friday.
Taylor is now under contract through the 2015 season.
Taylor played and started 15 games at nose tackle in the Browns' 3-4
defense after transitioning from defensive tackle. He had 57
tackles, two sacks and one pass breakup, helping Cleveland finish
ninth in the NFL in total defense, the team's best finish since
1994.
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---Former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson will not be charged by
the Los Angeles County District Attorney in connection with a
domestic incident at Johnson's home in April.
Johnson's ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Conrad, told a detective that her
collar was torn and her finger scratched when Johnson tried to take
away her phone during a conversation on April 21.
The district attorney decided against filing charges because Conrad
is not cooperating and the injury was minor and appeared to be
caused by accident.
---The Cincinnati Bengals waived quarterback Zac Robinson after he
failed a physical, the team announced Friday.
Robinson spent all of last season on the Bengals' physically unable
to perform list because of an elbow injury that predated the start
of training camp. Robinson, who played collegiately at Oklahoma
State, was a seventh-round draft choice of the New England Patriots
in 2010 but has not played in an NFL game.
---The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with linebacker O'Brien
Schofield and cornerback A.J. Jefferson.
Schofield rejoins the Seahawks after recording seven tackles and one
sack in 15 games as a reserve last season. He agreed to a two-year,
$8 million deal with the New York Giants, but returned to free
agency after the oft-injured pass rusher failed his physical.
Jefferson provides needed depth at cornerback and is a player the
Seahawks are familiar with. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals
as a rookie free agent in 2010 and spent two seasons with Arizona
before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 1, 2012. He
played in 25 games with seven starts over the past two seasons
before being released last Nov. 25.
The Seahawks also announced they have declined the fifth-year
contract option on guard James Carpenter. The 2011 first round pick
has started 26 of 32 career regular-season games and started at left
guard in Super Bowl XLVIII.
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