Nelson retires — had great career with Green Bay
Jordy Nelson’s NFL career ended in the same place where it began: Lambeau Field.
Nelson signed a oneday contract with the Packers on Tuesday and announced his retirement after 11 seasons, 10 of which he spent in Green Bay. He spent last year with the Raiders.
“I’ll be remembered as a Packer,” the 34yearold former wide receiver said. “Obviously, I enjoyed my year last year in Oakland, but this is where I started and it’s great to come back and end it that way.”
Nelson will be remembered for his speed, size and connections with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was the starter for Nelson’s entire tenure in Green Bay. The two helped the Packers win a Super Bowl after the 2010 season, and Nelson was a big part of the 3125 victory over Pittsburgh, catching nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown that he called his most cherished memory.
“To be able to be there and have that opportunity to score a touchdown there,” Nelson said. “To have that football. My son (Royal) turned 1 that week. … I still remember being down on the field with him and my wife.”
Nelson ranks third in team history in receptions (550), fifth in receiving yards (7,848), second in TD catches (69) and third in 100yard receiving games (25). He is the only player in franchise history to record three seasons with 13plus TD receptions. Nelson and Sterling Sharpe are the only Green Bay players to have three straight seasons with 85 catches or more.
“When him and Aaron really started getting on the whole backshoulder thing, it was just kind of an unstoppable thing,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “They kind of would toy with opponents.”
Nelson said there were teams interested in his services this season. He even visited with the Seahawks. But he said he didn’t want to move his family around the country, and he said getting his body ready for game day was becoming more difficult. No deal for Crabtree, Cards: According to Pro Football Talk on Monday, the Cardinals were about to sign 31yearold freeagent wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who had worked out for the team. However, late Monday evening, the deal fell apart. ESPN reported that Arizona offered Crabtree a contract, but the two sides could not come to an agreement.
Crabtree, who played for the 49ers (200914) and Raiders (201517), spent the 2018 season with the Ravens, and caught 54 passes for 607 yards and three scores. Broncos show unity: A day after Denver wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton fought at training camp, the two who threw punches and water bottles at each other presented a unified front, joking that their next bout will be on payperview for $69.99.
“Tickets go on sale tomorrow,” Sanders said as he and Sutton stood before reporters who asked what had sparked the scuffle between teammates who play the same position and even went to the same school, SMU.
Neither gave any details about what led to the tussle, but both said they had put the disagreement to rest.
“It stands good,” Sanders said. “Obviously, we’re family. We went to the same school, grew up in the same area. It was a miscommunication. That’s just what it is. But at the end of the day, we’re back on the same page, trying to be the best receivers in the world.”
Sutton, a secondyear pro who declared himself the No. 1 receiver this spring, concurred with Sanders, a 10year veteran coming back from a torn Achilles tendon.
“One hundred percent,” Sutton said. “So, you know, all that stuff is swept under the rug, we’re moving on to bigger and better things.”
Briefly: Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly will not play in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Bears in Chicago. Rivera said he’s being extra cautious with both players as Newton is working his way back into form after offseason shoulder surgery. Kuechly missed time last week after he got “rolled up on” during practice . ... Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa injured his groin during practice and his status is uncertain for the preseason opener Thursday night against the Giants. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams has missed two straight practices with a hip injury and seems unlikely to play.