NFL

AP Sports WriterAtlanta Falcons' brotherhood starts with a little white ballBy PAUL NEWBERRYFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) For the Atlanta Falcons, brotherhood begins at three pingpong tables in the middle of the locker room.That's where friendships are forged and friendly wagers settled.And when that little white ball starts flying,...

AP Pro Football WriterAP source: Raiders fined $50,000 for COVID-19 violationBy JOSH DUBOWThe Las Vegas Raiders have been fined $50,000 for allowing an unauthorized team employee into the locker room following a game this season.A person familiar with the punishment told The Associated Press on Saturday that the fine...

AP Sports WriterBengals' Andy Dalton getting sacked at alarming rateBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) The Bengals passed it off as an opening-game aberration when Andy Dalton was sacked a career-high seven times in a win over the Jets. It turned out to be the start of a trend.Dalton has...

Panthers longtime running backs coach Jim Skipper retiresCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers running backs coach Jim Skipper has retired from coaching after 32 years in the NFL, including 15 with Carolina.Carolina ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards eight times in Skipper's 15 seasons, including each of the...

Seahawks' Earl Thomas activated; Dontae Johnson on IRRENTON, Wash. (AP) The Seattle Seahawks have activated safety Earl Thomas to the 53-man roster, making him eligible to play in Sunday's opener against Denver.Cornerback Dontae Johnson was placed on injured reserve Saturday after hurting his groin during practice this week....

The Latest: Jackson leads Ravens past Titans 20-13By The Associated PressThe Latest on wild-card Sunday in the NFL playoffs (all times EST)4 p.m.Lamar Jackson has secured his elusive first playoff victory.Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens past the Tennessee Titans 20-13 in an AFC wild card game Sunday.Jackson ran for...

Washington Redskins re-sign veteran guard Shawn LauvaoASHBURN, Va. (AP) The Washington Redskins have re-signed Shawn Lauvao as they look to fill a hole at starting left guard.The team announced the deal Tuesday. Lauvao spent the past four seasons with Washington, starting all 41 of his appearances.Lauvao, 30,...

AP Sports WriterGM: Jets unlikely to add another vet QB after McCown signingBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.NEW YORK (AP) It appears Josh McCown will be the lone veteran in the New York Jets' quarterbacks room this summer.The Jets might add yet another youngster, but whether McCown is the starter...

AP Sports WriterWatt to return for Texans in playoffs against BuffaloBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) J.J. Watt was a rookie in the 2011 playoffs when his spectacular performance against the Cincinnati Bengals led the Houston Texans to the first postseason win in franchise history.The spotlight will be on Watt...

The Latest: Sherman gives exaggerated handshakes to RamsBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the NFL's Week 6 (all times EDT):---4:30 p.m.Richard Sherman made sure nobody would question his pregame handshake etiquette this week.The San Francisco 49ers cornerback gave humorously exaggerated handshakes to the Los Angeles Rams' captains during the...

Associated PressJudge tosses suit against NFL over cheerleader wagesBy SUDHIN THANAWALASAN FRANCISCO (AP) A lawsuit accusing the NFL and team owners of conspiring to suppress wages for cheerleaders lacks evidence to support that claim, a federal judge said.U.S. District Judge William Alsup dismissed the lawsuit by a former...

Court sets hearing over NFL's blocked suspension of ElliottFRISCO, Texas (AP) A federal appeals court has set oral arguments for Oct. 2 in the NFL's bid to reinstate Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension over a domestic case in Ohio, meaning the star Dallas Cowboys running back will play at...