NFL Wire Notes | Without a sack, Rice released
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Friday, the Denver Broncos cut ties with free-agent disappointment Simeon Rice.
Denver released the veteran defensive end after he failed to record a sack in the first half of the season. Rice, who had 121 career sacks to rank second among active players behind Michael Strahan of the New York Giants, was coming off shoulder surgery and he was inactive for a couple of games earlier this season.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he didn’t think Rice’s shoulder was healthy. Rice said later he was healthy and wanted to contribute. Rice played in two more games but didn’t have a sack in either.
The Broncos signed three defensive ends Tuesday, making Rice expendable. Broncos safety John Lynch, who was Rice’s teammate in Tampa Bay and helped convince him to sign with Denver, said Rice was frustrated and asked to be released.
“They obliged him,” Lynch said.
“I’ve watched Simeon through a lot of years, and he’s played exceptionally well in the National Football League,” Shanahan said. “It didn’t work out for us.”
Rookie QB could start
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - It’s come to this for the Panthers: Undrafted rookie Matt Moore, with the team since September, could start Sunday against the Falcons if Vinny Testaverde’s Achilles tendon doesn’t improve.
Testaverde had practiced two consecutive days but was held out Friday because he again felt pain in his right Achilles tendon and was listed as questionable.
David Carr, Carolina’s other veteran quarterback, practiced for the first time this week but was ruled out as he continues to recover from a concussion he had against Tennessee.
NOTES
• The Vikings will again delay naming their starting QB until pregame warmups. Tarvaris Jackson (concussion) is questionable for the game Sunday at Green Bay. Brooks Bollinger will start if Jackson doesn’t, but coach Brad Childress said he will wait to reveal his starter for the third time in nine games.
• WRs Santana Moss (heel) and Antwaan Randle El (hamstring) missed practice again, leaving their status in doubt for when Washington meets Philadelphia.
• Chargers CB Quentin Jammer (hamstring) won’t play against the Colts, meaning Antonio Cromartie will make his first start.
• Giants WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) did not practice and was listed as questionable to play against Dallas. Burress has not taken part in practice for most of the season. He made a rare appearance Wednesday but did not practice Thursday.
• DT Raheem Brock (neck) and CB Marlin Jackson (foot) returned to practice with the Colts after sitting out the two previous days.
• Browns G Seth McKinney (shoulder) will not play against Pittsburgh and G Eric Steinbach (back) was listed as questionable, the first shake-up on a line that has led the way for Cleveland’s surprising turnaround on offense.
• Carolina DE Julius Peppers and LB Na’il Diggs were fined $5,000 each by the NFL for actions during a defeat against Tennessee. Peppers hit tackle David Stewart in the face after the whistle. Diggs was fined for a 15-yard taunting penalty he drew following Deke Cooper’s interception.
• Titans DT Albert Haynesworth (hamstring) will be a game-time decision after missing his third consecutive practice.
• Dolphins LB Zach Thomas will sit out against Buffalo because of migraines, the fourth game he has missed since a concussion in September.
• Bills WR Josh Reed (back) and DE Aaron Schobel (groin/thigh) both missed practice and are questionable.
• Cowboys WR Terrell Owens was fined $10,000 for violating NFL uniform and equipment rules. Last Sunday night at Philadelphia, Owens waved a personalized towel on the sideline.