FOOTBALL
The Dallas Cowboys are slightly reducing quarterback Dak Prescott’s massive salary cap hit by reworking his contract going into the final year of the deal, a person with knowledge of the move said Monday.
A $5 million roster bonus has been converted into a signing bonus to reduce the 2024 cap hit by $4 million, to about $55 million, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club doesn’t release details of contracts.
The Cowboys can create more salary cap relief with an extension for Prescott, who is coming off a wild-card loss at home to Green Bay that dropped his playoff record to 2-5.
While Jerry Jones has said the club plans to keep Prescott, the team owner and general manager hasn’t struck the same definitive tone he did in 2021 before signing his franchise QB to a club-record $160 million, four-year contract.
Leighton Vander Esch, 28, retired following six NFL seasons, with the linebacker stepping away after missing 12 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year because of the latest in a series of neck injuries.
• The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms of a one-year contract with free agent defensive end Chase Young.
The contract agreement, announced by GM Mickey Loomis, provides reinforcements to an edge pass rush that often struggled to get pressure last season..
Young, who turns 25 in April, was drafted second overall out of Ohio State by the Washington Commanders in 2020, when he was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. But he was sidelined by major knee injuries in his second pro season that also kept out for much of 2022.
• The Buffalo Bills signed nickel cornerback Taron Johnson to a three-year contract extension, locking him up through the 2027 season.
Johnson, 27, who is coming off his first All-Pro selection, was entering the final season of a three-year extension signed in 2021.
• The Miami Dolphins added several new additions, signing former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jack Driscoll as well as defensive tackles Benito Jones and Jonathan Harris.
The Dolphins also re-signed offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn.
• The Atlanta Falcons signed receiver Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year contract.
McCloud is a return specialist who also provides new Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins with another potential target on offense.
• The Washington Commanders signed cornerback Michael Davis to a one-year contract, adding another player from the Los Angeles Chargers along with running back Austin Ekeler.
Davis, 29, gives Washington an established veteran in the secondary to go with Benjamin St-Juste and 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes.
• Center Bradley Bozeman and linebacker Troy Dye signed one-year contracts with the Los Angeles Chargers.
General Manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman both worked with Bozeman in Baltimore.
Bozeman is projected to be the Chargers’ starting center with Corey Linsley expected to retire due to a heart issue. Linsley started only three games last season with Will Clapp starting 11 and Brenden Jaimes three.
Dye, who spent his first four seasons with Minnesota, is expected to contribute primarily on special teams.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers signed special teams ace Miles Killebrew to a two-year contract and also came to terms with wide receiver Van Jefferson on a one-year deal.
• The Detroit Lions and Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler have agreed to a one-year contract, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
Detroit addressed its last glaring need on offense with the signing, finding a replacement for Jonah Jackson. The veteran guard signed with the Los Angeles Rams in free agency last week after the team decided to bring back versatile offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.
The 34-year-old Zeitler was a Pro Bowl player for the first time last season, in his third year as a starter with the Baltimore Ravens.
BOXING
HEALTH: Boxing great Roberto Durán received a pacemaker after he was hospitalized on the weekend, his family said.
The 72-year-old Durán suffered health issues on Saturday due to an atrioventricular blockage. One of his sons, Robin Durán, said his father needed the pacemaker because his heartbeats were “a bit irregular due to the obstruction of the artery.”
HOCKEY
NHL: Former Philadelphia Flyers star Wayne Simmonds, 35, announced his retirement, ending a 15-year career that included NHL All-Star Game MVP honors.
Simmonds, who played in 18 games last season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Flyers and be honored by the franchise during an April 13 game against the New Jersey Devils.
• Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has been suspended by the NHL for two games for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Sheary on Saturday night.
SOCCER
MESSI: Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina’s two friendlies in the United States this month due to a right leg muscle injury, the Argentine Football Association said.
The captain was injured last week while playing for his Inter Miami club in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Messi, 36, will miss Argentina vs. El Salvador on Friday in Philadelphia and a friendly against Costa Rica four days later in Los Angeles, AFA said in a statement.
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