Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hernia) recently underwent sports hernia surgery, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Thursday, Feb. 13.

Footballguys View: Johnson had flashes as a rookie in the 2019 season. The normal recovery from this type of surgery (4-6 weeks) could keep him limited in OTAs and minicamp later this spring. However, Johnson should be good to go for training camp in the summer. We’ll see if he can push James Washington for the No.2 spot in the WR corps opposite of JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Updating a previous story, free-agent S Anthony Cioffi (Raiders) signed an undisclosed contract with the New York Jets Thursday, Feb. 13.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston is expected to remain an option for the team for the 2020 season at least until the beginning of the legal three-day free-agent tampering period March 16-18, according to head coach Bruce Arians Thursday, Feb. 13. ‘Really nothing has changed,’ Arians said. ‘What’s Door No. 2? You know? Can we make the one we have better? All those things you go through right now. … And then, that’s the problem, you get about three days to decide. The legal tampering period. Is somebody going to get let go? What’s the trade values? It’s really monotonous right now because you don’t have any answers.’

Free-agent S Anthony Cioffi (Raiders) worked out for the New York Jets Thursday, Feb. 13.

Los Angeles Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor could earn the starting spot for the 2020 season, according to head coach Anthony Lynn Thursday, Feb. 13. ‘Tyrod Taylor is a heck of a quarterback,’ Lynn told AM 570 LA Sports. ‘We couldn’t have a better backup right now, and now he has an opportunity to maybe step up into a starting role. I’ve had Tyrod before (in Buffalo), and I know what this young man brings to the table, in the passing game and the running game.’

Free-agent LB Jared Norris (Panthers) signed an undisclosed contract with the Washington Redskins Thursday, Feb. 13.

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner is still viewed as a starter by the team, and he’s expected to have a bounceback season in 2020, according to general manager Kevin Colbert Thursday, Feb. 13. ‘James Conner had a disappointing season in James Conner’s viewpoint and ours, as well,’ Colbert said. ‘Our point to James was, ‘You had an unfortunate year.’ The year before that he was one of the best in the league.” … ‘He’s still a young player. We think there’s something there. We know there’s talent there. We hope James can regain it. And, if he’s healthy, there’s no reason he shouldn’t. We don’t want to say we don’t have a starting running back because we feel we do.’

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn signed a one-year contract extension with the team Thursday, Feb. 13. He’s now under contract through the 2021 season. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton will work with the team this offseason to facilitate a trade., and according to CBS NFL analyst John Breech, the Chicago Bears rank as the top fit.

San Francisco 49ers C Weston Richburg (knee) said Thursday, Feb. 13, that he hopes to be back in training camp as he recovers from the torn patellar tendon in Week 14.