Panthers acquire veteran Allen from Bears: The Panthers acquired veteran pass rusher Jared Allen from the Chicago Bears, the team announced Tuesday.
The Bears have agreed to pay $11.5 million of the 33-year-old's remaining salary while the Panthers will pay him $823,000. In return, the Bears have acquired a conditional sixth-round pick for the 2016 NFL draft.
"Jared Allen is a proven pass rusher in this league, and when you have a chance to add a quality player to your roster you must take advantage of the opportunity," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said, via ESPN. "Jared fits us very well and we are excited to add him to our roster."
The five-time Pro Bowler is playing his 12th season in the NFL. He spent the 2004-2007 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before spending six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four-year deal worth $32 million with the Bears during the 2014 offseason. This season, Allen transitioned from defensive end to outside linebacker to fit Chicago's new 3-4 style defense.
In 175 games played in his career, Allen has accumulated 134 sacks to go along with 32 forced fumbles and 482 total tackles.
Bears LB Bostic traded to Patriots: The Bears shipped out another defender Tuesday when they traded linebacker Jonathan Bostic to the Patriots. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears will receive a sixth-round pick from the Patriots.
The Patriots will also take on Bostic's contract, which runs through 2016. The 24-year-old led the Bears in tackles in 2014, but with a new regime headed head coach by John Fox, Bostic's playing time has been limited.
Bostic joins a crowded Patriots linebacking core currently featuring Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo, and Jonathan Freeny. At 29, Mayo is the veteran of the group and holds a $4 million roster bonus in 2016, but if the Patriots decide to pick it up then he will count $11.4 million against the salary cap.
Shady unlikely to play against former rival Giants: The Buffalo Bills will likely be without LeSean McCoy when they host the New York Giants in Week four, according to NFL.com's Rand Getlin.
I'm told #Bills RB LeSean McCoy is unlikely to play against the #Giants this weekend, as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) September 29, 2015
McCoy is still nursing a hamstring injury he suffered before the regular season. Although he played during the Bill's win last Sunday, he spent the majority of the game on a stationary bike trying to keep his hamstring loose.
In his absence, rookie Karlos Williams will assume duties as the Bills' primary running back. The 22-year-old has gained 188 yards on 24 carries this season while also scoring three touchdowns.
WRs Nicks, Welker work out for Giants: The Giants will welcome in a familiar face for work outs Tuesday, with Hakeem Nicks auditioning for a wide receiver job. Joining him is former Patriots and Broncos star receiver, Wes Welker.
The Giants' receiving core currently features Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle, with Victor Cruz planning to return during the team's Week four match up against the Buffalo Bills. Aside from those three, the Giants lack a reliable fourth option in the receiving game.
Nicks, 27, spent five seasons with the Giants from 2009-2013 before signing a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts before the 2014 season. Nicks hauled in just 38 passes for 405 yards for the Colts last season, but enjoyed back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons back in 2010 and 2011 as a member of the Giants.
Welker, 34, has played 10 seasons in the NFL, with six of those seasons in the New England Patriots organization as Tom Brady's most reliable pass-catcher. He spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Denver Broncos as a favorite target of Peyton Manning. In his career, Welker has caught 890 passes for 9,822 yards and has scored 50 touchdowns.
