All-Pro CB Xavien Howard agrees to reworked contract with Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard agreed to a restructured contract with the Miami Dolphins 12 days after he had requested a trade. The agreement allows Howard to earn up to $3.5 million in new incentives this year, with more guaranteed money in 2022. The sixth-year pro said...
Lamar Jackson back at practice for Ravens after covid-19 absenceVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson is back at practice, and Baltimore coach John Harbaugh expects the star quarterback to catch up pretty easily to where the rest of the team is in its preparation. “He’s going to merge right in,” Harbaugh said, using cars on a highway as a...
Penn State product Carl Nassib says he has gotten only ‘love and support’ from RaidersVideo
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib said he has received “nothing but love and support” from his teammates after he came out as gay earlier this summer. The Penn State product came out publicly on Instagram in June, saying he felt representation and visibility were important. He said that...
Ravens activate QB Lamar Jackson off covid-19 listVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md.— Lamar Jackson was activated from the covid-19 list. The Baltimore Ravens announced the move Friday. The quarterback hasn’t practiced yet during training camp. Jackson’s absence was an early jolt for the Ravens at preseason camp. He missed the team’s first practice July 28, and coach John Harbaugh...
Pick a number: NFL players relish new single-digit identity
EAGAN, Minn. — When Patrick Peterson found out about the NFL rule change expanding the ranges of jersey numbers that players are allowed to wear, he quickly contacted one of his new teammates on the Minnesota Vikings. The eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback wanted his trusty No. 7 again, after being...
Peoples-Jones saying little, but is the talk of Browns campVideo
BEREA, Ohio — There’s a wide receiver at Cleveland Browns training camp making leaping catches and headlines, and everyone notices his play. And it’s not Odell Beckham Jr. Donovan Peoples-Jones has been Cleveland’s most impressive offensive player this summer, taking advantage of Beckham being out while he recovers from knee...
Bills armed for future: Josh Allen agrees on 6-year extension
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills secured their future at quarterback Friday, agreeing with Josh Allen on a six-year contract extension that locks him up through the 2028 season. The team announced the agreement shortly after their training camp session ended. It comes a few days after general manager...
Former Penn State star Micah Parsons on his NFL preseason debut: ‘It’s just a true honor and blessing’
For the first time in 586 days Thursday, Micah Parsons strapped on his helmet and took the field for live football action. The Harrisburg native hadn’t played in a game since he earned MVP honors in Penn State’s win over Memphis in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019. In...
Analysis: NFL kicks off amid nation’s rising covid-19 rates
CANTON, Ohio — As covid-19 and Delta variant positives increase across America, the NFL kicks off its first preseason since 2019 expecting the usual crowds. The numbers in the nation are of concern to some, staggeringly disappointing to others, and ignored by many. Within the NFL, though, it must be...
Officiating head Al Riveron, NFL’s 1st Hispanic ref, retires
CANTON, Ohio — NFL officiating chief Al Riveron, a Cuban who became the league’s first Hispanic referee, retired Friday. Riveron worked as an on-field official for nine years and became a member of the NFL’s officiating staff in 2013 as a senior director. He will be replaced by two of...
How Jimbo Covert ended up at Pitt on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
When Jimbo Covert was a senior at Freedom High School in 1977, he attracted interest from some of the finest college football programs in the land, Pitt and Penn State among them. The truth: The future Pro Football Hall of Famer never seriously considered going anywhere but Pitt. Penn State?...
Colts plan to showcase RBs Jonathan Taylor, Marlon Mack
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Jonathan Taylor spent the offseason preparing for a heavier workload. Marlon Mack focused on getting healthy. Now the two 1,000-yard runners are back at training camp, getting acclimated to their new roles and giving Colts coach Frank Reich a glimpse of how this two-man tandem could be...
Clowney Show: Healthy defender dominating in Browns campVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Jadeveon Clowney is shattering preconceived notions, harassing quarterbacks and making quite an impression in his first training camp with the Cleveland Browns. “I’m just trying to make plays, be flashy,” Clowney said. “Show those guys I’m still me.” Signed by Cleveland to a one-year, $8 million free...
Browns get good news on injured LB Anthony Walker
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns dodged their first major injury of this season. Starting middle linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. will not need surgery but is expected to miss an extended period with a right knee injury suffered on a noncontact play in training camp Monday. Coach Kevin Stefanski said...
Panthers receiver carted off; player who hit him is cut
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Carolina Panthers wide receiver Keith Kirkwood was hit in the neck area during practice Tuesday, carted off the field and taken away by ambulance. The player who struck him was kicked out of practice and waived. Kirkwood suffered a concussion, was released from the hospital and is...
Nick Chubb inks 3-year extension with BrownsVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Nick Chubb signed a three-year, $36.6 million contract extension Monday with the Cleveland Browns, an indication of the team’s regard for his skills as an elite running back and his quiet, unassuming leadership. The Browns made sure they locked him up early in training camp as they...
NFL Alumni, CDC fight covid-19 vaccination hesitancy
Marshall Faulk’s high school football coach died of covid-19 early on in the pandemic. The coronavirus hit home for Rod Woodson when he and his family got sick and his daughter’s boyfriend lost his father. They are two of 15 Hall of Famers among 40 current and former players who...
Colts’ QB Carson Wentz out 5-12 weeks with broken foot
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to miss five to 12 weeks because a broken left foot, coach Frank Reich said Monday. He was to have surgery Monday to remove a piece of bone, coach Frank Reich said. Doctors determined Wentz had broken the foot years...
No. 2 pick Zach Wilson bounces back, sparkles in 2nd Jets camp practiceVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Now, that was more like it. Zach Wilson shook off a rough training camp debut by showing off the type of eye-popping playmaking ability that made him so coveted by the New York Jets. And the No. 2 overall draft pick did it Saturday in front...
Saints’ Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill in bid to succeed Drew BreesVideo
METAIRIE, La. — Even as Jameis Winston insists he is going to make better decisions with the football, the potential successor to Drew Brees in New Orleans doesn’t want to give the impression he is going to shy away from aggressive, downfield throws. There’s “no checkdown mentality,” Winston asserted after...
Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence gets ‘plus, plus’ grades; ‘real stuff’ nextVideo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As impressive as Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was during his first week of training camp, his performance came with an asterisk. “Everybody’s got to remember the defense is not allowed to make a play on the ball right now,” coach Urban Meyer said Saturday. While Meyer...
Pitt product Brian O’Neill, now leader of Viking line, on track for big new dealVideo
EAGAN, Minn. — Starting just his fourth NFL season, Brian O’Neill suddenly has found himself as one of the senior members of Minnesota’s oft-fluctuating offensive line. Soon the Pitt product might be paid like it, too. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, O’Neill is likely the next player...
Haslam family enters season with realistic expectations for BrownsVideo
BEREA, Ohio — After so many miserable seasons, including a winless one four years ago, numerous coaching mistakes, front-office flubs and busted draft picks, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam finally have a legitimate team. Maybe even a Super Bowl contender. They’re optimistic — and cautious. “Listen,” Jimmy Haslam, a...
Browns, QB Mayfield not yet talking contract extensionVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Baker Mayfield’s path to a massive pay day looks pretty straightforward. “Honestly, all he needs to do is work, perform, and he’s going to be fine,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said when asked what the next step is for Cleveland’s quarterback. It might be a little...
NFL’s top stat is covid-19 vaccine percentages
The NFL’s most discussed stat has been covid-19 vaccination percentages. As the first week of training camp kicked off, numbers continue to increase while debate persists. So far, 88.5% of players have had at least one shot of the vaccine and 20 teams have more than 90% of players vaccinated,...
