NFL

After drop-off last season, Bears look for big reboundBy The Associated PressCHICAGO BEARS (8-8)CAMP SITE: Lake Forest, Ill.LAST YEAR: Bears went from winning NFC North at 12-4 in coach Matt Nagy's first season to finishing third in division and missing playoffs for eighth time in nine years. QB Mitchell...

Lions put Lelito on IR, sign Jacquies SmithALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Lions have put guard Tim Lelito on injured reserve with a thigh problem and signed defensive end Jacquies Smith.The team announced the moves Monday.Lelito played in two games this season for the Lions.Smith played in...

AP Pro Football WriterTitans host Texans in battle for AFC South leadBy BARRY WILNERRemember the Titans? You'd better do so.The Tennessee Titans suddenly look like world beaters. Or, at least, a solid choice to win the AFC South.They have won four straight and six of seven to climb into...

AP Pro Football WriterMarshawn Lynch's appeal of 1-game suspension deniedBy JOSH DUBOWALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Marshawn Lynch's appeal of his one-game suspension for shoving an official was denied Tuesday and the running back will miss Oakland's game this week at Buffalo.Appeals officer James Thrash, who was appointed jointly by...

AP Pro Football WriterJets' Powell needs surgery on neck injury, could end careerBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) New York Jets running back Bilal Powell needs surgery to repair a bulging disk in his neck, and coach Todd Bowles says it's a potentially career-ending injury.Powell was placed...

AP Pro Football WriterToughest task of all begins now for Jets, GM Joe DouglasBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Get ready, Joe Douglas. All eyes are on you for the next several months.The New York Jets general manager embarks on his first full offseason in charge, with...

Raiders sign free agent G Jonathan CooperALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent guard Jonathan Cooper.The team made the move Monday to add a veteran guard after news last week that projected starter Richie Incognito will be suspended for the first two games of the...

Jim Garrett, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett's dad, dies at 87DALLAS (AP) Jim Garrett, the father of Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and a longtime scout for the club, has died. He was 87.The team said Jim Garrett died Friday night with his wife, Jane, and his eight children...

Bills will retire Thurman Thomas' No. 34 on Oct. 29BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills plan to retire Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas' No. 34 jersey Oct. 29 when they host the New England Patriots.Thomas will become the third player to have his number retired. The...

AP Sports WriterAfter trading Beckham, Giants made sure Shepard staysBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Sterling Shepard to a four-year contract extension.The Giants announced the signing Friday just a month after general manager Dave Gettleman stunned many by trading offensive...

AP Pro Football WriterLeague's 1st championship game, draft highlight NFL in 1930sBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.A look at the NFL's second decade, the 1930s:FRANCHISESThe 1930 season was played with 11 clubs, including the Portsmouth Spartans - who became the Detroit Lions in 1934 - the lone newcomer. It also marked...

AP Pro Football WriterPenn State's Saquon Barkley is a do-it-all running backBy ARNIE STAPLETONINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The only thing that Saquon Barkley has to prove at the NFL combine this week is that he's every bit as good as advertised.''For a guy like Barkley who has worked so hard...