Xavier Woods
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn arrives at the NFL football team's training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Panthers' Horn returns, has chance to be a 'special player'

By Steve Reed Aug. 02, 2022 04:36 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Eagan, Minn., on June 8, 2022. Smith begins his 11th NFL season, all with the Vikings. The six-time Pro Bowl safety is a new father, too, with plenty to be happy about as the Vikings start camp under a new coaching staff. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikings 'old guy' Harrison Smith feeling spry in season 11

By Dave Campbell Jul. 26, 2022 06:11 PM EDT

FILE - New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after the Jets defeated the Browns 23-16 in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Carolina Panthers now have two of the top three overall picks from the 2018 NFL draft on their roster. The big question is which one of them will start for them this season at quarterback. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Mayfield, Darnold to compete for Panthers QB starting job

By The Associated Press Jul. 15, 2022 01:15 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell directs players during drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Eagan, Minn., May 17, 2022. O’Connell takes the Vikings into his first training camp, after being hired in February to replace Mike Zimmer. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
As Vikings start O'Connell era, defense again under scrutiny

By The Associated Press Jul. 15, 2022 01:11 PM EDT

FILE - Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. or now, Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker are the only quarterbacks on the roster, although that figures to change before the season begins. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Panthers enter draft still searching for a franchise QB

By Steve Reed Apr. 22, 2022 05:41 PM EDT

FILE - Malik Willis, center, talks with Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze, left, and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during Liberty football Pro Day in Lynchburg, Va., Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Carolina is likely to have its choice of the top three quarterbacks in the draft at No. 6 — Liberty’s Malik Willis, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett and Mississippi’s Matt Corral — but there is plenty of debate as to whether any of them are worthy of being top 10 picks. (AP Photo/Kendall Warner)
Panthers have glaring needs at QB, OT entering NFL draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 12:42 PM EDT

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. runs through drills during LSU Pro Day for NFL football coaches and scouts in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Vikings enter draft with still-pressing need at cornerback

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:48 AM EDT

Panthers navigating unsettled QB situation after Watson snub

By Steve Reed Mar. 25, 2022 05:21 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers desperately wanted to land Deshaun Watson to solve the quarterback issues that have plagued them for the better part of...

FILE - Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a two-year contract that will give Trubisky a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job following Roethlisberger's retirement in January. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official. Financial details were not disclosed. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
NFL free agency: Let the dealing begin, mostly unofficial

By Barry Wilner Mar. 14, 2022 04:47 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings free safety Xavier Woods (23) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms on a three-year, $15.75 million contract with free-agent safety Xavier Woods, according to a person familiar with the situation, Monday, March 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
AP sources: Panthers agree to terms with Corbett, Woods

By Steve Reed Mar. 14, 2022 01:00 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Vikings have little space to spend with big holes on defense

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 11:13 AM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Rams won 30-23. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings' sleepy start, red-zone issues sting in loss to Rams

By Brian Hall Dec. 26, 2021 06:30 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings 12/26/2021

Dec. 26, 2021 01:37 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins walks out onto the field before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears 12/20/2021

Dec. 20, 2021 07:01 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) looks to pass against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette via AP)
Vikings look to steady themselves against struggling Bears

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 16, 2021 01:54 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) jumps into the end zone near Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) for a touchdown run in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP)
Still-viable Vikings can't escape late-game stress

By Dave Campbell Dec. 10, 2021 06:40 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings 12/9/2021

Dec. 09, 2021 08:13 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Close-game expert Steelers visit snake-bitten Vikings

By Dave Campbell Dec. 08, 2021 06:19 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Passive defense yields demise for Vikes, puts season on edge

By Dave Campbell Dec. 06, 2021 07:25 PM EST

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker sports an Oxford decal, honoring the students killed at the high school this week, during pregame of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions 12/5/2021

Dec. 05, 2021 01:01 PM EST