NFL

AP Sports WriterWatt returns after injury to lead Texans defenseBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) J.J. Watt is healthy and ready to lead what should be another strong Houston Texans defense.The superstar defensive end is set to return after missing all but three games last season because of two back...

AP Sports WriterYoung coach Sean McVay tasked with rebuilding Rams' offenseBy GREG BEACHAMTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) Sean McVay realizes the magnitude of the rebuilding job he's facing with the Los Angeles Rams, who haven't finished a season with a winning record since he was a high school senior.McVay...

AP Sports WriterInjuries continue to cloud Colts' make-or-break seasonBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano kept hoping all those offseason workouts, a full training camp and four preseason games would give him a clearer picture for 2017.Instead, with Sunday's season opener looming, things look even murkier.Andrew...

AP Sports WriterLions eyeing matchup with Fitzgerald, Cardinals in openerBy NOAH TRISTERALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) Detroit cornerback Darius Slay recalls a time earlier in his career when he went up against Larry Fitzgerald, and the star receiver was able to beat the coverage.Fitzgerald immediately explained why to his...

AP Pro Football WriterSuper Bowl host Vikings seeking turnaroundBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) As if the Minnesota Vikings needed any more motivation for a turnaround, they're hosting the Super Bowl this season.What better way for this star-crossed franchise to win its first championship than to bask in the confetti...

AP Sports WriterBills QB Taylor returns to practice; not yet cleared to playBy JOHN WAWROWORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Bills starter Tyrod Taylor took the next step in recovering from a concussion by returning to practice on Monday.How Taylor feels over the next few days will determine whether he...

AP Sports WriterChiefs believe window to win Super Bowl is wide openBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) When the Kansas City Chiefs trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit less than a week before their opener in New England, all but 10 of the players they kept were...

AP Sports WriterLe'Veon Bell signs franchise tender, returns to SteelersBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell is officially back at work with the Pittsburgh Steelers.Bell signed his franchise tender on Monday, clearing him to return for the 2017 season. The team placed the franchise tag...

AP Pro Football WriterDomata Peko the antidote for Broncos' biggest bugabooBy ARNIE STAPLETONDENVER (AP) A much better supporting cast awaits quarterback Trevor Siemian in his second season as Broncos starter and Mike McCoy in his second stint as Denver's offensive coordinator.The Broncos bolstered their backfield by bringing in...

AP Sports WriterLuck able to practice but ruled out for Colts' openerBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Andrew Luck's still playing the waiting game.On Monday, two days after being activated from the physically unable to perform list, the Indianapolis Colts' franchise quarterback was ruled out of Sunday's season opener against...

AP Sports WriterJackson insists Browns focused on winning, not developingBy TOM WITHERSBEREA, Ohio (AP) Browns coach Hue Jackson has four quarterbacks, including a rookie starter, and not one has an NFL win on his resume.He's got only four cornerbacks, a new wide receiver with blazing speed but brittle...

AP Sports WriterBuffalo Bills rebuilding yet again under new coach McDermottBy JOHN WAWROWORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Bills coach Sean McDermott promised he'd build a winner in Buffalo. He didn't exactly say when.Though McDermott refuses to come out and say it, this season has the hallmark signs of a...