NFL

AP Sports WriterChiefs' Alex Smith ready for season opener in New EnglandBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Andy Reid has maintained all offseason that Alex Smith is the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, even while Patrick Mahomes II was lighting up defenses during four preseason games.Chiefs...

AP Sports WriterBengals TE Tyler Eifert out for season with back injuryBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert will miss the rest of the season with a back injury that has put his career in jeopardy.The fifth-year veteran missed half of last season with ankle and...

Packers holding on to veteran tight end Marcedes LewisGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers are keeping veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis as he gets ready for his 15th NFL season.Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst announced Tuesday that they've signed Lewis, who is back for a third...

AP Sports WriterBengals' Kirkpatrick & Falcons' Jones resume Alabama rivalryBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick got to see receiver Julio Jones' rare abilities during practice at Alabama.They've never gone head-to-head in the NFL, which is about to change on Sunday in Atlanta when they're paired again in...

AP Pro Football Writer8 unanimous picks for All-Decade Team include Brady, WattBy BARRY WILNERVon Miller had to catch his breath after finding out he got every vote for the 2010s All-Decade Team.Miller, Tom Brady, J.J. Watt and Adrian Peterson are among eight unanimous selections to the 2010s NFL All-Decade...

AP Pro Football WriterNFL didn't learn its lesson after Ray Rice incidentBy ROB MAADDIAfter mishandling Ray Rice's domestic violence incident two years ago, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said ''I got it wrong'' and vowed ''the same mistakes can never be repeated.''It doesn't appear the league learned its lesson.The NFL...

Tomlin noncommittal about lineup for finale vs. BrownsPITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Tomlin isn't sure how long of a break he wants to give his star players before the postseason begins.The Pittsburgh Steelers coach is going to wait to determine how much Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and company play during...

AP Pro Football WriterTopsy-turvy NFC playoff field: 5 newcomers plus FalconsBy ARNIE STAPLETONIn the topsy-turvy NFC playoffs, only the Falcons return from last year, and they sneaked in as the sixth and final team. They narrowly avoided the same fate as the Cowboys, Seahawks, Packers, Giants and Lions -...

Packers TE Jimmy Graham quiet in mediocre seasonGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Whether it was earlier in his career at New Orleans or the past few seasons in Seattle, two things were common for tight end Jimmy Graham: production and victories.Both are in short supply in his first season...

AP Pro Football WriterWentz back, Eagles aim for return of other top skill playersBy ROB MAADDIPHILADELPHIA (AP) Even with Carson Wentz back, the Philadelphia Eagles are far from complete.Three of the team's top skill position players weren't on the field for Sunday's 20-16 win over Indianapolis but could...

AP Sports WriterAaron Hernandez had severe CTE; daughter sues NFL, PatsBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Tests conducted on the brain of former football star Aaron Hernandez showed severe signs of the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and his attorney said Thursday that the player's daughter is suing the...

AP Sports WriterJames Bradberry gives Giants one CB, searching for anotherBy TOM CANAVANA couple of months ago, the New York Giants seemed to be set at one cornerback spot and with plenty of choices at the other.Things have changed. Part of it is due to the coronavirus pandemic and...