Free-agent running back Jamaal Charles, who has been hampered by knee injuries in recent years, agreed to a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos, the team announced Tuesday.
The deal is worth up to $3.75 million, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Charles was released by the Kansas City Chiefs in February after spending nine seasons with that club and becoming the Chiefs’ career rushing leader.
He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection with impressive statistics, but he is 30 years old and played only eight games in the past two seasons combined because of injuries.
Charles has rushed for 7,260 yards, and his career yards-per-carry average of 5.5 ranks first among NFL running backs all-time. He has rushed for more than 1,000 yards five times, most recently in 2014, when he gained 1,033.
–The Buffalo Bills declined to pick up the fifth-year option on receiver Sammy Watkins’ contract, the team announced.
The decision means Watkins will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2017 season. The option for 2018 was for $13.258 million.
Watkins has experienced injury issues during his first three NFL seasons and played in just eight games last season due to a foot injury.
–The Carolina Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and also waived five players — safety Tre Boston, cornerback Lou Young, fullback Devon Johnson and offensive tackles Jordan Rigsbee and Jake Rodgers.
Benjamin’s option for 2018 is worth $8.459 million. The Panthers’ decision regarding Benjamin comes after reports that the team had concerns about Benjamin’s weight. Benjamin, whose playing weight is about 240 pounds, started 13 of 16 games in 2016 and had 63 receptions for 941 yards and a team-leading seven touchdown catches.
–The Detroit Lions exercised the fifth-year option on the contract of tight end Eric Ebron.
A first-round pick in 2014, Ebron will earn $8.26 million in 2018, the average of the top-10 for players at his position (based on cap charge).
The option year becomes guaranteed on the first day of the new league year next March.
Ebron had a career-high 61 receptions and 711 yards in 13 games last season.
–Calvin Pryor is officially entering a contract year after the New York Jets informed the fourth-year safety his 2018 option would be declined.
Pryor, a three-year starter at safety and former first-round pick out of Louisville, would have made $5.266 million in salary for 2018.
NFL Network and ESPN reported during their draft broadcasts that the 24-year-old Pryor was on the trade block.