Professional football
FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2015, file photo, Oakland Raiders' Aldon Smith cools off during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Oakland, Calif. Dallas Cowboys defensive end Smith had already been suspended from the NFL several years when his ailing grandmother implored him to change his life before she died of complications from Lou Gehrig's disease. That conversation, and her death in 2019, were catalysts for Smith trying to get a handle on issues with alcohol, getting in shape and ultimately earning reinstatement nearly five years after he was banished over multiple legal problems. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Aldon Smith says he's better man, seeks revival with Cowboys

By Schuyler Dixon 14 hrs ago

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dee Ford (55) gestures next to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first half of the NFL NFC Championship football game in Santa Clara, Calif. San Francisco edge rusher Dee Ford had an "extensive cleanup" operation for tendinitis in his left knee that limited his effectiveness in his first season with the 49ers. Ford said Friday, May 29, 2020 that Dr. James Andrews performed the operation a few weeks after San Francisco lost the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
49ers edge rusher Dee Ford aims for healthy second season

By Josh Dubow 16 hrs ago

The gates of St. Edwards' Lewis-Chen Family Soccer Field are locked and marked closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Austin, Texas. In response to the economic impact of COVID-19, St. Edwards says they are cutting cut six sports programs including men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf and men's soccer. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Latest: Massachusetts Gov. Baker OKs pro team practices

By The Associated Press 17 hrs ago

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2016, file photo, then-Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson has been named a senior advisor for the Cleveland Browns, reuniting with vice president of football operations Andrew Berry, who has filled out his front office. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Ex-Colts GM Ryan Grigson joins Browns' staff as top adviser

By Tom Withers 21 hrs ago

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2016, file photo, Tennessee Titans' Rashad Johnson, center, and Kevin Byard (31) try to control an onside kick by Cleveland Browns' Cody Parkey (3) during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Browns recovered the ball on the play. The NFL desperately is seeking ways to eliminate the more dangerous plays, and the onside kick has been deemed one. It occurs rarely, and in recent years with alterations to alignments and run-ups, the probably of it succeeding has plummeted. So Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie suggested giving teams an alternative. They could still try the onside kick, or they could opt for a fourth-and-15 play from the kicking team's 25-yard line. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Analysis: Onside kicks versus fourth-and-15s

By Barry Wilner May. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2016, file photo, Tennessee Titans' Rashad Johnson, center, and Kevin Byard (31) try to control an onside kick by Cleveland Browns' Cody Parkey (3) during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Browns recovered the ball on the play. The NFL desperately is seeking ways to eliminate the more dangerous plays, and the onside kick has been deemed one. It occurs rarely, and in recent years with alterations to alignments and run-ups, the probably of it succeeding has plummeted. So Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie suggested giving teams an alternative. They could still try the onside kick, or they could opt for a fourth-and-15 play from the kicking team's 25-yard line. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Browns-Titans 10/16/2016

May. 29, 2020 01:02 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2019, photo, New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) shrugs off a block in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings in New Orleans. The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with free agent cornerback Apple. The move gives the Panthers the experienced cornerback they coveted after James Bradberry signed as a free agent with the Giants. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Panthers agree to terms with free agent CB Eli Apple

By Steve Reed May. 28, 2020 06:12 PM EDT

FILE - This Aug. 24, 2017, file photo shows screens of a video game at a Madden NFL 18 Launch Event in New York. The Madden franchise will continue to be a part of the gaming universe for at least the next six years. NFL owners on Thursday, May 28, 2020, approved an extension of their deal with Electronic Arts, continuing a relationship that has existed for 30 years. It was also recently approved by the NFL Players Association. (Mark Von Holden/AP Images for EA SPORTS Madden NFL 18, File)
NFL, EA agree to extension of Madden video game franchise

By Joe Reedy May. 28, 2020 05:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21), left, and Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald talk during an NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Peterson believes the team can be among the NFL's elite this fall. Peterson is in the final year of a five-year contract and hopes to stay with the Cardinals for the remainder of his career. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Cardinals' Peterson to those who doubt him: "Wait and see"

