Newsmakers

Signed Former Washington State defensive tackle Brandon Rankin signed a free-agent NFL contract with the Detroit Lions. Rankin appeared in all 12 games each of the past two seasons, earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention his senior year.

• The New York Jets signed veteran kicker Josh Brown, bringing in an experienced leg to compete with incumbent Nick Folk for the starting job. The 33-year-old Brown was released by the Rams last weekend.

• The Oakland Raiders signed Matt Leinart as Carson Palmer’s backup at quarterback. Leinart signed a one-year contract, giving the Raiders two former Heisman Trophy winners from Southern California at quarterback. Leinart has completed 57.6 percent of his passes in his career with 15 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Released The Minnesota Vikings released running back Caleb King three days after he was arrested in an alleged beating outside a birthday party last weekend. King was accused of punching a 22-year-old man and throwing him headfirst to the ground early Saturday.

• The Washington Redskins released veteran Jabar Gaffney, their leading receiver last season. Gaffney made 68 catches for 947 yards and five touchdowns in 2011. Washington signed free agents Pierre Garcon and Joshua Morgan.

Audition Free-agent quarterback Vince Young is traveling to Buffalo to work out with the Bills. Young is scheduled to work out today. The Bills have a starter in place in Ryan Fitzpatrick. Young presents a dual threat as a runner and passer, and would be regarded as a good fit in coach Chan Gailey’s wildcat formations.

Transferred Tennessee forward Renaldo Woolridge, a son of former NBA player Orlando Woolridge, will play for Southern California next season. Woolridge is set to graduate from Tennessee this summer with a degree in sociology, but was granted one more season of eligibility after being limited to eight games because of an ankle injury during his junior year. Woolridge averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds playing in 25 games last season for the Volunteers.

Died World champion swimmer Alexander Dale Oen, one of Norway’s top medal hopes for the London Olympics, died from cardiac arrest after collapsing in his bathroom during a training camp in Flagstaff, Ariz. He was 26. “We’re all in shock,” Norway Coach Petter Loevberg said. “This is an out-of-the-body experience for the whole team over here. Our thoughts primarily go to his family who have lost Alexander way too early.” The Norwegian team is holding a camp in Flagstaff ahead of the Olympics.