NFL

AP Sports WriterCowboys pay tribute to Dallas police before start of campBy SCHUYLER DIXONOXNARD, Calif. (AP) In one wave after another, Jason Witten, Tony Romo and Dez Bryant walked arm-in-arm onto the field for the start of the Cowboys' training camp with families of the Dallas police officers...

AP Pro Football WriterQB Kirk Cousins gets exclusive franchise tag from RedskinsBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) In a move that seemed the most likely at this point in the odd dance between Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins, the team placed the exclusive franchise tag on the starting quarterback...

NFL teams pursue byes like they are precious jewels. Are they really? Or does the road to the Super Bowl not particularly come with a rest stop? History tells us that reaching the Super Bowl, let alone winning it, after playing in a wild-card game is anything but ideal. Not...

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Dez Bryant will get four more months to work on a long-term deal with the Cowboys and make $12.8 million next year after the team used its franchise tag on the star wide receiver.Bryant led the NFL with a club-record 16 touchdowns in the final...

BOSTON (AP) - Lawyers for former New England Patriots player and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez are due in court in Boston, where a judge could set a date for his double murder trial.Hernandez is not expected to attend Thursday's hearing. He is serving life in prison without the possibility...

AP Sports WriterBennett defines his own 'Patriot Way' en route to Super BowlBy KYLE HIGHTOWERFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) If Martellus Bennett had his way, people would live in his world.He describes it as a fun place, where imaginations can run wild and people can feel unrestrained.And in a way,...

AP Sports WriterTo McCoy's relief, Chargers finally find way to finishBy BERNIE WILSONSAN DIEGO (AP) With 15 seconds left and his San Diego Chargers trying to hold onto a 21-13 lead against Denver, embattled coach Mike McCoy hunched over with his head in his hands.It couldn't be happening...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators have filed civil fraud charges against former NFL cornerback Will Allen and his business partner. They're accused of reaping more than $31 million in a Ponzi scheme that promised high returns to investors from funding loans to cash-strapped pro athletes.The Securities and Exchange Commission...

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor is retiring, ending a 12-year career in which he helped lead the team to two Super Bowl victories.The 34-year-old player announced the decision Tuesday.Taylor became a free agent last month and says he couldn't envision playing for another team. He finishes his...

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) Panthers cornerback Josh Norman says he has nothing but ''mad respect'' for Cam Newton and there are no hard feelings between he and the star quarterback following a training camp scuffle earlier this week.Norman even posted a selfie of himself and Newton on his Twitter...

The Latest: Browns Poyer dealing with lacerated kidneyBy The Associated PressThe Latest on Week Six of the NFL season (all times EDT):5:15 p.m.Cleveland coach Hue Jackson says Browns defensive back Jordan Poyer has a lacerated kidney that will keep him in a Tennessee hospital at least for a little...

Associated PressJudge reminding NFL retirees of concussion settlementBy MARYCLAIRE DALEPHILADELPHIA (AP) A federal judge on Wednesday urged NFL retirees to register for a concussion settlement that could cost the league $1 billion over 65 years.About 22,000 retirees are encouraged to get baseline neurological testing. The league expects more...