By David Brandt May. 28, 2020 05:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions during a season ticket member fan forum before practice at the Cleveland Browns NFL football team's training camp facility in Berea, Ohio. Several NFL teams are reopening their training facilities Tuesday, May 19, 2020, while many are prohibited by government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell gave the 32 clubs the go-ahead for limited reopenings as long as state and local municipalities allow them. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
NFL owners table onside kick alternative proposal

By Barry Wilner May. 28, 2020 02:39 PM EDT

In this aerial image soccer players of both teams play the game in front of empty spectator stands during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, May 26, 2020. The German Bundesliga is the world's first major soccer league to resume after a two-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Marcel Kusch/DPA via AP, Pool)
The Latest: Virginia Gov. says racing allowed in state

By The Associated Press May. 28, 2020 01:27 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2018, file photo, then-Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson (25) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. Reporters from The Associated Press spoke to more than two dozen athletes from around the globe -- representing seven countries and 11 sports -- to get a sense of how concerned or confident they are about resuming competition. Thompson is an NFL running back. He’s also the father of a 4-month-old daughter, Kali. “If I go practice or play and I come back home with the virus, she’s not strong enough yet to fight something like that. For me, that’s my biggest worry,” said Thompson, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this month after seven seasons with the Redskins. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
AP Exclusive: Athletes wary about virus, testing upon return

By Howard Fendrich May. 28, 2020 10:38 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield reacts during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland. The Browns quarterback said being away from football has given him time to reflect on his career and made him more determined to rebound from a tough second season in the NFL. Mayfield spoke Wednesday, May 27, 2020, on a Zoom call for the first time since the end of last season. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Quieter Mayfield knows Year 3 vital for him after rough '19

By Tom Withers May. 27, 2020 05:33 PM EDT

Patriots' McCourty feeling good after offseason surgery

By Kyle Hightower May. 27, 2020 05:09 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty has experienced lots of change during his 11-year NFL career. It’s why he didn’t try to...

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones and Aaron Rodgers take a selfie after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 24-16. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Packers' Jones says his contract status won't distract him

By Steve Megargee May. 27, 2020 03:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 8, 2020, file photo, an empty Parkview Field minor league baseball stadium is shown in downtown Fort Wayne, Ind. Unlike the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball that can run on television revenue, it's impossible for some minor sports leagues in North America to go on in empty stadiums and arenas in light of the coronavirus pandemic. These attendance-driven leagues might not play again at all in 2020, putting some teams in danger of surviving at all and potentially changing the landscape of minor league sports in the future. (Mike Moore/The Journal-Gazette via AP, File)
The Latest: Kansas athletics facing imposing budget woes

By The Associated Press May. 27, 2020 02:15 PM EDT

NFL clarifies rules proposal on alternate for onside kicks

By Barry Wilner May. 27, 2020 12:32 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has clarified the rules proposal for an alternative to an onside kick. The Philadelphia Eagles have proposed...

FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey celebrates the team's win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Los Angeles. Ramsey says he won’t hold out as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract and his first full season with the Rams. After a tumultuous tenure in Jacksonville, the star cornerback sounds content in Los Angeles and eager to play new roles on defense. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Jalen Ramsey won't skip Rams camp; deal 'will get handled'

By Greg Beacham May. 26, 2020 06:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers NFL football player Minkah Fitzpatrick gestures during practice for the Pro Bowl in Kissimmee, Fla. Fitzpatrick isn't sure when he'll get a chance to be around his teammates again. In a weird way though, the potentially chaotic schedule that lies ahead for the NFL could be a boon to the Steelers, who bring back 10 starters on a defense that finished fifth in the league last season. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Fitzpatrick: modified schedule could benefit Steelers

By Will Graves May. 26, 2020 03:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2020, file photo, New Orleans Saints guard Larry Warford runs during NFL football NFC Pro Bowl practice in Kissimmee, Fla. After being selected for the last three Pro Bowls, Warford was cut by New Orleans earlier this month. He immediately became the most enticing offensive lineman on the market, and will likely find a starting spot somewhere. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Some big names remain unsigned late in NFL's odd offseason

By Dennis Waszak Jr. May. 26, 2020 01:23 PM EDT