• Panthers place franchise tag on Ryan Kalil: The Carolina Panthers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on two-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil on Tuesday, a move that will help keep the core of the offensive line intact but will also make two other key players unrestricted free agents. General manager Marty Hurney chose to restrict Kalil’s free agency over running back DeAngelo Williams and defensive end Charles Johnson.

• Saints release tight end Jeremy Shockey: For flamboyant tight end Jeremy Shockey, the party is over — at least in New Orleans. Shockey was released Tuesday by the Saints, who appear ready to move on with promising second-year pro and 2010 third-round draft choice Jimmy Graham. Shockey made a crucial touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of the Saints’ lone Super Bowl victory over Indianapolis in Miami just more than a year ago.

• Union, NFL heading toward full week of mediation: Federally mediated negotiations between the NFL and the players’ union have stretched past 35 hours over five days — and they aren’t done. Tuesday’s session ended after about eight hours. The union, meanwhile, called off a planned meeting with player agents that was supposed to happen Thursday in Indianapolis; labor talks are expected to continue that day in Washington.

— From wire reports