Group seeking to buy Rams dumps Rush

ST. LOUIS — Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has been dropped from a group seeking to buy the St. Louis Rams.

Limbaugh was to be a limited partner in a bid led by St. Louis Blues chairman Dave Checketts, but Checketts said in a statement Wednesday that Limbaugh's participation had "become a complication and a distraction" in the group's pursuit of the Rams.

Checketts said he will have no further comment on the bid process.

Limbaugh said on his radio show he had been inundated with e-mails from listeners who supported him in the bid.

"This is not about the NFL. It's not about the St. Louis Rams. It's not about me," Limbaugh said. "This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat Party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.

"Therefore, this is about the future of the United States of America and what kind of country we're going to have."

Limbaugh's bid ran into opposition from within the image-conscious NFL when Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would vote against the radio personality. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Limbaugh's "divisive" comments would not be tolerated from any NFL insider.

Before getting dropped, Limbaugh said he had no intention of backing out.

"I'm not even thinking of caving," he said. "I am not a caver. Pioneers take the arrows. We are pioneers. It's a sad thing that our country, over 200 years old now, needs pioneers all over again, but we do."

Notes

• Quarterback Eli Manning and his sore right heel will return to the Superdome on Sunday for his first game in the building as a player when he leads the New York Giants (5-0) against the Saints (4-0) in a matchup of two of the NFL's five remaining unbeaten teams. Manning grew up in New Orleans, where his father, Archie, was the quarterback.

• Quarterback Peyton Manning's sore left knee is no longer an issue for the Indianapolis Colts. The three-time league MVP, who said he needed medical treatment on the knee Sunday night, gave himself a clean bill of health after finishing practice.

The Colts signed kicker Matt Stover, one day after Adam Vinatieri had arthroscopic surgery to remove a piece of cartilage in his right knee. Vinatieri is expected back in four to eight weeks. To clear a roster spot, the Colts made a surprise move by waiving starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson.

• Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford returned to practice after missing Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh with a knee injury. It's not clear whether he has a shot at playing against Green Bay this weekend. The Lions signed defensive back Demarcus Faggins and wide receiver John Standeford and released defensive tackle Chuck Darby, a former Seahawk.

• Benched as Cleveland's starting quarterback 10 quarters into the season, Brady Quinn said he has not asked Browns coach Eric Mangini to trade him and that he only put his suburban home up for sale because he wants to downsize and shorten his commute.

• The San Diego Chargers released starting strong safety Clinton Hart in order to sign defensive tackle Ian Scott.

• Dallas native Allen Rossum signed with the Cowboys to return kickoffs and punts.

• Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin (shoulder) missed practice.

• With a black glove supporting his left hand, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer went through a full practice, an indication that his sprained thumb won't be a problem this week.

• New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery missed practice because of a hamstring injury and his status for the team's game against Buffalo is uncertain.

• Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith will miss the rest of the season with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, an injury that significantly weakens what was one of the NFL's best defenses the past two seasons.

• Chicago Bears rookie offensive lineman Lance Louis is facing a misdemeanor assault charge for an altercation that happened while he was playing at San Diego State.