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METAIRIE (AP) — Former Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins asserted that he was in fact sorry about his use of an offensive term in an exchange with a fan on social media.
Jenkins also made it clear he was not upset about his exile from New York, particularly after it landed him with playoff-bound New Orleans.
Giants coach Pat Shurmer said last week that Jenkins’ “refusal to acknowledge the inappropriate and offensive language” when he used the word “retard” in a social media exchange influenced the the club’s decision to waive the cornerback. But Jenkins said Wednesday that the Giants “twisted” his position on the matter.
“I’m sorry to whoever I offended. You know, the way I was raised, we got different cultures and different terms that you use,” Jenkins said. “I apologize if I offended anybody or anybody with those disabilities. I didn’t mean it that way.”
Gone from a 3-11 Giants team, Jenkins is now aiming to fit in with an 11-3 Saints squad that has already won the NFC South for a third straight season and is in the running for one of the top two seeds in the NFC playoffs.
“You can already tell it’s a organization that you’d like to play for. Winning, everybody got the same mindset, winning a championship. And I’m just looking forward to it,” Jenkins said after his first practice. “I’m blessed. I got a opportunity to be on a winning team.”
Jenkins is one of two new defensive backs to join the Saints this week. New Orleans also added depth at safety with the signing Wednesday of free agent safety D.J. Swearinger. Starting strong safety Vonn Bell, who missed Monday night’s game against Indianapolis with a knee injury, has yet to practice this week.
When the Giants waived Jenkins on Friday, the club did so with a waived-injured designation. Jenkins has said that he hurt his ankle in a loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 9, but that he is fine now. He was not listed on New Orleans’ injury report on Wednesday.
Jenkins, who goes by the nickname “Jackrabbit,” said he isn’t bitter about the way the Giants cut him loose just.
“I look at it as, ‘business is business.’ You know, you can’t control what they do in the front office,” Jenkins said. “You just go in each and every day and go to work. And anybody around that facility can tell you that Jackrabbit always showed up on time, never late and did what he had to do.
It remains unclear how the Saints will deploy Jenkins, who has four interceptions this season, as many as the Saints’ leader in that department, safety Marcus Williams.
“We’ll see,” Saints coach Sean Payton said, adding that his staff believes Jenkins is capable of playing multiple roles in the defensive backfield. “He gives us versatility, and I think that’s important here down the stretch.”
The Saints’ current starting cornerbacks are Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple. Jenkins and Apple were teammates in New York before the Giants traded Apple to New Orleans during last season.
Apple said the Saints consulted him before claiming Jenkins off of waivers earlier this week. Apple described Jenkins as “somebody with great instincts, smart and savvy as well, and great ball skills.”
Apple said he was not worried about whether his role as a starter could be threatened by Jenkins’ arrival, adding that a team trying to win a championship needs to capitalize on opportunities to add players of Jenkins ability to its secondary.
“Around this time you’ve gotta have good depth, especially on the back end,” Apple said. “We’ve had some injuries. So it makes sense.”
Jenkins said being teammates again with Apple is “fun.”
“We always had a bond,” Jenkins said. “Now I’m here where he’s at, so he can show me and kind of tell me the playbook and I’ll learn it and just move forward.
Jenkins added that he’s open to playing various roles in a defense that often fields more than four defensive backs in passing situations.
“I can thrive anywhere,” Jenkins said. “I’m just looking to be on the field and have fun, man.
“It feels awesome to come in knowing you got a fresh start,” Jenkins added. “Just come in and play ball, do what I’ve always been doing, do it to the best of my ability.”
Notes: Left guard Andrus Peat, who is recovering from a forearm fracture, returned to practice on a limited basis. Linebacker Kiko Alonzo, who has missed two games with a quadriceps injury, also was limited in practice. In addition to Bell, right guard Larry Warford (left knee) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion) did not practice. Both were injured Monday night in a victory over Indianapolis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has analyzed national data on use of THC-containing product brands by e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) patients.
Overall, 152 different THC-containing product brands were reported by EVALI patients.
Dank Vapes, a class of largely counterfeit THC-containing products of unknown origin, was the most commonly reported product brand used by patients nationwide, although there are regional differences. While Dank Vapes was most commonly reported in the Northeast and South, TKO and Smart Cart brands were more commonly reported by patients in the West, and Rove was more common in the Midwest.
The data further support that EVALI is associated with THC-containing products and that it is not likely associated with a single THC-containing product brand.
CDC and FDA recommend that people should not use THC-containing e-cigarette products, particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online sellers.
Vitamin E acetate should not be added to e-cigarette products. Additionally, people should not add any other substances not intended by the manufacturer to products, including products purchased through retail establishments.
While it appears that vitamin E acetate is associated with EVALI, there are many different substances and product sources that are being investigated, and there may be more than one cause. CDC, FDA, and state health authorities have made progress in identifying substances of concern in EVALI. However, there are many different substances and product sources that remain under investigation, and there may be more than one cause.
The latest data from patient reports and product sample testing suggest THC-containing e-cigarette products, particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online dealers, are linked to most of the cases, and play a major role in the outbreak.
Therefore, the best way for people to ensure that they are not at risk while the investigation continues is to consider refraining from the use of all e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

February 21, 1962 – December 9, 2019
Robert Edward Keenze, affectionately known as Bobby, passed away at the age of 57 at his home in Franklin on Monday, December 9, 2019. Bobby was a native and lifelong resident of Franklin, one of four children born to John and Verline Keenze.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his parents, John Keenze and Verline Simoneaux Keenze; his daughter, Lacey Keenze and husband Chad Deshotel; one sister, Rita Keenze Ware and her companion Ernie Pontiff; one brother, William “Bill” Keenze and his companion Gretchen Field; sister-in-law, Lynn Robicheaux Keenze; granddaughter, Olivia Grace Keenze Deshotel; godchildren and nephews, William Patrick Keenze and William James Keenze; and nieces and nephews, William Ollie Ware III, Ty Michael Ware, Alyson Nicole Keenze and Randi Marie Keenze.
