The NFL is in a kind of dead period as the league gears up for the 2013 NFL Draft. Free agency has slowed down as all the big-money players are off the market, but there are still a handful to be signed and moves that are being made. James Harrison is visiting Steelers rivals, Jason Smith was signed and Rob Gronkowski's forearm issues continue.
NFL free-agent news tracker: James Harrison visits Bengals, Saints sign Jason Smith, Rob Gronkowski delays surgery and more
All eyes are looking to the draft as the NFL is gearing up for the 2013 season, but there are still moves being made that you may have missed.
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s what else you may have missed on Thursday.
Despite reports that the Raiders were going to be signing Seneca Wallace, the quarterback won't be signing with Oakland. The Raiders have traded for Matt Flynn and traded away Carson Palmer. It was thought that they were going to be signing Wallace to compete for a backup position. However, that's not the case.
The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent offensive tackle Jason Smith to a one-year deal. Smith has been in the league for five years and the Saints are the former No. 2 overall pick's team. The Saints are thin at the tackle position since they lost Jerome Bushrod and Smith could help fill the void.
Detroit Lions safety Amari Spievey expects the assault charges that were filed against him in late March will be dropped, according to his attorney. Spievey was due in court on Thursday, but a judge continued the case until June 28. Spievey is expected to compete for the backup safety position for the Lions, who signed him to a one-year deal in March.
ESPN announced their coverage plans for the upcoming draft. Chris Berman will host the first round of the draft on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET. Trey Wingo will host the second and third rounds, which will air on Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. ET and Saturday’s crew will be the same.
Rob Gronkowski's forearm issues continue as the Patriots' tight end has decided to push back surgery for "several weeks" so the infection can clear up first. It's possible now that Gronkowski could miss time at the beginning of the season depending on how long it takes to recover from his next surgery, which will be his fourth.
The Bengals hosted former Steelers linebacker James Harrison on Thursday. Harrison spent a decade with the Steelers and was one of the more productive players in one of the league's top-ranked defenses over the last few years. The Bengals are looking for a replacement for Manny Lawson, their strong-side linebacker, and Harrison, who's likely looking to get back at the Steelers, could be a good short-term fit.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded Dion Lewis to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Emmanuel Acho. Chip Kelly is looking to re-tool the Eagles' roster to fit his scheme. Acho should help the Eagles add depth to the linebacker position as they make the transition to a 3-4 defense and Kelly, deemed too small for Kelly's offense, would have likely been waved if he wasn't traded.
Peyton Manning and newly signed wide receiver Wes Welker are working out together at Duke. According to reports, Manning is already forming a connection with the newest receiver. The two have played on the same Pro Bowl teams twice. Welker is hoping to help move the Broncos past the divisional round and into the AFC Championship and beyond in the next two years.
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