National Football League roundup

[February 11, 2016]  Feb 10 (The Sports Xchange) - The New York Giants were planning to release linebacker Jon Beason on Wednesday, but the veteran instead announced his retirement, ending his injury-plagued nine-year career.

The Giants also commenced their offseason roster restructuring with the release of veteran offensive linemen Will Beatty and Geoff Schwartz. The three players, all of whom were injured in 2015, have a combined 23 years of NFL experience.

The moves will save the Giants about $11.7 million against the 2016 salary cap and increase their projected cap room to about $55 million this year, ESPN.com reported.

The 31-year-old Beason, a former first-round draft choice and a three-time Pro Bowler, played 93 regular-season games (90 starts) in nine seasons. His career totals included 829 tackles, 10 interceptions and four sacks.

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Charges could be filed soon against Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy after he was accused of aggravated assault stemming from a weekend fight at a Philadelphia nightclub.

According to reports on Wednesday, an arrest warrant could be issued for McCoy, whose attorney told ESPN that his client would surrender to police if charged in the case. Police have recommended that one of the charges be aggravated assault.

McCoy and a group of men are accused of punching, kicking and stomping on an off-duty Philadelphia police officer after one of them took a bottle of champagne out of the officer's hand and a fight transpired.

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Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Armonty Bryant was indicted on two felony drug possession charges stemming from his Christmas morning arrest after a traffic stop.

Bryant faces charges for possession of Adderall and OxyCodone, and then-practice squad defensive back De'Ante Saunders was indicted for improperly handling a weapon in a motor vehicle.

The men are scheduled to be arraigned in an Ohio court on Feb 24.

According to the citation from Berea Municipal Court, Saunders and Bryant were stopped in a 2015 green Dodge traveling 75 mph in a 60-mph zone.

Saunders was driving and refused a breathalyzer test, and he was arrested at 2:16 a.m. on Dec. 25 for operating a vehicle under the influence and speeding.

Ohio Highway Patrol troopers searched the car and found a handgun and 22-round magazine.

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The after-season reports continue to pile up for troubled Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a source told him that Manziel "was heavily hung over on something" on the same day another report said he came to a late-season practice drunk and the Browns covered up the incident.

NFL Network's Mike Silver took to Twitter on Tuesday to stand by his report last week that Manziel showed up drunk for a late-season practice but said he regretted saying the Browns lied about Manziel having a concussion.

The Browns issued a statement Tuesday reiterating that Manziel was in the league's concussion protocol.

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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says the next contract for quarterback Andrew Luck is "going to be a shocking number."

Last spring, the Colts picked up Luck's fifth-year option from his rookie contract for $16.1 million in 2016. A new contract will make Luck one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.

Luck came into the NFL as rookie in 2012 with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, whose contract signed last year included a $31 million signing bonus with a $21.7 million average annual value.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton signed a five-year extension in 2015 that has a $20.76 average annual value. His extension is worth $103.8 million with $67.6 million paid in the first three years.

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

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