The New England Patriots have waived Chris Harper, who muffed a critical punt in the fourth quarter of their loss at the Denver Broncos.

Harper is an undrafted rookie out of Cal and will likely return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

The Patriots are thin at receiver due to injuries to Julian Edelman (foot) and Danny Amendola (knee), as the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Harper served as the No. 3 option against the Broncos.

The Miami Dolphins have fired Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator.

Zac Taylor will serve as the Dolphins' play caller and remain as quarterbacks coach.

Joe Philbin was fired as head coach in October.

Johnny Manziel lost his job as starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns because he lied to the coaching staff about when a video of him partying in Austin was recorded.

Manziel's account to the Browns was earlier reported by Fox Sports.

According to a league source, Manziel lied directly to coach Mike Pettine about when the video was filmed. He also encouraged his friends to lie about when the video was recorded, according to the Fox Sports report.

Manziel might have kept his job had he told the truth.

The Miami Dolphins have claimed Quinton Coples off waivers.

Coples was waived this week by the New York Jets.

Mike Tannenbaum was general manager of the Jets when Coples was drafted.

Peyton Manning is reportedly "incensed" by reports he's making plans for 2016 with or without the Denver Broncos.

Manning may permanently lose his job as starting quarterback of the Broncos to Brock Osweiler and reports have indicated he's willing to play elsewhere in 2016.

Manning is currently battling a foot injury.

Nick Saban is not expected to be tempted to leave Alabama for the NFL.

Saban had a brief stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, leaving LSU in the process.

Stanford's David Shaw, UCLA's Jim Mora and Auburn's Gus Malzahn are also college coaches expected to receive NFL interest.

The Indianapolis Colts are among the teams that have been linked to a pursuit of Saban.

The Chicago Bears elevated QB David Fales to the active roster from the practice squad, waived QB Jimmy Clausen and terminated the practice squad contract of CB Terrance Mitchell.

Fales was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round (183rd overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. Collegiately, over two seasons at San Jose State (2012-13), Fales started all 25 contests connecting on 639-of-938 passing attempts (68.1 percent) for 8,382 yards, 66 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. 

Clausen was 49-of-88 passing for 407 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for a 65.9 passer rating in two seasons with the Bears, including two starts. For his NFL career, Clausen has completed 206-of-387 passing attempts for 1,965 yards, five touchdowns and 11 interceptions with Carolina (2010-13) and Chicago (2014-15).

The Philadelphia Eagles are the most likely spot for Colin Kaepernick this offseason, according to the surveying of Peter King.

The New York Jets are second, while the Baltimore Ravens are third after the ACL and MCL tears suffered by Joe Flacco.

The Oakland Raiders are another team that could be interested in Kaepernick, albeit as a backup to Derek Carr.

The New York Jets have waived Quinton Coples, who was their first round pick in 2012.

Coples, an outside linebacker, had played just five snaps and didn't fit Todd Bowles' system.

Peyton Manning is "absolutely determined" to get himself healthy, according to a source.

The Denver Broncos beat the Chicago Bears with Brock Osweiler starting at quarterback on Sunday. Manning is dealing with a partially torn plantar fascia and a rib injury.

Manning believes he'll play again this season and currently intends, according to the source, to play in 2016 whether or not the Broncos want him back.