NFL

Saints rule out WR Thomas, 5 other starters vs. LionsMETAIRIE, La. (AP) The New Orleans Saints ruled out top receiver Michael Thomas and five other starters for Sunday's game against the Lions in Detroit.Thomas, a two-time All-Pro who last season set an NFL single-season record with 149 catches,...

AP Sports WriterChargers QB Rivers will enter free agency after 16 seasonsBy JOE REEDYCOSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) Philip Rivers' 16-year career with the Chargers has come to an end.The franchise announced Monday that Rivers will enter free agency and not return for the upcoming season. General manager Tom...

AP Sports WriterEx-Colts GM Ryan Grigson joins Browns' staff as top adviserBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson was hired Friday as a senior adviser for the Cleveland Browns, reuniting with general manager Andrew Berry.Berry, a first-time GM and the NFL's youngest, has now filled...

AP Sports WriterGiants' Geno Smith says playing the Jets will be specialBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Playing the New York Jets is going to be special for Geno Smith.Not only is it a chance for the 26-year-old to nail down the Giants' backup quarterback job in the...

The Latest: Dayton says he didn't ask for stadium departuresMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Latest on departures at the authority overseeing management of the Minnesota Vikings' stadium (all times local):4:10 p.m.Gov. Mark Dayton says he didn't ask for the resignations of two top leaders from the Minnesota Vikings' stadium oversight...

AP Sports WriterGiants WR Tate suspended 4 games for fertility drug useBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has had the appeal of his four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's policy on performance enhancers turned down.The decision by an independent...

AP Pro Football WriterSkins head to London vs. Bengals after mistake-filled lossBy HOWARD FENDRICHASHBURN, Va. (AP) Matt Jones' problems holding onto the football are hardly the only mistake the Washington Redskins will want to correct before they play again.Still, Jones' fumbling woes are going to get a lot...

The Latest: Up 21-0 against Raiders, Chiefs taking controlBy The Associated PressThe Latest on Week 13 in the NFL (all times EST):---5:50 p.m.The Chiefs have seized control of their game against Oakland by taking a 21-0 lead into halftime, and possibly the AFC West as well.Patrick Mahomes has touchdowns...

AP Pro Football WriterBroncos reverse the script, can they keep it up?By ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos will try to replicate their energy and emotion from their 45-10 blowout of the Arizona Cardinals so they don't fall into the same morass they did the last...

AP Sports WriterBrowns' Tyrod Taylor 'doing well' after injuring handBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Browns starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor says on Twitter he's ''doing well'' after injuring his left hand against Philadelphia.Taylor was hurt when he fell without contact and landed on his non-throwing hand and wrist in the...

AP Sports WriterSeahawks rookie draft class hit hard by injuries in campBy TIM BOOTHRENTON, Wash. (AP) None of the Seattle Seahawks' top three draft picks were on the practice field Wednesday.Wide receiver DK Metcalf had minor knee surgery and safety Marquise Blair was dealing with back spasms.The two...

AP Pro Football WriterCarr recalls boost 4th preseason game gave him as rookieBy JOSH DUBOWALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Derek Carr will most definitely spend Thursday night on the sideline, wearing no pads and cheering his Oakland Raiders teammates on in the final exhibition game.As the franchise quarterback, Carr is...