Analysis: Bills’ ‘thorough examination’ clearly failed
A “thorough examination” by the Buffalo Bills into gang rape allegations against punter Matt Araiza failed because coach Sean McDermott only learned more of the important details after a civil lawsuit was filed against the rookie. Now, the Bills are under fire for sticking with a player facing serious accusations....
Friday Football Footnotes — Fantasy Football edition: When to draft certain Steelers, how to best construct your team
As the NFL preseason wraps up over the next 10 days or so, this is going to be a huge week for fantasy football drafts across Pittsburgh and the rest of the country. So for “Friday Football Footnotes” this week, we spoke with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. He’s our long-time...
Aaron Donald swings helmet in brawl between Rams, BengalsVideo
CINCINNATI — A brawl between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams put an early end to their joint practice session Thursday, with Rams star Aaron Donald repeatedly swinging a helmet at Bengals players before getting thrown to the ground. Players threw fists and helmets during scuffles leading up to...
QB Jacoby Brissett to start Browns’ preseason finale against BearsVideo
CLEVELAND — Jacoby Brissett will finally make his delayed debut for the Browns. The veteran quarterback, set to fill in as Cleveland’s starter while Deshaun Watson serves his upcoming 11-game NFL suspension, will start Saturday night’s exhibition finale against the Chicago Bears. Brissett has yet to see any action during...
Hall of Fame Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson dies at 87
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, whose unmistakable swagger in helping the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title earned him the nickname “Lenny the Cool,” died Wednesday. He was 87. Dawson’s family announced his death in a statement through KMBC, the Kansas City-based...
Jessie Bates reports to Bengals camp, signs franchise tag tenderVideo
CINCINNATI — Safety Jessie Bates III reported to Cincinnati Bengals training camp Tuesday and signed a one-year tender under the franchise tag. The four-year veteran was frustrated with efforts to reach a long-term contract agreement with the Bengals. The organization put the franchise tag on him in March, meaning he...
Tom Brady ends 11-day break, rejoins Buccaneers for practiceVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, ending what has been described as an 11-day, prearranged break from training camp for personal reasons. The seven-time Super Bowl champion didn’t address the media after practicing. Teammates and coach Todd Bowles said the 45-year-old quarterback was...
Giants first-round pick Thibodeaux sprains MCL in right kneeVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux sprained the MCL in his right knee in the preseason victory over the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. New York Giants coach Brian Daboll said Monday the No. 5 overall pick in the draft was being listed as day to day,...
QB Baker Mayfield starting for Panthers in Week 1 against Browns
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Baker Mayfield will start the Carolina Panthers’ Sept. 11 regular-season opener against his former team, the Cleveland Browns. Panthers coach Matt Rhule made the announcement on the team’s website Monday. Mayfield, acquired in a trade with the Browns earlier this offseason, beat out incumbent starter Sam Darnold...
First Call: Ex-Steeler shines at QB in Cleveland; Roquan Smith willing to stay in Chicago; Ravens extend preseason streak
An ex-Steelers quarterback is on fire with his new team this preseason. The Roquan Smith dream seems to have died for Pittsburgh fans. The Ravens just can’t lose in August. And Pittsburgh has two champions in a pair of very unique sports. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” And the...
Time for NFL’s highly paid receivers to prove their worth
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp and even Christian Kirk are among the wide receivers who reset the market for just how well the NFL pays the best at that position this year. Now comes the tough part: proving they’re worth all...
Jaguars waiting to see something incredible from their ‘Hulk’
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Laviska Shenault is scheduled to make his preseason debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. It might also serve as an audition for the rest of league. That’s because Shenault, a second-round pick in 2020, is far from a lock to make the...
Browns trust Jacoby Brissett while Deshaun Watson serves suspension
BEREA, Ohio — As Jacoby Brissett sat at a nearby table patiently waiting for his turn at the podium Friday, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah wrapped up his interview session with some strong praise for his veteran teammate. During chats sitting in front of their side-by-side lockers, Owusu-Koramoah has learned about life...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson settles for 11-game suspension
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson has reached a settlement with the NFL and will serve an 11-game suspension and pay a $5 million fine rather than risk missing his first season as quarterback of the Cleveland Browns following accusations of sexual misconduct. Watson was accused of sexual assault and harassment...
First Call: Antonio Brown goes after Tom Brady on Twitter; Fox’s Jay Glazer says Steelers are ‘Mitch Trubisky’s team’
Thursday’s “First Call” features Antonio Brown’s latest social media meltdown. Jay Glazer tamps down any quarterback controversy with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus, we have updates on Joe Burrow’s health in Cincinnati and Baker Mayfield’s starting status with the Carolina Panthers. A.B. goes after TB12 Antonio Brown is using social media...
Bengals’ Joe Burrow working on regaining strength after appendix surgeryVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow is trying to pack on the pounds, gaining back the weight he lost after having surgery to remove his ruptured appendix three weeks ago. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback won’t say how much he lost, but the pounds are coming back, along with the strength and mobility...
Chargers sign Derwin James to 4-year, $76.5M extension
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Derwin James signed a four-year, $76.5 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers Wednesday morning, making him the NFL’s highest-paid safety. The deal includes $42 million in guaranteed salary. James is going into his fifth season and was expected on the field when the Chargers...
AP sources: Talks on possible Deshaun Watson settlement progress
Talks between the NFL and NFL Players Association on a discipline settlement for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have progressed. However, it’s uncertain whether the two sides will reach a deal, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The people spoke to AP on condition...
Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, Ken Riley finalists for Pro Football HOF
Super Bowl MVP Chuck Howley and All-Pro defenders Joe Klecko and Ken Riley are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023. The defenders who starred in the 1960s, 70s and 80s were announced as the three senior candidates for next year’s Hall of Fame class from...
NFL looks like old self entering 3rd season in covid-19 era
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Derrick Henry has been seen jogging on the field with his daughter after practice. Green Bay Packers are once again borrowing kids’ bicycles for rides to practice. Fans are rubbing elbows with their favorite players to get those coveted autographs. Yes, the NFL is looking and acting...
Browns starter Nick Harris done for season, backup also on IR
BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns starting center Nick Harris is out for the season after being placed on injured reserve Tuesday along with one of his backups, rookie Dawson Deaton. Harris suffered a serious right knee injury on the second play of last week’s exhibition opener at Jacksonville. The 23-year-old...
Bengals’ Joe Burrow is practicing, should be ready for opener vs. Steelers
CINCINNATI — Three weeks after having an appendectomy, Joe Burrow is fully participating in training camp with an eye toward getting ready for the regular-season opener next month. The Bengals quarterback was in full uniform as he threw crisp passes in seven-on-seven drills for a second day Monday. He had...
Browns star CB Denzel Ward returns from foot injury, practicing
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns secondary got back a primary piece. Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward was activated from the physically unable to perform list Monday and will practice for the first time since Cleveland’s training camp opened. He had been sidelined with a sprained left foot. Ward was...
Titans LB Bud Dupree pleads guilty in drugstore assault
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Bud Dupree pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from an altercation in a Nashville drugstore. Dupree was sentenced to 6 months of supervised probation, according to the judgment filed Monday. Police said Dupree grabbed a Walgreens employee and the man’s...
Ex-NFL star Aqib Talib’s brother turns self in after slaying
LANCASTER, Texas — The brother of retired NFL cornerback Aqib Talib turned himself in to authorities Monday after police identified him as the suspect in the shooting death of a coach at a youth football game in Texas. Police said that a murder warrant was issued for Yaqub Salik Talib,...
