NFL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Once a football hero celebrated in New Orleans for his role in the Saints' Super Bowl season, Darren Sharper is returning to the city in disgrace to complete plea deals on charges that he drugged and sexually assaulted women.He has resolved similar charges with pleas...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed running back Jonas Gray off Miami's practice squad, a move that could mean starter T.J. Yeldon won't play Sunday because of a sprained left knee.The Jaguars waived receiver Rashad Lawrence to make room for Gray, who also has spent time...

CINCINNATI (AP) Texans cornerback Charles James stopped in a corner of the tiger-striped end zone and cupped a hand to his right ear, seeing what the crowd had to say about this outcome.Not much. They'd seen it before.T.J. Yates came off the bench in the second half and...

If you're dizzy from ''Deflategate,'' take heart. It's time to talk football and put aside all that hot air.Tom Brady is suiting up Thursday night against Pittsburgh when the New England Patriots celebrate their victories in the Super Bowl and federal court.Commissioner Roger Goodell's appeal of his latest loss...

RENTON, Wash. (AP) It doesn't take long for the speed of Kevin Pierre-Louis to catch your eye.The second-year Seahawks linebacker has loads of it. It's a trait that Seattle covets in its linebackers and Pierre-Louis fits the bill.Pierre-Louis showed flashes in limited action as a rookie before a...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Don't worry. The New England Patriots should be just fine for the playoffs.That's the message Tom Brady delivered after his offense's second straight poor performance.And this time they had an excuse: Brady played just the first half and six other key starters didn't play at...

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy stood near an entrance to Tampa Bay's locker room talking about the end to another disappointing season.But instead of venting frustration, the NFL's highest-paid player at his position spoke about what he's convinced will be much better days ahead...

PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter has been fined $300 after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct stemming from a dispute with a bar bouncer and a police officer last month. Porter entered the plea Tuesday in City Court in Pittsburgh, ending a case in which he originally faced...

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Organizers behind a proposed stadium near Los Angeles that could become home for the NFL's San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders say they have hit an important, early benchmark on the path to construction.Supporters announced Saturday they have collected 14,000 petition signatures in the city...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Colts coach Chuck Pagano says in a statement Friday night that he expects to keep his current job for ''many years to come.''Pagano is entering the final year of his original four-year deal with Indianapolis. Earlier this week, Pagano told local reporters at the league's annual...

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Raiders sent Derek Carr home to rest after the rookie quarterback showed up Tuesday feeling ill.It's the first practice that Carr has missed since being selected as Oakland's starter at the end of the preseason. The 23-year-old has also been slowed by ankle,...

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) Well aware that his Washington Redskins entered recent Decembers with nothing to play for, DeAngelo Hall figured a little in-your-face motivational material couldn't hurt now that the team is in position to pursue a playoff berth.So Hall grabbed some sheets of paper posted in meeting...