Veteran WR Amari Cooper retires 9 days after signing with RaidersVideo
HENDERSON, Nev. — Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper retired Thursday, a little more than a week after signing a one-year contract to return to the Las Vegas Raiders. Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said Cooper called coach Pete Carroll on Thursday morning and gave him the news. “It’s...
Bengals QB Joe Burrow feels stronger this year going into opener at ClevelandVideo
CINCINNATI — For the first time in his NFL career, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow completed a training camp that wasn’t impacted by any injury or pandemic. That gives him more confidence entering his sixth NFL season. “I think I’m in a good spot,” Burrow said. “I think I’ve been...
Cam Ward era debuts for the Titans in their season opener at Denver
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have done everything possible so rookie quarterback Cam Ward is as ready as possible to start the season opener against the Denver Broncos. Time’s up Sunday. “All that’s left to do is to go do it and prove it, and I’m looking forward to...
Joe Flacco to start for Browns at age 40, joining unique group of NFL QBs
BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco is already part of an esteemed group as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. On Sunday, he will join another club when he takes the field for the Cleveland Browns against the Cincinnati Bengals. Flacco, who turned 40 on Jan. 16, spent last season with the Colts....
Russell Wilson brings leadership and quarterback stability to the New York Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Russell Wilson is known for his “moon ball” deep throws and brings Super Bowl-winning experience to the New York Giants, who know all about what the veteran quarterback can do on the field. That’s why they signed him. Since he arrived, Wilson has shown something off...
What Super Bowl ceremony? Eagles insist championship is behind them going into opener against Dallas
PHILADELPHIA — Nick Sirianni is the son of a high school football coach, using what he learned from his dad into his own successful coaching career, first in college, then eventually in the NFL. Sirianni is a bit of a coaching lifer, and knows intricate details about the game. So...
NFLPA interim boss David White says 18-game regular season is ‘not inevitable’
An 18-game NFL season that once seemed inevitable is no longer a certainty. David White, the interim executive director of the NFL Players Association, told The Associated Press he hasn’t had any conversations with the league about expanding the length of the regular season, which increased to 17 games in...
Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker faces injury setback before season opener vs. Steelers, AP source says
New York Jets right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has an injury that could sideline him for the season opener and perhaps longer, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The news came just four days before the Jets open their season against Aaron Rodgers and...
Saquon Barkley rated No. 1 player in the NFL by his peers after dominant debut season with Eagles
PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley’s historic 2024 season, his first with the Eagles, saw him rush for an NFL record 2,504 yards between the regular and postseasons. Barkley broke off long touchdown runs, hurdled backward over a defender, and ran the Eagles all the way to the Super Bowl while winning...
Depreciating value of NFL running back contracts dismays Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas
Thurman Thomas’ voice rose with a bubbling intensity, expressing dismay over how the running back position has depreciated in value in today’s NFL. It’s bad enough for the Hall of Famer to see how disposable the game’s top running backs have become, with Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry...
Al Golden prepares for regular-season debut as Bengals defensive coordinator
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden has been in coaching for 30 years. When Cincinnati opens its season Sunday at the Cleveland Browns, Golden will call defensive plays in the NFL for the first time. “I’m excited,” Golden said. “Ready to go. It’s been a collaborative effort on...
Cowboys sign NFL pick-6 record-holder DaRon Bland to $92 million, 4-year extension
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys signed cornerback DaRon Bland to a $92 million, four-year contract extension on Sunday, four days before the NFL opener at defending champ and NFC East rival Philadelphia. Bland set an NFL record with five interception returns for touchdowns in 2023, when he also led...
Former Steeler, current Jet Justin Fields looks to become NFL’s next late-blooming QBVideo
Justin Fields would seem to have the numbers — and odds — stacked against him. The New York Jets quarterback is on his third team in as many years, learning his third offensive system in that span and being coached by a fourth coordinator during an NFL career entering only...
Schottenheimer takes Parsons trade in stride and Cowboys newcomer Clark says watch his film
FRISCO, Texas — Brian Schottenheimer will make his head coaching debut with the Dallas Cowboys a week after losing elite pass rusher Micah Parsons, probably his best player, in a trade with Green Bay. The longtime NFL assistant and son of the late Marty Schottenheimer, a 200-game winner in the...
New England Patriots’ roster shuffle continues with release of safety Jabrill Peppers
The New England Patriots released safety Jabrill Peppers on Friday, marking the latest shakeup of the team’s roster under new coach Mike Vrabel. The 29-year-old Peppers, who was entering his fourth year in New England, made the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster and was expected to start alongside Kyle Dugger in...
From Pittsburgh to Las Vegas: Kenny Pickett’s journey to prove himself under Pete Carroll
HENDERSON, Nev. — Coach Pete Carroll’s first Raiders roster is made up of players, he said, who have something to prove, who carry the proverbial chips on their shoulders. One of the newest Las Vegas players, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, is the epitome of that kind of attitude. “Well, anybody...
At U.S. Open, Billie Jean King always has answers
NEW YORK — Life on the professional tennis tour can be challenging. Billie Jean King knows a thing or two about that — and she’s happy to share. Two days before the start of singles competition the U.S. Open, King sat around a table in Arthur Ashe Stadium with 16...
Cowboys trade Micah Parsons to Green Bay Packers
Micah Parsons is headed to the Green Bay Packers after a blockbuster trade Thursday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys after a lengthy contract dispute. The two-time All-Pro edge rusher confirmed the deal in a text to the Associated Press. A person with knowledge of the details said Parsons and the Packers...
Chargers’ Najee Harris returns to practice after July 4 fireworks mishap and could play in opener
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Najee Harris practiced Wednesday for the first time since the Los Angeles Chargers running back injured his eye in a July 4 fireworks mishap. The team activated him from the non-football injury/illness list, making him eligible to play in the Chargers’ season-opening game against Kansas City...
YouTube TV reaches ‘short-term extension’ in dispute with Fox, warding off immediate disruptions
NEW YORK — YouTube TV says it’s reached a “short-term extension” in its contract dispute with Fox, meaning subscribers of the Google-owned streamer won’t see immediate disruptions of Fox channels on the platform. The current carriage agreement between YouTube TV and Fox originally faced a Wednesday afternoon deadline — with...
49ers agree to 1-year deal with receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, AP source says
The San Francisco 49ers bolstered their banged-up receiver corps by agreeing to a one-year deal with Marquez Valdes-Scantling after he was cut by Seattle, a person with knowledge of the deal said Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been...
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice is suspended 6 games by NFL, beginning with opener next week in Brazil
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, keeping him out of a series of high-profile games starting with next week’s season opener against the Chargers in Brazil. Rice pleaded guilty about six weeks ago to two...
Ex-NFL quarterback Jay Cutler sentenced to 4 days in jail after DUI arrest
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler accepted a guilty plea on Tuesday for a 2024 DUI in Tennessee. Under the agreement, Cutler will serve four days at the Williamson County Jail, beginning by the end of the month. He was also ordered to pay a $350 fine, will be placed on...
Browns’ Dillon Gabriel selected as backup QB after Kenny Pickett trade
BEREA, Ohio — Dillon Gabriel’s performance in the final two preseason games appeared to be enough for the Cleveland Browns to go with three quarterbacks instead of four. Coach Kevin Stefanski selected the rookie third-round pick as Joe Flacco’s backup Tuesday after the initial 53-man roster was set. Gabriel looked...
Saints select Spencer Rattler to open the season as their QB over rookie Tyler Shough
METAIRIE, La. — Spencer Rattler will be the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback when the club opens the regular season at home against Arizona, first-year coach Kellen Moore said Tuesday. “He’s just been consistent, he’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process and his ability to make...
