Former Baltimore Ravens long snapper Matt Katula could be returning to the AFC North division.
The Pittsburgh Steelers tried out Katula on Wednesday, according to a league source.
Katula, 29, played in five games last season for the Minnesota Vikings, filling in when Cullen Loeffler broke a bone in his lower back.
A former Wisconsin player, Katula played with the Ravens from 2005 to 2009 and played eight games two years ago for the New England Patriots.
For his career, the 6-foot-6, 265-pounder has played in 93 games. …
The St. Louis Rams weren’t the only NFL team interested in offensive tackle Jose Valdez when the Minnesota Vikings placed him on waivers.
The New York Jets also put in a waiver claim, according to a league source, but the Rams had the higher ranking on the priority list.
So, they were awarded the 6-foot-6, 324-pound former Arkansas lineman. …
The Oakland Raiders tried out tight end Tory Humphrey and linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis when they auditioned fullback Owen Schmitt, according to a league source.
The Raiders wound up signing Schmitt following the workout.
Humphrey, 29 is a 6-foot-2, 255-pound former New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers player. He played collegiately at Central Michigan.
For his career, he has 13 receptions for 181 yards.
Alama-Francis, 27 is a 6-foot-5, 290-pound former Hawaii player who has played for the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins.
He has 47 career tackles and one sack.
He played for the Dolphins for the past three seasons. …
The Kansas City Chiefs signed second-round offensive tackle Jeff Allen to a $4.643 million contract that includes a $1.817 million signing bonus.
The Chiefs also signed fifth-round cornerback De’Quan Menzie to a four-year contract.
The former Alabama standout has registered 68 career tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, one interception and 15 pass deflections.
The Chiefs also signed defensive back Dominique Ellis, tight end Martin Rucker, offensive lineman Rich Ranglin and linebacker Leon Williams.
