NFL notes: Former Cougars QB Jeff Tuel lands in Jacksonville

Jacksonville has a new quarterback, one familiar with offensive assistants Doug Marrone and Nathaniel Hackett.

The Jaguars were awarded Jeff Tuel off waivers from Buffalo on Monday, reuniting the former Washington State quarterback with two of his former Bills coaches.

Jacksonville waived quarterback Jake Waters to make room for Tuel on the 90-man roster.

Tuel played in two games with one start for the Bills over two seasons. He spent his entire rookie year on the 53-man roster and made his only career start against Kansas City on Nov. 3, 2013.

He spent most of last season on the practice squad.

Newton deal close

A person close to the negotiations says the contract talks between the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton on a multi-year contract extension are continuing and the sides are close to getting a deal done.

The person said that a deal could be completed within the next two days.

Newton is expected to command a contract in excess of $20 million per season.

The 26-year-old Newton is entering his fifth season with Carolina and has led the Panthers to back-to-back NFC South championships.

Quick kicks

New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford said he’s thankful for being unhurt after totaling a rented car on the New Jersey Turnpike as he tried to return home for practice after visiting his newborn daughter in California. … Indianapolis defensive end Robert Mathis said his rehabilitation from a torn Achilles tendon is ahead of schedule and he plans to be ready for the season opener in September. … A source says Arizona has given defensive tackle Frostee Rucker a one-year extension, keeping him through the 2016 season.