Brandon Bostick, the player at the center of the Green Bay Packers’ lost onside kick in the NFC Championship Game, was released by the Packers on Monday.

The former Division II receiver spent three years with the Packers, who tried to develop him as a tight end. He caught nine passes for 123 and two touchdowns while playing behind Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers.

Bostick became a household name among NFL fans nationwide for his botched recovery of an onside kick late in regulation time of the NFC title game on Jan. 18. It allowed the Seattle Seahawks to rally from 12 points down in the final few minutes and win in overtime, 28-22.

On Monday, Bostick announced his release via Twitter (edited): “Thankful to spend the first three years of my career in Green Bay. Unfortunately my time there has ended. I appreciate the support from everyone in Green Bay!”

—The Indianapolis Colts released outside linebacker Shaun Phillips.

Phillips played in five games for the Colts in 2014 and recorded seven tackles. He also competed in all three playoff games and made one tackle.

Phillips, 33, was claimed by the Colts on Nov. 26 after being waived by the Tennessee Titans. For his 11-year NFL career, he has totaled 561 tackles, 81.5 sacks, 48 passes defensed, 22 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and seven interceptions in 168 games played (121 starts).

— Wide receiver Wes Welker reportedly plans to return for another season in 2015.

Welker, 33, reportedly was considering retirement, but he told Mike Klis of the Denver Post on Monday that he intends to return for a 12th season.

“Just getting ready for 2015,” Welker said in a text message to Klis. Asked about the retirement report by FOX Sports last week, Welker replied, “Never ever came out of my mouth.”

Welker just concluded a two-year, $12 million contract with the Denver Broncos and is scheduled to be a free agent March 10.

—Quarterback Josh McCown is getting a realistic look from the Buffalo Bills just days after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCown, 35, was released after one season and 11 starts with the Buccaneers. He had 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Bucs signed him to a two-year, $10 million deal in March 2014.

With no evidence to date that former first-round pick EJ Manuel is the quarterback of the future in Buffalo, first-year Bills coach Rex Ryan said the position is a priority this spring.

The Bills do not have a first-round pick in the draft, having traded that pick as part of a package to move up to draft wide receiver Sammy Watkins in 2014.

—Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon is still recovering from back surgery that cut his rookie season short, but he has nearly completed his rehab program.

McKinnon, who will likely be the Vikings’ starting running back if Adrian Peterson doesn’t return to the team, told the Star Tribune that he tried to play through his back injury late in the season before he was finally placed on injured reserve.

McKinnon, who only has a couple of more weeks left before the rehab program is completed, is expected to be ready for offseason workouts beginning in April.

—The Carolina Panthers promoted secondary coach Steve Wilks to assistant head coach.

Wilks has spent the last three seasons with the Panthers. He spent the 2014 season as the team’s secondary coach and pass defense coordinator and will remain secondary coach in 2015.

Wilks took over many of the head-coaching duties on the day that coach Ron Rivera’s house caught on fire the week of an NFC playoff game last month.