Giants’ Manning tests arm
Eli Manning participated in his first full practice Tuesday, more than two weeks after suffering an elbow sprain on his throwing arm and five days before the team’s regular season opener.
“I felt fine,” the New York Giants quarterback said. “I wanted to take all of the snaps, but (coach Tom Coughlin) took me out and I don’t argue with the head man about that. But I was making all the throws. I threw some deep ones that actually had too much on them. I have to work on the timing on some of those things, but it felt good throwing.”
Coughlin, who had backup Tim Hasselbeck run about six plays near the end of practice, termed Manning’s workout a success.
“He looked OK,” Coughlin said. “He took most of the reps throughout practice. He threw the ball well, he was sharp with it and he was quick in his movements. I was pleased with the day.”
Manning wasn’t the only Giants starter to return to practice after a significant absence. Cornerback Will Peterson participated in individual and team drills for the first time since spraining his knee and missing the final two preseason games.
Manning had been restricted to throwing on the sidelines for the last 10 days, and didn’t throw at all for a week after being injured Aug. 20 in a preseason game against Carolina. Tuesday he was restricted to about 70 throws.
Herrion died of heart disease
San Francisco 49ers lineman Thomas Herrion died from heart disease when he collapsed after a preseason game in Denver on Aug. 20, the Denver County coroner said.
Herrion had ischemic heart disease, with significant blockage in his right coronary artery that caused the death of heart muscle, the city health department said in a news release. Herrion’s heart was slightly enlarged.
Drug screens on Herrion’s blood and urine found only atrophine, a drug administered when medical personnel tried to revive him.
Herrion, 23, was pronounced dead early on the morning of Aug. 21. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound guard was on the field for San Francisco’s 14-play, 91-yard drive that ended with a touchdown with 2 seconds left.
Bettis won’t play
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis won’t play in Sunday’s season opener against Tennessee because of the strained right calf that kept him out of the team’s final preseason game.
With Bettis and Duce Staley (knee surgery) hurting, coach Bill Cowher said No. 3 running back Willie Parker will make his first career start. Parker, a college backup at North Carolina, ran for 102 yards against Buffalo on Jan. 2 in his only extensive playing time as a rookie.
Staley hasn’t been ruled out – he is listed as questionable – but missed the entire preseason and has practiced only once with the team since training camp began.
Vikings sign Robinson
Koren Robinson, a troubled underachiever with Seattle agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
To make room at a crowded wide receiver position, the Vikings waived Kelly Campbell.
Chosen with the ninth overall pick in the 2001 draft by Seattle, the 25-year-old Robinson was released in June after he was charged with drunken driving. That was the latest in a series of off-the-field troubles for Robinson, who checked himself into a 28-day alcohol rehabilitation program last month.
Robinson’s best season was in 2002, when he caught 78 passes for 1,240 yards and five touchdowns.
Ravens’ Rolle fined
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle was fined one game check by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy.
Rolle initially was expected to receive a one-game suspension after accepting a plea bargain from Tennessee prosecutors in April to settle a domestic violence charge involving his wife. He was arrested and charged with domestic assault in February.
Rolle agreed to 11 months and 29 days of probation in addition to mandatory anger management sessions and counseling with his wife. His fine amounts to $62,500.
Signed by the Ravens this spring to a six-year, $30.5 million contract that included $11 million in guaranteed money, the former Pro Bowl cornerback with the Tennessee Titans is slated to earn a $1 million base salary this season.
Garcia won’t need surgery
Detroit Lions backup quarterback Jeff Garcia won’t need surgery on his broken left leg.
The decision was made after a leg and ankle specialist confirmed the initial diagnosis. Garcia is expected to be out six to eight weeks, and the Lions have no immediate plans to sign another quarterback. They will open the season Sunday against Green Bay with starter Joey Harrington and backup Dan Orlovsky, a rookie out of Connecticut.
“This is the best news we could’ve received,” Lions coach Steve Mariucci said. “He called right after he got the results. Jeff was very upbeat and said he hopes to be ready sooner. He is on his way back to Michigan and will begin his rehab this afternoon.”
Around the league
The Green Bay Packers signed former Miami Dolphins tight end Donald Lee and released tight end Ben Steele and fullback Nick Luchey. To maintain the 53-man active roster, the team promoted fullback Vonta Leach from the practice squad. … The San Francisco 49ers signed fullback Chris Hetherington, releasing guard Tony Wragge to make room for the 10-year veteran. Hetherington was cut by the Oakland Raiders after two seasons with the club. The Yale graduate also has played for Indianapolis, Carolina and St. Louis. … The Denver Broncos signed quarterback Kliff Kingsbury to their practice squad, putting the former Texas Tech star in the position held last season by Matt Mauck. Kingsbury was a sixth-round draft pick by New England in 2003 and spent that whole season on injured reserve. He was on the New Orleans practice squad last year and was waived by the Saints on Aug. 29. … Quincy Morgan, released by the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers to add depth to their depleted group of wide receivers. To make room for Morgan, the Steelers released wide receiver Lee Mays.