ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have traded tackle Michael Williams to the New England Patriots for an undisclosed 2016 draft pick.
The Lions took Williams in the seventh round of the 2013 draft, but he has not played in an NFL game.
Williams played tight end at Alabama, catching 51 passes in four seasons and even returning a handful of kickoffs. But he was considered more of a throwback blocking end when he came into the NFL.
Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said a couple of weeks ago that Williams had significantly improved his quickness and technical ability.
The Lions signed offensive lineman Joe Madsen and they also put linebacker Kevin Snyder on injured reserve.
BROWNS
Manziel hurting
BEREA, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel entered the NFL with a flair for making sensational plays. And, as it turns out, an elbow problem.
Manziel's right elbow soreness -- a problem the Browns said has troubled the former Texas A&M star since he was in high school -- isn't going away, so the team is shutting him down.
Mike Pettine said the second-year quarterback will likely sit out an exhibition Saturday at Tampa Bay.
"It hasn't bounced all the way back," Pettine said of Manziel's elbow. "We're going to err on the side of caution."
An MRI did not reveal any structural damage in the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner's elbow.
Manziel has been slowed by soreness for at least the past two weeks of training camp. The pain flared up Sunday on a long throw, forcing him off the field for the final 30 minutes of practice. He didn't throw on Monday, and following a scheduled off day for the team, Manziel was again limited to just handing the ball off during Wednesday's workout.
Pettine said afterward the Browns will discuss signing another quarterback. Among the free agents available are Jason Campbell, Tyler Thigpen and Josh Johnson, who have all spent time with Cleveland.
BRONCOS
Kicker Barth released
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The load taken off Brandon McManus's shoulders was replaced by a heavy heart.
The Broncos released kicker Connor Barth on Wednesday to make room for two-time Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis, meaning McManus has regained his status as Denver's kicker.
It was a reversal from last season, when Barth supplanted an inconsistent McManus, who was later re-signed as a kickoff specialist.
"He was on the team last year with me, so we do have a bond and a friendship with one another. It's tough to see that," McManus said. "But it was exciting for me to get that trust back and to win this job back."
McManus wasn't in a celebratory mood, so "it wasn't an easy day to kick," he said.
Still, he hit all 12 of his field goal attempts.
McManus made the roster last year while Matt Prater was serving a suspension, and he kept the job when Prater was released and then signed with Detroit. But after going 9-for-13 on field goals, the Broncos brought in Barth.
Barth made 15 of 16 field goals over the final five weeks last season but was doomed by his poor kickoffs this preseason, one of which was returned 103 yards for a touchdown.
REDSKINS
LB injures ankle
ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington linebacker Junior Galette injured his left ankle in the final minutes of Wednesday's practice.
Coach Jay Gruden said he was worried about the situation.
The Redskins were having Galette's ankle checked when Gruden met with reporters after practice, and the coach wasn't happy with the situation.
"It was just at the end of practice," Gruden said. "He was running around a corner and went down. He's not the type of guy that would lay down if there was nothing, so I'm very concerned."
Gruden said there was a "big chance" that Galette would not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens. Galette had talked on Tuesday about how excited he was that the Baltimore game would be his first time on the field this preseason.
Sports on 08/27/2015