NFL

AP Sports WriterPanthers rookie TE Ian Thomas making impact alreadyBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Panthers are beginning to feel like they have hit on something big with fourth-round draft pick Ian Thomas.The rookie tight end has carried over an outstanding performance in training camp to the preseason,...

AP Sports WriterBills count on LB Edmunds' ability to counter growing painsBy JOHN WAWROWORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was in the midst of discussing his ideal prototypical sizes for players at various positions, when Tremaine Edmunds' name was mentioned.''Hah,'' Frazier said, before pausing to...

AP Sports WriterSuccess of Giants' offense rests with lineBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) There is no doubt the New York Giants have the talent at the skill positions to be a success on offense.It starts with two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning at quarterback and extends to...

Associated PressBears linebacker Leonard Floyd undergoes surgery on handBy GENE CHAMBERLAINLAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Despite impressive preseason numbers, the Chicago Bears will enter the regular season no more certain about their pass rush than when they opened training camp due to an injury to linebacker Leonard Floyd.Floyd, the...

Seahawks release longest-tenured player, punter Jon RyanRENTON, Wash. (AP) The Seattle Seahawks have put an end to the kicking competitions in training camp, releasing kicker Jason Myers and punter Jon Ryan, who had been the longest-tenured member of the team.Ryan posted a lengthy goodbye to the Seahawks and...

AP Sports WriterPeterson signs, Kelley is still Redskins' top running backBy STEPHEN WHYNOA slimmed-down Rob Kelly is likely to remain the Washington Redskins' top running back even though Adrian Peterson is joining the team to bolster its decimated backfield.Amid four injuries in their backfield, the Redskins signed the 33-year-old...

RotoExpertsFANTASY PLAYS: Busts not necessarily awful, just expensiveBy CHRIS MITCHELLFantasy busts aren't necessarily terrible players by any standard measure. They're just disappointing at the end of the season compared with what owners expected at the beginning of it.It's all about expectations.Here are the most overdrafted, biggest potential busts of...

Adrian Peterson signs with running back-depleted RedskinsASHBURN, Va. (AP) The Washington Redskins have signed four-time All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson.The team announced the deal Monday after meeting with Peterson. Jamaal Charles and Orleans Darkwa also visited the Redskins the past two days after several injuries at the position,...

AP Sports WriterCardinals' Iupati motivated, impressive this preseasonBy BOB BAUMTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Even stronger than usual and in the best of health, Arizona Cardinals guard Mike Iupati is mowing down everything in front of him this preseason.''I'm just playing ball,'' the 6-foot-5, 331-pound left guard said after the...

AP Sports WriterGordon back with Browns, watches teammates practiceBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was back at practice on Sunday - as a spectator.Gordon visited with teammates and Hall of Famer Jim Brown a day after ending his three-week absence from training camp and missing...

AP Pro Football WriterTitans, Eagles lead NFL with most lowering-head penaltiesBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The NFL tapped Titans coach Mike Vrabel to narrate a video detailing the new rule on lowering the head to initiate contact, hoping the man who played 14 years as a linebacker...

AP Pro Football WriterJets' McCown still leads, competes even as Darnold emergesBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Josh McCown is still No. 1 on the New York Jets' quarterback depth chart. At this point, though, he might as well be No. 100.With each practice, it appears increasingly...