LB Dan Morgan retires from NFL

5/19/2008 10:32 PM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -Linebacker Dan Morgan retired Monday, two months after the frequently injured former first-round draft pick signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Morgan, who signed with the Saints March 11, played seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He missed the final 13 games of 2007 with a partial tear of an Achilles' tendon, and had at least five concussions in his career.

``When we signed Dan, he was committed to making a fresh start, and he was making every effort to rehabilitate the leg injury that he suffered last year,'' Saints coach Sean Payton said. ``But it wasn't responding as well as he had hoped. We wish him well in his continued recovery, and he will be remembered for the excellent player he was during his career.''

Carolina drafted Morgan in 2001 out of the University of Miami. He recorded 452 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and five interceptions. He played in 59 games, all starts, and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2004.

Also, the Saints signed undrafted free agent Brian Stamper, an offensive lineman from Vanderbilt, and waived lineman Kevin Tuminello, who was signed earlier this month as an undrafted free agent. He took part in the team's rookie minicamp.