NFL

AP Pro Football WriterIt's a catch: NFL owners approve simplified catch languageBy BARRY WILNERORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Maybe it's too late for Jesse James and the Steelers or Zach Miller and the Bears.No matter, the NFL has a simplified catch rule designed to eliminate confusion - and, the league...

Colts release 6 players to make room for rookies, sign 10INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have waived six players as they prepare to welcome their new draft picks and undrafted rookies.Linebacker Jermaine Grace, running back Matt Jones, receiver Justice Liggins, nose tackle Joey Mbu, defensive end Arthur Miley...

Associated PressBridgewater nearly sinks Saints in return to SuperdomeBy GUERRY SMITHNEW ORLEANS (AP) Teddy Bridgewater took a sack when he could least afford to late in the fourth quarter against the Saints.It was about the only mistake he made in his return to New Orleans a year after...

AP Pro Football WriterEagles' running backs showed plenty of promiseBy ROB MAADDIPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Eagles cut their two top rushers from last season because they have several options to run the football.They delivered in Week 1.Jordan Howard, Darren Sproles and Miles Sanders combined for 116 yards on...

AP Sports WriterJulio Jones in coach mode for start of Falcons' minicampBy CHARLES ODUMFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Julio Jones left his helmet inside and wore a floppy hat to the opening day of the Atlanta Falcons' three-day minicamp.As he prepares for his ninth season, Jones was in player-coach...

AP Sports WriterDolphins start hitting as part of training camp crash courseBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) The Miami Dolphins practiced in pads for the first time Monday, which meant 90 minutes of wearing face masks and making contact, as opposed to wearing cloth masks and following social distance guidelines.It...

Lions say Stafford's test was a false positiveDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Lions removed Matthew Stafford from the COVID-IR list, saying he received a false positive test result - and drawing the ire of the quarterback's wife toward the NFL.The list was created for players who either test positive...

Falcons QB Ryan to return from ankle injury against SaintsFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Quarterback Matt Ryan has been removed from the Atlanta Falcons injury report and appears set to play against the New Orleans Saints.Ryan had only limited participation in Friday's practice. But that was enough for coach...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Retaining coach Tom Coughlin for 2015 was only the start of what promises to be a busy offseason to-do list for ownership, the coaching staff, and general manager Jerry Reese.Co-owner John Mara said Tuesday that re-signing unrestricted free agents Jason Pierre-Paul and Antrel Rolle...

AP Sports WriterFrustrated Watt unleashes postgame tirade about effortBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Frustration boiled over for star J.J. Watt after the Houston Texans dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday.Samaje Perine ran for two touchdowns, including a 3-yard score late, to give the Cincinnati Bengals their first road...

AP Sports WriterCardinals still in search of elusive long-term QB solutionBy BOB BAUMTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) It's a new world for the Arizona Cardinals - a new head coach, new offense, new coordinators and an old problem.The team still needs a long-term solution at quarterback.When the Cardinals hired Carolina...

AP Sports WriterSaints safety Williams owning up to tackling deficienciesBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Saints safety Marcus Williams has made it a priority to directly and openly address those painful instances when his trouble with tackling has overshadowed his ability to defend passes.''The film doesn't lie,'' Williams said...