NFL

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Player safety a cost of an expanded seasonBy TIM DAHLBERGRoger Goodell thinks the NFL is doing some great work in making the game safer for players.Believe that if you will, though the statistics don't exactly bear the commissioner out. Concussions were up this year and a...

AP Pro Football WriterKaepernick, ESPN team up for documentary series on his lifeBy ROB MAADDIColin Kaepernick will be featured in a documentary series produced by ESPN Films as part of a first-look deal with The Walt Disney Co.The deal between Kaepernick's production arm, Ra Vision Media, and The Walt...

AP Pro Football WriterNFL, union enhance pain management and behavior programsBy BARRY WILNERNEW YORK (AP) The NFL and the players' union have two new agreements to address player health in the areas of pain management/prescription medications, and behavior well-being.The joint agreements, announced Monday, are designed to lead to...

AP Pro Football WriterDarnold has 'good shot' at returning as Jets QB next weekBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.NEW YORK (AP) Sam Darnold might be back leading the New York Jets' huddle as soon as next week.The quarterback will be sidelined for the second straight game with a shoulder injury,...

AP Pro Football WriterStaying Sharpe: New Vikings receiver follows Diggs departureBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) To fill a glaring hole at wide receiver opened by the departure of Stefon Diggs, the Minnesota Vikings have turned first to Tajae Sharpe.Whenever NFL teams are able to gather for practice, Sharpe should...

AP Sports WriterTexans hope 3 stars can help team finish 2nd half strongBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Houston stars J.J. Watt and Will Fuller were both the subject of trade rumors leading up to last Tuesday's deadline after the team's terrible start cost coach Bill O'Brien his job.In the...

AP Sports WriterChiefs' defense gets tough practice test: their own offenseBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Andy Reid always has been an offensive-minded coach, preferring to draw up plays on the beach near his California home, or on a white board in training camp, or even on a...

AP Sports WriterBills guard Richie Incognito texts The AP he's 'done'By JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Richie Incognito said he's ''done'' in a text The Associated Press on Tuesday amid reports he is considering retirement after 11 NFL seasons.Incognito followed up the text message with...

AP Pro Football WriterNFL players approve labor deal, including 17-game seasonBy BARRY WILNERNFL players have approved a new labor agreement with the league that features a 17-game regular season, higher salaries, increased roster sizes and larger pensions for current and former players.The deal, which runs through the 2030 season,...

MIAMI (AP) Richie Incognito says Jonathan Martin reached out to him several times in the aftermath of the bullying scandal that sabotaged the Miami Dolphins' 2013 season, but Incognito has no interest in talking. The two were teammates in the Dolphins' offensive line and at the center of the scandal. Incognito...

AP Sports WriterPanthers' Matt Rhule faces major quarterback decisionBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) One of the biggest decisions new Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule will have to make is choosing a quarterback - a move that could determine the direction of his tenure with the club and the...

Evans, Buccaneers agree to $82.5 million contract extensionTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tampa Bay's Mike Evans has agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract extension that makes him the second-highest paid receiver in the NFL.The deal confirmed Friday includes $55 million guaranteed and also makes Evans the highest-paid player with...