NFL

AP Sports WriterIron (line)man: Browns' Thomas a symbol of steady excellenceBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) As Joe Thomas crashed to his knees and grabbed his left arm, instinctively pulling his injured limb tightly to his body while screaming in pain, an audible gasp flowed through the crowd inside FirstEnergy...

AP Sports WriterDespite losing to Patriots, New York Giants showed promiseBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Getting beaten by 21 points in a game filled with major mistakes might not be a reason for optimism for most teams.It is for the New York Giants (2-4) despite the refusal...

AP Sports WriterRedskins' Thompson at peace returning to scene of injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNOASHBURN, Va. (AP) Chris Thompson feels the pain, not the nerves.Eleven months ago, the running back was in the middle of a career season with the Washington Redskins before he broke his right fibula on a...

AP Sports WriterSay his name: Rookie WR Valdes-Scantling on rise for PackersBy GENARO C. ARMASGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling turned to Twitter to give a tutorial about how to pronounce his first name.Get it straight: It's "mar-QUEZ" and not ''mar-KEZ.''''It happens all the time,'' Valdes-Scantling...

AP Pro Football WriterBroncos rookie running back Lindsay needs surgeryBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Broncos coach Vance Joseph says rookie running back Phillip Lindsay needs an operation on his injured right wrist and the recovery could take up to four months.Lindsay, the first undrafted offensive player ever to...

AP Pro Football WriterHizzoner! Jets rookie Sanders was mayor of hometown for dayBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Trevon Sanders spent some time off from crushing ball carriers on the football field to crunch numbers for the city budget.Lengthy meetings with local leaders, spirited conversations and hearty...

AP Sports WriterCardinals star WR Fitzgerald returning for 2020 seasonBy DAVID BRANDTTEMPE, Arizona (AP) Cardinals star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is coming back to the team for the 2020 season.There was speculation the 36-year-old Fitzgerald might retire, but the team announced Wednesday he has signed a one-year contract....

AP Pro Football WriterMartin hopes move to Raiders provides fresh start to careerBy JOSH DUBOWALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Doug Martin was in need of a new start after two straight subpar seasons led to his offseason release by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Getting the chance to do it near his...

AP Sports Writer'Prime' time? TE Ebron eager to start over with SteelersBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Eric Ebron isn't worried about Ben Roethlisberger's surgically repaired right elbow. The same goes for Ebron's balky ankle, which the newly signed Pittsburgh Steelers tight end said had “a whole lot of mess”...

NFL suspends Chargers NT Palepoi for violating PED policySAN DIEGO (AP) The NFL says nose tackle Tenny Palepoi of the San Diego Chargers has been suspended without pay for the team's next four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.The Chargers (5-8) are all but mathematically...

AP Sports WriterNative American groups ask NFL to force Redskins name changeBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Several Native American leaders and organizations sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday calling for the league to force Redskins owner Dan Snyder to change the team name immediately.The letter...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones was held out of practice on Wednesday after aggravating his sprained toe in Saturday's playoff win over Seattle. Jones is expected to play in Sunday's NFC championship game against Green Bay. He did not appear to favor the injury as...