49ers shopping Kaepernick to interested suitors
The Denver Broncos are among at least three teams expressing interest in acquiring quarterback Colin Kaepernick from the San Francisco 49ers, according to published reports.
The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns also have interest.
The Super Bowl champion Broncos need a quarterback after the retirement of Peyton Manning and the free-agent departure of Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans.
The 49ers are looking to move Kaepernick after he reportedly asked for a trade.
Kaepernick, 28, was benched last season due to ineffectiveness. He also underwent surgeries on his left shoulder, right thumb and left knee.
If he is on the San Francisco roster on April 1, his $11.9 million base salary for 2016 becomes guaranteed. Kaepernick’s six-year, $114 million contract runs through 2020.
The 49ers also added a quarterback on Thursday when they signed Thad Lewis to a one-year deal.
Kings suspend Cousins; Karl undergoes cancer procedure
As Sacramento coach George Karl missed practice Thursday to undergo a procedure related to a cancer in his throat, the Kings announced a one-game suspension for center DeMarcus Cousins apparently because of his actions the previous night.
Cousins’ suspension was for “conduct detrimental to the team,” Kings vice president of operations and general manager Vlade Divac said in a statement. Cousins will miss Friday night’s game against the Orlando Magic.
The Kings did not specify the reason for the suspension, but Cousins received a technical on Wednesday night, his 15th of the season. He also had words with Karl during a timeout.
Karl, 64, battled throat cancer that was detected in 2010 and earlier battled prostate cancer in 2005.
Karl said no when asked if the procedure was serious, according to the Sacramento Bee. Divac told the newspaper that the team likely wouldn’t know test results for a “couple days.”
Colorado’s Landeskog suspended three games
Colorado Avalanche forward and captain Gabriel Landeskog was suspended for three games without pay on Thursday for his cross-check against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Simon Despres.
The incident happened at 11:29 of the third period in Wednesday night’s game in Denver.
Because Landeskog is considered a repeat offender, he will lose $203.832.75 of his salary. He received a two-game suspension earlier this season for an illegal check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand.
The latest suspension comes at a difficult time for the Avalanche, who are battling the Minnesota Wild for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Landeskog will miss the first three games of a four-game road trip that begins Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. He will be eligible to return March 20 for a game against the Oilers in Edmonton.
Jackson to Jaguars official with $90M deal
Malik Jackson is officially one of the highest-paid players in the NFL, signing a six-year contract worth up to $90 million.
Jackson confirmed Tuesday he agreed to a deal after early negotiations to return to the Denver Broncos failed to produce a contract.
Jackson jumps into the elite tax bracket of defensive players in the NFL, one that includes Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Jackson considered an offer from the Broncos for approximately $11 to 12 million per season recently before opting to pursue offers from other teams.
Jackson played five defensive line positions in Denver’s varied front the past three seasons, including both defensive end spots in a 4-3 and all three positions in the 3-4 front.