NFL

AP Sports WriterPanthers optimistic Cam Newton will be ready for openerBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers general manager Marty Hurney is ''cautiously optimistic'' Cam Newton will be ready for the Sept. 8 regular season opener against the Los Angeles Rams after the quarterback suffered a left mid-foot sprain...

AP Sports WriterChicago youth gets Super surprise from Goodell, BarkleyBy TOM CANAVANA sixth-grader from Chicago has turned a rejection from the NFL into a couple of extraordinary pieces of football memorabilia.Danny Speski received an autographed football from New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and a handwritten letter from...

AP Sports WriterMayfield set for rough test against Ravens' rabid defenseBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Baker Mayfield's first NFL start came inside Oakland's notorious Black Hole.No. 2 will be against some nasty black birds.It can only get easier after this.The top overall pick in this year's draft, Mayfield faces...

Associated PressAP analysis: The NFL keeps going younger and cheaperBy EDDIE PELLS and LARRY FENNBy the time NFL players reach their third and fourth years in the league, the vast majority are struggling just to hang on because of injuries or younger, faster and often cheaper rookies out for...

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - No Ice Bowl this time.In fact, as kickoff approached for the Cowboys-Packers playoff game Sunday, it was a ''balmy'' 21 degrees at Lambeau Field, with no wind. That was only 13 degrees colder than temperatures in Arlington, Texas, home of the Cowboys, at the...

AP Pro Football WriterTagliabue, ex-Giants GM George Young headed to Hall of FameBy BARRY WILNERFormer NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his fifth attempt.Tagliabue and former New York Giants general manager George Young made it as contributors. Ex-Dallas Cowboys safety Cliff Harris...

Titans add cornerback Adoree' Jackson to injury reportNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans added starting cornerback Adoree' Jackson to their injury report after he was limited at practice Friday.Coach Mike Vrabel spoke to reporters before practice, which was held on the Titans' indoor field with no media present....

AP Sports WriterFor Bears, sweetest pick of all was PaytonBy ANDREW SELIGMANBEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: RB Walter Payton. The Bears boast a record 28 Hall of Famers, from founder George Halas to 2018 inductee Brian Urlacher. But when it comes to the draft, the sweetest pick of all has...

AP Sports WriterCoaching roots run deep for new Packers DC Mike PetttineBy GENARO C. ARMASGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Coaching runs deep in Mike Pettine's family.Vacations to the Jersey shore as a child gave the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator a glimpse of the life. His father, a high...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: New England's Odd Couple writes a post-Brady scriptBy PAUL NEWBERRYThe Hoodie and the Fedora.Talk about an Odd Couple.Yet, much like Felix and Oscar, we have a feeling that Bill Belichick and Cam Newton will come to a detente that tests their comfort levels but serves them...

Dak Prescott was quite the revelation and consolation for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who was outmaneuvered for first-rounder Paxton Lynch and third-rounder Connor Cook in the NFL draft last April. Jones chose Prescott with the 135th pick of the fourth round, and Tony Romo's training camp injury microwaved plans...

QB Hoyer to make 1st start with Colts; Brissett ruled outINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have ruled out starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett for Sunday's game against Miami.It gives backup Brian Hoyer a chance to make his first start with the Colts.Brissett suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in...