NFL

Dolphins' Parker, Falcons' Sanu inactive because of injuriesBy The Associated PressThe Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons are missing starting wide receivers because of injuries.Miami's DeVante Parker is inactive with an ankle injury after being listed as doubtful on the team's most recent update.As expected, Mohamed Sanu is out for...

AP Sports WriterNext QB?: Chargers contemplate drafting successor to RiversBy GREG BEACHAMCOSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) For any NFL team with a star quarterback of a certain age, the draft is an annual chance to anoint a successor.It's also a chance for fans, pundits and the rest of the...

AP Sports WriterChiefs' Mahomes still starring with big money on horizonBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Chiefs had just lost to the Tennessee Titans, their fourth defeat in the first 10 games of the season, and much of the optimism that surrounded the defending AFC...

Panthers' Newton says he needs 'time away from game' to healCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers quarterback Cam Newton says he plans on taking ''time away from the game'' because of a mid-foot sprain that has bothered him since the third preseason game.Newton says in a 15-minute blog released Friday...

AP Sports WriterTexans' J.J. Watt fulfills dream in Green Bay - sort ofBy KEITH JENKINSGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) J.J. Watt remembers standing outside the Packers' practice field as a kid, watching Brett Favre through the holes of the chain-link fence. He dreamed of one day being on the...

AP Sports WriterJim Taylor, fierce fullback for mighty Packers, dies at 83By GENARO C. ARMASJim Taylor, the ferocious Hall of Fame fullback who embodied the Green Bay Packers' unstoppable ground game during the Vince Lombardi era and helped the team win four NFL titles and the first Super Bowl,...

Associated PressGroup accused of shipping Colorado pot to other staresBy KRISTEN WYATTDENVER (AP) A mammoth marijuana trafficking ring that pretended to be growing weed for sick people was instead illegally shipping the drug to a half-dozen other states and bilking investors, including former NFL players, Colorado officials announced...

49ers sign K Jonathan Brown to 2-year dealSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers have signed free-agent kicker Jonathan Brown to a two-year contract.The deal to add Brown on Friday gives the 49ers a second kicker for the offseason behind Robbie Gould. San Francisco placed the franchise...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Saints, Winston in 'advanced' negotiationsBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) The Saints and quarterback Jameis Winston are working on a contract proposal to make the former Buccaneers starter a backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated...

Associated PressBears offensive problems starting to wear out their defenseBy GENE CHAMBERLAINLAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The lackluster Chicago Bears offense is taking a toll on its defense.Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky didn't need to see his weary teammates on the other side of the ball after Sunday's 36-25 loss to...

AP Sports WriterWatson's mind key to success with Houston TexansBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) When not practicing or breaking down film, Deshaun Watson looks for ways to motivate.Before Houston's playoff win last week, the quarterback gave his offense high-end headphones with a note that read: "Let's be great."“I just...

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson has a concussion after his best game of the season. Patterson was held out of practice Thursday. He took some hard hits in the team's loss last week at Philadelphia, where he caught all seven passes thrown to him for...