NFL notebook: TE Eifert returns to Bengals

Eifert is signing a one-year
contract, according to multiple reports.

Eifert, a product of Notre Dame, was the No. 21 overall selection by the
Bengals in 2013 and played 15 games that season. Since then, he has only
reached double-digit games in a season once.

That was 2015, when he scored 13 touchdowns in 13 games. He made the Pro Bowl
that year, but an ankle injury in that game limited his action the following
season.

Eifert, 28, has had season-ending surgery each of the past three seasons. In
2018, it was a broken ankle suffered in Week 4 that sent him to injured
reserve.

--The Oakland Raiders released veteran left tackle Donald Penn in what was
called a mutual decision.

Penn, who turns 36 next month, indicated that he wants to return for a 13th
NFL season elsewhere in 2019.

Penn missed 12 games with a groin injury in 2018 and was slated to count $7.2
million against Oakland's salary cap this season.

--New Orleans Saints center Max Unger retired in a surprising development,
multiple outlets reported.

Unger, who turns 33 next month, completed his 10th NFL season and earned his
third Pro Bowl selection in 2018. He had one year left on a three-year, $22
million contract and was set to earn $5.1 million in base salary in 2019.

Unger started 130 regular-season and 12 postseason games with the Seattle
Seahawks (2009-14) and Saints (2015-18).

--When suspended Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving shared a post
-- in which he appeared to be smoking marijuana -- on Instagram and announced
his retirement last week, it was with coach Jason Garrett's encouragement, he
said.

"He told me I should just quit, smoke all the weed I want, the team didn't
need me," Irving told USA Today in an interview. "I'm a distraction to the
team."

Irving said he suffers from mental illnesses that he attributes to football
and that players should have the option to treat their ailments with cannabis.

"People need to understand I'm not doing this -- I didn't quit football to
smoke weed," Irving said. "That would be idiotic. I understand that. ... It's
about wellness, about rights. People need to understand that."

--The Jacksonville Jaguars stayed busy in free agency, announcing the signings
of wide receiver Chris Conley and offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi. Contract
terms for the two players were not announced.

Conley, 26, played for the Kansas City Chiefs over his first four seasons,
making 104 catches for 1,238 yards and six touchdowns. He emerged as a scoring
target for Patrick Mahomes last season, catching 32 passes for 334 yards and
five touchdowns.

Ogbuehi, 26, started 25 of 35 games over his first four seasons, all with the
Cincinnati Bengals, but appeared in just two games last season.

--New head coach Bruce Arians is bringing a familiar face to Tampa Bay, with
the Buccaneers signing offensive lineman Earl Watford to a one-year deal.

Watford, who spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, was drafted by the
Arizona Cardinals in 2013 and spent his first five seasons playing for Arians.

Watford, 28, has played both guard spots and right tackle over his NFL career,
which spans 55 games and 22 starts. Financial terms of his deal were not
disclosed.

--Field Level Media