Vinatieri retirement talk premature
Adam Vinatieri just needed some time to clear his head.
The rumored retirement apparently was never under consideration.
In his first public comments since leaving the stadium Sunday, the NFL’s career scoring leader explained he misspoke when saying he would answer questions on the players’ normal day off — a comment that drove speculation about Vinatieri’s possible NFL exit.
“That was one of those situations where I was walking out of the locker room and you guys were talking to me and to be quite frank, for two decades we’ve always had open locker rooms on a Monday. Granted, our schedule has changed now, as of last year,” Vinatieri said yesterday.
“When I walked out and said ‘I’ll talk to you guys on Monday,’ I just needed a little bit more time and none of us should assume stuff.”
Vinatieri has made only 3-of-8 kicks to open the season, has already matched a career high for extra points missed (three) in a single season. He’s also missed an extra point in three straight games and four of the past five, including two playoff games last season.
Giants bench Eli
Eli Manning’s long and distinguished reign as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback is seemingly over. Let the Daniel Jones era begin.
Coach Pat Shurmur announced that the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL draft is replacing the two-time Super Bowl MVP as the Giants’ quarterback, beginning Sunday at Tampa Bay.
The move comes less than 24 hours after Shurmur refused to say Manning would remain the starter following two straight losses, the sixth time in seven years New York has gotten off to a 0-2 start . . . .
Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, and Luke Falk will be their starter until Sam Darnold returns from illness.
Coach Adam Gase said an MRI on Siemian’s left ankle revealed ligament damage that will require surgery.
Darnold, meanwhile, said during his weekly radio appearance that he is aiming to return in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ramsey wants out
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey confirmed he wants out of Jacksonville and said he doesn’t want to be a distraction as the Jaguars prepare o host Tennessee tomorrow night.
He said his angst has nothing to do with the franchise declining to offer him a contract extension before this season, but hinted that the coaching staff has failed to use him properly . . . .
Injured Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he has surgery on his throwing thumb scheduled today in Los Angeles.
In a text message to news outlets including The Associated Press, Brees says he is “confident in the surgery that will take place” and that he’ll dedicate himself to a rehabilitation process to get back to playing as quickly as he can . . . .
The Detroit Lions released C.J. Anderson and added fellow running back Paul Perkins off waivers from the Giants.
The Lions also signed Jeff Driskel and released Josh Johnson in a swap of backup quarterbacks . . . .
Cam Newton did not practice and his status for Sunday’s game at Arizona is uncertain after he reaggravated a mid-foot sprain.
The Green Bay Packers claimed cornerback Tremon Smith off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs.