Ex-Vikings kicker Blair Walsh says he was joking with his stares at teammates

After he made his first of two 52-yard field goals at CenturyLink Field on Friday night, Seattle kicker Blair Walsh turned toward the Vikings sideline and appeared to stare down and point at head coach Mike Zimmer.

At least, that's what was captured by the TV cameras in the Seahawks' 20-13 preseason win. But Walsh, cut by the Vikings last fall after five seasons, said that's not what happened.

"It wasn't directly at [Zimmer]," Walsh said. "And it was in jest because they were taunting me. I hoped their taunts were in jest, but I didn't know their intent and I didn't appreciate getting really yelled at by guys who I'd been friends with for five years. So my response was simply to look at them like I wasn't having it.

"… I wasn't mad, I wasn't frustrated. I just wanted to let them know that I'm here."

After making his second field goal Walsh, pointed to his head and stared at the Minnesota sideline again.

Rookie running back Leonard Fournette expects to be ready for Jacksonville's season opener. So does receiver Marqise Lee.

Fournette and Lee spoke Saturday for the first time since being sidelined by injuries a week ago and expressed confidence they would play in the Jaguars' Sept. 10 opener at Houston.

The fourth overall pick out of LSU in the NFL draft was shut down last Sunday with a left foot injury that coach Doug Marrone called a "nagging issue."

Fournette said he doesn't know what caused the pain. "I've never had a foot or toe injury or anything like that," he said. "But they're doing a great job with rehabbing."

Lee sprained an ankle last Sunday. "I'll be fine by Game 1," he said.

Quarterback Eli Manning sat out the New York Giants' 20-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers a week ago Friday in their preseason opener and didn't like it much.

"You're kind of not included in some of the stuff," Manning said Saturday, looking forward to his preseason debut on Monday night in Cleveland.

"I like to be out knowing I get to play a little and compete. But I understand what [Giants coach Ben McAdoo] is trying to do as well and appreciate it."

Manning said one of his goals vs. the Browns will be to get on the same page with receiver Brandon Marshall, signed as a free agent, and tight end Evan Engram, New York's first-round draft pick.

The Miami Dolphins signed former Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga.