Daunte Culpepper summed up his thoughts Thursday in two words, which ushered in the start of a new era for the former Pro Bowl quarterback.

"Farewell NFL," he wrote.

Culpepper, who starred for the Minnesota Vikings before a major knee injury in 2005 curtailed his career, announced his retirement in an e-mail Thursday morning, saying he's simply grown tired of fighting for one more opportunity.

The 31-year-old was the Vik-ings' first-round draft choice in 1999, became their full-time starter a year later, and teamed with Randy Moss to pile up yards and touchdowns at an impressive rate.

But he hurt his right knee in October 2005, never played for the Vikings again, and never seemed to return to his past level, either.

The Miami Dolphins acquired him in 2006 in exchange for a second-round pick, but Culpepper played only four games before being shut down because of continued knee problems.

Last season, the Oakland Raid-ers took a shot on Culpepper, and he made five starts there.

Over the past few months, he tried to get any opportunity around the league. There were no takers.

PATRIOTS: For the first time since the 2005 Super Bowl, Tom Brady was not listed on a New England practice participation or injury report, a sign that he is ready to start Sunday's season opener against Kansas City.

Last season's NFL MVP, Brady had a right foot injury and missed all four exhibition games.

BENGALS: Call him Ocho Cinco on the field, too. The NFL decided to recognize receiver Chad Johnson 's legal name change to Chad Ocho Cinco .

JAGUARS: Offensive tackle Richard Collier is making grad-ual improvement from gunshot wounds but is "not out of the woods yet," his agent says.

Collier remained in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, but agent Jeff Jankovich told the Florida Times-Union he was encouraged by what limited knowledge he has of Collier's condition.

BILLS: Starting linebacker Angelo Crowell was placed on season-ending injured reserve after electing to have surgery on his left knee.

- Kevin Everett will be honored while attending Buffalo's season opener against Seattle on Sunday, a year after the former Bills tight end sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury.

Everett is scheduled to be present to receive the Profes-sional Football Writers of Amer-ica's Halas Award, which goes to the individual in the NFL who overcame the most adversity to succeed last season.