NFL News & Notes

Colts: Four-time league MVP Peyton Manning has been given the exclusive franchise tag by the Indianapolis Colts, meaning he will not become a free agent. A person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed the move to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Colts had not yet announced the move. If Manning plays under the tag, he will be paid $23 million next season and the Colts will have exclusive rights to negotiate with their franchise quarterback. Manning is the only player in NFL history to win four league MVP awards. He also has won two AFC championships, one Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP, and he has broken all the Colts’ career records for quarterbacks.

Redskins: Washington kick returner Brandon Banks has had a tube inserted into his chest as he remains hospitalized following a stabbing. Banks’ agent, James Gould, said Tuesday that Banks is still expected to have a 100 percent recovery from the stabbing that occurred outside a D.C. nightclub early Saturday. Gould originally described Banks’ injury as a surface wound to the side and that Banks would go home within a day. Gould now says Banks will be hospitalized until the tube is removed. Gould said he’s not certain when that will be. Police said the stabbing occurred after a man got into an argument with two men and stabbed them. Banks’ friend remains in the hospital with more serious wounds. Another man has been charged with assault.

Titans: New Titans coach Mike Munchak insists that having worked or played for the old Houston Oilers is not a prerequisite to join his coaching staff. It just seems that way. Munchak introduced former Oilers teammate Jerry Gray as his new defensive coordinator on Tuesday, about an hour after the Titans announced the hiring of Chris Palmer as the offensive coordinator. Palmer’s first job in the NFL was with the Oilers as wide receiver coach between 1990 and 1992 — when Munchak was still a player for the franchise.

Associated Press