Ex-QB survives likely suicide try
Erik Kramer found in motel room with gunshot wound.
Former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer was treated for a gunshot wound following an apparent failed suicide attempt, authorities said.
Kramer’s ex-wife said depression and head injury were factors in the state of Kramer, who played in the NFL with the Bears, Lions, Falcons and Chargers.
Kramer, 50, was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound Tuesday night by the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department. They responded to a welfare check for Kramer, who was in a Calabasas, Calif., motel room.
NBC News discussed the incident with Marshawn Kramer, who was divorced from Erik in 2010. “He is a very amazing man, a beautiful soul, but he has suffered depression since he was with the Chicago Bears. I can promise you he is not the same man I married.”
Their son, Griffen, died of a heroin overdose in 2011. Marshawn Kramer said Erik Kramer had a “brain injury” but did not specify whether concussions during his playing days were a factor.
Kramer finished his 13 NFL seasons with 1,317 completions for 15,337 yards and 92 touchdowns, with 79 interceptions. He also rushed for 217 yards and five touchdowns.
Broncos: Peyton Manning will make his preseason debut Saturday night at Houston, finally getting to show off the mash-up offense he’s been working on for six months.
Denver’s new offense mixes Manning’s famed deciphering skills and passing prowess with coach Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking, run-oriented philosophies.
Meantime, the Broncos claimed tight end Jake Murphy off waivers from the Bengals and placed defensive tackle Marvin Austin on injured reserve.
Cardinals: Two of Arizona’s most significant offseason acquisitions are injured and one of them — starting nose tackle Corey Peters — is lost for the season. Peters tore his left ACL in practice on Wednesday. Starting left guard Mike Iupati will undergo surgery for a torn left meniscus.
Iupati was hurt in Tuesday’s practice. Coach Bruce Arians said Iupati is out three to eight weeks, meaning he could miss the first five games of the season. Peters tore an ACL for the second time in three seasons. He tore his right ACL late in the 2013 campaign.
Eagles: Outside linebacker Marcus Smith left the team’s joint practice against the Ravens on Thursday on a cart with an apparent right hamstring injury. Smith, last year’s first-round pick, is scheduled to undergo an MRI today.
Meantime, quarterback Sam Bradford said he expects to make his Eagles debut Saturday against the Ravens.
Giants: Wide receiver Victor Cruz is unlikely to make his return from major knee surgery this week against Jacksonville. Cruz has a pulled calf muscle in his left leg and coach Tom Coughlin doesn’t think he’ll play.
Cowboys: Waived running back Lache Seastrunk and picked up cornerback Rod Sweeting. Seastrunk frustrated coaches with his freelancing during plays, ESPN reported. Sweeting was released by the Bills on Wednesday.
Jets: Backup guard Oday Aboushi has been suspended for the first game of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.