NFL Roundup : Joe Morris, Andre Tippett Lost for the Season

Joe Morris, whose 1,516 rushing yards led the New York Giants’ drive to the National Football League championship in 1986, and all-pro linebacker Andre Tippett of New England were lost for the season Monday, both victims of the league’s new injured reserve rules.

Morris, the Giants’ all-time leading rusher with 5,296 yards, broke a foot in Saturday night’s exhibition loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was placed on injured reserve before the team got down to its final 47-man roster.

Tippett, the mainstay of the Patriots’ defense, was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair muscle damage in his right shoulder. Two other New England starters, cornerback Ronnie Lippett and defensive end Garin Veris, both of whom had knee surgery Saturday, also went on injured reserve.

Under the new rules, none of them can return this season.

Among the players waived Monday as teams cut down the the regular-season limit were one-time all-pro wide receiver Cris Collinsworth of Cincinnati and the Bengals’ 10-year placekicker, Jim Breech, along with six Denver Broncos who played key roles on their two Super Bowl teams. Included in that group were wide receiver Steve Watson and running back Gerald Willhite.

Another player from those Denver teams, linebacker Ricky Hunley, was cut by the Cardinals. Hunley was expected to be Phoenix’s starting middle linebacker but missed 12 days in a contract dispute and played poorly during the exhibition season.

Kansas City, meanwhile, cut Paul Palmer, its No. 1 draft pick in 1987. Palmer was the second-leading rusher and receiver for the Chiefs last year and led the AFC in kickoff returns as a rookie.

Morris and Tippett may have been victims of the new injured reserve rules. Brian Washington, who started 14 of 16 games at free safety for Cleveland last year, also went on the list with a broken nose and elbow injury; Miami put kicker Fuad Reveiz on the list, and Buffalo lost all-purpose running back Robb Riddick the same way.

Unlike previous seasons, when players placed on injured reserve before the final cuts could have been activated after six games if healthy, those now inactivated before the 47-man limit is established can’t be activated during the season or practice with the team unless they go through waivers.