NFL

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald noticed a positive change in the organization following last year's turbulent season. McDonald also noticed a difference in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the chemistry surrounding the team as a whole after the Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since...

AP Pro Football WriterBroncos kick off NFL training camps with Sanders on boardBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos are the first team in the NFL to kick off training camp Thursday, and they'll do it with Emmanuel Sanders on hand but maybe not Drew Lock.Sanders won't...

Steelers' Smith-Schuster, Bengals' Iloka each banned 1 gameNEW YORK (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback George Iloka have been suspended one game each by the NFL for violating league safety rules.Smith-Schuster was flagged for unnecessary roughness and taunting after a blindside hit...

AP Sports WriterBengals hire 3 assistant coaches, continue youth movementBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) The Cincinnati Bengals have hired Jemal Singleton from the Raiders to serve as their running backs coach, part of their latest moves to fill out Zac Taylor's staff.They added Joey Boese as strength and conditioning...

AP Sports WriterRivers focuses on playoffs instead of possible career finaleBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The thought crossed Philip Rivers' mind.Win this weekend, get some help and he'll have another shot to reach his first Super Bowl. Lose to Jacksonville on Sunday, and it could be the end of...

AP Pro Football WriterSack-happy Titans ready to try their Luck with Colts QBBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan knows the feeling only too well of having Andrew Luck somehow escape him. Tennessee's Jurrell Casey has also squared up to sack the Indianapolis Colts quarterback...

AP Sports WriterRhule: Panthers need to pressure 'iconic' QB Tom BradyBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Carolina coach Matt Rhule knows if the Panthers are to win their first game Sunday, they will have pressure ''iconic quarterback'' Tom Brady and not allow him to sit in the pocket and...

AP Pro Football WriterQB Josh McCown retires after 16 NFL seasonsBy DENNIS WASZAK JR.NEW YORK (AP) Quarterback Josh McCown has announced he is retiring from playing football after an NFL career that spanned 16 NFL seasons and included stints with 10 teams.McCown , who turns 40 on...

AP Sports WriterBrowns sign WR Jaelen Strong, played for Texans, JaguarsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Browns boosted their wide receiving group by signing Jaelen Strong, who missed last season with a knee injury.A former third-round pick, Strong sat out 2018 after tearing a knee ligament late in the...

AP Sports WriterRivers refuses to let sore toe end consecutive starts streakBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Philip Rivers has endured worse injuries over his 17-year career.In November 2017, he cleared the concussion protocol just in time to make his 186th consecutive start. He played the 2007 AFC championship game...

AP Sports WriterDespite losing to Patriots, New York Giants showed promiseBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Getting beaten by 21 points in a game filled with major mistakes might not be a reason for optimism for most teams.It is for the New York Giants (2-4) despite the refusal...

Cardinals sign Justin Pugh to 5-year contractTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals have signed free agent offensive lineman Justin Pugh to a five-year contract.The 6-foot-5, 311-pound Pugh - who has plays guard or tackle - spent the past five seasons with the New York Giants, where he started...