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NFL notebook: Falcons sign LB Jones to hefty extension

[July 18, 2019] The Atlanta Falcons signed linebacker Deion Jones to a four-year extension on Wednesday, putting him under contract through 2023.

Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told multiple media outlets the extension is worth $57 million with $34 million guaranteed for injury. According to The MMQB, the deal includes an $11 million signing bonus, $13.45 million paid in 2019 and $35.5 million over the first three years, with $25.8 million guaranteed in full.

The annual average of $14.25 million makes Jones the second-highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL, behind only the Jets' C.J. Mosley ($17 million). His guaranteed money also trails only Mosley ($51 million) at the position.

Jones, 24, was set to enter the final year of his rookie deal. A second-round pick out of LSU in 2016, he had 244 tackles (14 for loss), six interceptions and 21 pass breakups in 31 games (29 starts) through two seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017. He was limited to six games in 2018 due to a foot injury.

--Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock will not hold out of any training camp practices after he agreed to terms on his rookie contract, multiple outlets reported.

A report Tuesday from 9News.com said negotiations between the sides had stalled, as Lock sought a "quarterback premium" -- with additional guarantees or workout bonuses to be paid more than fellow second-round rookie Dalton Risner, a guard taken by Denver one pick before Lock in April's draft.

Risner, picked 41st, signed his rookie deal later Tuesday, worth $7.14 million over four years with a $3.2 million signing bonus. Based on the No. 42 draft slot, Lock's deal is worth just over $7 million over four years with a $3.1 million signing bonus. Both players had portions of future salaries turned into workout bonuses, but Lock was not given a premium, per multiple reports.

--Running back Phillip Lindsay and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will practice with the Broncos when on-field work at training camp opens Thursday.

Head coach Vic Fangio said Lindsay is "ready to go" following offseason wrist surgery. General manager John Elway said Sanders will be eased into action after tearing his Achilles last season, but he will not be placed on the physically unable to perform list.

Meanwhile, the Broncos waived wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, whom ESPN reported opted to retire rather than report to training camp.

--A scheduled three-day bargaining session between the NFL and the NFL Players Association ended after one day, according to multiple reports.

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Atlanta Falcons' Deion Jones celebrates after New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady was sacked during the first quarter of Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas, U.S., February 5, 2017. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

The sides released a joint statement, saying, "(Wednesday's) meeting was productive, constructive and beneficial for both sides, and the meetings between the NFLPA's Executive Committee and the NFL's Management Council Executive Committee will continue."

Multiple media outlets reported the sides will reconvene on July 29. ESPN reported the scheduled sessions ended early because information emerged that needed to be discussed further with other owners, quoting a source saying, "big topics are tabled (for now). There is definitely a lot of work to be done."

--Police in North Carolina issued a felony arrest warrant for Arizona Cardinals tackle Desmond Harrison on charges of assault by strangulation and assault on a female, multiple outlets reported.

Greensboro police said a report was filed Tuesday against the 25-year-old offensive lineman, who was signed off waivers by Arizona last month after being cut by the Cleveland Browns.

The Cardinals immediately released Harrison after the allegations were reported by Bleacher Report and Yahoo! Sports.

--The NFL suspended free agent cornerback Rashard Robinson for 10 games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy with several missed drug tests.

"I would like to take this opportunity to apologize and take full responsibility," Robinson said in a statement to NFL Network. "I have no one to blame for my actions. I would like to apologize to my family and supporters."

Robinson, who turns 24 next week, was suspended four games last year for a substance-abuse violation. He was waived by the New York Jets in May after playing in 10 games (one start) in 2018. A 2016 fourth-round pick of San Francisco, he started 14 of 28 games through his first two seasons with the 49ers and Jets, breaking up 15 passes.

--Field Level Media

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