News briefs: Pennington signs deal to stay with Dolphins

MIAMI -- Chad Pennington will be back with the Miami Dolphins for at least one more season.

The quarterback signed a one-year deal with the team Monday. He's expected to back up Chad Henne, who replaced him when Pennington injured his right shoulder in the third game last season.

Pennington is recovering from the third operation of his career on his throwing shoulder. Twice he has returned from injuries to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, most recently in 2008, when he led the Dolphins to their first playoff berth in seven years.

Pennington spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the New York Jets, who made him a first-round draft choice in 2000 (18th overall).

Falcons trade cornerback Houston to Lions

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions have traded two late-round draft picks to acquire cornerback Chris Houston from the Atlanta Falcons.

Houston, a second-round pick for Atlanta in 2007, became expendable after the Falcons signed Dunta Robinson as an unrestricted free agent.

The Falcons will receive an additional sixth-round pick from Detroit and move up from the 18th spot to second in the fifth round.

Houston has three interceptions and one forced fumble in 44 career games, 37 starts.

Panthers continue purge, dump fullback Hoover

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have added to their purge of veterans with the release of longtime fullback Brad Hoover.

The move Monday comes in a one-week stretch where the Panthers let defensive end Julius Peppers leave in free agency, then cut quarterback Jake Delhomme, defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu, and linebackers Na'il Diggs and Landon Johnson.

Letting the 33-year-old Hoover go saves the Panthers close to $1 million in payroll for the 2010 season and ends his 10-year stay in Carolina.

Signed as an undrafted rookie out of Western Carolina, the Thomasville, N.C., native became a mainstay as a reliable blocker and special teams player.

The Panthers will likely turn to second-year pro Tony Fiammetta at fullback.

Agent: G Ryan Lilja cut by Colts

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts guard Ryan Lilja has been cut by Indianapolis, his agent told the Associated Press.

Lilja started all 19 games, including the Super Bowl loss to New Orleans, last season for the Colts, but the team decided to release him Monday, agent Craig Domann said.

The 28-year-old Lilja received his $1.7 million roster bonus before being cut.

Lilja signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in 2004, and was later released and signed with the Colts. Indianapolis re-signed him in 2008 to a five-year deal that was worth about $19 million, but he missed that season with a knee injury.

Steelers sign receiver Battle, safety Allen

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers bolstered their special teams, a weakness last season, by signing wide receiver Arnaz Battle and safety Will Allen.

Battle spent seven seasons with San Francisco and played in 88 games as a receiver, kick returner and punt returner. He has 178 receptions for 2,150 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Battle was drafted by the 49ers in the sixth round in 2003.

Allen has played all six of his NFL seasons with Tampa Bay after being drafted in the fourth round in 2004. Allen made two starts in 2009 before being placed on injured reserve after Week 9. He also is a strong special teams player.

Seattle sends QB Wallace to Cleveland for pick

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks traded backup quarterback Seneca Wallace to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2011 undisclosed draft pick. A Seahawks spokesman confirmed the deal Monday night.

Wallace spent his entire seven-year career with the Seahawks, and was always a favorite of Mike Holmgren's when he was Seattle's coach. Now the Browns' team president, Holmgren has brought Wallace to Cleveland.

Wallace's best season was 2008 when he started eight games in Holmgren's last season and threw for 1,532 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wallace started two games last season while starter Matt Hasselbeck was injured. Wallace was also sometimes used as a wide receiver and returner in Seattle.

Former Eagles DE Babin visits Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Free agent Jason Babin is wrapping up a visit with the Tennessee Titans, who are looking to add depth on the defensive line.

The Titans are looking for help after losing defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch to the Detroit Lions in the early hours of free agency on Friday.

Babin had 2 1/2 sacks for the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He was a first-round draft pick out of Western Michigan by the Houston Texans in 2004 and also has played for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

Lions re-sign Heller, add receiver Clark, cut DE White

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have re-signed tight end Will Heller to a three-year deal and signed free agent wide receiver Brian Clark to a one-year deal.

The 6-foot-6-inch, 275-pound Heller joined the Lions before last season as an unrestricted free agent. He had 29 receptions, 296 yards and three touchdowns for Detroit.

The team says the 6-2, 204-pound Clark will compete at the wide receiver position and contribute on special teams.

The Lions also released defensive end Dewayne White.

Receiver Walter, punter Turk re-sign with Texans

HOUSTON -- Receiver Kevin Walter and punter Matt Turk, both unrestricted free agents, have been re-signed by the Houston Texans.

Walter started 14 games opposite Andre Johnson last season and had 53 receptions for 611 yards and two touchdowns. He joined the Texans in 2006 and has 195 receptions for 2,470 yards and 15 touchdowns since arriving in Houston.

Walter, who has started 45 games in the last three seasons, signed with the Texans after three seasons in Cincinnati.

Turk averaged a franchise-best 42.8 yards per punt last season and landed 24 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. The 41-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Texans after a year in St. Louis.

Bucs acquire WR Brown from Eagles for draft pick

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have acquired wide receiver Reggie Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft.

The 29-year-old Brown has 177 career receptions and 17 touchdowns.

Brown was selected third in the second round of the 2005 draft after playing four years at the University of Georgia.

Chargers claim back Mason from Redskins

SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers have claimed running back Marcus Mason off waivers from the Washington Redskins, beginning the process of restocking their backfield.

Mason spent most of his first two NFL seasons on the practice squads of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. He played in nine games last season for the Redskins, gaining 127 yards on 32 carries.

The Chargers recently released running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Bennett.

Defense rests for man accused of killing Darrent Williams

DENVER -- Lawyers for a man accused of shooting and killing Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams have rested their case without calling the defendant to testify.

Willie Clark faces first-degree murder and other charges.

Clark told Denver District Judge Christina Habas on Monday that he'd like to testify but he fears for his and his family's safety. His attorney says gang members threatened to turn Clark into "Swiss cheese."

Prosecutors are expected to present rebuttal witnesses next.

Williams was in a limousine with other football players when he was shot on New Year's Day 2007. They had just left a nightclub where prosecutors say Williams' group got into an altercation with a group that included Clark.