NFL

Associated PressSteelers WR Johnson dedicates rookie year to late coachBy DAN SCIFOPITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is dedicating his rookie season to Darryl Drake.Drake died a week ago and Johnson honored the Steelers' former wide receivers coach with his first NFL touchdown reception in Pittsburgh's...

AP Sports WriterMiddle men: Browns hoping erratic kickers straighten outBy TOM WITHERSBEREA, Ohio (AP) Browns coach Freddie Kitchens isn't quite ready to give his kickers the boot.Despite erratic performances - wide right, wide left, short, off the uprights - in training camp and exhibitions by incumbent Greg Joseph...

AP Sports WriterGordon back with Patriots while on non-football injury listBy JIMMY GOLENFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Oft-suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon returned to the New England Patriots' practice field on Monday without pads and without saying when he might be able to play again.Gordon was seen stretching on the...

AP Sports WriterRivera says Cam's backup in Carolina still uncertainBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) While Cam Newton remains the clear-cut starting quarterback in Carolina, his primary backup remains largely uncertain.Kyle Allen started the first two preseason games and appears to have the edge over third-round draft pick Will...

AP Sports WriterMiddle men: Browns hoping erratic kickers straighten outBy TOM WITHERSBEREA, Ohio (AP) Browns coach Freddie Kitchens isn't quite ready to give his kickers the boot.Despite erratic performances - wide right, wide left, short, off the uprights - in training camp and exhibitions by incumbent Greg Joseph...

Rodgers expected to play in Packers' 3rd preseason gameGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Aaron Rodgers is participating in practice and is expected to play in the Packers' third preseason game against the Oakland Raiders in Canada.Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said Monday the plan is for the two-time...

Titans running back Derrick Henry back at practice, limitedNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Titans running back Derrick Henry is back at practice for the first time since hurting his left calf on the opening day of Tennessee's training camp.Henry took part in individual drills Monday as the Titans worked in...

Colts put Fountain on injured reserve, waive veteran safetyINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have put second-year receiver Daurice Fountain and running back D'Onta Foreman on injured reserve and waived veteran safety Derrick Kindred.Fountain suffered a dislocated and fractured left ankle in practice Thursday and had season-ending surgery Friday.Foreman...

AP Sports WriterMiddle men: Browns hoping erratic kickers straighten outBy TOM WITHERSBEREA, Ohio (AP) Browns coach Freddie Kitchens isn't ready to give his kickers the boot.Kitchens said Monday there are no immediate plans to sign another kicker despite erratic performances by incumbent Greg Joseph and rookie Austin Seibert...

Titans kicker Ryan Succop, TE Jonnu Smith off PUP listNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans are getting kicker Ryan Succop and tight end Jonnu Smith back on the field and off the physically unable to perform list after each passed physicals.The Titans announced the roster changes Monday.Succop had...

AP Pro Football WriterA lot of parallels: Elway has long been Lynch's idol, mentorBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch always wanted to be like John Elway, his idol growing up and his mentor in the NFL both on the football field and...

AP Sports WriterESPN documentary shows Bleier's emotional return to VietnamBy JOE REEDYRocky Bleier thought he made peace with what happened in a rice paddy in Vietnam on Aug. 20, 1969.What the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back didn't have though was closure until a trip back there last year.Bleier's visit...