49ers RB Christian McCaffrey will miss about 2 weeks with calf injuryVideo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will miss about two weeks of practice after straining his calf. McCaffrey hurt his calf late last week, adding that he didn’t pull a muscle, coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. McCaffrey wouldn’t play in the preseason but should...
Rams WR Puka Nacua out with knee injury but should be ready for season openerVideo
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is week-to-week after suffering a knee injury in a joint practice against the Chargers on Sunday, but coach Sean McVay expects him to be available in time to play in the season opener at Detroit on Sept. 8. “Really...
Browns’ Deshaun Watson to sit out preseason opener as he continues recovery from surgeryVideo
CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson might be ready to play. The Browns aren’t ready to let him. Watson will sit out Cleveland’s exhibition opener Saturday against the Green Bay Packers as the team continues to take a cautious approach after the quarterback underwent right shoulder surgery in November. Coach Kevin Stefanski...
Chiefs punter Matt Araiza hoping to get another chance to play in NFLVideo
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Matt Araiza concedes there were moments during the past two years when he thought the 82-yard punt he uncorked in a preseason game for the Buffalo Bills might remain his only NFL effort. “There were times that I didn’t, and there were times that I did,”...
Out of Denver, WR Jerry Jeudy excited about fresh start in Cleveland after 4-year run with BroncosVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Jerry Jeudy already got paid by the Cleveland Browns. They’re counting on the speedy wide receiver paying them back. Acquired in an offseason trade after four undistinguished seasons with the Denver Broncos, who drafted him in the first round in 2020, Jeudy believes coming to Cleveland will...
Broncos’ long search for worthy successor to Peyton Manning at QB continuesVideo
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It’s been almost 8 1/2 years since Peyton Manning threw his last NFL pass, and the Denver Broncos are still searching for a suitable successor. It’s the most precarious position in the NFL, one that’s featured 13 starters over the last seven seasons. In the mix at...
Browns DE Za’Darius Smith injures left knee in practice, driven off field in cartVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith was driven off the field in a cart Monday after injuring his left knee during practice. Smith, who had 5 1/2 sacks last season — his first with the Browns — appeared to get hurt during a red-zone drill. As quarterback...
Chiefs make Harrison Butker highest-paid kicker in NFL with $25.6M extensionVideo
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made the winning field goal in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory two years ago, agreed on a four-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL. Butker announced the deal on X, saying: “There’s no place I’d rather...
Damar Hamlin says his ‘mind is free,’ a year after resuming football after a near-death experience
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Damar Hamlin flashed a wide grin and waved hello while zipping by on a scooter, before accelerating to make a sharp, effortless turn up a hill toward the Buffalo Bills dorm rooms at their training camp facility. Carefree and happy, there seems to be little the Bills...
Anthony Richardson trying to show progression in 2nd training camp as Colts QBVideo
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson looks like a natural this year at training camp. He drops back, reads the pass coverage and confidently throws the ball deep downfield. Occasionally, he runs, and when he sometimes reaches the sideline, Indianapolis Colts fans roar. In Westfield, Ind., a northern suburb...
Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael, who has ALS, enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame in ceremony at his homeVideo
Steve McMichael couldn’t make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so the ceremony came to him. Battling ALS and bedridden in the advanced stages of the neurological disease, the 66-year-old two-time All-Pro defensive tackle was the second player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame among seven...
Ravens’ offensive line in flux after losing 3 starters in the offseasonVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Patrick Mekari’s versatility could be an important asset for the Baltimore Ravens this season. He’s shown he can play both tackle and guard, and the Ravens face some uncertainty at both of those positions. “I just want to play, and I want to help the team,”...
Brett Rypien throws 3 TD passes, leads the Bears to a 21-17 storm-shortened victory over the TexansVideo
CANTON, Ohio — While Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud and other starters from both teams watched from the sideline, the NFL’s new kickoffs didn’t provide any excitement. Brett Rypien stole the show before lighting and heavy rain ended the game early. The veteran quarterback threw three touchdown passes, leading the Chicago...
Getting most out of Micah Parsons is priority for Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer
OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer never has had a player like Micah Parsons who can be used in so many different ways. Parsons has never been coached the way Zimmer is working with him. Put them together, the Zimmer-Parsons relationship seems poised to unlock the best...
First 2 kickoff under NFL’s new rules are returned to 26-yard line
CANTON, Ohio — The first two kickoffs under the NFL’s radical new rule were returned a yard farther than the old touchback. Houston’s Steven Sims fielded Cairo Santos’ kickoff at the 5 and ran 21 yards before he was tackled at the 26 to open Thursday night’s preseason game between...
Federal judge overturns $4.7 billion jury verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ lawsuit and rules for NFL
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge has overturned a jury’s $4.7 billion verdict in the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL and has granted judgment to the NFL. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez ruled Thursday that the testimony of two witnesses for the subscribers had flawed...
Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins could miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, according to reports
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins could miss four to six weeks with a knee injury suffered in practice, multiple outlets reported Thursday. Hopkins joined the Titans last season and led the team with 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. If Hopkins is out for...
Angels star Mike Trout needs 2nd surgery, ending his season
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels star Mike Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, ending another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP. Trout said Thursday in a social media post that an MRI revealed the new meniscus tear. He had surgery May 3 to repair...
Chargers QB Justin Herbert will miss at least next 2 weeks because of a right foot injury
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will miss at least the next two weeks because of an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot. The injury was diagnosed following Wednesday’s practice. Doctors expect that the fifth-year quarterback will be ready for the regular-season opener...
Tampa Bay’s Wirfs agrees to $140.63 million extension, becoming highest-paid OL in NFL historyVideo
Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history after agreeing Thursday to a five-year, $140.63 million contract extension. The deal, which runs through 2029, surpasses extensions signed this year by Minnesota’s Christian Darrisaw (four years, $113 million) and Detroit’s Penei Sewell (four years, $112 million). ESPN...
Judge says jury did not follow instructions on damages in NFL ‘Sunday Ticket’ caseVideo
LOS ANGELES — The judge who presided over the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL said the jury did not follow his instructions in determining damages. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez made the remark as he heard the NFL’s post-trial motion asking that Gutierrez rule for...
Dwight Freeney defied odds and scouts by spinning into Hall of Fame
INDIANAPOLIS — The conventional wisdom heading into the 2002 NFL Draft was Dwight Freeney was too small to play defensive end or hold up against the run. Critics also contended his trademark spin move would hit a wall against the league’s bigger, stronger offensive linemen. Former Colts general manager Bill...
Andre Johnson dedicating Hall of Fame honor to Houston
HOUSTON — Andre Johnson knows his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame isn’t simply about him. As the first Houston Texan to become a member of the esteemed group, the receiver is representing so much more. “This was for the whole city of Houston. It’s for the whole...
Jets’ Aaron Rodgers gets angry after being stepped on during sloppy practiceVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers was downright ticked off. The New York Jets quarterback took the snap, started to drop back — and ended up sprawled on the grass after one of his offensive linemen stepped on one of his feet. Rodgers shouted. He wasn’t hurt, but he was...
Mark Madden: NFL teams are overpaying underachieving quarterbacks, crippling their franchises
Jordan Love signed a four-year extension with Green Bay worth $55 million per. That ties him for highest average annual value among quarterbacks. Tua Tagovailoa signed a four-year extension with Miami worth $53.1 million per. That puts him fourth in average annual value. Neither Love nor Tagovailoa has played in...
