Newsmakers

Signed The Charlotte Panthers signed fourth-year linebacker Luke Kuechly to a five-year, $62 million contract extension. His deal pales some in comparison to the six-year, $100 million-plus the Bills gave defensive tackle Marcell Dareus earlier in the day, largely because the value the NFL puts on certain positions. Kuechly’s $12.4 million annual salary tops that of Seattle middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, who received a four-year extension worth $10.75 million a year in August. Kuechly has an NFL-best 473 tackles since coming into the league as a first-round draft pick in 2012. He’s one of only three players to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year award within his first two years, earning that honor in 2013. Dareus will miss the season-opening game while serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Dareus was entering the final year of his contract. He’s a two-time Pro Bowl and one-time All-Pro selection, and has become one of the NFL’s elite defensive tackles since the Bills selected him the first round of 2011 draft.

• Former Eastern Washington All-American safety Tevin McDonald is on the Raiders’ practice squad, the NFL team announced this week. McDonald, who was undrafted, signed a free-agent contract with Oakland shortly after the NFL draft, but was cut earlier this month.

• The Minnesota Vikings signed wide receiver Jarius Wright to a four-year contract extension.

• The San Diego Chargers re-signed tight end John Phillips as a precaution after Ladarius Green was diagnosed with a concussion. Phillips was released when the team reduced its roster to 53 players.

Accepted Suspended Dallas defensive end Greg Hardy says he won’t try to get his four-game ban reduced or eliminated by pursuing a case against the NFL in federal court.

Waived The Cleveland Browns waived Terrelle Pryor, the former quarterback who made the roster after training camp as a wide receiver. The Browns said they have claimed running back Robert Turbin, who reached an injury settlement with Seattle.

Suspended A source said the NFL will suspend Buffalo Bills linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali for the first four games of the season for punching and breaking the jaw of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith. He is on the practice squad.

Sidelined Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is still awaiting medical clearance to return from a concussion he sustained three weeks ago.