NFL

AP Pro Football WriterRaiders rookie class making big impact in 1st half of seasonBy JOSH DUBOWALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Jon Gruden built a winner in his first stint as coach of the Oakland Raiders by bringing in grizzled veterans such as Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice and Eric Allen to...

AP Pro Football WriterOne-handed prospect posts 20-rep bench pressBy ARNIE STAPLETONINDIANAPOLIS (AP) There's always energy in the bench press room at the NFL scouting combine when players grip the crossbar and begin pumping the 225 pounds of free weights as everybody nearby counts the repetitions.But never like this.Even...

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) Seeking a solution for their longtime kicking trouble, the Minnesota Vikings have acquired specialist Kaare Vedvik in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Vedvik has kicked and punted for Baltimore, which was set at those positions with standouts Justin Tucker and Sam Koch. The Ravens announced on...

AP Pro Football WriterJets struggling with rash of injuries at wide receiver spotBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Another day, another wide receiver banged up for the New York Jets.Jeff Smith was the latest to leave practice after injuring a shoulder during drills Saturday. Coach Adam Gase...

The Latest: Jags keeping Caldwell as GM, Marrone as coachBy The Associated PressThe Latest on Week 17 of the NFL's regular season (all times Eastern):4 p.m.The Jaguars are sticking with coach Doug Marrone, top decision-maker Tom Coughlin and general manager Dave Caldwell in 2019.Team owner Shad Khan made...

Bears bring back linebacker Aaron Lynch on 1-year contractLAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Chicago Bears are bringing back linebacker Aaron Lynch on a one-year contract.The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Lynch made three starts and appeared in 13 games last season, his first in Chicago. He recorded three sacks, four tackles...

AP Sports WriterChiefs' Spencer Ware tears knee ligament, could miss seasonBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to play this season without their top running back.Spencer Ware tore the posterior cruciate ligament and caused other damage to his right knee in Friday night's...

No injuries reported when crane collapses at LA stadium siteINGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) A large construction crane collapsed Friday morning outside SoFi Stadium, the new home of the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers and Rams, according to the fire department. No injuries were reported.Firefighters were dispatched to the stadium in...

Judge: Spa video can't be used in cases similar to Kraft'sWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) A judge says video surveillance from police busts at two massage parlors in Florida can't be used in prosecuting prostitution charges against alleged patrons in cases similar to one involving New England Patriots...

AP Sports WriterWashington's NFL team drops 'Redskins' name after 87 yearsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) The Washington NFL franchise announced Monday it is dropping the “Redskins” name and Indian head logo, bowing to recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans.A new...

Jets sign free agent WR Josh DoctsonFLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets have signed free agent Josh Doctson to add depth to their wide receiver position.The Jets announced the signing Saturday. Doctson was a first-round pick by Washington out of TCU in 2016 but failed to...

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Chicago Bears have hired University of Tennessee receivers coach and passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni as their receivers coach. Tennessee announced Wednesday that Azzanni accepted the job on John Fox's staff in Chicago. Azzanni had been Tennessee's wide receivers coach for the last four seasons. He previously...