NFL notebook: Falcons WR Jones in line for extension

Jones has two years remaining on his deal, which owes him $9.6 million in 2019
and $11.4 million in 2020. He signed a contract adjustment as training camp
opened last July -- giving him $4.4 million, including $2.9 million from his
2019 salary, up front -- and the team reportedly promised to do a full
extension this offseason. That came after Jones missed the Falcons' entire
offseason program and threatened to hold out into training camp.

The 30-year-old again missed voluntary workouts this summer, but he showed up
for mandatory minicamp. He told reporters in April he isn't concerned with
being the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver.

In his eighth season, Jones is coming off of his sixth Pro Bowl selection --
fifth in a row -- after catching 113 passes for a league-high 1,677 yards and
eight touchdowns last season. He remains the NFL's all-time leader in career
receiving yards per game (96.7).

--Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford played through broken bones in
his back last year, according to a team reporter.

Mike O'Hara, a long-time Lions beat reporter who now works for the team's
website, said of Stafford on a recent episode of his podcast, "He had a broken
back last year. Broken bones in his back."

After taking 12 hits against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 2, Stafford was
listed with a back injury for the final four weeks of the 2018 season,
including limited participation and questionable designations for games in
Weeks 14-16. He played in all four games, throwing for 691 yards, three
touchdowns and no interceptions as the Lions went 2-2.

--The former NFL running back who wore "He Hate Me" on his jersey during his
season in the XFL was found safe after going missing in South Carolina,
according to a report from the Charlotte Observer.

Police said Torrold "Rod" Smart was located and was OK, the Observer reported.
Earlier in the day, the Lancaster (S.C.) County Sheriff's Office said Smart
was a "missing endangered person" and was seeking information regarding his
whereabouts.

Smart, 42, played college football at Western Kentucky. As an undrafted free
agent in 2000, he was signed by the then-San Diego Chargers but was released.
The following year, he played for the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL, then later
in 2001 played in the Canadian Football League and with the Philadelphia
Eagles. He played four more seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

--New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is headed for paydirt, one
way or another.

General manager Mickey Loomis said on Mad Dog Sports Radio that the Saints and
Thomas have begun talks geared toward a long-term deal. Thomas, who is
entering the final year of his rookie contract, had 125 receptions for 1,405
yards in 2018.

"We've had some conversations, and I like keeping that close to the vest until
there's something to report, but look, we love what Mike's done for us,"
Loomis said. "He's a fantastic player, one of the best at his position in the
league, and hopefully we can keep him a Saint for a long time as well."

--More than 5,000 Denver Broncos fans attended owner Pat Bowlen's memorial
service, according to the team.

Bowlen died last week at age 75 after a fight with Alzheimer's disease. The
team hosted a public memorial service at Broncos Stadium at Mile High, where
fans walked past photos and memorabilia from Bowlen's life and watched a video
tribute in his honor.

Former Broncos players such as John Elway, Rod Smith and Peyton Manning also
attended the service. Bowlen will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of
Fame posthumously this August.

--Former Senior Bowl director and Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage
is expected to join the New York Jets' personnel department under new general
manager Joe Douglas, NFL Network reported.

Per the report, Savage's role is not yet fully defined, but an announcement
"should come this week," absent a setback. NFL Network also reported Ravens
assistant director of pro personnel Chad Alexander will join the Jets as
director of player personnel.

ESPN reported the Jets are hiring Indianapolis Colts vice president of player
personnel Rex Hogan as assistant general manager, after Hogan served as New
York's senior director of college scouting from 2015-17.

--Field Level Media