Multiple candidates still in mix for Bengals’ right guard battle
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor doesn’t have a timeline when it comes to naming a starting right guard for Week 1. The position battle between Lucas Patrick, Cody Ford and Jalen Rivers continues as training camp reaches its end. Even if Taylor had mapped out a plan for...
Szmyt’s last-second field goal lifts Browns to 19-17 victory over Rams
CLEVELAND — Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski went with Tyler Huntley instead of Shedeur Sanders when the Browns had a chance for a winning preseason drive Saturday. With Huntley behind center, Cleveland drove into position for Andre Szmyt’s 37-yard field goal as time expired in a 19-17 victory over the Los...
Former NFL coaches find benefits in taking advisory roles
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Former Denver Broncos head coach and New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is resetting his coaching career with an unfamiliar role in a familiar place. Hackett, the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-21, is back in Green Bay. But this time he’s working with Green Bay’s...
49ers bolster injury-hit backfield by acquiring Brian Robinson from WashingtonVideo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers added a proven running back to their injury-depleted group Friday by acquiring Brian Robinson from the Washington Commanders for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. Two people familiar with the deal said the trade will be finalized once Robinson passes a physical. The...
NFL will emphasize sportsmanship, crack down on violent, sexually suggestive gesturesVideo
The NFL wants players to have fun within the rules. That’s why the league will be emphasizing sportsmanship and cracking down on violent and sexually suggestive gestures this season. “Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or...
Ravens’ Harbaugh says there’s ‘no damage’ to Lamar Jackson’s foot after it was stepped onVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh says star quarterback Lamar Jackson is “fine” after his foot was stepped on this week. That’s the same thing the Ravens told reporters Wednesday, but after Jackson wasn’t at practice Thursday, Harbaugh was understandably asked for an update. “Got his foot...
Jets get Jowon Briggs from Browns, Harrison Phillips from Vikings
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets made a few more big additions to bolster their defensive line with a pair of trades Wednesday. They agreed to terms on a deal to acquire veteran nose tackle Harrison Phillips from the Minnesota Vikings, a person familiar with the trade told...
Chiefs deal New Kensington native, Shady Side product Skyy Moore to WR-needy 49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers agreed to a deal to acquire receiver Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. A person familiar with the trade said the teams will swap sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2027 in the deal that sends the New Kensington native...
Backup QB Tyson Bagent signs 2-year contract extension with BearsVideo
CHICAGO — Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has signed a two-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. The two-year deal is worth a reported $10 million with a maximum value of $16 million with incentives. Bagent, a former undrafted quarterback out of Division II Shepherd University, was entering the...
First Call: Tommy Pham chirps back at Toronto catcher on social media; Gabe Davis to visit Bills after Steelers
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some fallout from that Pirates-Blue Jays scrum Monday night. We have an update on Vlad Guerrero’s injury from that game. An ex-Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back is now a Baltimore Raven. And we continue to watch the developments in Cincinnati regarding Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation. Discussing the...
WR Justin Jefferson returns to practice with Vikings after hamstring injuryVideo
EAGAN, Minn. — Justin Jefferson rejoined the Minnesota Vikings for practice after a mild strain of his left hamstring kept him sidelined for 3½ weeks. Jefferson was on the field for the light session Monday, the latest ramp-up of his activity since he suffered the injury during the second practice...
Joe Flacco selected as Browns starting QB for season opener against BengalsVideo
After four weeks, Joe Flacco has emerged as the winner of the Cleveland Browns’ four-way quarterback competition. The Browns announced Monday that Flacco will get the start when the Browns host AFC North rival Cincinnati in the Sept. 7 opener. Coach Kevin Stefanski indicated over the past week that decision...
Falcons sign QB Ben DiNucci to replace injured Emory Jones for final preseason game at Dallas
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons signed quarterback Ben DiNucci on Monday to provide depth for Friday’s final preseason game at Dallas. The Falcons needed help at quarterback after Emory Jones, competing with Easton Stick for the No. 3 job, was hurt in last week’s 23-20 loss to Tennessee....
Jaxson Dart’s impressive preseason has not changed Giants’ plan at QBVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — One play into the New York Giants’ fourth possession of their second preseason game, Brian Daboll called in Jaxson Dart without warning. “Serious?” Dart asked, before making a throw that turned into a 30-yard gain and jogging back to the sideline, with Russell Wilson returning. It...
Eagles get receiver John Metchie III from Texans for tight end Harrison Bryant
The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired wide receiver John Metchie III from the Houston Texans for veteran tight end Harrison Bryant, a person with knowledge of the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the teams haven’t announced the deal. Metchie had...
Stefanski likely to reveal Browns’ starting QB for opener this week
CLEVELAND — Coach Kevin Stefanski is expected to announce this week the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback for the Sept. 7 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. “I want to get through the next couple days. But certainly that’s something that we’re going to do here sooner than later,” Stefanski said on...
Commanders activate WR Terry McLaurin off PUP list as contract extension talks lingerVideo
ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders activated Terry McLaurin off the physically unable to perform list Saturday amid lingering contract extension talks with the All-Pro wide receiver. McLaurin, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.2 million contract signed in 2022, reported to the team July 27 after...
Teddy Bridgewater is hoping to make the best of his NFL return amid high school coaching suspension
PITTSBURGH — Teddy Bridgewater always planned to play football this year. Just maybe not quite this early. In a perfect world, the well-traveled quarterback wouldn’t be spending this weekend in Pittsburgh getting ready for his preseason debut with Tampa Bay but in Miami helping Northwestern High prepare to defend the...
Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer credits Pete Carroll in helping become more well-rounded coach
OXNARD, Calif. — The tactical part of football came easy to Brian Schottenheimer, but the other aspects of what it takes to be a head coach had to be developed before finally getting the opportunity he always wanted with the Dallas Cowboys this season. The philosophical, organizational and interpersonal pieces...
NFL teams will again stencil messages in end zone, including ‘End Racism’ and ‘Choose Love’
The NFL is continuing its on-field social justice messaging for a sixth straight season. All 32 teams will feature an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love,” or “Inspire Change.” Once again, “It Takes...
Prosecutors decline to pursue battery, domestic violence case against Browns rookie JudkinsVideo
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Prosecutors in Broward County have declined to pursue a case against Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who was arrested last month on charges of misdemeanor battery and domestic violence. Judkins was arrested on July 14 by Fort Lauderdale police after they received a report...
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice’s disciplinary hearing set for Sept. 30
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will have a disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Sept. 30 in New York, a person with knowledge of the schedule told the Associated Press on Thursday. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the details haven’t been announced, said Sue L....
Appeals court agrees NFL can be put on trial over claims Black coaches face discrimination
NEW YORK — The NFL can be put on trial over civil claims that Brian Flores and other Black coaches face discrimination, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday, rejecting the league’s attempt to force Flores into arbitration with Commissioner Roger Goodell as the arbitrator. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of...
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reveals cancer diagnosis, credits experimental drug
OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones credited an experimental trial drug for successfully treating advanced melanoma as he disclosed his cancer diagnosis publicly for the first time. Jones revealed his illness in a documentary series, “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,” which will debut on Netflix next...
Maxx Crosby calls Patrick Mahomes a big reason for his success
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Maxx Crosby kept running into star athletes over the summer, from NBA great Kevin Garnett to former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., and the instant connection they shared made the Las Vegas Raiders’ star pass rusher think about another athlete he keeps coming across a...