SUNDAY’S CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
Tom Brady and Eli Manning are back practicing.
Manning, the New York Giants quarterback, missed part of Wednesday’s workout with “a stomach bug.”
“I’m 100 percent,” Manning said after practicing for Sunday’s NFC title game against the 49ers in San Francisco. “I had a full practice today, did everything, took every rep. I feel good.”
Brady returned to the field Thursday for New England, who will host the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC title Sunday, after being out the previous day resting his nonthrowing left shoulder.
“It’s not the first practice I have missed over the years,” Brady said. “When Coach feels it’s best that you do other things to get yourself ready, that’s what you do, and you still use all that time very wisely. When your coach feels it is best to do other things to get yourself ready, that is what you do.”
Manning downplayed his illness and the fuss it created.
“I didn’t watch too much TV, so I didn’t see the attention it was getting,” he said. “You know, when you get into big games like this, any little thing that pops up, people make a big deal about. We can put it behind us now and focus on the game.” AFC: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots, 2 p.m. CST, WREG Channel 3 NFC: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, 5:30 p.m. CST, WHBQ Channel 13 coordinator for the Saints. ... The Indianapolis Colts announced the departure of eight assistants as well as the retirement of defensive coordinator Mike Murphy. Let go were assistant Devin Fitzsimmons, offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars, special assistant to the defense Rod Perry, receivers coach Frank Reich, defensive assistant Bill Teerlinck, defensive line coach John Teerlinck, strength and conditioning coach Jon Torine, and quarterbacks coach Ron Turner. ... New Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Greg Olson as quarterbacks coach and former New Orleans secondary coach Tony Oden to the same position Thursday. ... The Minnesota Vikings have hired Alan Williams as defensive coordinator. Williams had been the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive backs coach. The Vikings also hired Brendan Daly as defensive line coach, replacing Karl Dunbar.
NFL releases draft list: Alabama tailback Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne are among college football’s underclassmen declaring for the NFL draft.
The two All-americans are among a record 65 players who have been declared eligible for the April draft, a field that also includes Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III and runner-up Andrew Luck as the top quarterbacks.
The NFL released its official underclassmen list Thursday.
Others on the list include University of Memphis defensive lineman Dontari Poe, Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and Ole Miss offensive tackle Bobby Massie.
Bengals WR indicted: Cincinnati receiver Jerome Simpson was indicted on Thursday for marijuana trafficking, leaving him subject to a jail sentence and punishment from the NFL. A Kenton County grand jury indicted the four-year veteran on one count of marijuana trafficking in excess of 8 ounces, a felony count that carries up to five years in jail.