NFL

AP Sports WriterPats face challenges as starters Hightower, Chung opt outBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) The Patriots were already going to have a completely different look following an offseason that saw former franchise cornerstone Tom Brady depart to Tampa Bay, as well as several key players on defense cash...

AP Pro Football Writer49ers WR Deebo Samuel placed on non-football injury listBy JOSH DUBOWSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers placed starting receiver Deebo Samuel on the non-football injury list after foot surgery and said he might miss the start of the season.Samuel suffered a fracture in...

AP Pro Football WriterBroncos defensive tackle Kyle Peko opts out of 2020 seasonBy ARNIE STAPLETONBroncos general manager John Elway confirmed Tuesday that veteran defensive tackle Kyle Peko has opted out of the 2020 season over COVID-19 concerns.The NFL and the players association agreed last week to an opt-out clause...

AP Sports WriterBills' Lotulelei opts out; Sweeney sidelined by foot injuryBy JOHN WAWROWBuffalo Bills starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei has chosen to voluntarily opt out from playing this season.The Bills also opened training camp Tuesday by announcing second-year tight end Tommy Sweeney was placed on the active-physically unable to...

AP Sports WriterArians comfortable coaching Brady, Bucs during pandemicBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Bruce Arians didn't give much thought to the prospect of opting out of trying to help Tom Brady win a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The 67-year-old whose aggressive offensive philosophy is dubbed ''no...

Steelers sign RB Wendell Smallwood to 1-year dealPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed running back Wendell Smallwood to a one-year deal, giving the backfield a bit of experienced depth heading into training camp.Smallwood joins a group that includes James Conner, Benny Snell Jr., Jaylen Samuels and rookie...

AP Pro Football WriterTitans put top draft pick Wilson on COVID-19/reserve listBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans are trickling into the team's headquarters for a training camp with their first-round draft pick Isaiah Wilson on the COVID-19/reserve list.Coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that Wilson, the...

AP Sports WriterArians comfortable coaching Brady, Bucs during pandemicBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Bruce Arians didn't give much thought to the prospect of opting out of trying to help Tom Brady win a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The 67-year-old whose aggressive offensive philosophy is dubbed ''no...

Patrick Mahomes becoming part owner of Kansas City RoyalsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is joining the ownership group of the Kansas City Royals.The Royals announced the addition of Mahomes, the star quarterback who led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl title last...

Saints sign four draft picks as rookies report for campMETAIRIE, La. (AP) The New Orleans Saints signed their four 2020 draft picks to four-year contracts on Monday, the day rookie were scheduled to report for training camp, general manager Mickey Loomis said.New Orleans' most recent draft class is...

Seahawks reduce roster to 80, release Hunt and JacksonRENTON, Wash. (AP) The Seattle Seahawks released nine players Sunday to reduce their roster to 80 players, including veterans Branden Jackson and Joey Hunt.Terminating the contract of Hunt will save Seattle about $2.2 million against the salary cap. But it...

AP Pro Football WriterVikings' infection control officer tests positive for COVIDBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Vikings vice president of sports medicine Eric Sugarman, who's in charge of the organization's virus prevention plan, has tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced Monday.In a statement from the Vikings, Sugarman said...