The Rams agreed to terms on a contract with rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson on Saturday, the team announced, ending the possibility of training camp opening without the team reaching a deal with its top draft pick this spring.

The standard four-year deal, worth $9,713,466, includes $8,046,753 in guaranteed money, according to ESPN.

Taken in the second round in April’s NFL draft, Ferguson was the 46th overall pick out of Oregon. He was the last member of the Rams’ draft class who had not signed his rookie contract, raising concerns about a potential holdout during training camp despite Ferguson’s participation in the Rams’ offseason program.

This was part of a pattern of slow negotiations between second-round picks and their representation and NFL teams this summer as players pushed for greater guarantees in their contracts. But last week, a trickle of agreements were made between second rounders and their new teams, paving the way for deals like Ferguson’s to be completed Saturday.

Ferguson is expected to compete for time, particularly in a pass-catching role. Veteran Tyler Higbee still figures to be the starter.

— Adam Grosbard

LIONS LOSE D-TACKLE

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the season after having knee surgery, a setback for a franchise that was counting on him to fill in for Alim McNeill.

Lions coach Dan Campbell made the announcement on Sunday morning, just before his team had the NFL’s first training camp practice of the year.

The 27-year-old Onwuzurike started in a career-high 11 games last season, including Detroit’s loss to Washington in the divisional round. His playing time increased when McNeill had a season-ending knee injury in December. McNeill, who signed a $97 million, four-year contract extension last October, is out indefinitely.

Onwuzurike’s injury gives rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams a chance to play a significant role when the two-time defending NFC North champions kick off the season Sept. 7 at Green Bay.

TOP D-LINEMEN

The one main constant on Kansas City’s defense during a run of seven straight appearances in the AFC title game has been defensive tackle Chris Jones.

While Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have carried the offense, Jones has done the same on the defensive end for the Chiefs with his knack of creating pressure at key moments playing a crucial role in Kansas City’s success.

That helped Jones win the honor of being voted the top interior defensive lineman in the league by The Associated Press.

A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at interior defensive line, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

Jones got seven of the eight first-place votes to go with one second to win the voting easily. Two other players were on all eight ballots with Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants getting the other first-place vote to come in second and Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter finishing third.

Pittsburgh’s Cam Heyward finished fourth and Quinnen Williams of the Jets came in fifth.

Seattle’s Leonard Williams, Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons, Denver’s Zach Allen and Carolina’s Derrick Brown also received votes.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Quarterback Desmond Ridder, who led the University of Cincinnati to a College Football Playoff spot in 2021, signed with the Bengals on Sunday.

Ridder is entering his fourth season and gives the Bengals another veteran backup behind Joe Burrow. Ridder has played in 25 games and made 18 starts in previous stops with Atlanta and Las Vegas. He has passed for 4,002 yards in his career with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also has rushed for five scores.

Jake Browning has been the Bengals’ number two quarterback the past two seasons and has played in 12 games, including seven starts in 2023 after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury.

Cincinnati’s first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart did not report with the rest of the rookies on Saturday, and Trey Hendrickson, last year’s NFL sack leader, expected to hold out as he seeks a new contract.

The Seattle Seahawks released tight end Noah Fant on Sunday ahead of the start of training camp.

The 27-year-old Fant spent the past three seasons with the Seahawks after being acquired in the 2022 blockbuster trade that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver. Fant had 130 receptions for 1,400 yards and five touchdowns with the Seahawks.

The focus at the position turns to second-year tight end AJ Barner (30 catches, 245 yards last season) and second-round pick Elijah Arroyo.