Updated: 11:51 p.m.
HOUSTON -- Arian Foster has been released by the Houston Texans.
The four-time Pro Bowler was released on Thursday after a season where he missed 12 games with groin and Achilles tendon injuries.
The 29-year old was an undrafted free agent who spent time on the practice squad before rising to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,616 yards in 2010.
Foster ran for 1,246 yards in 2014 for the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season of his career (see full story).
Patriots: Appeals court to hear arguments in 'Deflategate' case
NEW YORK -- NFL union lawyers who want New England quarterback Tom Brady to put "Deflategate" behind him for good are ready to make their pitch to three federal appeals judges in New York.
NFL lawyers are asking the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on Thursday to reinstate a four-game suspension the league handed Brady. They said a lower court was wrong to rule in September that the penalty could be lifted because the league bungled a probe of deflated footballs at the AFC Championship game in January 2015.
NFL
If the league wins, Brady may have to sit out the start of the upcoming season. If the union wins, it is likely he will play. Either way, the case is likely to be cited in labor law for years to come.
A ruling, unlikely for months, may hinge on obscure points of contract law that sports fans may find less interesting than the drama that has unfolded within the controversy (see full story).
Panthers: Longtime DE Charles Johnson released
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have released longtime defensive end Charles Johnson, a move that will save the team $11 million under the 2016 NFL salary cap.
Johnson started nine games for Carolina in 2015 but struggled with hamstring injuries and missed seven games while on short-term injured reserve.
He had one sack in the regular season and registered three sacks in three postseason games.
Johnson, who spent all nine seasons with the Panthers, had 63.5 sacks -- second-most in franchise history. He recorded at least nine sacks in four consecutive years from 2010-13 and had a career-high 12.5 in 2012.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman says Johnson "was an impact player for the Carolina Panthers for a long time, both on and off the field."
Redskins: Kirk Cousins makes it 'officially official'
WASHINGTON -- Kirk Cousins says he has signed the franchise tender from the Washington Redskins, giving the quarterback a one-year deal worth nearly $20 million.
On Thursday, two days after the Redskins placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Cousins, he tweeted out a photo of himself with pen in hand.
Cousins wrote: "I'm told this is the final step in making it officially official."
The Redskins' move allowed Cousins to negotiate with other teams, which would have needed to send two first-round draft picks to Washington to sign the QB. But he rendered all of that moot by quickly accepting the tender.
Cousins helped the Redskins win the NFC East with a breakthrough performance last season, his fourth in the NFL but first as a full-time starter.
Cousins and Washington have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract.