NFL

NFL suspends Lions DE Armonty Bryant for 4 gamesALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) Detroit Lions defensive end Armonty Bryant has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.He can return to the active roster on Oct. 2.The 26-year-old Bryant re-signed with...

AP Sports WriterTo protect and carry: Packers' young backs pick up blockingBy GENARO C. ARMASGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Getting on the field for the Green Bay Packers as a running back means in large part showing competence in one important skill that has nothing to do with carrying...

Packers receiver Geronimo Allison settles marijuana chargeMANITOWOC, Wis. (AP) Green Bay Packers receiver Geronimo Allison has reached a deal with prosecutors to settle a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.Allison will pay $330.50 to settle the charge after it was amended Tuesday to an ordinance violation. WLUK-TV reports he also...

Associated PressGronk confident he's ready for 2017 seasonBy MAUREEN MULLENFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) When healthy, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski can be one of the most devastating weapons in the NFL.The 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end is one of quarterback Tom Brady's favorite targets. Seemingly able to run...

Associated PressRaiders purchase land near Las Vegas Strip for new stadiumBy REGINA GARCIA CANOLAS VEGAS (AP) The Oakland Raiders have checked off one more item on a long to-do list in their effort to move to Las Vegas after buying more than 60 acres near the Las Vegas...

Patriots sign DE Rivers, highest selection in 2017 classFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots have signed third-round draft pick Derek Rivers.The team announced the signing Friday. A defensive end out of Youngstown State, Rivers was the Patriots' highest selection in April's draft at 83rd overall.With his signing,...

Associated PressRowe hopes to move up New England secondary depth chartBy MAUREEN MULLENFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Cornerback Eric Rowe added some depth to New England's secondary and performed well after he was traded from the Eagles last year. Now he will have to work his way up the depth...

AP Sports WriterNFL looking into incident with Jets' Lee, WilliamsBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The NFL is looking into an incident last weekend involving New York Jets players Darron Lee and Leonard Williams at a concert.Lee and Williams were attending the Governors Ball Music Festival on...

AP Sports WriterSmall-schoolers Everett, Kupp could be big catches for RamsBy GREG BEACHAMTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) Tight end Gerald Everett played at two junior colleges and a university that dropped its football program before finishing up at a school that had never produced a drafted NFL player before...

Saints sign 6 of 7 draft picks; only tackle Ramczyk unsignedMETAIRIE, La. (AP) New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has signed six of seven draft choices, leaving only offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk unsigned.Loomis, who announced the signings Friday, says cornerback Marshon Lattimore, safety Marcus...

Raiders sign 3rd-round pick DT Eddie VanderdoesALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Raiders have signed third-round defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes to a four-year contract.The team announced the deal on Wednesday that leaves only Oakland's two top picks still unsigned.Vanderdoes was selected 88th overall after four seasons at UCLA. He...

AP Sports WriterPanthers coach says Cam Newton to begin throwing next weekBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Cam Newton is almost ready to get back to work.Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the six-year NFL veteran quarterback is ahead of schedule in his rehab from shoulder surgery and is expected...