NFL

AP Sports WriterOdell Beckham and Olivier Vernon miss Giants OTAsBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Giants ended their first week of voluntary organized team activities missing two of their biggest stars - wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon.The workout Thursday was...

Ravens release TE Dennis Pitta after third hip injuryOWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) The Baltimore Ravens have released tight end Dennis Pitta with an injury waiver after he hurt his right hip for a third time in practice last week.The injury occurred during an offseason practice session Friday. Each...

Associated PressRavens OL Urschel retires after 3 seasonsBy TODD KARPOVICHOWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman John Urschel has retired from the NFL after just three seasons.Urschel, a former fifth round pick from Penn State in 2014, received attention for pursuing his doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute...

Injury sidelines Bills safety Anderson day before camp opensPITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Bills safety Colt Anderson has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list because of a foot injury a day before the team opens training camp.The Bills didn't reveal the severity of the injury or...

Associated PressHernandez case brings effort to keep convictions intactBy BOB SALSBERGBOSTON (AP) The legal tradition in Massachusetts of erasing criminal convictions when a defendant dies before an appeal can be heard is coming under renewed scrutiny following the prison death of Aaron Hernandez.A judge dismissed the murder conviction...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Don't expect to see Kaepernick on an NFL field soonBy TIM DAHLBERGNo less of a coach than Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks believes that Colin Kaepernick is ''a starter in this league,'' whatever that means.It certainly doesn't mean Kaepernick will have a job in the...

AP Sports Writer49ers offense going through learning curveBy JOSH DUBOWSANTA CLARA, California (AP) A couple of passes bounced off receivers' hands into defenders for interceptions. Even more were dropped. Then there were the throws that didn't get made because the quarterback got sacked.The installation of new coach Kyle...

AP Sports WriterSaints eyeing youth, new additions as pads come onBy BRETT MARTELMETAIRIE, La. (AP) Saints rookie linebacker Alex Anzalone quickly diagnosed a screen pass to running back Adrian Peterson, bolted into the backfield and swarmed Peterson moments after the catch.For the first time this year, Saints coach...

Bills place QB Yates on IR, cut Coleman and sign 2 playersORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills have placed third-string quarterback T.J. Yates on the injured reserve list in making a series of moves before their season opener against the New York Jets on Sunday.Yates sustained a...

Former NFL linebacker shot dead in Reno apartment, 2 woundedRENO, Nev. (AP) Nevada authorities say former NFL linebacker Ryan Jones was shot dead over the weekend in a Reno apartment and two other people suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds.Reno Police Department spokesman Officer Tim Broadway declined comment Tuesday...

Texas Legislature fetes former Cowboys quarterback Tony RomoAUSTIN, Texas (AP) The Texas Legislature is honoring retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, praising his character and humble roots almost as much as his football accomplishments.Romo appeared Wednesday before the Texas House, which halted work so lawmakers could take photos...

Associated PressCardinals' Fitzgerald motivated by quest for championshipBy JOSE M. ROMEROGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Training camp is a drag at this point in Larry Fitzgerald's long and accomplished NFL career. Of course, the quest for the ring is the main reason the 14-year veteran continues to play.The longtime Arizona...