EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Seven-time Giants Pro Bowler Michael Strahan is staying retired.
“This has been one of the toughest nights of my life,” Strahan told in a story released Tuesday. “But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it’s just best if I stay retired.”
Giants general manager Jerry Reese had asked Stra- han, 36, to reconsider his retirement Monday, just 48 hours after the Super Bowl champions lost Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora for the season to a knee injury in a preseason game against the Jets.
Strahan needed just about a day to turn down an offer to return for a 16th season with what could have been an $8 million contract.
“I really love my life now,” he said while on vacation in Greece. “It’s great having nobody put a finger on me.”
Strahan has signed a $2 million deal to work for Fox Sports on its NFL pregame show on Sundays.
• Wide receiver David Tyree (knee) was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform reserve list by the Giants, meaning the player who made a game-saving catch in the Super Bowl won’t be making any for at least the first six weeks of the season.
Colts activate Manning
INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning is finally healthy enough to start practicing.
Colts coach Tony Dungy said the team activated the two-time NFL MVP, clearing the way for the quarterback to begin working out with his teammates. Manning had been on the PUP list since training camp opened after surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee July 14.
“If things go well, as we expect they will,” Manning said, “then I hope to be full go next week and ready for the season opener.”
Footnotes.
Buccaneers running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, the 2005 offensive rookie of the year who missed most of last season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee in September, was placed on the PUP list.
• Browns wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, recovering from knee surgery in June, was placed on the PUP list.
Also, starting quarterback Derek Anderson made an appearance on the practice field — his first since suffering a concussion Aug. 18. Brady Quinn is expected to start Thursday night against the Bears.
• The Panthers signed wide receiver Samie Parker a day after he was released by the Broncos.
• The Patriots placed starting guard Stephen Neal (knee) on the PUP list and backup tackle Ryan O’Callaghan (shoulder) on the injured reserve list.
• Quarterback Carson Palmer will skip Thursday night’s preseason game against the Colts, nursing his broken nose, while running back Rudi Johnson (hamstring) makes his first — and what he claims could be his last — appearance in a Bengals uniform after hearing an ESPN report he’s on the trading block for a receiver.
• Bills quarterback Trent Edwards is ready to play after missing a week with a bruised right thigh.
• The Bears released cornerback Ricky Manning Jr.
The Associated Press
