NFL

The Latest: Brees starts to heat up after slow startBy The Associated PressThe Latest on Week 15 in the NFL (all times EST):---5:35 p.m.New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees needed more than a full quarter to complete a pass or lead the Saints to a first down.Once he did, he...

Steelers QB Rudolph will return as starter after concussionPITTSBURGH (AP) Looks like ''Duck Season'' will last just a week for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Mason Rudolph will return to the starting lineup after being cleared by an independent neurological consultant following a concussion he...

Patriots sign tight end Ben Watson, 7 of 10 draft picksFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots have signed veteran tight end Ben Watson and seven of their 10 draft choices.New England announced the signings Friday. The Patriots inked deals with second-round defensive back JoeJuan Williams, offensive linemen...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will miss his fourth straight game Sunday at Atlanta, while cornerback Phillip Gaines was added to the injury report as questionable with a knee injury.Maclin had been questionable with a lingering groin injury on the final injury report Friday. The Chiefs...

Tight end Lee Smith back with Bills after time with RaidersORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Tight end Lee Smith has rejoined the Buffalo Bills after spending the past four seasons with the Oakland Raiders.The Bills said Monday the 31-year-old Smith signed a three-year contract. He played his first four...

Vikings' public relations staff wins Pete Rozelle AwardBy The Associated PressThe Minnesota Vikings' public relations staff has won the Pete Rozelle Award from the Professional Football Writers of America for excellence in dealing with the media.The Vikings' PR staff is the 29th Rozelle Award winner and earned the award...

AP Sports WriterLandry signs $75 million contract extension with BrownsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Before throwing Jarvis Landry a pass, the Browns made a huge commitment to him.Cleveland signed the star wide receiver to a five-year, $75 million contract extension on Friday night, locking up a game-changing player they're...

Miami Dolphins draft capsuleBy The Associated Press11. MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-10)LAST SEASON: Dolphins missed playoffs for eighth time in nine seasons, and backslid in Year 2 under coach Adam Gase, leaving regime at crossroads in 2018. Miami was wildly inconsistent, undisciplined team last year, and Gase addressed issue in...

AP Pro Football WriterAP source: Cowboys' Collins, Lee headed to IR, should returnBy SCHUYLER DIXONFRISCO, Texas (AP) Right tackle La'el Collins and linebacker Sean Lee will start the season on injured reserve for the Dallas Cowboys with a chance to return after three weeks, a person with knowledge...

AP Pro Football WriterJake Butt says he was tempted to quit during latest comebackBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Jake Butt is equal parts unfortunate and unflappable.In three seasons with the Denver Broncos, the star-crossed tight end from Michigan has played in as many games (three) as he's had...

NEW YORK (AP) The NFL has hired 24 full-time game officials, including veteran referees Walt Anderson and Pete Morelli. The NFL and NFL Referees Association made the announcement Thursday. The number of full-time officials is up from 21 last season. All seven on-field officiating positions - referee, umpire, down judge, line...

Titans waive CB Johnathan Joseph, long snapper Beau BrinkleyNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans have waived veteran long snapper Beau Brinkley and cornerback Johnathan Joseph.The Titans made the moves Tuesday.Brinkley had been the Titans' long snapper since 2012, playing in 135 games over the past nine seasons. He...