NFL

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald noticed a positive change in the organization following last year's turbulent season. McDonald also noticed a difference in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the chemistry surrounding the team as a whole after the Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since...

AP Pro Football WriterOld friends Shanahan, McVay square off when 49ers face RamsBy JOSH DUBOWSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan arrived as head coaches in the NFC West together last year as longtime friends and colleagues tasked with revitalizing struggling franchises.McVay has done a much...

AP Sports WriterBrowns interview 49ers coordinator Saleh for coaching jobBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Robert Saleh's defense sacked Baker Mayfield and shut down Cleveland's offense this season. The Browns now want to see if he can help build them into winners.The Browns are interviewing Saleh, the 49ers' defensive coordinator,...

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

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Giants released popular punter Steve Weatherford on Friday and acquired Brad Wing in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.The moves came days after coach Tom Coughlin suggested neither Weatherford nor free agent Robert Malone would be his punter this season.Malone was...

Associated PressMurray, Walker, Morgan questionable for Titans vs. BrownsBy TERRY McCORMICKNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans are unsure whether a trio of players will be able to play Sunday when they visit the winless Cleveland Browns.Running back DeMarco Murray, who tweaked his hamstring for the second time this...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) An arbitrator is sending Colin Kaepernick's grievance with the NFL to trial, denying the league's request to throw out the quarterback's claims that owners conspired to keep him out of the league because of his protests of social injustice. Kaepernick's lawyer Mark Geragos tweeted a picture Thursday of...

AP Sports WriterSteelers' Smith-Schuster still 'lit' but with a dash of gritBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Don't get it twisted. Life is still very much ''lit'' for JuJu Smith-Schuster. A quick scan of the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver's hyperactive social media accounts offers all the proof required.There's the soon-to-be...

AP Pro Football WriterBrady, Gurley: From 2019 Super Bowl foes to same divisionBy BARRY WILNERFor now, there are four Super Bowl quarterbacks in the NFC South, including a newcomer.Some guy named Brady.Tom Brady's monumental move from New England, where he won six NFL titles, to Tampa Bay has him...

NEW YORK (AP) - Will Katy Perry be a firework at the Super Bowl? Will she show them what she's worth? Will she let her colors burst? NFL announced late Sunday - after rumors swirled for weeks - that the pop star will headline the Pepsi Super Bowl halftime show...

AP Sports WriterSteelers CB Joe Haden enjoying renaissance in PittsburghBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The end came quickly in Cleveland for Joe Haden, a stark reminder that the NFL is a business. The Browns were rebuilding again in the summer of 2017, and having a cornerback in his late...

The Latest: Rail line cleared after blockage by protestersMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Latest from the Super Bowl (all times local):5 p.m.Police in Minneapolis have removed protesters who locked themselves across a light-rail line near U.S. Bank Stadium, temporarily halting trains carrying fans to the Super Bowl.Live footage from the...