Fired McCarthy says farewell to Packers
Fired coach Mike McCarthy was welcomed back to bid farewell to the Packers players on Wednesday.
“Mike came by the office, I think Tuesday we all saw him as a staff, which was great,” interim coach Joe Philbin said before Thursday’s practice.
“Then we talked, and he wanted an opportunity to speak with the team. I was 100 percent, fully supportive of that, and he did a fantastic job talking to the team. Not just about football and winning football games, but his passion.
“His passion for the game, his love for the players was clearly evident. I’m sure it was emotional for him and everybody in the room. It was awesome. I thought he did a great job.”
McCarthy, who was in his 13th season, was fired after Sunday’s home loss to the Cardinals. The team’s fifth loss in six weeks sent the Packers to 4-7-1 on the season.
Linebacker Clay Matthews spent all 10 NFL seasons with McCarthy.
“I was happy to see him,” Matthews said. “Obviously, first thing’s first, you understand that this is a business and not many people get that opportunity. For him to invest the past 13 years in this team, has given his heart and soul to us, to have that kind of closure, it was great of the organization.
Foster’s ex-girlfriend opens up: Reuben Foster’s ex-girlfriend tells ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he slapped her and pushed her during an incident in Tampa, Fla., that led to his arrest for domestic violence.
Elissa Ennis said in the interview televised Thursday that Foster abused her three times, most recently last month in Tampa. Foster, 24, was charged with one count of first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence.
The 49ers released Foster after the incident, and the Redskins claimed the second-year linebacker off waivers. Foster was put on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt list, which means he cannot play or practice.
Ennis said when the Redskins signed Foster she was shocked and thought, “I can’t believe somebody picked him up” so soon.
Giants’ Collins sidelined: The Giants placed two-time Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Collins was hurt Sunday against the Bears and will need surgery to repair a partially torn labrum.
The Giants signed defensive back Kenny Ladler off their practice squad to fill the roster spot. He had six special teams tackles with the Redskins this season before being released on Nov. 6.
Collins was the Giants’ leading tackler in each of his first three seasons. He led the team this year with 96 tackles.
Extra points: With WR Sammy Watkins limited in practice with a nagging foot injury, the Chiefs reportedly hosted former Bills WR Kelvin Benjamin. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Benjamin’s visit . ... The Panthers’ Julius Peppers, the Broncos’ Von Miller and the Redskins’ Vernon Davis are among the 32 nominees announced for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award.