The Indianapolis Colts jumped at the chance to get a veteran backup for Andrew Luck.
On Tuesday, this year’s busiest team in free agency signed former Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to a contract. Terms were not immediately released.
Indy needed a veteran backup after Drew Stanton left for Arizona, where he was reunited with Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
Hasselbeck is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who led Seattle to the Super Bowl in 2005. He was released Monday by Tennessee and didn’t stay on the street long.
“There’s 100 reasons why it’s a good idea and I could probably go through them all,” he said. “But I can just say that I think it’s an obvious fit for a lot of different reasons and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Panthers add cornerback
The Carolina Panthers signed unrestricted free-agent cornerback D.J. Moore to a one-year contract. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Moore played in 13 games with two starts for the Chicago Bears last season and had 29 tackles and two interceptions. He served as the Bears nickel back for a portion of the season.
Giants pick up receiver
With leading receiver Victor Cruz still unsigned, the New York Giants added Louis Murphy.
The Giants confirmed the signing of the speedy receiver who played last season with Carolina.
The five-year veteran has 115 receptions for 1,707 yards and seven touchdowns, including 25 catches with the Panthers in 2012.
Murphy was Oakland’s fourth-round draft choice in 2009. As a rookie, he scored four touchdowns.
The Giants have now signed seven free agents from other teams. In addition to Murphy, they have added placekicker Josh Brown (Cincinnati), linebacker Dan Connor (Dallas), defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (Philadelphia), tight end Brandon Myers (Oakland), safety Ryan Mundy (Pittsburgh) and cornerback Aaron Ross (Jacksonville).
The Giants have made a first-round tender to Cruz, meaning they will receive a first-round draft pick if he signs elsewhere and the Giants do not match the offer.
Dolphins re-sign Garner
Versatile offensive lineman Nate Garner re-signed with the Miami Dolphins.
The signing announced Tuesday comes barely 24 hours after tackle Jake Long, the overall No. 1 draft pick in 2008, left a hole in the line by signing with the St. Louis Rams. Garner started four games last year.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Garner is entering his sixth NFL season. He has played at all five positions on the line, with five starts at left guard, four at right tackle and four at right guard.
Garner originally was a seventh-round draft choice of the New York Jets in 2008.
49ers bring in receiver
The San Francisco 49ers added depth to their new-look receiving group, signing wideout Marlon Moore to a one-year contract.
The 25-year-old Moore, a Northern California native from Sacramento, played the past three seasons with the Miami Dolphins after joining them as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He has 12 career catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns in 29 games.
Jaguars keep Meester
Center Brad Meester decided to rejoin the Jacksonville Jaguars, signing a one-year deal to play a 14th season.
Meester, a second-round draft pick in 2000, has spent his entire career in Jacksonville.
He holds franchise records for games played (193) and started (193), and is the only player to spend 13 seasons with the club.
