NFL

AP Pro Football WriterNew helmet rule likely to be part of replay for officiatingBy BARRY WILNERORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The NFL's new rule outlawing a player from lowering his head to initially make any sort of hit with his helmet likely will be included in replay reviews for officials.That...

Saints rule out WR Thomas, 5 other starters vs. LionsMETAIRIE, La. (AP) The New Orleans Saints ruled out top receiver Michael Thomas and five other starters for Sunday's game against the Lions in Detroit.Thomas, a two-time All-Pro who last season set an NFL single-season record with 149 catches,...

AP Sports WriterRodgers gets 7th Pro Bowl nod in Packers' playoff-less yearBy GENARO C. ARMASGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) A lost season coming to a close without a trip to the playoffs for the Green Bay Packers is ending in a familiar spot for Aaron Rodgers. He's headed to...

Colts' top draft pick leaves practice early with injuryANDERSON, Ind. (AP) Indianapolis Colts rookie center Ryan Kelly missed the end of practice Sunday because of a left shoulder injury.The first-round pick from Alabama sat out roughly the final half of the nearly three-hour long workout at Anderson University.Coach...

AP Sports WriterBills hire Sinnarajah as VP of business administrationBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills have hired Jason Sinnarajah as senior vice president of business administration.From Toronto, Sinnarajah has sports-related experience in previously working at Google, where he managed the company's partnerships with the NFL and...

Packers' Matthews hit in face by line drive in charity gameGRAND CHUTE, Wis. (AP) Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was hit in the face with a line drive during a charity softball game.Matthews was pitching during Saturday's game when offensive lineman Lucas Patrick hit the ball directly...

AP Pro Football WriterNFL, union approve virtual offseason workout programBy ROB MAADDIThe NFL and its players union have agreed to conduct “virtual” offseason workout programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic until every team is permitted to open its facilities.Teams can hold voluntary classroom instruction, workouts and non-football educational programs...

AP Sports WriterESPN, NFL Network ready to tackle challenges of remote draftBy JOE REEDYThe NFL draft is annually one of the most ambitious productions that ESPN does. Next week's coverage might go down as THE most ambitious in the network's 40-year history.With the NFL closing team complexes and canceling...

Ex-Texans star Mario Williams accused of trespassing at homeKATY, Texas (AP) Former Texans star Mario Williams has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge accusing him of trespassing at a woman's Houston-area home.Harris County court records show Williams was arrested Tuesday and freed on $100 bond. Online records don't...

AP Pro Football WriterThe ins and outs of how some teams handled 2017 NFL draftBy BARRY WILNERPHILADELPHIA (AP) With 253 selections over three days, and a couple hundred thousand people on hand, the NFL draft seems as complex an operation as exists.Don't believe it, at least not for...

Hall of Fame QB Y.A. Tittle dead at 90By The Associated PressY.A. Tittle, the Hall of Fame quarterback and 1963 NFL Most Valuable Player, has died. He was 90.His family confirmed to LSU, where Tittle starred in college, that he passed away. No details were immediately provided.Known as ''The...

AP Sports WriterBrowns, Chiefs bear unmistakable thumbprint of their ex-GMBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) It doesn't take Andy Reid long when he pops on film of the Cleveland Browns for the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs to see the unmistakable thumbprint of former general manager...