NFL-National Football League roundup
Feb 20 (The Sports Xchange) - The Miami Dolphins acquired Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas in exchange for a late-round draft pick, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.
The trade cannot be officially announced until March 9, and Thomas is expected to restructure his contract when the trade is completed.
The Dolphins and Jaguars are also in trade talks involving Dolphins starting left tackle Branden Albert. Albert might still be traded to Jacksonville, but it would be part of a separate deal.
The Dolphins need a productive tight end, because Miami tight ends combined for 551 yards, second-fewest in the NFL. Current Miami tight ends Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims will be unrestricted free agents in March.
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The Jaguars also released veteran defensive lineman Jared Odrick after just two seasons to free up salary cap space.
The Jaguars signed Odrick to a five-year contract worth $42.5 million, including $22.5 million guaranteed, in March 2015 after he played five seasons for the Dolphins.
The 29-year-old Odrick will immediately become a free agent.
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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says head coach Chuck Pagano and new general manager Chris Ballard are "clicking on all cylinders."
Irsay took to Twitter on Sunday night and added that quarterback Andrew Luck "is healing" after his surgery and there are "great things to come" for the Colts.
Former general manager Ryan Grigson was fired on Jan. 21 after five seasons with the Colts. A little over a week later, Irsay hired Ballard, who spent the past four seasons working as the Kansas City Chiefs' director of football operations.
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Veteran wide receiver Victor Cruz, who was released by the New York Giants last week as a salary-cap casualty, made a visit with the Carolina Panthers over the weekend.
According to Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review, the 30-year-old Cruz met with the Panthers and general manager Dave Gettleman, who used to work for the Giants.
Cruz left without a contract but is expected to talk with at least one other team, according to the report. (Editing by Andrew Both)
