NFL

AP Sports WriterTwo of a kind; CBs Nelson, Haden lead Steelers secondaryBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Joe Haden could have taken Steve Nelson's arrival personally, a threat of sorts when the Pittsburgh Steelers splurged in free agency in March 2019 to bring in Nelson from Kansas City.The Steelers were...

AP Pro Football WriterJumbo Jet: Mekhi Becton making big first impression in campBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) There's one small word everyone uses - without fail - when they're asked to describe Mekhi Becton.Big.When you're 6-foot-7, you inevitably stand out. Add in the fact the New...

Lions rookie Jashon Cornell carted off with serious injuryALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) Detroit Lions rookie defensive tackle Jashon Cornell was carted off the practice field Tuesday after appearing to injure his lower left leg.Lions coach Matt Patricia said that the injury was pretty serious, declining to give more...

AP Pro Football WriterCowboys' Elliott camping from start after COVID-19 recoveryBy SCHUYLER DIXONFRISCO, Texas (AP) Ezekiel Elliott wondered for several weeks during the NFL's coronavirus shutdown how his COVID-19 infection would affect training camp a year after the star running back of the Dallas Cowboys missed the entire...

AP Pro Football WriterJets' Vyncint Smith out 5-8 weeks after core muscle surgeryBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) New York Jets wide receiver Vyncint Smith had surgery Tuesday to repair a core muscle injury and could be sidelined up to two months.Coach Adam Gase confirmed the procedure...

AP Sports WriterWatt continues to impress as Texans star enters 10th seasonBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Nothing J.J. Watt does surprises Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien anymore.But as O'Brien enters his seventh year in Houston, there are times the coach still sits back and marvels at the defensive end's...

AP Pro Football WriterMike Purcell not getting comfy in his late bloomer successBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Vic Fangio approached nose tackle Mike Purcell recently and wondered how it felt for the 29-year-old journeyman to finally have a starting job and an established role after getting cut nine...

AP Sports WriterBrowns RB Chubb out with concussion, LB Wilson hurts kneeBy TOM WITHERSBEREA, Ohio (AP) The Browns' first significant injury of 2020 is self-inflicted. Cleveland might have a second one.Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb has been placed in concussion protocol after he sustained a head injury...

AP Sports WriterWashington Football Team gets hitting at 'fresh start' campBy STEPHEN WHYNOASHBURN, Va. (AP) The only visual reminder of the past is etched into the side of the trash cans.Everywhere else around the Washington Football Team's practice facility has been scrubbed of the Native American logo that...

AP Sports WriterDoor is open for Patriots' Harris to contribute in 2nd yearBy KYLE HIGHTOWERFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Damien Harris hardly saw the field for the Patriots last season. This year, that could change for the second-year running back.A third-round pick out of Alabama in 2019, Harris was stuck...

AP Sports WriterDolphins start hitting as part of training camp crash courseBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) The Miami Dolphins practiced in pads for the first time Monday, which meant 90 minutes of wearing face masks and making contact, as opposed to wearing cloth masks and following social distance guidelines.It...

AP Sports WriterPackers' Gary, Savage look to make strides in second seasonsBy STEVE MEGARGEEThe Green Bay Packers' hopes of developing a championship-caliber defense would get a boost if their two first-round draft picks from last year make major strides in their second seasons.Outside linebacker Rashan Gary couldn't earn much...