NFL

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: We need Kaepernick more than ever in troubled timesBy PAUL NEWBERRYIt's been a terrible week in America.Maybe if we had just followed the lead of Colin Kaepernick, who had hoped the simple, non-violent act of taking a knee during the national anthem would move us to...

AP Sports WriterGiants defense looking to build off excellent seasonBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has every right to be optimistic about the upcoming season.His unit carried the team to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth in Ben McAdoo's first...

AP Sports WriterLB Julian Stanford standing out, hoping to stick with JetsBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Julian Stanford was stunned by what he saw between him and the quarterback.Nothing at all.The New York Jets linebacker was unblocked and untouched as he bolted up the middle at...

AP Sports WriterLB Julian Stanford standing out, hoping to stick with JetsBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Julian Stanford was stunned by what he saw between him and the quarterback.Nothing at all.The New York Jets linebacker was unblocked and untouched as he bolted up the middle at...

Seahawks LT George Fant taken off on cart with knee injurySEATTLE (AP) Seahawks left tackle George Fant has been taken off the field on the cart after appearing to suffer a significant right knee injury in a preseason game against Minnesota.Fant, the presumptive starter going into the regular...

Associated PressOakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith faces assault chargeBy MICHAEL BALSAMOLOS ANGELES (AP) Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith has been charged with beating his sister's boyfriend last month, Los Angeles prosecutors said Thursday.The 30-year-old Smith is scheduled to be arraigned next month on assault and battery charges, according...

Associated PressChargers WR Keenan Allen shows signs of moving past injuriesBy DAN GREENSPANCOSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) If there were any doubts that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is healthy again, joint practices with the Rams and New Orleans Saints have quashed them.Allen caught touchdowns in live...

Zuttah returns to Ravens after being traded in MarchOWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) The Baltimore Ravens have signed center Jeremy Zuttah, who returns to the team that traded him to San Francisco in March.Zuttah started every game last year and made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He was...

Bears sign free-agent LB Sheppard, waive rookie EkpeCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Bears have signed veteran free-agent linebacker Kelvin Sheppard.The team announced the signing Friday and also waived rookie linebacker Hendrick Ekpe.Sheppard is entering his seventh season in the NFL. He had 50 tackles and made 11 starts for...

Seahawks agree on contract extension with C Justin BrittRENTON, Wash. (AP) Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt signed a multiyear contract extension Thursday that will keep the anchor of the offensive line in place beyond the 2017 season.Coach Pete Carroll said early Thursday that the sides were ''really close''...

AP Sports WriterVrabel a hit in 1st year in charge of Texans defenseBy KRISTIE RIEKENWHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) Mike Vrabel isn't making any drastic changes in his first season as the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator.After what the unit did last year he knows that isn't necessary. The...

AP Sports WriterMathieu starting to look like 'Honey Badger' againBy BOB BAUMGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) As the Arizona Cardinals training camp drags on, Tyrann Mathieu is looking more and more like his old ''Honey Badger'' self.''There's been a bunch of it,'' coach Bruce Arians said before Thursday's practice. ''He's...