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...
Sam Darnold keeps pressure off Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy
EAGAN, Minn. — The expectations and scrutiny that hound NFL quarterbacks drafted at the top of the first round is mere background noise for J.J. McCarthy in his first training camp with the Minnesota Vikings. With the presence of Sam Darnold — and the environment they’ve put in place —...
Lamar Jackson returns to Ravens after missing for illness
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson was back at practice for the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday after missing time because of an illness. Jackson had practiced only once since the start of camp last weekend, and he didn’t make it to the end of that practice Wednesday. But Saturday he...
2020 QB draft class cashes in with more than $1.2 billion in contract extensionsVideo
The 2020 quarterback draft class is well on its way to being the highest-paid group of QBs from any draft in NFL history. The quintet taken in the top two rounds four years ago also has a chance at being the most prolific. With Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love being...
QB Jordan Love eager to show he’s worth the Packers’ investment in him after signing big contractVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jordan Love wants to reward the Green Bay Packers for betting big on him again. The Packers traded up in the draft four years ago to select Love in the first round. They cleared the way for him last year by trading four-time MVP quarterback Aaron...
Browns owners tout team’s stability, success while considering stadium renovation, possible new domeVideo
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam spent more than a decade in a futile, frustrating search for stability and success for the frequently bumbling Cleveland Browns. And although their franchise is now thriving, they know it can be fleeting. “This is the NFL,” Jimmy Haslam said...
Jordan Love agrees to 4-year extension worth $220 million
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension worth $220 million, a person familiar with the deal said Friday. The person spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. Love’s new deal includes a $75...
Former Steelers lineman Isaiah Buggs sentenced to hard labor on animal cruelty charges
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs was convicted on two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik sentenced Buggs on July 19 to a year of hard labor, ordering him to serve 60 days. The rest would...
Bills co-owner Kim Pegula helps break team huddle in sign of recovery from cardiac arrest
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula showed significant signs in her recovery from a debilitating cardiac arrest by being escorted to the field by her husband to help break the post-practice team huddle Friday. Though her steps were somewhat tentative, this marked the first time Pegula was seen...
Dolphins agree with QB Tua Tagovailoa on a 4-year, $212M contract extension, AP source saysVideo
The Miami Dolphins agreed with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on a four-year contract extension valued at a franchise-record $212.4 million, a person with knowledge of the deal said Friday. At an average of $53.1 million per year, Tagovailoa will rank third in the NFL in quarterback pay behind Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence...
Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa reach long-term contract extension
The wait is over for the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The two sides finally reached an agreement Friday afternoon on a long-term contract extension that will keep him leading the team’s offense for the foreseeable future. The deal is reportedly for four years and $212.4 million, according to...
