NFL

AP Sports WriterFalcons looking for more decisive runs from rookie HillBy CHARLES ODUMFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Rookie running back Brian Hill is still adjusting to the speed of the NFL as he tries to win a backup job with the Atlanta Falcons.The problem is there isn't much time...

Dolphins' Ajayi joins drills for 1st time since concussionDAVIE, Fla. (AP) Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi has joined team drills for the first time since he was sidelined by a concussion July 31.Ajayi wore pads Sunday for the first time since the injury, but left practice early...

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...

AP Sports WriterRelocation fees help boost Packers in another strong yearBy GENARO C. ARMASNFL relocation fees helped boost the bottom line for the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFL.The league's only publicly owned team released its 2017 statement on Wednesday, reporting net income of $72.8 million.About...

Packers president: GM Ted Thompson doing a "great job"GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy says general manager Ted Thompson is doing a great job, and the team will have a plan in place whenever he decides to retire or step down.The 64 year-old Thompson...

Carolina fires general manager Gettleman after 4 seasonsCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Just over a week before training camp opens, the Carolina Panthers have no general manager. And no president.The team that faded from a Super Bowl spot to a losing season in 2016 fired Dave Gettleman on Monday, eight...

Associated PressPatriots' defensive stalwart Ninkovich retiresBy MAUREEN MULLENFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) New England Patriots defensive stalwart Rob Ninkovich capped his 11-year NFL career by announcing his retirement Sunday after the team's morning practice at Gillette Stadium.Since joining the Patriots in 2009, Ninkovich had proven to be one of the...

AP Sports WriterNFL has 1st female replay official, more leeway to celebrateBy STEPHEN HAWKINSIRVING, Texas (AP) Terri Valenti always enjoyed football as a little girl, but never dreamed then of being in the NFL. That became her goal only after officiating games for the first time in 1999.Valenti...

AP Sports WriterRoof to remain closed for openers at Atlanta's new stadiumBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) The retractable roof for the $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be closed when the facility debuts for an Atlanta Falcons preseason game next month.There's no date set on when the roof will be...

Rams tight end Higbee pleads guilty to assault in KentuckyBOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee will avoid jail time after pleading guilty to an assault charge that stemmed from a 2016 fight in a parking lot in Kentucky.The Daily News reports the former...

Jets sign TE Brandon Barnes, release WR Marquess WilsonFLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets have signed tight end Brandon Barnes and released wide receiver Marquess Wilson.Barnes was waived by Detroit on Aug. 9 after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama State in...

Lions waive Gaston from injured reserveALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Lions have waived defensive tackle Bruce Gaston from injured reserve.The team announced the move Saturday.Gaston hasn't appeared in an NFL regular-season game since the 2015 season, when he played in seven for the Chicago Bears and two...