He was preceded in death by his brother, John F. “Toody” Keenze; former wife, Johnnie Belinda Philips Keenze; brother-in-law, William Ollie Ware Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Rudy and Rita Keenze; and maternal grandparents, Vital and Esther Simoneaux.
Funeral services will be held at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2019, followed by interment in the Franklin Cemetery. Father Joel Faulk will conduct the services. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12 p.m. until time of services.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chad Deshotel, William Patrick Keenze, William James Keenze, William Ollie Ware, III, Ty Michael Ware, Anthony Battaglio and Kenny Scelfo.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ibert’s Mortuary to help alleviate funeral expenses.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

A trio of Berwick High School football players earned first team All-District 9-3A honors to lead the area’s selections.
Offensive lineman Noah Alhayek, running back Keyon Singleton and linebacker Hayden Seneca each were named to the district’s top squad.
The Panthers had two second-team selections, wide receiver Seth Canty and defensive lineman Dale Turner.
Patterson had one second team selection, running back Allen Langston.
Berwick had five honorable mention picks: defensive lineman Landon Harris, linebacker Zane Soileau, defensive back Brett Bearb, quarterback Reed Gonzales and offensive lineman George Boston.
Patterson had two honorable mention selections, offensive lineman Javin Turner and linebacker Treylon Bennett.
District champion St. James, who also won the Class 3A title this weekend, swept the individual honors as quarterback Shamar Smith was named Offensive MVP, defensive lineman Savion Jones is the Defensive MVP and Robert Valdez is the Coach of the Year.
Below is the complete all-district team:
1st Team Offense
—Offensive Linemen: Drake LaFleur, Lutcher; Jaquon Jones, St. James; Gavin Clements, E.D. White; Noah Alhayek, Berwick; and Joshua Brisco, Donaldsonville.
—Wide Receiver-Tight Ends: Rasohn Williams, Lutcher; Jamarcus Miller, Donaldsonville; D’Wanye Winfield, Lutcher; and Shazz Preston, St. James.
—Running Backs: Keyon Singleton, Berwick; Ra’Suan Storks, Lutcher; and Sean Lebeouf, St. James.
—Quarterback: Shamar Smith, St. James.
—Placekicker: Alec Mahler, St. James.
—Athlete: Mekhi Patterson, Lutcher.
—Offensive MVP: Shamar Smith, St. James.
1st Team Defense
—Defensive Linemen: Chase Geason, St. James; Savion Jones, St. James; DeAndre Keller, St. James; and Carter Poche, Lutcher.
—Linebackers: William Toups, E.D. White; Hayden Seneca, Berwick; Kaleb Brown, St. James; and Lamon Lewis, St. James.
—Defensive Backs: Quinn Strander, E.D. White; J’Kory Ester, St. James; Brad Batiste, St. James; and Tyler Steib, St. James.
—Punter: Alec Mahler, St. James.
—Return Specialist: Cyle Brooks, Donaldsonville.
—Defensive Flex: Tre Stewart, Lutcher.
—Defensive MVP: Savion Jones, St. James.
—Coach of the Year: Robert Valdez, St. James.
2nd Team Offense
—Offensive Linemen: Bo Bordelon, E.D. White; Christian Howard, Donaldsonville; Donald Nelson, St. James; Jace Phillip, St. James; and DQ Alexander, Lutcher.
—Wide Receiver-Tight End: Shen Joseph, St. James; Tyshon Williams, St. James; Logan Gravois, St. James; Connor Richard, E.D. White; and Seth Canty, Berwick.
—Running Backs: Allen Langston, Patterson; Jaquavius Tenner, Donaldsonville; Branton Vicknair, E.D. White; and Raeland Johnson, Donaldsonville.
—Quarterback: Treveyon Brown, Donaldsonville.
—Placekicker: Logan Bourgeois, Lutcher.
2nd Team Defense
—Defensive Linemen: Caleb Hagen, E.D. White; Brennan Borne, E.D. White; Willie Picou, Donaldsonville; Brandon Williams, Donaldsonville; and Dale Turner, Berwick.
—Linebackers: Trevon Dunn, Donaldsonville; Greg Rounds, St. James; Daimar Robinson, Donaldsonville; and Holden Tabor, E.D. White.
—Defensive Backs: Datuan Harris, Donaldsonville; Cyle Brooks, Donaldsonville; Joel Cooper, St. James; and Tre Stewart, Lutcher.
—Return Specialist, Kaden Williams, St. James.
—Defensive Flex: Marty Riley, Lutcher.
Honorable Mention
—Lutcher, Ty Cooper, defensive lineman; Rhett Whitney, defensive back; Rashaud Fluence, defensive back; Donald Fleming, offensive lineman; Chris Burkhalter, linebacker; Colten Poche, offensive lineman; and Zack Duhe, linebacker.
—St. James: Jamaul Hooker, offensive lineman; Jamaul Hooker, offensive lineman; Keyshawn Coleman, defensive back; Jace Phillip, defensive lineman; Daniel Jupiter, running back; and DeAndre Keller, offensive lineman.
—E.D. White: Trey Sternfels, defensive lineman.
—Berwick: Landon Harris, defensive lineman; Reed Gonzales, quarterback; Zane Soileau, linebacker; George Boston, offensive lineman; and Brett Bearb, defensive back.
—Donaldsonville: Joel Walker, offensive lineman.
—Patterson: Javin Turner, offensive lineman, and Treylon Bennett, linebacker.