MIAMI — Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who starred for the Vikings before a major knee injury in 2005 curtailed his career, retired from the NFL on Thursday.
Culpepper completed 64 percent of his passes in a nine-year career with 142 touchdowns. He tried to resuscitate his career with the Dolphins in 2006 and the Raiders last season, struggling in both of those stops, and wasn’t in training camp with any teams this year.
“No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position,” Culpepper said.
Collier improving
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier is making gradual improvement from gunshot wounds but is “not out of the woods yet,” his agent said.
Collier remained in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, but agent Jeff Jankovich told the Florida Times-Union he was encouraged by what limited knowledge he has of Collier’s condition.
“(The family) seems pretty upbeat he’s going to make it,” Jankovich said. “He’s awake at times. He’s still in intensive care, but he’s stable.”
Collier was shot several times while sitting in his Cadillac Escalade early Tuesday morning. Police have no suspects in the case.
Footnotes.
Bills starting linebacker Angelo Crowell was placed on season-ending injured reserve after he elected to have surgery on his left knee. Keith Ellison will start in Crowell’s place on the strong side.
Also, Kevin Everett will be honored while attending Buffalo’s season opener against Seattle on Sunday, a year after the former Bills tight end suffered a severe life-threatening spinal cord injury in a game against the Broncos.
• Cornerback Adam Jones might make his Cowboys debut as a starter Sunday in Cleveland because Terence Newman is nursing a groin injury.
• The Ravens agreed to terms with former Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson on a three-year, $11 million contract.
• Browns linebacker Antwan Peek suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice. The Browns re-signed Shantee Orr, waived last week, and he and Alex Hall, a seventh-round pick from Saint Augustine’s (N.C.), are expected to share linebacker duties Sunday against Dallas. The Associated Press
