National Football League roundup

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[March 04, 2016]  March 3 (The Sports Xchange) - Running back Arian Foster's prolific career with the Houston Texans came to an end on Thursday.

The Texans released Foster, the franchise's career rushing leader with 6,472 career yards and 54 touchdowns. He has missed 23 games because of injuries the past three seasons.

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The Baltimore Ravens released linebacker Daryl Smith and decided not to pick up a $2 million contract option for defensive end Chris Canty.

Smith spent the past three years with the Ravens, starting all 48 regular-season games. The 12-year NFL veteran led the team and ranked 10th in the league with 121 tackles in 2015.

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Defensive end Charles Johnson was released by the Carolina Panthers, who will save $11 million against the 2016 salary cap.

Johnson started at left end for the NFC champions and was a third-round draft pick in 2007. He turns 30 in July and joins recently released Mario Williams, cut Tuesday by the Buffalo Bills, on the market of veteran pass rushers available before free agency begins March 9.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars waived guard Zane Beadles and defensive end Chris Clemons in moves made to save the team $9.5 million against the 2016 salary cap.

Beadles started every game the past two years, but his production didn't meet the Jaguars' expectations after they signed him to a five-year, $30 million contract in 2014 that included $12.5 million guaranteed.

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The San Diego Chargers released inside linebacker Donald Butler, who had five seasons remaining on a seven-year, $51.8 million contract extension he signed in 2014.

Butler's release was not a surprise after he lost his starting job last season and carried a $9.28 million cap figure for 2016.

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The latest edition of the long-running "Deflategate" saga played out in federal appeals court and the three judges might take weeks or months to issue a ruling.

The NFL is defending its four-game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for tampering with game-ready footballs and would like the discipline restored. Brady's side is arguing that a federal judge's previous decision overturning the suspension should remain in place.

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With only days remaining to shave $3.56 million from their 2016 salary cap, the Miami Dolphins are scurrying to restructure deals with two of their highest-paid players: defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and outside linebacker Cameron Wake.

Suh counts $28.6 million against the 2016 salary cap but his deal includes a provision that would allow for the Dolphins to tack an extra season onto the deal for cap-balancing purposes. That move serves only to delay the cap issues - similar tactics served the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys in

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Kirk Cousins signed the one-year, $19.95 million tender offer from the Washington Redskins, who applied the franchise tag to the pending free agent quarterback on Tuesday.

Cousins will have a cap hit greater than those of Russell Wilson, Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers in 2016 if the two sides fail to come to agreement on a long-term contract by July 15.

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Running back Antonio Andrews re-signed with the Tennessee Titans.

Andrews signed a one-year deal, but financial terms were not immediately known, after leading the Titans with 520 rushing yards in 14 games last season.

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The Indianapolis Colts made a qualifying offer to tight end Jack Doyle, the team announced.

Doyle is a restricted free agent and the qualifying offer gives the Colts the opportunity to match any offer he may receive. Indianapolis would have 10 days to match the offer. (Editing by Frank Pingue)

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