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PITTSBURGH — The latest makeover on the Pittsburgh Steelers is accelerating as free agency begins.
The Steelers signed linebacker Arthur Moats to a three-year contract on Monday and released veteran defensive end Brett Keisel as the youth movement that’s been underway for the last several seasons nears completion.
Moats, who turns 27 next weekend, had four sacks in his first season with the Steelers in 2014 after coming over from Buffalo. He added 24 tackles, two forced fumbles and a season-turning fumble recovery at Cincinnati on Dec. 7, feeding a furious rally that helped propel Pittsburgh to a 4-0 season-ending run and the AFC North title.
Moats filled in capably at both inside and outside linebacker last season for the AFC North champions. Pittsburgh is in serious need of help at outside linebacker: James Harrison and Jason Worilds are free agents, leaving Jarvis Jones as the only experienced outside linebacker on the roster when the new league year begins on Tuesday.
Keisel had one year remaining on his contract but his departure was anticipated after the two-time Super Bowl winner tore his triceps in a loss to New Orleans on Nov. 30. The Steelers declined to bring back Keisel last spring only to re-sign him at the end of training camp when his replacements struggled to stay healthy or make an impact. The 36-year-old, known across the league for the massive beard he grows — then shaves — for charity each season, had one sack and eight tackles in his final season with Pittsburgh.
Eagles ink deal with Graham
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a four-year contract with linebacker Brandon Graham.
The 26-year-old Graham had 5 1/2 sacks and forced four fumbles for the Eagles in 2014 while splitting duties at outside linebacker with Trent Cole.
Graham has 17 career sacks. He has played his entire five-year career with the Eagles.
Texans release Johnson
Andre Johnson was released by the Houston Texans, and quarterback Ryan Mallett agreed to return to the team on Monday.
A 12-year veteran, Johnson, the longest-tenured Texan, was a first-round draft pick in 2003, joining the expansion team in its second season.
The 33-year-old Johnson had 85 catches for 936 yards last season, but the Texans were beginning to see DeAndre Hopkins as their top receiving threat.
“After exhausting all options of a possible trade, we informed Andre Johnson that he would be released (Monday),” general manager Rick Smith said. “No player in the history of this franchise has represented the team, city and community in a more professional way. Andre is a Hall of Fame caliber player and we appreciate his years of service and contributions to our team.”
Johnson is a seven-time Pro Bowler with seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has 1,012 receptions with 13,597 yards receiving in his career.
Deputies: Jets’ Johnson was uncooperative
ORLANDO, Fla. — New York Jets running back Chris Johnson was uncooperative with deputies who responded over the weekend to a fatal shooting that left him and a friend with bullet wounds and the driver of their car dead, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Office report released Monday.
The report also suggested the men may have been at a nightclub before the shooting at a stoplight in Orlando.
Chris Johnson was shot in the right shoulder when someone pulled up next to their Jeep and started firing. His friend, Reggie Johnson, was shot in the triceps and thigh. The driver, Dreekius Oricko Johnson, was wounded in the head. None of the men are related.
Ginn returns to Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers are bringing Ted Ginn Jr. back to North Carolina, hoping the eight-year veteran will bolster their passing offense and return game.
The team announced Monday Ginn has signed a two-year deal.
The Panthers also announced they’ve re-signed four exclusive rights free agents — running back Fozzy Whittaker, wide receiver Brenton Bersin, linebacker Ben Jacobs and offensive lineman Brian Folkerts. Whittaker received a two-year deal, while the others signed one-year deals.
Terms of the deals were not released.
Packers officially announce signing of Cobb
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers officially re-signed receiver Randall Cobb.
The team did not release terms of the deal in a statement Monday. Cobb and the Packers agreed to a four-year, $40 million contract over the weekend that kept the wideout off the open market.
He combined with Jordy Nelson to form one of the top receiving duos in the NFL during quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ MVP campaign. Cobb finished with career highs of 91 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns.