NFL

AP Sports WriterPanthers QBs: Grier starts throwing, Newton still waitingBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Rookie quarterback Will Grier got in his first work with the Carolina Panthers, while Cam Newton continued to be limited - even on the kickball field.Grier, the team's rookie third-round draft pick, threw for...

S Eric Reid: 49ers won't force players to stand for anthemSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers won't be forcing their players to stand during the national anthem, safety Eric Reid said Wednesday.Reid, the first player to join Colin Kaepernick in protest last season, said he had...

AP Pro Football WriterNow play-calling for Vikings, Kubiak 'never lost the joy'By DAVE CAMPBELLEAGAN, Minn. (AP) After a smooth first year as an offensive adviser for the Minnesota Vikings, Gary Kubiak was presented with the opportunity to rediscover his play-calling acumen.When offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski climbed the ladder...

AP Sports WriterBrees will stand for anthem, but respects those who kneelBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Saints quarterback Drew Brees says he will continue to stand for the American flag but respects and supports any form of peaceful demonstration - including kneeling during the national anthem - by...

AP Sports WriterBritish Invasion? Rugby player looks to stick with SteelersBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Christian Scotland-Williamson looks the part.Standing on the practice field with the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the rookie tight end blends in seamlessly. The 25-year-old is tall (6-foot-9), big (275 pounds) and athletic.Then Scotland-Williamson...

AP Sports WriterHaskins will be Washington's Week 1 starting quarterbackBy STEPHEN WHYNORon Rivera told his players Dwayne Haskins will be Washington's starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, then he reflected on a similar declaration he made almost a decade ago.Rivera was entering his first season as...

Tom Brady saves 1st tweet for April Fools' Day: I'm retiringFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Don't. Even. Joke.New England Patriots fans who forgot that Monday is April Fools' Day might have been panicking when quarterback Tom Brady tweeted that he had decided to retire.The six-time Super Bowl champion has joined...

SAN DIEGO (AP) Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is done for the season after injuring a kidney while making a spectacular touchdown catch in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.The Chargers placed Allen on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday. They also released veteran receiver Jacoby Jones.Allen, who was...

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 Sports WriterBrowns find help inside AFC North with Bengals DT BillingsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Browns stayed inside their division - and state borders - to add some defensive help.Cleveland beefed up its front by agreeing to a one-year contract with free agent Andrew Billings, who spent...

AP Sports WriterBelichick says he 'can't take it anymore' with tablet useBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) Bill Belichick is throwing in the towel in his ongoing fight with the use of tablets on the sideline.Responding to a question in a conference call Tuesday about headset issues the Patriots had...

AP Sports WriterLions reach 1-year agreement with RB Matt AsiataBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Lions have agreed to a one-year deal with running back Matt Asiata.Agent Kenny Zuckerman confirmed the deal Friday night. Asiata played the past five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.The agreement doesn't come as...