Tirico takes Michaels’ mic on ‘TNF’
Mike Tirico is replacing Al Michaels as the play-by-play announcer for Thursday night games this season.
The NFL needed to approve the switch because its contract with the network calls for the top broadcast team to do Thursday games. NBC has those games from Nov. 9 through the end of the year after CBS handles the first portion of the schedule.
“Although there have been a number of changes in the network’s broadcast booths over the past couple of seasons, our priority, and the priority of our network partners remains the same: produce a high quality, engaging broadcast that our fans love whether its Thursday, Sunday or Monday,” the league said in a statement. “For TNF, we get that with Mike Tirico, a terrific broadcaster, and Cris Collinsworth at NBC, and the new team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo at CBS.”
Michaels will still do Sunday night games with Collinsworth as analyst. Collinsworth will continue double duty on the Thursday and Sunday night matchups.
surgery for Cassel
Tennessee backup quarterback Matt Cassel will have surgery to put a pin in his right thumb after being hurt during the Titans’ offseason program.
Cassel was hurt Tuesday during the Titans’ closed organized team activity session. . . .
The Green Bay Packers have signed linebacker Vince Biegel, their first of two fourth-round draft picks who played in college at Wisconsin and grew up in the state.
Vikings sign Cook
The Minnesota Vikings have signed their secondround pick, running back Dalvin Cook, to put their entire rookie class under contract one month after the draft.
Cook was the 41st overall selection out of Florida State, the third running back off the board. . . .
Fullback Michael Burton has signed with the Chicago Bears after being waived by the Detroit Lions.
seattle adds DBs
The Seattle Seahawks added depth at defensive back by signing safeties Marcus Cromartie and Jordan Simone.
Seattle also waived wide receiver Speedy Noil and running back Troymaine Pope to clear room on the 90-man roster. . . .
Police documents say Houston Texans wide receiver Keith Mumphery was expelled from a Michigan State graduate studies program last year for a sexual misconduct violation.