Giants give Ballentine time to mourn

The Giants told Corey Ballentine to skip the team’s upcoming rookie minicamp to mourn the death of a Washburn University teammate who was killed in a shooting that also wounded New York’s sixth-round pick just hours after being taken in the NFL draft.

The Giants draft choices and rookie free agents were to report on Thursday with practices beginning Friday.

“We have encouraged Corey to stay in Kansas this week to be with his family and friends as they mourn the loss and celebrate the life of his good friend and teammate Dwane Simmons.”

Simmons, a fellow defensive back, was killed early Sunday outside an off-campus party. Ballentine was wounded.

Chiefs

Runningback Jamaal Charles signed a one-day contract to retire with Kansas City. Charles’ 7,563 career yards (7,260 with the Chiefs) rank No. 56 heading into the 2019 season. No. 60 is Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly, who rushed for 7,274 yards with the Browns. At 68 is John Henry Johnson, who ran for 6,803 yards, mostly with the Steelers.

Elsewhere

ESPN called it a “new commentator team” for the 50th season of Monday Night Football, but in fact three of the four members of last year’s group are back, minus analyst Jason Witten, who returned to active duty as a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. Joe Tessitore will handle play-byplay again, with Booger McFarland joining him in the booth as an analyst after spending most of last year on the sideline. Lisa Salters returns as the sideline reporter.